My Top 10 Albums for 2020:
10. TEMESCAL TELEGRAPH-THE CORNER LAUGHERS
Light, summery pop yet with an air of sophisticated songcraft. Quite a pleasant listen.
The last track, "Lord Richard", sounds like something a traveling band of medieval musicians
might've sung back in those days, if you traded in the modern instruments for lutes and recorders
and pan flutes, that is.
Audio link:
https://cornerlaughers.com/album/temescal-telegraph
9. TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN2-YUSUF aka CAT STEVENS
Remakes of classic songs and albums have been a part of music forever..this year's countdown is
full of them for instance. However, this one is different than most in that the artist, the one
formerly known as Cat Stevens, is remaking his own material...in this case, the entirety of his
classic 1970 album. Some of the new versions stick pretty close to the originals while others stray
drastically and for the most part, work very well. One notable exception is the biggest hit from the
original record, "Wild World", which does not do a whole lot for me. Otherwise, it's a nice companion
to the original.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... ugpdUWe3Cf[/youtube]
8. ONCEINAWORLD-THE OVERTURES
Close your eyes and listen to this, and you'll swear that Sherman and Mr. Peabody set the Wayback Machine
to take you back to 1964 when all popular music seemed to have a British accent behind it. This band has
the sound down pat. You'll have to supply your own tea and crumpets, however.
7. NO FUN MONDAYS-BILLIE JO ARMSTRONG
The Green Day frontman wih his musical essay on how he spent his quarantine lockdown and he earns an A
for this fun and energetic album of covers.
6. MCCARTNEY III-PAUL MCCARTNEY
The third album in Macca's career in which he plays and sings everything by himself (hence the "III" designation
in the album's title). Most critics loved this album and although there are a couple of tunes that don't do a
thing for me, the fact that this near 80 year-old legend, after almost 60 years of recording, is still trying new
things, experimenting and pushing boundaries instead of phoning it in, earns extra points in my book. From the
simple, melodic songcraft he so excels at, to some challenging musical ideas, a very interesting listen.
5. PENNY LANE-JEFF LAKE AND CELLOPHANE FLOWERS
With the exception of a track or two, the album is a singer/guitarist backed only by a string quartet, covering
Beatles material. The arrangements are clever and different. The result is a wonderful listen.
4. 3-THE WEEKLINGS
For quite some time now, this New Jersey based quartet has been performing and recording a mix of Beatles covers,
both familiar ones and songs the Beatles wrote but never recorded themselves, alongside their own 60's inspired material.
Mostly originals here, with the exception of covers of The Beatles' "Baby You're A Rich Man" and The Easybeats' "Friday
On My Mind" which features a guest vocal by the voice of Herman's Hermits, Peter Noone. This group is about the best
there is at what they do.
Audio link..preview only..no full length samples available...
https://music.apple.com/us/album/3/1540021438
3. AMERICAN STANDARD-JAMES TAYLOR
By now, it seems that practically ever big name artist from the 60's and 70's that's still in the game has recorded an
album of tunes from the Great American Songbook. So you're forgiven for letting out a yawn upon learning that J.T. has
thrown his cap in the ring. But the big difference here is that, while the others have used the old school big band,
Sinatra style arrangements on their takes of these standards, Taylor treats them as if they were his own compositions,
done in his signature style and instrumentation. The result is more "Shower The People" than "Singin' In The Rain" and breathes
new life into what has become a tired trope.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=O ... PH5DHFEXqw[/youtube]
2. BEEN AROUND-A GIRL CALLED EDDY
To varying degrees you will hear shades of numerous artists...Amy Grant, Aimee Mann, Sheryl Crow, Rickie Lee Jones, Carole King,
Joni Mitchell, Burt Bacharach/Hal David, Karen Carpenter..even a little touch of Steely Dan. Crafted with care and a great deal
of intelligence, this is an album to sink into and shut out all distractions. My out-of-nowhere surprise of 2020.
Audio link:
https://agirlcallededdymusic.bandcamp.c ... een-around
1. HEARTBREAKER PLEASE-TEDDY THOMPSON
This is the second time Thompson has scored the #1 slot in my Album of the Year countdown. He did it in 2011 with "Bella"
and 9 years later he grabs the top spot again with another potent mix of soul, sophisticated country (what they used to call
"Metropolitan Country") and Roy Orbison-style early 60's pop. The material is strong and...well, I just love listening to
this guy sing. Not a skippable track in the bunch.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=O ... E6ebzKD7Ik[/youtube]
We'll wrap things up for 2020 on Thursday with my Top 20 songs. As always, hope you found something to like.
2020 Boneys THE ALBUMS
- T_Bone0806
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2020 Boneys THE ALBUMS
"#$%&@*&"-Donald F. Duck
- T_Bone0806
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Re: 2020 Boneys THE ALBUMS
Can't figure out why some youtube vids posted in the thread while others didn't necessitating clicking the link to go to the youtube page.
Sorry for the inconvenience
Sorry for the inconvenience
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- Estonut
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Re: 2020 Boneys THE ALBUMS
I think it's because you have used the URLs for playlists for some videos, rather than the simpler URL for the song itself.T_Bone0806 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 1:06 pmCan't figure out why some youtube vids posted in the thread while others didn't necessitating clicking the link to go to the youtube page.
Sorry for the inconvenience
The "YouTube" tag works for the format:
Code: Select all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdPrM8_iWxA
It's like you're referencing an album instead of a song. The Macca one IS the full album in one video, so it works.
A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.
Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx