THURSDAY MORNING MIX
June 11, 2009 Scott Foley

Approaching the midpoint of 2009, it's tempting for me to scratch out an unofficial list of my favorite albums of the year to date. A few mainstream americana celebs would most likely be worthy of recognition, including Patterson Hood, Son Volt, Slaid Cleaves, Neko Case and Steve Earle, whose Townes still surprises me with its simple beauty. In the "big step forward" category would be up-and-coming acts like The Believers, Amy Speace, Star Anna, Justin Townes Earle, Diana Jones, Deep Dark Woods, Jason Isbell, and Ryan Bingham. Finally, my favorites, the "out of nowhere" names, whose albums I couldn't have anticipated. These might include Amanda Shires, Andy Friedman, and Crosby Tyler. Locally, I'd feel pressed to give a strong nod to both Reed Foehl and Gregory Alan Isakov. ... well, and then there's the "not to mention" category of "other" stuff, which might include Samantha Crain, Elvis Costello, Felice Brothers, Fernando Viciconte, Dan Auerbach, William Elliott Whitmore

Of course, with another six months staring us down, it's hard to say where I'll come out when it's all said and done (especially with upcoming releases by the likes of Magnolia Electric Co and Avett Brothers pending promisingly). One thing's for certain, though, and that's the fact that my final 2009 list will probably bear little resemblance to the rambling, stream-of-unconsciousness list above ...

God help us all.


* Redbird, "You Are the Everything" Redbird (Signature Sounds, 05)
* Star Anna, "Through the Winter" The Only Thing That Matters (self, 09)
* Luke Doucet, "Day Rick Danko Died" Blood's Too Rich (6 Shooter, 08)
* Melissa McClelland, "When the Lights Went Off" Victoria Day (6 Shooter, 09)
* Among the Oak & Ash, "Angel Gabriel" Among the Oak & Ash (Verve, 09)
* Adam Carroll, "Porter Wagner" Old Town Rock and Roll (self, 08)
* Andy Friedman, "Idaho" Weary Things (City Salvage, 09)
* Rodney Crowell, "Telephone Road" Houston Kid (Sugar Hill, 01)
* Todd Snider, "Greencastle Blues" Excitement Plan (Yep Roc, 09)
* Old Crow Medicine Show, "Wagon Wheel" OCMS (Nettwerk, 04)
* Jeffrey Foucault, "Hello In There" Shoot the Moon Right Between the Eyes (Signature Sounds, 09)
* Jones St Boys, "Grand Canyon" Overcome (Smith St, 06)
* Michael Holland, "Please Please Please" Simple Truths and Pleasures ( self, 08)
* Elvis Costello, "Sulphur To Sugarcane" Secret Profane & Sugarcane (Hear, 09)
* Sarah Jarosz, "Long Journey" Song Up In Her Head (Sugar Hill, 09)
* Son Volt, "Down To the Wire" American Central Dust (Rounder, 09)
* Patterson Hood, "Range War" Murder Oscar (and other love songs) (Ruth St, 09)
* Mindy Smith, "Falling" One Moment More (Vanguard, 04)
* Daddy, "I Went To Heaven In a Dream" For a Second Time (Cedar Creek, 09)
* Ryan Bingham, "Tell My Mother I Miss Her So" Roadhouse Sun (Lost Highway, 09)
* Tish Hinojosa, "Road Songs and Bygones" Our Little Planet (Varese Sarabande, 09)
* Bearfoot, "Before I Go" Doors and Windows (Compass, 09)
* Michael Fracasso, "Naked Fool" Red Dog Blues (self, 07)
* King Wilkie, "Railroad Town" Wilkie Family Singers (Casa Nueva, 09)
* Bill Frisell w/Robin Holcombe, "End Of the World" Nashville (Nonesuch, 97)

Scott