2021 Year In Review :: Favorite Albums

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Here’s the dealio, my coolios.

Each year, I keep a running diary of sorts of all of the things I liked each year. If you’re interested (which I doubt you are), you can follow along with my real-time unedited yearly bookkeeping here.

At the end of each year I try to cull down the music section to what really defined my year musically. No ranking. Just great music. Here are 50 of my favorite 2021 albums in alphabetical order.

Albums In Visual Alphabetical Order:

Albums In Alphabetical Alphabetical Order:

  1. Social Music at Troost Vol.1 by 75 Dollar Bill

  2. Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders by Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders // Elixor of Life by Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders

  3. Khaira Arby in New York (Live in 2010) by Khaira Arby

  4. House Music by Bell Orchestre

  5. Valdez by Birds of Maya

  6. Carnage by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis

  7. All These Years by Phil Cook

  8. Home Video by Lucy Dacus

  9. Kanawa by Nahawa Doumbia

  10. The Golden Lag by Elkhorn

  11. Admonitions by Endless Boogie

  12. Drew Gardner by Drew Gardner

  13. Ghost of Vroom 1 by Ghost of Vroom

  14. Leap by Girls in Airports

  15. Couleur by Dobet Gnahoré

  16. G_d's Pee At States End! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

  17. Other You by Steve Gunn

  18. Quietly Blowing It by Hiss Golden Messenger

  19. The Dharma Wheel by Howlin’ Rain

  20. Brian Jackson JID008 by Brian Jackson, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge

  21. Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound by Kasai Allstars

  22. Heavy Sun by Daniel Lanois

  23. Now by Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble

  24. Hey What by Low

  25. Sound Ancestors by Madlib

  26. Hope by Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog

  27. Ghost Songs by Bachar Mar-Khalifé

  28. Tezeta by Hailu Mergia

  29. Afrique Victime by Mdou Moctar

  30. Dark In Here by the Mountain Goats

  31. World What World by Mountain Movers

  32. Tropicale Moon by Mouth Painter

  33. Teenage Dreams by Native Soul

  34. descension (Out of Our Constrictions) by Natural Information Society/Evan Parker

  35. Another Side by Leo Nocentelli (1971)

  36. Making and Then Unmaking by Derek Piotr

  37. Earth Trip by Rose City Band

  38. East Pakistan Sky by Ustad Saami

  39. Nine by Sault

  40. The Veiled Sea by Six Organs of Admittance

  41. Black to the Future by Sons of Kemet

  42. Renewal by Billy Strings

  43. Superwolves by Matt Sweeney and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy

  44. Deep Fried Grandeur by Ryley Walker And Kikagaku Moyo

  45. Course In Fable by Ryley Walker

  46. Yaral Sa Doom by Wau Wau Collectif

  47. Eau’d To A Fake Boogie Volume 4 by Wet Tuna

  48. Broken Mirror: A Selfie Reflection by Matthew E. White and Lonnie Holley

  49. Urban Driftwood by Yasmin Williams

  50. Way Down in the Rust Bucket by Neil Young and Crazy Horse

  • Browse my favorite albums of the year

  • Browse my “2021 Yearly Wrap-it-Up” which is really a ramble about seeing Phish

  • Browse my favorite books of 2021

  • Browse my favorite movies of 2021

  • Browse my favorite television of 2021

  • Listen to a nearly 5-hour very low quality mix of one song from each of my favorite albums of 2021 called “Soundtrack to the Collective Meltdown”

Neil Diamond Live at the BBC (1971)

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Neil Diamond Live at the BBC (1971).





