Best of 2006 (2)

Thanks to Mike Ollier for his two-part list of the best of 2006 (to be continued):

1. Albums of the year…
I haven't actually bought a lot of "new" albums this year, but here goes…
· Bob Dylan ~ Modern Times. Well, obviously!
· Bruce Springsteen ~ Seeger Sessions. Despite Mr Smith's views I found it engaging and a whole load of fun!
· Tom Waits ~ Bawlers, Brawlers and Bastards. Genius? I think so.
· The Yayhoos ~ Put The Hammer Down. Faces-type rock n roll fun from NYC and Dan Baird and Eric Amble
· Rob Love ~ Ghost Flight. The Alabama 3 leader with a downbeat jazz-inflected Dylan-esque blues/country/gospel/soul album.
· Gurf Morlix ~ Cut & Shoot. Has there ever been a better named guitarist? A full on country album from Lucinda Williams' ex-guitar player.


2. Re-issue/caught-up-with albums of the year…
· Frankie Miller ~ Long Way From Home. Unreleased projects from the early 90s, that voice…
· Various ~ Nuggets. Reissue of the Lenny Kaye compiled Garage Rock compilation.
· Lucinda Williams ~ Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. Her 1998 masterpiece with outtakes and a live radio session added.


3. Definitely Not album of the year
· Meatloaf ~ Bat Out Of Hell Part 7 (or is it 8? 9?). "In the land of the pig the butcher is king?" Eh? Surely in the land of the pig the butcher would be given a right going over. I heard this whilst browsing in a shop, as I did this one...
· The Beatles ~ Love. An abortion. Fair enuff, I'm not actually a Beatles fan but this sounds like Beatles on 45 to me. I would have to say that the actual production sounded fantastic, but I agree with Noel Gallagher (there's a first) who, when asked about it, said "What's the point?"


4. DVD of the year
· Ronnie Lane & the Passing Show. An extended edition of a affectionate BBC Four documentary of the life story of one of the great unsung heroes of acoustic music.

Mike Ollier






What are YOUR top albums/gigs of 2006? I - and Music for Grown-Ups readers - would love to know….

Gerry Smith