Best of 2007 - Final

This is My final Best of 2007. Wilco is still #1. The debuts are Deadstring Brothers at #5, The Boss at #9, John Fogerty at #16, Larry Cordle at #22, Ryan Bingham at #25, Band of Horses at #33, Little Big Town at #39 and Levon Helm at #46 Also, as usual, I did some rearranging based on further reflection.

Because the list stopped growing at 50, some albums had to come off. My apologies to the artists. However, like the AP College Football Poll I have an others receiving votes type of honorable mention category at the bottom to recognize albums that came close to making it. For a year in which you hear so much negative press about the music industry, 2007 is a banner year. The major labels may have committed Pop suicide but the indie world is as or even more prolific as ever. Enjoy the list and feel free to tell me how you agree or disagree. Also, make no hesitation to trash me or my intelligence in any way you see fit. I'm used to it.

1) Wilco - "Sky Blue Sky"
2) Patty Griffin - "Children Running Through"
3) White Stripes - "Icky Thump"
4) Kelly Willis - "Translated From Love"
5) Deadstring Brothers - "Silver Mountain"
6) Lyle Lovett - "It's Not Big It's Large"
7) Wrinkle Neck Mules - "Wicks Have Met"
8) Jason Isbell - "Sirens of the Ditch"
9) Bruce Springsteen - "Magic"
10) Assembly of Dust - "Recollection"
11) Kane, Welch, Kaplin - Kane Welch Kaplin
12) Hackensaw Boys - "Look Out"
13) The Shins - "Wincing the Night Away"
14) Ryan Adams - "Easy Tiger"
15) John Doe - "A year in the Wilderness"
16) John Fogerty - "Revival"
17) Son Volt - "The Search"
18) Peter Case - "Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John"
19) Oakley Hall - "I'll Follow You"
20) The Broken West - "I Can't Go on I'll Go on"
21) Elliot Randall - "Take the Fall"
22) Larry Cordle & Lonsome Standard Time - "Took Down & Put Up"
23) The Basement - "Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs"
24) Josh Ritter - "The Historical Conquests of"
25) Ryan Bingham - "Mescalito"
26) Paul McCartney - " Memory Almost Full"
27) Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles - "Diamonds in the Dark"
28) Kim Richey - "Chinese Boxes"
29) Joe Henry - "Civilians"
30) King Wilkie - "Low Country Suite"
31) Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before he Ship Ever Sank"
32) Giant Bear - "Giant Bear"
33) Band of Horses - "Cease to Begin"
34) Feist - "The Reminder"
35) Iron & Wine - "The Shepherds Dog"
36) Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars - "Loves' Com to Town"
37) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
38) Mary Gauthier - Between Daylight and Dark"
39) Little Big Town - "A Place to Land"
40) Dale Watson - "From the Cradle to the Grave"
41) Spoon - "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
42) The Gourds - "Noble Creatures"
43) The National - "Boxer"
44) Slider Pines - "Road, Avenue, Railroad"
45) Alberta Cross - "The Thief and the Heartbreaker"
46) Levon Helm - "Dirt Farmer"
47) Infamous Stringdusters - "Fork in the Road"
48) Adam Hood - "Different Groove"
49) Steep Canyon Rangers - "Lovin' Pretty Women"
50) Rocky Votolato - "The Brag and Cuss"

Other Notables (In no particular order):
Kevin Deal, Terri Hendrix, Plant-Krauss, Randy Khors, Chuck Prophet, Jim Lauderdale, Dwight Yoakam, Joe Ely, Josh Rouse, Grace Potter, Bettye LaVette, Charlie Louvin, Nathan, Steve Earle, Cadillac Sky, Eillen Jewell, Pieta Brown, 2 Cow Garage, Willy Mason, Pela, Brandi Carlisle, Martin Sexton, Okkervil River and The Derailers.

Best of 2007

This is My updated Best of 2007. Wilco is still #1. The debuts are Lyle Lovett at #5, Oakley Hall at #16, Josh Ritter at #20, Iron & Wine at #30, Mary Gauthier at #33, Bettye Lavette at #38, Slider Pines at #40, Alberta Cross at #41 and finally Steve Earle at #45. Also, as usual, I did some rearranging based on further reflection.

