It’s not like we listen to albums much anymore. I pick out the tunes I like from the albums and download them, so it’s not my common practice to listen to an entire record. That’s why I make this list – these are entire records that are really strong. Some don’t even have an individual song on my Top 40 list. There’s still something to be said for listening to these artists’ complete thoughts over the course of a whole album, and these guys all have something to say.

God Don’t Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson    Fresh versions of classic blues spirituals from Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Cowboy Junkies, Blind Boys, Maria McKee Luther Dickinson and more. So many excellent songs, but the title track is exceptional.

Redemption and Ruin –The Devil Makes Three      I love their harmonies and old-timey sensibilities on this record that is split down the middle – 6 songs of ruin and another 6 of redemption. These are all covers of folks like Tom Waits, Hank Williams, Muddy Waters, Townes, and unlike many covers, these guys take really smart and engaging approaches.

 Weighted Mind – Sierra Hull   I love this record and Sierra Hull, and can’t wait to see what she does next. She’s a young mandolin player (mandolin player of the year, in fact) and vocalist who offers a fresh take on bluegrass with minimal accompaniment (double bass and occasional banjo) and some fine songwriting.

Blue and Lonesome – The Rolling Stones   I had been listening to early Stones on their new record “Rolling Stones in Mono”, was stuck on ‘King Bee’ from 1964 and thinking how good these guys were playing the blues. Then out comes their new blues record and now I know they’re even better at it now. These blues were made for old men.

Day Breaks – Norah Jones   She’s singing with some jazz players again – Wayne Shorter, Brian Blade, Lonnie Smith – the tunes are interesting and her voice just belongs here. I’ve liked Norah through a few phases, but this one feels more like home.

Blindfaller – Mandolin Orange    A group that’s new to me. They’ve just expanded their husband/wife duo to a band, and their brand of bluegrass is very modern and organic sounding. I’d just started hearing this record when we saw them at the Tractor and now they’re one of my favorites.

The Ghosts of Highway 20 – Lucinda Williams    This is a wonderfully loaded record. So personal and honest and painful, and some of the affects her voice took on with previous releases are let go on this one. Highway 20 holds a lot of memories and personal history, including the death of her father.

A Day for the Hunter, a Day for the Prey – Leyla McCalla    Leyla was the cellist for Carolina Chocolate Drops and brings their historic sensibility to her own work, from Haitian folk ballads to Creole slave songs to new and old jazz.

You Want It Darker – Leonard Cohen    …and then he died. This record clearly anticipated the end and often feels halfway off the ground and into the ether. Leonard seemed to be responding to the political moment in his deeply religious and sacrilegious way, while continuing his questions and answers with the unknowable. It just seeps into you.

Unguarded Moments – Kieran Kane   Truly unguarded moments in reflection on loss and life. Just solo voice and banjo, this is a time for Kiernan to be alone and process his life through music.

Nearness – Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau   Two of my favorite jazz musicians having a great time working together, sax and piano. Half standards, half new compositions, these were culled from a tour a couple of years ago. This to me is the best of modern jazz – reworkings and interplay that builds on the past to create something entirely new.

Boots No. 1: The Official Revival Bootleg – Gillian Welch   Outtakes and rejects from Gillian’s first album ‘Revival.’ She’s just so easy to listen to, and Dave Rawlins’ harmonies and guitar are as married to her music as he is to her.

Nothing More to Say – The Frightnrs     I was in a record store in Brooklyn and picked up this album from the Queens-based group. They’re a ska/reggae band with soul/doo-wop overtones and I love them. Tragically, their lead singer died from ALS the week after I bought the record, so it is their first and last. Love the organ!

American Band – Drive-By Truckers    This is a fierce album – these guys sound pissed off and take on the dilemma of Southern pride and shame by vivid, blunt, and direct storytelling with music to match in what they call ‘protest music.’

Changes – Charles Bradley   Charles worked hard to get here, and now that he’s here he’s not pulling any punches. He puts everything he’s got into every soulful sound he makes. Sadly, he’s now got stomach cancer, continuing the bad musician news of 2016 and for DapTone records (Sharon Jones and the above mentioned Frightnrs.)

Teens of Denial – Car Seat Headrest   My friend Will turned me onto this, and I keep listening to it even if I still don’t get it.

Masterpiece – Big Thief    New and young and talented, some folks call it ‘saloon grunge’ and others ‘rangy folk rock.’ Whatever. They’ve got great hooks, nice lo-fi sounds, can rock out a little, and tell a good story.

Live From A&R Studios – The Allman Brothers Band    This 1971 live recording was just released in 2016. Duane is on fire for the whole thing, but especially moving is ‘Soul Serenade’ which they drove into as a tribute to King Curtis, who Duane had recorded with and who had been murdered 2 weeks prior. Duane was dead 2 months later.