Setlist:

  1. Countdown

  2. Sweet Caroline

  3. Neil Talking (solitary man story)

  4. Solitary Man

  5. Neil Talking (cracklin’ rosie story)

  6. Cracklin’ Rosie

  7. Neil Talking (BBC cup)

  8. Done Too Soon

  9. Modern Day Version of Love

  10. Neil Talking (Bob Russell)

  11. He Aint Heavy, He’s my Brother

  12. Neil Talking (Holly Holy)

  13. Holly Holy

  14. I am, I said

  15. Neil Talking (BLTSS Story)

  16. Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show

  • Visit Neil Diamond’s official site

  • Purchase Neil Diamond’s music at Amazon

A Sliver Of The Whole :: A Holiday At The Sea Playlist

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This was originally a mix that was supposed to just feature some live Grateful Dead and live Velvet Underground cuts. That mix is still in the works, by the way, but this one morphed out of that project and features several other bands from the 1968-1971 sliver of time. Don’t ask me how it ended up being that, the mix made itself, man.

What we ended up with is a mix that features MC5, the Beatles, the Velvet Underground, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, and the Stooges (and then kept going until I whittled it back down to these tracks). This is a mix I regularly play around the house, so, I hope you enjoy it; because this mix has been getting lots of Sonos time around here, whether the kids like it or not.

Setlist:

  1. Kick Out The Jams by MC5

  2. Get Back by the Beatles

  3. Sweet Jane by the Velvet Underground

  4. Commotion by Creedence Clearwater Revival

  5. Parachute Woman by the Rolling Stones

  6. St. Stephen by the Grateful Dead

  7. The Eleven by the Grateful Dead

  8. Rock & Roll by the Velvet Underground

  9. Shakin’ Street by MC5

  10. Down On the Street by the Stooges

  11. Dig A Pony by the Beatles

  12. Bootleg by Creedence Clearwater Revival

  13. The American Ruse by MC5

  14. Street Fighting Man by the Rolling Stones

  15. I’ve Got A Feeling by the Beatles

  16. Real Cool Time by the Stooges

  17. Graveyard Train by Creedence Clearwater Revival

  • Visit the Beatles’ official site

  • Purchase the Beatles’ music at Amazon

  • Follow Creedence Clearwater Revival at Facebook

  • Purchase Creedence Clearwater Revival’s music at Amazon

  • Visit the Grateful Dead’s official website

  • Follow the Grateful Dead on Facebook

  • Follow Grateful Dead on Twitter

  • Purchase Grateful Dead music on Amazon

  • Purchase MC5’s music at Amazon

  • Visit the official page for the Stooges

  • Purchase the Stooges’ music at Amazon

  • Visit the Velvet Underground’s official site

  • Purchase the Velvet Underground’s music at Amazon

R.E.M. Live at the 688, '81

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In February 1981, a year-and-a-half before ‘Chronic Town’ would be released, R.E.M. played three at Atlanta’s 688 Club.

Setlist:

1. “Rave On” (Partial)
2. “Burning Down”
3. “Dangerous Times”
4. “I Don’t Want You Anymore”
5. “Get on Their Way”
6. “Different Girl”
7. “Permanent Vacation”
8. “White Tornado”
9. “Narrator”
10. “Wind Out”
11. “Gardening at Night”
12. “Mystery to Me”
13. “Radio Free Europe”

Erykah Badu Live at Java Jazz Festival (2012)

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Erykah Badu Live at Java Jazz Festival (2012).

Setlist:

  1. Gone Baby, Don't Be Long

  2. 20 Feet Tall

  3. The Healer

  4. Appletree

  5. Love Of My Life

  6. Daylight (RAMP)

  7. Bag Lady

  8. Durand Bernarr Freestyle

Charles Mingus Sextet, at the Konserthuset Stockholm, Sweden

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Charles Mingus Sextet, at the Konserthuset Stockholm, Sweden, April 13th, 1964 (Colorized).

Setlist:

  1. So Long Eric

  2. Meditations

  3. So Long Eric (Second Version)

Players:

  • Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Eric Dolphy

  • Bass – Charles Mingus

  • Drums – Dannie Richmond

  • Piano – Jaki Byard

  • Tenor Saxophone – Clifford Jordan

  • Trumpet – Johnny Coles

Phish Live at Ak-Chin Pavilion (10.22.21)

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Phish live at Ak-Chin Pavilion. Phoenix, AZ. 10.22.21.