Since I vowed last month to stop at 50, some albums had to come off. My apologies to the following artists, Hoots & Hellmouth, Eillen Jewell, Pieta Brown, 2 Cow Garage, Willy Mason, Pela, Brandi Carlisle, Martin Sexton, Okkervil River and The Derailers. For a year in which you hear so much negative press about the music industry, 2007 is a banner year. The major labels may have committed Pop suicide but the indie world is as or even more prolific as ever. Enjoy the list and feel free to tell me how you agree or disagree. Also, make no hesitation to trash me or my intelligence in any way you see fit. I'm used to it.

1) Wilco - "Sky Blue Sky"
2) Patty Griffin - "Children Running Through"
3) White Stripes - "Icky Thump"
4) Kelly Willis - "Translated From Love"
5) Lyle Lovett - "It's Not Big It's Large"
6) Wrinkle Neck Mules - "Wicks Have Met"
7) Jason Isbell - "Sirens of the Ditch"
8) Assembly of Dust - "Recollection"
9) Kane, Welch, Kaplin - Kane Welch Kaplin
10) Hackensaw Boys - "Look Out"
11) The Shins - "Wincing the Night Away"
12) Ryan Adams - "Easy Tiger"
13) John Doe - "A year in the Wilderness"
14) Son Volt - "The Search"
15) Peter Case - "Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John"
16) Oakley Hall - "I'll Follow You"
17) The Broken West - "I Can't Go on I'll Go on"
18) Elliot Randall - "Take the Fall"
19) The Basement - "Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs"
20) Josh Ritter - "The Historical Conquests of"
21) Paul McCartney - " Memory Almost Full"
22) Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles - "Diamonds in the Dark"
23) Kim Richey - "Chinese Boxes"
24) Joe Henry - "Civilians"
25) King Wilkie - "Low Country Suite"
26) Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before he Ship Ever Sank"
27) Giant Bear - "Giant Bear"
28) Josh Rouse - "Country Mouse, City house"
29) Feist - "The Reminder"
30) Iron & Wine - "The Shepherds Dog"
31) Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars - "Loves' Com to Town"
32) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
33) Mary Gauthier - Between Daylight and Dark"
34) Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - "This is Somewhere"
35) Dale Watson - "From the Cradle to the Grave"
36) Spoon - "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
37) The Gourds - "Noble Creatures"
38) Bettye Lavette - "The Scene o the Crime"
39) The National - "Boxer"
40) Slider Pines - "Road, Avenue, Railroad"
41) Alberta Cross - "The Thief and the Heartbreaker"
42) Charlie Louvin - "Charlie Louvin"
43) Infamous Stringdusters - "Fork in the Road"
44) Nathan - "Key Principles"
45) Adam Hood - "Different Groove"
46) Steep Canyon Rangers - "Lovin' Pretty Women"
47) Rocky Votolato - "The Brag and Cuss"
48) Steve Earle - "Washington Square Serenade"
49) Joe Ely - "Happy Song from Rattlesnake Gulch"
50) Cadillac Sky - "Blind Man Walking"

Best of 2007

This is My updated Best of 2007. Wilco is still #1. The highest debuts are Peter Case at #14, Giant Bear at #23 and Josh Rouse at #24. I expanded the list to 50 this time but it will get no longer for the rest of the year. Things are going to have to start coming off with any further additions. Also, as usual, I did some rearranging based on further reflection. I finally got the Brandi Carlile album so it is a late entry to the list at #40. However, even in a year full of great releases by female singer songwriters it deserved a spot. Lyle Lovett released this week. However, I have only listened to part of the album so it will wait until next month. Enjoy the list and feel free to tell me how you agree or disagree. Also, make no hesitation to trash me or my intelligence in any way you see fit. I'm used to it.

