Joy

Mood Music |

Lucinda Williams | "Joy" | Car Wheels on a Gravel Road |

An all-time Lucinda song from one of the best records. "I don't want you anymore, cause you took my joy... you took my joy, I want it back."

80choices

So Far / So Good... ??? 2020

This year, whew, worst year ever probably, just a crusher. At least there's been some music to consume, with the art of listening required for involvement. Ah, listening. Anyhow, hopefully you've been opening your ears and minds to some good vibrations. The list below is the 2020 installment of So Far / So Good. I wish everyone a safe and productive next couple of months. The last few have been personally brutal. I realize summer's moving toward autumn. I want more summer warmth but let's put this year in the rearview, while never forgetting that progress is still needed. Music can soothe the soul, we're gonna need it.

So Far So Good has been a long running account of the records that've grabbed my ear through the first half of each year. Later on I complete the list as we travel around the sun (So Good So Far). Thank you musicians for sharing your music. Here's to the future... 

Best Records So Far:
* Enemy Radio - Loud Is Not Enough - "Food As a Machine Gun", "Lock Your Wheels"
* Margaret Glaspy - Devotion - "Killing What Keeps Us Alive", "Stay With Me", "Devotion"
* MMJ - Waterfall II - Still Thinking, Climbing the Ladder, Run It, Wasted, Welcome Home
~ Courtney Marie Andrew - Old Flowers - "Burlap Strings"
~ The Jayhawks - XOXO

Honorable Mention:
~ Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - All the Good Times
~ Lucinda Williams - Good Souls Better Angels
~ Thao & The Get Down Stay Down - Temple
~ Bob Dylan - Rough and Rowdy Ways
~ Perfume Genuis - Set My Heart on Fire Immediately
~ Caroline Rose - Superstar - "Feel the Way I Want" - synth-pop, dance music, Beck-like
~ Ben Seretan - Youth Pastoral - "Power Zone"
~ Ray Lamontagne - Monovision


Amazing EP's: 
~ Rubio - La Perdida - EP - edgy, electro-drip, lush vocals, strings, hypnotic, Sade-like, "Nudo"
~ Skull Crusher - EP - "Places / Plans" - one of the best songs of the year
~ Zsela - EP - "Ache of Victory"
~ Kaash Paige - EP - "Frank Ocean"

Thanks for checking in. Be kind out there.

80choices

Minneapolis

Lucinda Williams | "Minneapolis" | World Without Tears

I wish my thoughts were pure like the driven snow
Like the heavens and the spring's virgin buds
But they strangle me with their sin
Fill me up with poison
Black clouds have covered up the sun again

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So Far So Good 2K16

We are not two, we are one!

Music's important, it seems a necessity. Emotions and creativity intersect through the sounds of our favorite songs. The first half of this year has been pretty damn good. I began the process of dissecting music on a biannual basis back in 2013. I like to get a feel for the albums recorded until June. Then, as in the past, I give a rundown of the records released in the second half of the calendar year. We should digest the soundtracks to our live's thoughtfully. So without further blather, here are my choices at the halfway point. Hello summer.

Cactus Blossoms | You're Dreaming
Release date: January 22
Thanks to The Mississippi, and the talent residing in an artistically nurturing metropolitan, better known as the Twin Cities; The Cactus Blossoms have achieved the constant ebb of old music while  flowing into our modern consciousness (No More Crying the Blues). Tooled with great words, their vocals deliver and harmonize all too well (Mississippi). Their sound can conjure many names of yesteryear if you must mine them (Change Your Ways or Die). It's better in my opinion to just let their timeless rhythm stream over you—it leaves you almost river drunk. They make the most of their AM radio-friendly narratives (listen below).

"Stoplight Kisses"

Santigold | 99¢
Release date: February 26
In many ways this is the antithesis to the above mentioned. Santigold came in and delivered a modern pitch, one I wanted to hear. The hit on this record has a direct message, playful and snappy with confident honesty (Can't Get Enough of Myself). The pace changes from track to track, a good example is (Who Be Lovin Me), featuring one of two guest spots. My personal favorite from 99¢ is the track below (Chasing Shadows). Earlier praise can be found here.

