The Best Music of 2022, Album of the Year: Joan Osborne, Radio Waves; Plus My Picks for the Top Thirty Starring (in the Top Ten, alphabetically) Dr John, Buddy Guy, Marc Jordan /Amy Sky, Brennen Leigh, Alex Malheiros, Keb' Mo', Catherine Russell, Bruce Springsteen, Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. and Many More
Photo courtesy of the artist
Welcome to my happily old fashioned list of the best albums of 2022. I'm old fashioned in the sense that I'm a holdout for the idea that the full length album is still an art form. For me, the album is still the thing, as you'll see on my list (below).
The music industry was altered by Covid in so many ways that in 2022 it seemed
as if the forces were retooling to resume some kind of new normalcy going
forward. A lot of good music was recorded and released. My cut down picks for
the thirty best albums of the year was as fraught as any prior year with so many
records wanting to be on that list. So, go to the streaming service of your
choice and spin these albums while you read a few remarks about why, in my
estimation, they are the best releases of the year.
Album of the Year: Joan Osborne - Radio Waves
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Nevermind that she hit it out of the park on her first try with the album Relish in 1995. Joan Osborne's reputation as a songwriter was cemented (for me) with the release of Pretty Little Stranger (2006) and Breakfast In Bed (2007). On the former, she set out to make a country album and on the latter, it was a soul album that she created. For each of these two albums, Osborne picked the best classic tracks of the genre, filling about half of each with covers and the rest new, original material. The thing of it was that each of these albums had original songs that were as good as the cover songs, which were the cream of the genre. I have gone up and down with her other albums, but from that point on it seems as if Joan Osborne really has something special. I have to add that, when it comes to live performance, Osborne holds the remarkable qualities of being both adventurous and fearless at the same time.
After Jerry Garcia died, Osborne signed on to be a vocalist on a summer tour with "The Dead" (comprised of the remaining members of The Grateful Dead with Warren Haynes of Govt. Mule filling in for Garcia). In addition, I had the good fortune to hear a tribute live recording of the double LP Eat A Peach (The Allman Brothers Band), in which Osborne sang lead along with the Hillside Singers. So, it was with great excitement when I heard that Osborne was taking advantage of the Covid lockdown to go through her 25 year collection of recorded live radio performances.
On Radio Waves, we have live versions of many of your
favorite songs from her career. For example, you hear songs such as “Saint
Teresa” and “One Of Us” from Relish, “Little Wild One” along with two
previously unissued demos, and a handful of superb Osborne covers of pop, rock
and soul classics like “Dream A Little Dream”, Bob Dylan's “Make You Feel My
Love”, Dave Mason's “Only You Know and I Know” and the magnificent set closing
version of Sly and the Family Stone's “Everybody Is A Star”. Osborne is so good
at material like this that there was no question in my mind that this had to be
elevated to my Album of the Year. Truth be told, she had me at Stevie Wonder's
“Love’s In Need of Love Today”.
The Top Ten: (Alphabetically by Artist)
Dr John - Things Happen That Way
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Dr. John has been quoted as saying that he always wanted to make a country album. As someone who has been listening to the good doctor (his real name was Mac Rebennack) since the '70s, I'm here to say that this record, completed just before his 2019 death, is country only to the extent that it includes many country standards in the set and the sound is more intimate than you might expect. He burst onto the scene as Dr. John The Night Tripper, performing in costume a heady brew of rock, soul, gospel, jazz, and a big slab of New Orleans funk. Things Happen That Way has a beautiful sound that is a function of Rebennack's co-production with arranger and multi-instrumentalist Shane Theriot. Helping Rebannack complete the album sessions were guest appearances by artists such as Willie Nelson and Aaron Neville. The album consists of three new Dr. John originals, co-written with Theriot, as well as numerous covers that include his own composition "Walk On Guilded Splinters." In the production, every instrument can be clearly heard. Things Happen That Way is a fitting conclusion to a career well lived.
Buddy Guy - The Blues Don't Lie
Buddy Guy turned 86 this year, but you'd never know it listening to his latest release, The Blues Don't Lie, a sixteen track blues extravaganza that finds Guy at the top of his usual form. The program features mostly new originals, penned either by Guy or his producer /drummer Tom Hambridge. Among the sixteen tracks, there are three covers of songs by the likes of B.B. King, The Beatles, and Slim Harpo. On the album are numerous high power guest appearances, such as Mavis Staples, James Taylor, Jason Isbell, Elvis Costello and more. Buddy Guy is going strong on The Blues Don't Lie; it's one not to miss.