My wife and I hadn’t seen Phish live for 22 or 23 years (they haven’t played Phoenix in 18 years!). I think the last time we saw them was in San Diego? Anyway, that drought ended the other night with a phenomenal show.

Enjoy.

Setlist:

Set One:

  1. Julius

  2. Martian Monster

  3. Soul Planet

  4. My Friend, My Friend

  5. Bouncing Around the Room

  6. Scent of a Mule

  7. More

  8. Ghost

Set Two:

  1. Loving Cup

  2. Mike's Song--

  3. I Am Hydrogen--

  4. Weekapaug Groove

  5. Everything's Right

  6. A Life Beyond the Dream

  7. Cities

  8. Harry Hood

Encore:

  1. Suzy Greenberg

  2. Cavern

The Deets:

  • Phish 10/22/2021 Ak-Chin Pavilion - Phoenix, AZ

  • Source: DPA 4011a(PAS/40mm split/OTS@8')--Portico 5012--SD788t(24bit/96kHz)--MBit(16bit/44.1kHz)--FLAC

  • Recorded and transferred by Scott Schneider

The Housemartins - Hold Tight! Granada TV Special - City Lites, Farnworth 1986

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The Housemartins were an English Pop group active in the ‘80’s. The group blended British Pop, Soul and Gospel.

They were notable for their keen sense of humor; often billing themselves as “the fourth best band in Hull" (he best three bands being Red Guitars, Everything but the Girl, and the Gargoyles). But the band was about more than just humor. As Wikipedia notes: “Many of their lyrics were a mixture of socialist politics and Christianity, reflecting the beliefs of the band (the back cover of their debut album, London 0 Hull 4, contained the message, "Take Jesus – Take Marx – Take Hope").

Here’s another live video from 1986. This one says:

“On December 3rd, 1986, Granada TV show ‘Hold Tight’ featured THE HOUSEMARTINS in concert.

A special live production at the City Lites night club in Farnworth in December 1986.”

Enjoy.

Setlist:

  1. Intro

  2. The Mighty Ship

  3. Think For A Minute

  4. Anxious / Me And The Farmer

  5. Get Up Off Our Knees

  6. Caravan Of Love

  7. Happy Hour

  8. Rap Around The Clock

  • Follow the Housemartins at Facebook

  • Purchase the Housemartins’ music at Amazon

The Housemartins Whistle Test (London 0 Hull 4) Documentary?

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The Housemartins were an English Pop group active in the ‘80’s. The group blended British Pop, Soul and Gospel.

They were notable for their keen sense of humor; often billing themselves as “the fourth best band in Hull" (he best three bands being Red Guitars, Everything but the Girl, and the Gargoyles). But the band was about more than just humor. As Wikipedia notes: “Many of their lyrics were a mixture of socialist politics and Christianity, reflecting the beliefs of the band (the back cover of their debut album, London 0 Hull 4, contained the message, "Take Jesus – Take Marx – Take Hope").

Here’s a short (but two-part) film profiling the group. A short profile piece made for TV and broadcast in 1986. Features the band (Paul Heaton, Stan Cullimore, Hugh Whitaker, Norman Cook) in and around Hull plus interviews and live footage.

This is also known as the “Whistle Test” Documentary. I have only ever seen it edited into two parts. And, I mean, is it’ really a documentary? A feature? A featurette?

Whatever.

And here’s a special bonus piece with Norman and Stan “discussing” the breakup of the band:

  • Follow the Housemartins at Facebook

  • Purchase the Housemartins’ music at Amazon

the Housemartins Konzert 24.11.1986 - Ausschnitte

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The Housemartins were an English Pop group active in the ‘80’s. The group blended British Pop, Soul and Gospel.