"Chasing Shadows"

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down | Man Alive
Release date: March 4
Get down and stay down, Man Alive moves me. Thao's latest is truly an offering. She serves up incredibly honest tales that can only be summarize as perceptive and personal. Man Alive might be my favorite album thus far. Maybe what I'm about to say is too simplistic, but the main course is the middle of this record. Track five (Nobody Dies) has taken on a completely new meaning for me as of late—it's almost too harsh in its seemingly kind reminder...what to say? There's a type of persistence to this record, it wants to affect you. I identify with the songs, the words, the music. It all works for me. Feeling brave enough to say things, must feel good (Guts). Aided by the rallying of their leader, the band's playing encourages me to partake, to yell along with (Fool Forever). Smashing into me are the lyrics and lullaby of dropping all the bullshit, the effort it takes to tell it like it is (Millionaire).

"Nobody Dies"

Sturgill Simpson | A Sailor's Guide to Earth
Release date: April 15
The overall sound is robust, navigating differently, yet remaining true. A Sailor's Guide to Earth definitely rocks when the time is right (Keep It Between the Lines). Sturgill Simpson has followed up an otherworldly record with another mystifying contribution. I want more. A beautiful cover from my youth is given new life, literally (In Bloom). Sometimes there's no good to cling to, but there is, and he reminds us of it (Brace For Impact). Greasy times call for a different set of rules. He outlines the struggle quite poignantly on the final track (Call to Arms). Sturgill's a good guide.

"Call To Arms" (live)

Kevin Morby | Singing Saw
Release date: April 15
Wavering sounds coax you in on the first track from Singing Saw (Cut Me Down). Lessons come in many forms, there are also warnings, sometimes they're one in the same (I Have Been to the Mountain). Kevin Morby can paint with his words, and this time there's a bit more punch, more heft. Other voices, horns, and an organ's hum smear the edges of his story, a sort of sonic apprehension. I like the images he chooses to share with us on certain cuts (Dorothy). I also feather in some of my own. Connections are made when I hear Kevin Morby's music (Ferris Wheel). I like that.

"I Have Been to the Mountain"



Beyoncé | Lemonade
April 23
Lemonade is everything without being diluted. It encompasses almost too much, but is singular; the message is sharp and honest. It feels as though, she is free. The sound-scape is a cornucopia of genres, swirled cohesively to create visions of reggaeton dance hall (Hold Up), hit them boat horns yo. Then it becomes deep soul and hip hop in one track (Freedom). It's also country (Daddy Lessons). There are elements of rock (Don't Hurt Yourself). And amazing pop power with a helpful sample (All Night). Then there's the beast that Bey dropped at the Super Bowl halftime. "Formation" is its own thing—with that old school Asian sounding string being bent over new school beats. How'd she get away with that show? She's slay'n, just drop'n it harder and more direct, way to be Beyoncé. Lemonade is pure nectar from pain.

Honorable Mention: Lucius | Good Grief - The Jayhawks | Paging Mr. Proust - Margo Price | Midwest Farmer's Daughter - Lucinda Williams | The Ghost of Highway 20

PS. Thanks for tuning in, I know I've been a bit absent recently. Things happen.

eightychoices.

Hardly Strictly is Heavy Hitting

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass | Oct. 3rd, 4th & 5th

This year's Hardly Strictly lineup is way beyond impressive (only three weeks to go). Those who are willing to brave the masses within Golden Gate Park are sure to be rewarded. It's one of those years where attending all three days could become a reality, in which case you sacrifice some sanity.

October 3rd—I'm excited to see are Ryan Adams*, John Prine, and Thao & The Get Down Stay Down.

October 4th—I will definitely be glued to Dave Rawlings Machine*. I would also enjoy catching Jason Isbell, Chris Isaak*, Justin Townes Earl, and Built to Spill if at all possible. Considering I'll have to post up wicked-early at the stage hosting Rawlings Machine, I'm probably going to be camped at one stage.

October 5th—I will be geared-up to hear Jeff Tweedy* perform with his son Spencer. Bela Fleck and his wife, Abigail Washburn, also play on Sunday.

TBD—Other performers who've yet to announce their day (at time of publishing) are, Lucinda Williams*, Yo La Tengo, Deltron 3030 & the 3030 Orchestra*, Cibo Matto, and The Apache Relay. Be sure to check out the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Below is an audio sampling of what to expect. Enjoy.

Lucinda Williams | "Can't Let Go"



Ryan Adams | "Oh My Sweet Carolina"



Chris Isaak | "Wicked Games"



Deltron 3030 | "Virus"



* those I most want to see.

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