I'm going to forgo the "best" vs. "favorite" argument and just say that these are the albums I loved, reputation or popularity be damned. Everyone has their own list of music they connected to emotionally and artistically this year. Mine didn't really take to long to put together, I just knew what I loved. Today collects my Honorable Mentions and Numbers 18-11. Tune in tomorrow for the Top Ten!
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In 2001 Michael Brecker laid down one of the preeminent recordings in tenor saxophone performance.
In a post Coltrane world, Brecker's rendition of the classic, Naima, pays service to its author (Coltrane) and establishes Brecker as arguably the most influential and dominant performer since.
Today's Episode in Virtuosity takes a closer look and a second listen to this magisterial and authoritative performance.
Michael Brecker: Naima
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In the crowded and diverse world of indie folk what really makes artists stand out to me is idiosyncracies and superb melodies. Tobacco Pat brings both of these in spades on his new, self-released album Vimanas.
Tobacco Pat – American Mind
Tobacco Pat – The Doctor
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Jay-Z's protege, J. Cole, released the mixtape Friday Night Lights recently and it's pretty stellar. It's also pretty lengthy at 20 songs. That's why I'm here to spoon-feed you a stand-out track in "Higher".
J. Cole – Higher
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We are fast approaching the end of 2010, which means it is that time when everyone in the music blog community recaps their favorite songs, albums, bands, and musical moments of the year. You can expect the Dig writers to post some of our favorites over the next week or so, but today we are kicking off the "year in review" extravaganza by reaching out to you all for your picks.
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The Blogger Lowdown is a feature where we ask the good people who run our favorite, essential blogs to give some insight on themselves and their sites. There are some great resources for discovering all kinds of music on the interwebs and our hope is to introduce you to a few of these outlets and the people behind them. This week features Lydia of Sunset in the Rearview – a wonderful, accessible indie and hip hop blog.
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I came across Yellow Lady Slipper while looking for local(ish) music and I was lucky to find them. They hail from a small town in Western PA known for it's large outlet mall so naturally they play an earnest, percussive brand of Americana-tinged indie rock. Plus, their album is available for free!
Yellow Lady Slipper – Stay Movin'
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Tracy Anne Smith garners praise for her expressive performances, rich tonal palette and musical control. Cuban guitarist and conductor Leo Brouwer praised her "polyphonic hands" and "tremendous sound," while American virtuoso Benjamin Verdery commended her "ability to express the emotion of a work to its core."
Her 2008 album Lilac.Star.Bird is a wonderful collection of pieces that range from the immediately accessible to the esoteric and encompasses the contemporary canon of repertoire while suggesting a few new nominations.
Tracy Anne Smith: Nuages
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Many apologies to our dear readers for the lack of posts the last few days. With one Digster on a trip, one fighting the flu, and one with a debilitating stomach virus, not much was happening in the way of blogging. But we'll be back up and running with all the fresh, in depth content you love in no time! Well, after this short little post anyways.
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Since receiving Ophelia's self-titled debut album a few days ago it has quickly become one of my favorite finds of the year (and "Nowhere, No Way" is a late contender for my song of the year). Ophelia make stripped-down acoustic Americana and it's quite charming.
Ophelia – Nowhere, No Way
Ophelia – Butcher
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