Marc Jordan, Amy Sky - He Sang She Sang
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Marc Jordan and Amy Sky are two Canadian singer-songwriters who are more well known north of the border than they are in the US, which is something of a crime. Married to each other, He Sang She Sang represents their first full length duet collaboration. The album is artfully curated and consists of five new original songs and eight covers, mostly classics from the seventies. With excellent arrangements, performances and production, the only thing better than the gorgeous sound of this record is the quality of the material. Referred to by Sky & Jordan as the second Great American Songbook, these covers offer some of the best songwriting of the 60s and 70s and the new originals fit right in. After opening with the universally known, but still disarming, "Free Fallin'" (Tom Petty), they sang a particularly beautiful take on Smokey Robinson's "Ooh Baby Baby." As a longtime fan of Richard and Linda Thompson, I just love that they chose to sing Richard's "Dimming of the Day." There have been many covers of the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows," but none come close to this one for expressing all the emotion in the Brian Wilson original from Pet Sounds. If you are unfamiliar with these two incredible artists, or even if you've listened to them for years, there's no time like the present to avail yourself of He Sang She Sang.
Brennen Leigh feat. Asleep at the Wheel - Obsessed With The West
Brennen Leigh is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who joined forces with Texas western swing experts Asleep at the Wheel to make her 7th album, Obsessed With the West. The title refers to Leigh's obsession that she's had since childhood. If you have ever listened to The Wheel (as they're called), they have never sounded better than they do here. They have been popularizing western swing music for better than 50 years. Leigh, who wrote all the songs on the album, sounds like a perfect fit. Ray Benson, who normally leads Asleep at the Wheel, can be briefly heard on track 2, but otherwise he hands over the wheel to Leigh, and the results are just outstanding. I could direct you to listen to "Comin' In Hot", but all the others are just as good.
Alex Malheiros - Tempos Futuros
I have been a fan of Brazilian jazz, pop, and bossa nova for as long as I can remember. Although I haven't personally had the pleasure, Alex Malheiros has been one third of the popular Brazilian band Azymuth (who "pioneered a one of a kind fusion of space-funk, samba and jazz since the early seventies"). Malheiros plays the bass and Tempos Futuros is his latest solo album. It starts with the electric bass and encompasses all of the Brazilian rhythms and funk that you might expect. On top of that, synthesizers turn this into a rather spacey sounding jazz romp. About halfway through, Malheiros unleashes the bassa nova style background singers and the result sounds like something you might hear in the clubs of Sao Paulo, if not all of South America. There is a warm melodic nature to these tracks that will keep you coming back for more.
Keb' Mo' - Good To Be...
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Mo', who currently resides in Nashville, recently went back to
California and purchased the childhood home he grew up in. This album was written in both Nashville and in that Compton home. The album, especially the title track "Good To Be (Home Again)," is about finding out who you are, how you got to be that way, and learning that you can go home again after all. Mo's strong, distinctive voice and guitar skill, as well as his effervescent personality and songwriting expertise are all evident on Good To Be... Most of the songs are new originals, either written or co-written by Mo' or his drummer and co-producer Tom Hambridge (who performed a similar role for Buddy Guy, above). There is also one song co-written by Mo's son Kevin R. Moore. The album's sole cover is an evocative version of Bill Wither's "Lean on Me." As with all Keb' Mo' albums, this one provides a complete listening experience that will leave you feeling good. Catherine Russell - Send For Me
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When I saw Steely Dan in the fall of 2019, I knew that the female vocalists in the touring version of Donald Fagen's band were quite extraordinary, especially on songs like "Dirty Work." I must have missed the introductions because I had no idea that I was seeing someone with the storied experience of Catherine Russell; yes, that was her. The first thing that struck me about Russell's latest release, Send For Me, was the excellent swinging vocals. After that, you notice that the backing music is dominated by horns, woodwinds, and piano with the occasional mellow jazz guitar, a sound that is timeless by nature yet easily evokes the 1940s and 50s. Russell is a vocalist who carefully selects her material and, in this case, it's romantic songs most often associated with the icons of that period such as Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong, just to name a few. The songs are so well selected that you won't mistake this for any other album of covers. This album is so delightful that I was happy to find more such music in the following release, which is a Top Ten Bonus Disc.
Steven Bernstein Millennial Territory Orchestra feat. Catherine Russell - Good Time Music (Community Music, Vol. 2)
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Steven Bernstein is a talented trumpet player, arranger, and band leader. Bernstein endeavored to work with various groups of musicians, with whom he has a lengthy relationship, to record four albums within a twelve month period. The second volume of this series, Good Time Music (Community Music, Vol. 2), also features the vocals of Catherine Russell. Even though Bernstein's scope of material may be wider than on the Russell record (above), the results are no less spectacular.
