THURSDAY MORNING MIX
December 31, 2009
Scott Foley

Favorite CDs of the Year

1. Son Volt, American Central Dust (Rounder)
2. Slaid Cleaves, Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away (Music Road)
3. Sam Baker, Cotton (Music Road)
4. Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers, Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers (Self)
5. Ryan Bingham, Roadhouse Sun (Lost Highway)
6. Tom Russell, Blood and Candle Smoke (Shout Factory)
7. Lyle Lovett, Natural Forces (UMG)
8. Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers, Songs In the Night (Ramseur)
9. Avett Brothers, I and Love and You (American)
10. Mark Olson & Gary Louris, Ready For the Flood (New West)
11. Jason Isbell, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit (Lightning)
12. Band of Heathens, One Foot In the Ether (BOH)
13. Elvis Costello, Secret Profane & Sugarcane (Hear)
14. Felice Brothers, Yonder Is the Clock (Team Love)
15. Guy Clark, Somedays the Song Writes You (Dualtone)
16. Buddy & Julie Miller, Written In Chalk (New West)
17. Neko Case, Middle Cyclone (Anti)
18. Rosanne Cash, The List (Manhattan)
19. Steve Earle, Townes (New West)
20. Patterson Hood, Killing Oscar (and other love songs) (Ruth St)

In my death-defying dive towards the americana mainstream, it came to my attention this week that the Americana Music Association released its list of albums receiving the most radio play in 2009. No fewer than 5 of the AMA's top 11 show up on my own favorites list. 13 of my top 20 appear in AMA's top 100 airplay chart. Now, does that say more about me, or about the overall quality of americana radio?


Next week's Episode, we'll catch up with some new releases, including stuff from Suzi Ragsdale, Ray Wylie Hubbard and more from the Crazy Heart soundtrack.

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
December 24, 2009
Scott Foley (and friends)

My 3 children joined me in the studio for a Christmas Eve Episode of TMM. Like last year, I requested that they bring one favorite holiday song of their choosing to play on air. Madeleine contributed the Bing-n-Bowie tune, while Gabe requested the Bela Fleck-ed "Linus and Lucy." Logan threw in a new Three Doors Down song, which prompted at least one caller to remark at his taste in music, asking why I didn't play more music like that ...

My life is peopled by folks who tend to dislike Christmas music. In general, we music snobs tend to poo-poo it as frivolous, apocryphal. Sure, there's a ton of really bad holiday stuff. One of my favorite bands, Marah, recorded a couple years back an almost unlistenable pile of goo. Still, some of my seasonal favorites aren't just good Christmas tunes, they're truly great music. Kirsty MacColl and the Pogues still slay me with "Fairytale of New York," (made all the more poignant by the fact that MacColl passed away so prematurely, and that Shane MacGowan is remarkably still among us). "I Believe In Father Christmas" by Emerson Lake and Palmer speaks volumes ("Hallelujah noel / Be it Heaven or Hell / the Christmas we get / We deserve").

Over the Rhine “White Horse” from Snow Angels (2007) on Great Speckled Dog

Bill Kelly “Here Comes Christmas” from (internet single) (2008) on self

Bob Dylan “Christmas Island” from Christmas In The Heart (2009) on Columbia Records

Steve Earle & Allison Moorer “Nothing But a Child” from To Kate: a Benefit (2005) on Western Beat

Christmas Jug Band “Oh St Nick” from On the Holiday Highway (2009) on Globe

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones “Linus & Lucy” from Jingle All the Way (2008) on Warner Brothers

Rosie Thomas “Why Can't It Be Christmas All Year” from Why Can't It Be Christmas All Year (2008) on self

Hayes Carll “Grateful For Xmas” from Grateful For Xmas (2008) on self

Los Straitjackets “Jingle Bells” from Yuletide Beat (2009) on Yep Roc

Ray Charles “Spirit Of Christmas” from Spirit Of Christmas (1985) on Rhino

The Reverend Horton Heat “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy” from We Three Kings (2005) on Yep Roc

