I love to read my friends’ album lists on FaceBook. The ones where you're supposed to list your favorites without doing any research or thinking about them past the initial moment. One of the things I like best about it, is the fond embrace of ALBUMS, now that albums have become such an arcane concept.
I am equally impressed by my friends who put a whole side on when they are cleaning, or cooking. They prefer to hear the music as it was recorded, rather than just shuffle their iPod. Yes, I know today is April 20th, and that 420 celebrations can amplify nearly any audio into an religious experience. Go there is you want to, but I want to extol the virtues of having that album list handy.
There are lots of lists, and we can spend forever debating their merits. People love to duke it out over the one from Rolling Stone. But at the end of the day, having an album for every mood is really wonderful; something to party to, something for romance, something to listen to when you are alone and introspective.
Now I am not sure if you are hip to Ron Sexsmith, but I highly recommend him for your list. His melodies are gentle, his words are evocative, and his voice is carried on the breeze. He is a songwriter’s songwriter, and his early fans include Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello. He has recorded twelve albums since 1991, according to the Wiki. His most recent is last month's, Long Player Late Bloomer. And so, we bring you the quasi-title track, “Late Bloomer,” recorded live during our Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s WQH in Austin, TX.
-- Jessie Scott
