Music & More

Here are my picks for the ten best albums of 2010. 1.Chrissi Poland - Songs From the Concrete Listen to "Alone With My Troubles" An Immensely Talented Singer and Songwriter: Chrissi Poland recorded this album in 2009. When significant label interest failed to generate a suitable deal, Chrissi released it herself as a seven song EP last spring. In addition to guitarist Steve Elliot from her band, she had the services of some pretty amazing jazz musicians on this recording. John Patitucci and Chris Thomas shared bass duties, Brian Blade played drums, and Jon Coward played piano and keyboards; Chris and Jon are both members of the Brian Blade Fellowship Band, and Jon also played with Chrissi's band and co-produced the album. Chrissi did both lead and backing vocals and she also co-produced. All the songs are originals written either by Chrissi or Chrissi and Jon. "Alone With My Troubles" (above) opens the album with a powerful slow blues, and it's the only trac...

Here are my picks for the ten best CDs of 2009. 1. Annekei - Touch Listen to Melt Japan Knows What We Don't ; This is Annekei’s third solo album and fourth album overall, all major label releases in Japan. This fine set of mostly Annekei originals will already be familiar to those who have seen her play New York’s Lower East Side over the last few years. Songs like Melt, Chills, and Keep Playing have been real crowd-pleasers. Song for Ida Marie is an especially pretty song that Annekei wrote for her neice who lives in Denmark. Sadly, the presence of Lee Ritenour as guitarist and producer has yet to secure an American release for this beautiful piece of work. In addition to the originals there is a great cover of Van Morrison's Days Like This on which Annekei duets with Will Downing. Ritenour did a superb production job and got the most amazing sound; nice, deep bass, drums that snap, and all the other great sounding instruments leave plenty of space for Annekei's sweet v...