Three Doors Down “Where My Christmas Is” from Where My Christmas Is (2009) on Universal

Charlie Daniels “O Come All Ye Faithful” from Joy To the World (2009) on Koch

Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison “Oklahoma Christmas” from Happy Holidays (2006) on Ryko

Audrey Auld Mezera “Santa Spend Christmas With Me” from Reckless Records Garage Sale (2002) on Reckless

The Be Good Tanyas “Rudy” from Winter's Night (2004) on Nettwerk

Merle Haggard “Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town” from If We Make It Through December (1974) on Capitol

John Evans “Christmas In Texas” from Lollygaggin' (2009) on Smith

Mary Chapin Carpenter “Hot Buttered Rum” from Come Darkness, Come Light (2008) on Zoe

Bing Crosby “Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy” from Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy (1977) on RCA

Jerry Douglas “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” from Jerry Christmas (2009) on Koch

Emmylou Harris “Angel Eyes” from Light Of the Stable (1992) on Rhino

Gretchen Peters “Song For a Winter's Night” from Northern Lights (2008) on Scarlet Letter

Mike Farris “Little Drummer Boy” from Little Drummer Boy (2009) on self

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
December 17, 2009
Scott Foley

Just a week past my Favorite Songs program and I already feel like appending my list. Word has it that the soundtrack to the forthcoming film Crazy Heart will be landing in my in-box very soon. Produced by TBone Burnett, many of the album's songs were written by the late Stephen Bruton. The film stars Jeff Bridges as a down-and-out country star who looks and sounds remarkably like Kris Kristofferson ... Oh, and Ryan Bingham's contribution to the soundtrack, "The Weary Kind" is a starmaking moment, already hinted as a possible nominee for an Oscar for best song. By my book, it's as good as almost anything on Roadhouse Sun.

Also on this Episode, an early glimpse into Allison Moorer's new project, Crows, as well as a double-dip into a strong tribute to EC and Orna Ball.

Audra Mae “Cliche” from Revival Tour Fall 2009 Collection (2009) on Ten Four

Monsters of Folk “Man Named Truth” from Monsters of Folk (2009) on Shangri-La

Mark Erelli “Ain't No Time of the Year To Be Alone” from Hillbilly Pilgrim (2004) on Signature Sounds

Greg Trooper “Angel” from Williamsburg Affair (2009) on 52 Shakes

Allison Moorer “Broken Girl” from Crows (2010) on Ryko

The Jayhawks “Save It For a Rainy Day” from Music From the North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology (2009) on Sony

Halden Wofford and the Hi Beams “Roll On” from Grade A Country Music (2003) on self

Jon Langford “When I Get Home I'm Gonna Be Satisfied” from Face a Frowning World: An EC Ball Memorial Album (2009) on Tompkins Square

Buddy Miller “Away In a Manger” from To Kate: Benefit For Kate's Sake (2005) on Western Beat

Ryan Bingham “The Weary Kind” from Crazy Heart (2009) on New West

The Beautiful Loser Society “Hair of the Dog” from The Long Slow Decline (2010) on Beautiful Loser Society

Justin Townes Earle “Poor Fool” from Midnight At the Movies (2009) on Bloodshot

Honeycutters “Better Woman” from Irene (2009) on Buttons Down

Chuck Prophet “Sonny Liston's Blues” from Let Freedom Ring (2009) on Yep Roc

Merle Haggard “If We Make It Through December” from If We Make It Through December on self

Pieta Brown “Hey Joey” from Shimmer (2009) on Red House

Chip Taylor “Without Horses” from Yonkers, NY (2009) on Train Wreck

Hacienda Brothers “A Lot of Days Are Gone” from Arizona Motel (2008) on Proper

Blitzen Trapper “Silver Moon” from Black River Killer (2009) on Sub Pop

John Cowan “Christmas Everyday” from Comfort & Joy (2009) on E1

Shannon McNally “Lonesome Ornery and Mean” from Coldwater (2009) on Shannon McNally