Bruce Springsteen - Only the Strong Survive
V/A - Summer Of Soul (...Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Live at the Harlem Cultural Festival, 1969]
Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros: Live In Colorado Volumes 1 & 2)
The Top Thirty: Numbers 11 - 30 (Alphabetically by Artist)
The Bros. Landreth really write a good song and they have a knack for making excellent albums, of which this is the latest. On Come Morning, it seems like the emphasis is more on melody and harmony. This album (like their live show if these Canadians should come to your town) should not be missed.
The Cactus Blossoms - One Day
The Cactus Blossoms set themselves apart from other country rock bands with their next level songwriting, swinging sensibility, excellent vocals, and irresistible sound that's based on superior musicianship. Their sound includes electric piano, bass and drums seemingly joined at the hip, and a choice of guitars: excellently played pedal steel, standard style solos, and electric guitar with just enough vibrato to give it that retro twang. As I listened to this release I didn't know that the principles were brothers, even though some of the vocals reminded me of The Everly Brothers.
During Covid, the Cowboy Junkies entertained themselves, and ultimately us, with an album of cover songs as they are often wont to do. Their full sound, with singer Margo Timmins and all the musicians working at the top of their game, is why they sound so good on fare like "Five Years" (David Bowie), "No Expectations" (Rolling Stones), "Marathon" (Vic Chesnutt), and six more.
Ronnie Earl is the consummate guitar playing bluesman. His 28th album includes twelve tracks, divided between originals and covers. Well chosen material is by the likes of John Coltrane, Ruthie Foster, and two more that I have to single out. Earl closes the album with a version of Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher" that I can only describe as ebullient. He also chose a song that appeared for the second time on this list, Dave Mason's "Only You Know and I Know," with a superb version (see also Joan Osborne, above). Mercy Me may be the equivalent of a double LP in length, but it will leave you wanting more.
Jackie Evancho - Carousel of Time
Carousel of Time is a remarkable tribute to the songwriting of Joni Mitchell sung in the beautiful voice of Jackie Evancho. The song selection covers Mitchell's first five albums and includes favorites, deep cuts and even a B-side ("Urge for Going"). The sure-handed production creates a fitting tribute that will please any Joni Mitchell fan.
One of the things I like best about Steve Forbert is that although his singer-songwriter career is now in its fifth decade, his voice doesn't sound that much different than it did on his 1979 debut Jackrabbit Slim. Another big reason that Moving Through America succeeds is that Forbert has a knack for turning the everyday slice of life into a story song.
At the risk of restating the obvious, both this album and this band are a tribute to the music of George Harrison. Unlike other tribute bands, this one is not a soundalike. What makes this work for me is that the sweet sounding vocals of Anna Pomerantz are accompanied by music that can stand comparison to the originals. One of the real strengths of this album is that it includes Beatles and solo songs written by George, most so utterly familiar that the fact that they pull it off is quite an achievement for this young band from the L.A. music scene.
In 2020, Ashley McBryde's last album splashed quite successfully over the country charts, so it was a nice surprise to find that her follow-up is a concept album that I would call rootsy Americana. The back story is that she woodshedded with a handful of her musician friends and they wrote and recorded this album in about a week. The concept is that all the songs come from a fictitious town, and McBryde shares the lead vocals with her co-writers who perform as the various characters in the songs. With the masterful production of John Osbourne it all works beautifully, and the end product is as satisfying as it is unexpected.
The last time I saw Raul Midon play live (a few years ago), he said that he was working real hard on his guitar playing. So, it's not really a surprise to find that Midon's latest album (his 8th) should be an album of guitar instrumentals; and what instrumentals they are. Midon invited guest guitarists, such as Stephane Wrembel and Dean Parks, to duet with him and then wrote tracks with each guest in mind. The resulting album, Eclectic Adventurist, is gorgeous and exhilarating beyond imagination.
What I like best about Rae Morris' latest album is the degree to which it doesn't sound like what populates the top of the singles chart. After two major label records, in which Morris was supposed to be the next big thing, she has changed labels and her songs now reflect her personal vision. Rachel@Fairyland has all the charm of those singles and EPs that Morris used to make before her big label signing.
Willie Nelson's new album for 2022, A Beautiful Time, is notable for several reasons. The album may have been released on Willie's 89th birthday, but his voice sounds as if he has not aged at all. The program this time focuses on country songcraft with about a dozen new originals penned by Willie, his longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon, or some of Nashville's top songwriters such as Rodney Crowell. Although there are a good number of songs about getting old, it's good to know that Willie has not lost his sense of humor: "I don't go to funerals, and I won't be at mine." On top of all that, we have two dynamite covers: Leonard Cohen's "Tower of Song" and the Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends." Good stuff.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has seemingly been around forever, or at least since the 1960s. They were responsible for the iconic triple LP, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, still a touchstone for country, bluegrass, and Americana music. Now in 2022, with some new members, this band has never sounded better than they do on these ten tunes selected from Bob Dylan's fertile first ten years or so. Although it only scratches the surface of Dylan's songwriting talent, it goes without saying that Dirt Does Dylan is a fitting tribute.
