Here is my annual rundown of things I managed to give more than a cursory listen to in this year of distractions, experimentation, and performance art. As always, this is NOT meant as my “Best of” list or anything other than an experiment in exhibitionism and voyeurism. I do it because I enjoy reading about what others are listening to and so I’d like to reciprocate. YMMV.
Here’s to being able to rush the stage again soon.
In no particular order other than perhaps a general predilection for release dates and order of appearance in my library, but even that doesn’t really hold up throughout the list.
Singles
Everybody Wear They Mask, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
No Time For Love Like Now, Michael Stipe & Big Red Machine
Drive To The Ocean, Michael Stipe
Yes, I Have Ghosts, David Gilmour
Sing To Me, Willie, Edie Brickell & Willie Nelson
My Power, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
Mambo Sun, Pixies
Dry Fantasy, Mogwai
Albums and EPs
Mettal (EP), Rodrigo y Gabriela
The Universe Inside, The Dream Syndicate
Rejoice, Hugh Masekela & Tony Allen
ZEROZEROZERO (Soundtrack), Mogwai
26 East, Vol. 1, Dennis DeYoung
The Consuming Flame: Open Exercises in Group Form, Matmos
En Español, The Mavericks
Awake in the Brain Chamber, Secret Machines
American Head, Flaming Lips
RTJ4, Run The Jewels
The Rockfield Files (EP), The Damned
Letter To You, Bruce Springsteen
The Makarrata Project, Midnight Oil
Power Up, AC/DC
From This Place, Pat Metheny
Dimensional Stardust, Exploding Star Orchestra & Rob Mazurek
Whoosh!, Deep Purple
Angels Around, Kurt Rosenwinkel
1:3:5:7 Improvised Duos, Dominic Murcott
Outside The Lines, Vol. 3, Various Artists/nonclassical
Loophole, Roman Rofalski
Heavier Sideways, Tom Richards
Singing in the Dead of Night, Eighth Blackbird
Data Lords, Maria Schneider Orchestra
Mass for the Endangered: Sarah Kirkland Snider, Gallicantus
The Become Trilogy: John Luther Adams, Seattle Symphony
A Cockroach’s Tarantella: Du Yun, JACK Quartet