Here’s one last look back at 2008 in the form of a mixtape. I’ve written about each of the artists included either in the pages of the Chronicle or here in Geezerville. These 20 songs fit onto an 80-minute CD and with the previous set posted in July, it will bring back memories of the good things that happened in the past twelve months in a handy two-disc compilation.
Now it’s on to 2009, where upcoming releases by Buddy & Julie Miller, Jason Isbell, Black Joe Lewis & the Honey Bears, Dustin Welch, Jeb Loy Nichols, Gurf Morlix, Mark Olsen & Gary Louris, Robyn Hitchcock, Guy Davis, Bruce Robison, and the T Jarrod Quartet promise to make it an equally interesting year. Enjoy.
1) Bob Dylan, “Red River Shore”, Tell Tale Signs (Columbia)
2) San Saba County, “Cowboy Song,” …Though Cheating Was Never An Option (Wagonmaker)
3) Delta Spirit, “Trashcan,” Ode to Sunshine (Rounder)
4) Elvis Costello & the Imposters, “Go Away,” Momofuku (Lost Highway)
5) Brothers & Sisters, “I Don’t Rely,” Fortunately (Calla Lily)
6) Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, “Rattlin’ Bones,” Rattlin’ Bones (Sugar Hill)
7) Patty Loveless, “Color of the Blues,” Sleepless Nights (Saguaro Road)
8) Dave Alvin, “Dry River,” Best of the Hightone Years (Shout! Factory)
9) Shelby Lynne, “Breakfast in Bed,” Just a Little Lovin’ (Lost Highway)
10) James Hunter, “Don’t Do Me No Favors,” The Hard Way (Hear Music)
11) Topaz & Mudphonic, “Lonely,” Music for Dorothy
12) Warren Hood, “Going to New Orleans” (Good Dinner)
13) Todd Snider, “Is This Thing On?,” Peace Queer (Aimless)
14) Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet, “Sugar & Pie” (Nettwerk)
15) South Austin Jug Band, “Jack Ass,” Strange Invitation (self)
16) Okkervil River, “Pop Lie,” The Stand Ins (Jagjaguwar)
17) Mario Matteoli, “Best Friend,” Golden State
18) Fred Eaglesmith, “Get On Your Knees,”Tinderbox
19) Blue Mountain, “Midnight in Mississippi,” Midnight in Mississippi (Broadmoor)
20) Old Crow Medicine Show, “Humdinger,” Tennessee Pusher (Nettwerk)Bob Dylan | San Saba County
This article appears in January 9 • 2009.