The AllMusic guide called the latest album by North Mississippi All Stars the best blues album of 2022. What you need to know to have some perspective is that Luther Dickinson and his colleagues have perfected a style of rootsy rural blues that you are more likely to find on a backroads back porch played by musicians who care deeply about this music. My first reaction to Set Sail was that the first half of the record sounded like a continuation of Luther's recent string of excellent solo albums. Only after that does it sound like a follow-up to the last NMAS record. Sporting a great new batch of original compositions, Set Sail is also replete with many guest musicians including Stax stalwart William Bell, whose vocals are still amazing at age 83.
Locked out of the normal New York venues during the pandemic, guitar wizard Oz Noy joined forces with two musicians living nearby (bass & drums) to play a series of free concerts in Riverside Park, NYC. Noy's fans, who have seen his device-laden performance rack, may be surprised to learn that for these shows Noy plugged directly into a battery powered amplifier and played with an incredibly light touch. All three musicians had a background in jazz and, as such, they immediately had a set of standards that they all knew; over time they wrote some new tunes. Ultimately, they took this project into the recording studio and this album is the happy result. Read my complete article.
If you are old enough to remember Chick Corea and Return to Forever, you may already know Brazilian jazz vocalist Flora Purim. She was the one singing "500 Miles High," which brought her worldwide acclaim in the 1970s. Often working with her husband, percussionist Airto Moreira, her expressive voice has graced countless jazz albums over the years, not to mention her own successful solo career. If You Will is both her new album and a newly recorded retrospective; it even includes a gorgeous new version of "500 Miles High" along with other career milestones and some new material.
There are a few things you have to love about Bonnie Raitt. One is that she's a hold out for the old way of recording a new album and taking it out on tour. For another, she still can write and sing like no one else. Plus, she plays a mean slide guitar. Just Like That... is Raitt's eighteenth studio album and features the Grammy winning title track. The album offers a slate of new originals alongside well chosen covers of songs by The Bros. Landreth, NRBQ, and Toots & the Maytals. Bonnie Raitt is a total pro at this. Read my recent concert review.
It's been many a year since I've been quite so knocked out by a debut album like Delusions of Grandeur by Sophie & The Broken Things. Recorded in Nashville, this is alt-country or Americana as a general category; it reminds me sometimes of Lucinda Williams. Sophie Gault is a powerhouse singer, songwriter (she wrote or co-wrote most of this record) and multi-instrumentalist. When you listen to this it's hard to know which to be more impressed with, the strong vocals, the extraordinary compositions, or the perfect sounding performances and production. Ordinarily, I would like my readers to hear all of the albums I've listed, but if you only check out one item from this year's list, let it be Delusions of Grandeur by Sophie & The Broken Things. It's that good.
I must admit up front that I was drawn to this album by a really clever remake of the 1996 Jo Dee Messina hit "Heads Carolina, Tails California." The entirely new set of lyrics casts the song as an episode in a Karaoke bar that references the original song. I should also point out that Cole Swindell is a bona fide multi-platinum country superstar. Stereotype is Swindell's fourth album and it contains a duet with Lainey Wilson among a number of mega selling #1 country hits. It wasn't necessarily the above that muscled this release onto my list, it was the fact that most every song on the album has the potential to do likewise.
After ten years away from recording to tend to her family, Rosie Thomas is back with a five track EP called
Lullabies for Parents, Vol. 1. Conceived as the centerpiece of a multi-media resource for new parents of all ages, the EP consists of three new originals and covers of Mariah Carey and Bjork. Thomas, always one who likes working with her friends, offers up a ton of guests on this release including Sufjan Stevens, The Shins, Iron & Wine, The Head & The Heart, and many others. When you listen, one message comes through. No matter who wrote or who sang, the fact is that every track shows Thomas' unique ability to put across a delicate melody. These songs seem like they have a direct line on your heart and you don't want them to end. 
Leah Weller's debut album shows off her vocal talents in the realm of neo-soul and pop in a set of tracks that is a triumph of production. Singer-songwriter Weller develops a finely honed vibe in collaboration with producer Steve Cradock. Sounding both brand new and retro is a good trick, but Weller comes by the ability naturally considering that her parents are Paul Weller (founder Jam, Style Council) and Dee C. Lee (former singer Wham!, Style Council). The nice thing is that you don't even need to know the Style Council to totally enjoy Freedom by Leah Weller.
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