1) Wilco - "Sky Blue Sky"
2) Patty Griffin - "Children Running Through"
3) White Stripes - "Icky Thump"
4) Kelly Willis - "Translated From Love"
5) Wrinkle Neck Mules - "Wicks Have Met"
6) Jason Isbell - "Sirens of the Ditch"
7) Assembly of Dust - "Recollection"
8) Kane, Welch, Kaplin - Kane Welch Kaplin
9) Hackensaw Boys - "Look Out"
10) The Shins - "Wincing the Night Away"
11) Ryan Adams - "Easy Tiger"
12) John Doe - "A year in the Wilderness"
13) Son Volt - "The Search"
14) Peter Case - "Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John"
15) The Broken West - "I Can't Go on I'll Go on"
16) Elliot Randall - "Take the Fall"
17) The Basement - "Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs"
18) Paul McCartney - " Memory Almost Full"
19) Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles - "Diamonds in the Dark"
20) Kim Richey - "Chinese Boxes"
21) King Wilkie - "Low Country Suite"
22) Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before he Ship Ever Sank"
23) Giant Bear - "Giant Bear"
24) Josh Rouse - "Country Mouse, City house"
25) Feist - "The Reminder"
26) Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars - "Loves' Com to Town"
27) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
28) Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - "This is Somewhere"
29) Willy Mason - "If the Ocean Gets Rough"
30) Dale Watson - "From the Cradle to the Grave"
31) Spoon - "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
32) The Gourds - "Noble Creatures"
33) The National - "Boxer"
34) Charlie Louvin - "Charlie Louvin"
35) Infamous Stringdusters - "Fork in the Road"
36) Nathan - "Key Principles"
37) Adam Hood - "Different Groove"
38) Steep Canyon Rangers - "Lovin' Pretty Women"
39) Rocky Votolato - "The Brag and Cuss"
40) Brandi Carlile - "The Story"
41) Eilen Jewell - "Letters from Sinners and Strangers"
42) Pela - "Anytown Graffiti"
43) Joe Ely - "Happy Song from Rattlesnake Gulch"
44) Cadillac Sky - "Blind Man Walking"
45) Martin Sexton - "Seeds"
46) The Derailers - "Under the Influence of Buck"
47) Piets Brown - "Remember the Sun
48) Two Cow Garage - "Three"
49) Okervil River - "The Stage Names"
50) Hoots & Hellmouth- "Hoots & Hellmouth"

Best of 2007

**UPDATED 8-1-2007**
Due to a Blogger glich 16 items got deleted when I posted. This is the corrected list. However, the list still only includes releases through July 14th.
This is My updated Best of 2007. Wilco is still #1. The highest debuts are Kelly Willis at #4, Jason Isbell at #6 and Ryan Adams at #10. I expanded the list to 40 this time and dropped 5 from the previous list. My apologies to anyone offended the list was getting to big. Also, as usual, I did some rearranging based on further reflection. Reviews are coming for Kelly Willis and Elliot Randall who debuted at #14. Another notable debut is Spoon at #25. Enjoy the list and feel free to tell me how you agree or disagree. Also, make no hesitation to trash me or my intelligence in any way you see fit. I'm used to it.

1) Wilco - "Sky Blue Sky"
2) Patty Griffin - "Children Running Through"
3) White Stripes - "Icky Thump"
4) Kelly Willis - "Translated From Love"
5) Wrinkle Neck Mules - "Wicks Have Met"
6) Jason Isbell - "Sirens of the Ditch"
7) Assembly of Dust - "Recollection"
8) Hackensaw Boys - "Look Out"
9) The Shins - "Wincing the Night Away"
10) Ryan Adams - "Easy Tiger"
11) John Doe - "A year in the Wilderness"
12) Son Volt - "The Search"
13) The Broken West - "I Can't Go on I'll Go on"
14) Elliot Randall - "Take the Fall"
15) The Basement - "Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs"
16) Paul McCartney - " Memory Almost Full"
17) Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles - "Diamonds in the Dark"
18) Kim Richey - "Chinese Boxes"
19) King Wilkie - "Low Country Suite"
20) Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before he Ship Ever Sank"
21) Feist - "The Reminder"
22) Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars - "Loves' Com to Town"
23) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
24) Willy Mason - "If the Ocean Gets Rough"
25) Dale Watson - "From the Cradle to the Grave"
26) Spoon - "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
27) The National - "Boxer"
28) Charlie Louvin - "Charlie Louvin"
29) Infamous Stringdusters - "Fork in the Road"
30) Nathan - "Key Principles"
31) Adam Hood - "Different Groove"
32) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
33) Rocky Votolato - "The Brag and Cuss"
34) Pela - "Anytown Graffiti"
35) Joe Ely - "Happy Song from Rattlesnake Gulch"
36) Cadillac Sky - "Blind Man Walking"
37) Martin Sexton - "Seeds"
38) Two Cow Garage - "Three"
39) The Gourds - "Noble Creatures"
40) Hoots & Hellmouth- "Hoots & Hellmouth"