Lucero “Sixes and Sevens” from 1372 Overton Park (2009) on Universal

Bonnie "Prince" Billy “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” from Face a Frowning World: An EC Ball Memorial Album (2009) on Tompkins Square

Chris Scruggs “It Ain't Right” from Anthem (2009) on Cogent

Kasey Chambers “Sometimes” from Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill and the Little Hillbillies (2009) on Liberation

Rosie Flores “Little Bells” from Girl of the Century (2009) on Bloodshot

Reckless Kelly “Love In Her Eyes” from Bulletproof (2008) on Yep Roc Records

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
December 10, 2009 Scott Foley

Favorite Americana, Alt.Country and Roots Music Songs For 2009

1. Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, "Born Again" Death Won't Send a Letter (RCA, 9/09)
2. Ryan Bingham, "Dylan's Hard Rain" Roadhouse Sun (Lost Hwy, 6/09)
3. Radney Foster, "A Little Revival" Revival (Devil's River, 10/09)
4. Sons of Bill, "Broken Bottles" One Town Away (Gray Fox, 6/09)
5. Slaid Cleaves, "Hard to Believe" Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away (Music Rd, 4/09)
6. Son Volt, "Down to the Wire" American Central Dust (Rounder, 7/09)
7. Two Tons of Steel, "Cryin' Eyes" Not That Lucky (Smith, 8/09)
8. Dave Rawlings Machine, "Ruby" Friend of a Friend (Acony, 11/09)
9. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, "I Am Goodbye" Beware (Drag City, 3/09)
10. Amy Speace, "Killer in Me" Killer in Me (Wildflower, 9/09)
11. Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers, "Songs in the Night" Songs in the Night (Ramseur, 4/09)
12. Felice Brothers, "Run Chicken Run" Yonder is the Clock (Team Love, 4/09)
13. Avett Brothers, "Laundry Room" I and Love and You (Columbia, 9/09)
14. Brandi Carlile, "Caroline" Give Up the Ghost (Sony, 11/09)
15. Devil Makes Three, "For Good Again" Do Wrong Right (Milan, 4/09)
16. Flatlanders, "The Way We Are" Hills and Valleys (New West, 3/09)
17. Guy Clark, "Maybe I Can Paint Over That" Somedays the Song Writes You (Dualtone, 9/09)
18. Neko Case, "Don't Forget Me" Middle Cyclone (Anti, 2/09)
19. Diana Jones, "Better Times Will Come" Better Times Will Come (Proper, 09)
20. Those Darlins, "Wild One" Those Darlins (Ow Wow Dang, 6/09)

As always, it's been a challenge and a pleasure to assemble my favorite songs list for the year. The challenge came primarily from my basement computer, where I scheme in preparation for each TMM Episode. As soon as I returned home from airing my list, it became clear that my computer had contacted a serious virus. Therefore, I compose this in my teenage daughter's room, surrounded by a heap of clothes, leftover detritus from her childhood, and a wall collaged with picture of the Beatles, the Who and the Ramones. She told me I could use her computer.

The pleasure, on the other hand, comes from setting the proverbial needle down on the dozens of newly arrived CDs, completely open and free of expectation for what might happen next. I hadn't had the pleasure of hearing most of these songs this time last year. If I'm not mistaken, only Samantha Crain's album reached my desk before the clock struck 2009. My year is made richer for having heard each tune.

As usual, I am eager to pore over other lists made by djs, bloggers and friends, and would welcome any submissions shared via my own site. The next few Episodes of TMM will be liberally peppered with seasonal offerings, familiar and otherwise. On Christmas Eve morning, my three children will join my in the studio with their own handpicked holiday songs, as they did last Christmas morning. And on Thursday, December 31, I will unleash a list of my favorite americana, alt.country and roots music albums for 2009.

Scott

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
Very Special Episode Alert!

