Monday 30 December 2013

What I Did on My Holidays/My Top 10 Albums of the Year


I've just got back from a Xmas break in North Wales. We went with neighbour's Des and Louise, to their family bolt hole, a cozy cottage with sea view in Rhiw, on the Llyn peninsular.
It was my first time in the area and surely not the last. It's like the Yorkshire Dales by the sea; spectacularly beautiful yet austere, no frills, built to last. We had plenty of sunshine but also found ourselves in 'The Storm of the Century' on Boxing Day when nearby Aberdaron (1 mile away) recorded gales of 110 mph. Thank God for the dulling effects of alcohol; we should have been crapping it. Anyway, we had a hoot despite our host and games master Des contracting tonsilitis on Xmas day. As you can see we still managed a fine time...
Endure my holiday photos to find my Top 10 albums of 2014 listed below...

















Meanwhile; I've been compiling my tracks of the year CD.
If you want a copy the rules are simple:
Send me your Tracks of the Year CD to:
Trevor Jones
18 The Green
Wooburn Green
BUCKS HP10 0EF
Include your address and I'll return my Tracks of the Year CD to you.
Here's a clue of what you might get; my Top 10 albums of the Year.
Excuse lack of verbiage but I've got washing and ironing to attend to...

Prefab Sprout: Crimson/Red
Fossil Collective: Tell Where I Lie
KT Tunstall: Invisible Empire
Bill Callahan: Dream River
Emiliana Torrini: Tookah
John Fullbright: From the Ground Up
Jason Isbell: Southeastern (Thanks Macwood)
Sam Baker: Say Grace
Josh Ritter: The Beast in it's Tracks
Michael Kiwanuka: Home Again
David Lang: Death Speaks

That's eleven I know but David Lang's gloriously grim album has just arrived and it's sublime.


14 comments:

  1. Ive got 2 of those and both jr and ps would feature high up on my top 10 . Will send you a cd ( minus mm track!)

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  2. Some nice sounds in there Mr Jones. Your usual downbeat selection. Still waiting for a bit of disco or HI - NRG :) - thought I'd see Denison Witmer in there. We agree on quite a few in 2013 - Bill Callahan almost made my list but was a bit too much like the previous 2 albums. Looking forward to Michael Kiwanuka's next album just to prove he's not a flash in the pan. Sam Baker needs further investigation as I've only seen a few of his songs on Youtube. But I'll check out Emilana & David Lang. It's been a good year for new music and I'm hoping 2014 will be more of the same. And there's always Bob to rely on. of course. Oh, and some dodgy artist called Jones. :)
    By the way, like the photos, especially the one with the pipes :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Nick.
      Downbeat?
      Moi?
      OK, fair cop, I love a sad tune.
      Careful with David Lang; it's Schubert's various odes to death collected, sequenced and placed to original music. Downbeat for sure but quite lovely and not at all mordant...
      Denison features on my CD but was just outside of the top 11. I do like his winsomeness...
      Regarding Sam Baker; I'd def work his albums in order, starting with
      1: Mercy
      2: Pretty World
      3: Cotton
      4: Say Grace
      His story is compelling:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goUN2ri62_o

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  3. Look forward to it David; your taste is impeccable...

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  4. None of my best of 2013 are from those albums Trev, should be an interesting swap!

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  5. Hi Trev, I'm far too out of step to have a Top 10 from 2013 but I do have a compilation of what I'm currently listening to which I made for some friends. Must burn another copy and send it to you..

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    Replies
    1. Please do. I need some spiky, eclectic Seamus stuff to rattle my bones!

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  6. I've only Prefab Sprout from your list so I look forward to listening to your choices.
    A Happy New Year to you
    Phil
    Tel Aviv

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    Replies
    1. I play your 'best of' discs often Phil; amazed at how long we've been doing this...

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  7. Late to the party...

    My TOP 10 of 2013...

    MIRACLE MILE - IN CASSIDY'S CARE
    PREFAB SPROUT - CRIMSON RED
    CAMERA OBSCURA - DESIRE LINES
    MUTUAL BENEFIT - LOVE'S CRUSHING DIAMOND
    THE LONE BELLOW - THE LONE BELLOW
    DENISON WITMER - DENISON WITMER
    JOSEPH ARTHUR - THE BALLAD OF BOOGIE CHRIST
    LOCAL NATIVES - HUMMINGBIRD
    JOSH RITTER - BEAST IN ITS TRACKS
    PATTY GRIFFIN - AMERICAN KID
    LIGHTSHIPS - ELECTRIC CABLES (actually 2012 - thanks Tel Aviv Phil)

    Lovely photos. Myrna had a good laugh at your anatomically correct apron....

    Happy New Year Trev. Can't wait for the new album!

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    Replies
    1. Interesting list TT. MB/TLB/LN and Lightships all new to me; must check them out. I like Denison's a lot. His debut was a bit too fragile for even me; this one is great. Eyed Patty's album a few times and will jump with your nudge. Happy New Year btw; all the best to you and Myrna in 2014...

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    2. I've just spent the last hour or so checking out some of these artists, All sounding good especially Denison Witmer, Good shout with Camera Obscura. They made my top 10 aswell. Really surprised to see Lloyd Cole absent. I think it's his best ever solo album
      My Top 10
      Miracle Mile - In Cassidy's Care
      Prefab Sprout - Crimson/Red
      Mostar Diving Club - Triumph Of Hope
      I Am Kloot - Let It All In
      Jim Jones - Regions Of Light And Sound Of God
      Camera Obscura - Desire Lines
      Edwyn Collins - Understated
      Villagers - Awayland
      The Leisure Society - Alone Aboard The Ark
      Lloyd Cole - Standards
      Lenzie Moss - Introducing
      Phil
      Tel Aviv

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  8. Phil has caught me out... Yup, Lloyd Cole not on my list. As a long time fan, I'm feeling kinda like Judas. I don't know what is wrong with me? Glowing reviews by everybody else, but somehow the last two LC records just haven't connected with me. Glad I didn't particpate in the fan-funding scheme, shelling out $100 in advance. Still sticks in my craw as a tad greedy...

    Cool to see your list Phil. Several there I'll have to investigate. Hope you're doing well. Miss the regular conversation!

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