Best of 2007

This is My updated Best of 2007. Wilco is still #1 The artists with the highest debuts are White Stripes and Wrinkle Neck Mules at 3 and 4 respectively. The Hackensaw Boys and JohnDoe also debuted in the top 10. While Paul McCartney and Sarah Borges entered just outside the top 10. This list does not inlcude any albums released on June 26th. So Ryan Adams and Kelly Willis will have to wait until next month. Also, as usual, I did some rearranging based on further reflection. Enjoy the list and feel free to tell me how you agree or disagree. Also, make no hesitation to trash me or my intelligence in any way you see fit. I'm used to it.

1) Wilco - "Sky Blue Sky"
2) Patty Griffin - "Children Running Through"
3) White Stripes - "Icky Thump"
4) Wrinkle Neck Mules - "Wicks Have Met"
5) Assembly of Dust - "Recollection"
6) Hackensaw Boys - "Look Out"
7) The Broken West - "I Can't Go on I'll Go on"
8) )The Shins - "Wincing the Night Away"
9) Son Volt - "The Search"
10) John Doe - "A year in the Wilderness"
11) Paul McCartney - " Memory Almost Full"
12) Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles - "Diamonds in the Dark"
13) Willy Mason - "If the Ocean Gets Rough"
14) Dale Watson - "From the Cradle to the Grave"
15) Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before he Ship Ever Sank"
16) Feist - "The Reminder"
17) Charlie Louvin - "Charlie Louvin"
18) Infamous Stringdusters - "Fork in the Road"
19) Nathan - "Key Principles"
20) Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars - "Loves' Com to Town"
21) Adam Hood - "Different Groove"
22) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
23) Rocky Votolato - "The Brag and Cuss"
24) The Basement - "Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs"
25) The Greencards - "Viridian"
26) Pela - "Anytown Graffiti"
27) Joe Ely - "Happy Song from Rattlesnake Gulch"
28) Cadillac Sky - "Blind Man Walking"
29) Martin Sexton - "Seeds"
30) Two Cow Garage - "Three"
31) Hoots & Hellmouth- "Hoots & Hellmouth
32) Norah Jones - "Not Too Late"
33) Bill Kirchen - "Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods"
34) Adrienne Young - "Room to Gow"
35) The Dexateens - "Hardwire Healing"

Best of 2007

This is My updated Best of 2007. I expanded the list to 25 this time and will keep on expanding it to the end of the year. There is a lot of good music being created these days and my tastes are just too eclectic, so there is no way to predict how long the list will be by year end. Note that Patty Griffin was knocked out of the number one spot by Wilco. That was a tough call. Forgive me St. Patty. The artists with the highest debuts other than Wilco were Willy Mason at #5, Dale Watson at #8 and Feist at #9. Enjoy the list and fill free to tell me how you agree or disagree. Also, make no hesitation to trash me or my intelligence in any way you see fit. I'm used to it.

1) Wilco - "Sky Blue Sky"

2) Patty Griffin - "Children Running Through"

3) Assembly of Dust - "Recollection"

4) Willy Mason - "If the Ocean Gets Rough"

5) The Broken West - "I Can't Go on I'll Go on"

6) The Shins - "Wincing the Night Away"

7) Son Volt - "The Search"

8) Dale Watson - "From the Cradle to the Grave"

9) Feist - "The Reminder"

10) Charlie Louvin - "Charlie Louvin"

11) Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before the Ship Ever Sank"

12) Infamous Stringdusters - "Fork in the Road"

13) Nathan - "Key Principles"

14) Adam Hood - "Different Groove"

15) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"

16) The Greencards - "Viridian"

17) Pela - "Anytown Graffiti"

18) Joe Ely - "Happy Song from Rattlesnake Gulch"

19) Cadillac Sky - "Blind Man Walking"

20) Martin Sexton - "Seeds"

21) Two Cow Garage - "Three"

22) Bill Kirchen - "Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods"

23) Norah Jones - "Not Too Late"

24) The Dexateens - "Hardwire Healing"

25) Tommy Womack - "There I said it"