Just a reminder that I will be unleashing a list of my favorite americana, alt.country and/or roots music songs of 2009 on this Thursday's Episode of the Thursday Morning Mix. Carry your boom box on your shoulder, hold your transistor radio to your ear, press PLAY and RECORD on your cassette, but make certain to join me this Thursday from 8 to 10am.

As usual, some interesting developments as I assemble my year-end favorites list. The artist that occupies my top song spot, for instance, appears not at all on my list of top albums. Similarly, few of favorite ten albums appear on my songs list.

If you, too, are a slave to year-end listmaking, feel free to share your 2009 favorites with me. And join me Thursday morning for A Very Special Episode of Thursday Morning Mix.

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
December 3, 2009
Scott Foley

To be perfectly honest, I gave up on the Grammys long ago, altho I continue to watch the broadcast for the sake of cultural literacy. This year, the old white men on the Grammy committee threw the americana audience a bone by creating a new category, "Best Americana Album." None of the five nominees will appear on my year-end album list (to be broadcast December 31 on KRFC), but at least they got their categories right. Dylan, Levon Helm, Willie & the Wheel, Wilco and Lucinda. No surprises.

The surprise comes with the nominees for the Grammy for "Best Contemporary Folk Album." Tracy Chapman and Shawn Colvin aren't tremendously deserving for their most recent albums, but at least they could be construed as Contemporary Folk. The remaining three nominees, on the other hand, would actually make more sense in the previous category: Neko Case, Steve Earle and Elvis Costello. Three discs that have made at least my long list for favorite albums of the year. But Contemporary Folk?!!

Bob Schneider “The World Exploded Into Love” from Lonelyland (2001) on Universal

Shannon McNally “Freedom To Stay” from Coldwater (2009) on self

Amelia White “Rusted Dreams” from Motorcycle Dream (2009) on self

Dave Rawlings Machine “How's About You” from Friend of a Friend (2009) on Acony

Imelda May “Smokers' Song” from Love Tattoo (2009) on Ambassador Records

The Railbenders “Drive Away” from Drive Away (2009) on The Railbenders

Tift Merritt “Write My Ticket” from Tambourine (2004) on Lost Highway

Langhorne Slim “Back To the Wild” from Be Set Free (2009) on Kemado

Carolyn Mark “Sunday Morning” from Let's Just Stay Here (2009) on Mint

Ryan Bingham “Weary Kind” from Crazy Heart (2009) on New West

^Wrinkle Neck Mules “Cracks & Seams” from Let the Lead Fly (2009) on Lower 40

Dan Auerbach “Whispered Words (Pretty Lies)” from Keep It Hid (2009) on Nonesuch

Bruce Cockburn “Mary Had a Baby” from Christmas (1993) on Sony

Curtis Harvey “Bag of Seeds” from Box of Stones (2009) on Fatcat

Patty Loveless “Bramble and the Rose” from Mountain Soul II (2009) on Saguaro Road

Golden Smog “Strangers” from Another Fine Day (2006) on Universal

Elvis Costello “My All Time Doll” from Secret, Profane and Sugarcane (2009) on Hear

Chip Taylor “Piece of the Sky” from Yonkers, NY (2009) on Train Wreck

Jon Snodgrass “Brave With Strangers” from Visitor's Band (2009) on Suburban Home

Gretchen Peters “Song For a Winter's Night” from Northern Lights (2008) on Scarlet Letter

Dawes “When You Call My Name” from North Hills (2009) on ATO

Tom Gillam “Tear in the Rain” from Had Enough (2009) on Smith

Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers “Running Kind” from Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers (2009) on Zoe Muth

Steve Earle “White Freightliner Blues” from Townes (2009) on New West

Deer Tick “La La La” from More Fuel For the Fire (2009) on self

The Gourds “Lament” from Stadium Blitzer (1998) on Sugar Hill

Stoll Vaughan “Meet You In the Middle” from The Weatherman (2009) on Stoll Vaughan