They were notable for their keen sense of humor; often billing themselves as “the fourth best band in Hull" (he best three bands being Red Guitars, Everything but the Girl, and the Gargoyles). But the band was about more than just humor. As Wikipedia notes: “Many of their lyrics were a mixture of socialist politics and Christianity, reflecting the beliefs of the band (the back cover of their debut album, London 0 Hull 4, contained the message, "Take Jesus – Take Marx – Take Hope").

Here’s a live video from 1986 simply billed on the Youtubes as: “the Housemartins Konzert 24.11.1986 - Ausschnitte.”

Enjoy.

Setlist:

  1. The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death

  2. The Mighty Ship

  3. I Smell Winter

  4. I Bit My Lip

  5. Anxious

  6. Caravan of Love

  7. We’re Not Deep

  • Follow the Housemartins at Facebook

  • Purchase the Housemartins’ music at Amazon

Beauty Pill Plays the Tiny Desk

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NPR introduces this terrific set by saying:

“Beauty Pill's music is an invitation. In it, life whirs with plunderphonic glee and riffs are funky from the inside out, with rhythms that are equal parts hip-hop and go-go. Conceived, recorded and meticulously tinkered with over the course of eight years, Beauty Pill Describes Things As They Are was partly made in front of an audience after member Chad Clark recovered from a viral infection in his heart that nearly killed him. It's one of the year's most stunning records, as well as an argument for letting art rest, live and breathe before it's ready to be known by a listener. “

Setlist:

  1. "Afrikaner Barista"

  2. "Drapetomania!"

  3. "Exit Without Saving"

R.E.M. Live at the Raleigh Underground (1982)

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From the video’s Youtube page (posted in 2013):

“Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the release of "Murmur" and somehow I stumbled upon the existence of this video which I'd never seen before. I love early R.E.M. especially "Chronic Town" and "Murmur"-era, so to get to see the band profusely sweating out these songs at such an early stage, and pro-shot, is just fascinating bliss. This was filmed less than two months after "Chronic Town" was released on I.R.S. and it's an outstanding document. It is also the earliest known professionally show footage of an R.E.M. show.

Setlist:

  1. Wolves, Lower

  2. Laughing

  3. 1,000,000 **

  4. Moral Kiosk

  5. Catapult

  6. West of the Fields

  7. Radio Free Europe

  8. Ages of You

  9. We Walk

  10. Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars) ***

  11. Skank (Jam)

** Mitch Easter, who produced "Chronic Town" as well as "Murmur" and "Reckoning" (with Don Dixon), joins the band on guitar)

*** As identified by peechpanda in the comments section, Peter Holsapple appears to join the band on guitar for this song)

Mdou Moctar Live in Niamey, Niger

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From the video’s Youtube Page:

“In winter 2020, the Mdou Moctar band met up in Niamey, the capital of Niger, to record a few songs in anticipation of the release of, Afrique Victime. We were staying on the outskirts of town at a friend's home. One day, we quietly set up in front of the house to film a few songs. Despite our relative isolation, the noise of the band inevitably attracted a crowd. What started as the four of us simply playing a few songs for a camera turned into a three-night run of rowdy concerts, bringing in hundreds of eager listeners. Each night, kids from all over the city would line up at our door, rushing over after their final evening prayer. These performances were completely spontaneous and wholly unplanned. Thanks to our audience, we were able to capture the spectacular energy of a typical Niamey concert for you. We're thrilled about it and hope you will be, too. Enjoy! “

Setlist:

  1. Tala Tannam

  2. Anna

  3. Chismiten

  4. Iblis Amghar

  5. Soucome Tamachek

  6. Afrique Victime

  7. Chet Boghassa

Important People:

  • Footage shot by: Mamadou Halidou & WH Moustapha / Dynamique image

  • Audio Recorded by: Mikey Coltun

  • Mixed and Mastered by Seth Manchester at Machines with Magnets

Faces :: BBC Crown Jewels

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To celebrate recent news of members of Faces reuniting to create new music, here is: “The Original Faces live video from BBC Crown Jewels. This is the video in it's entirety! Original date, 04/01/1972.”

Setlist:

  1. "Three Button Hand Me Down"

  2. "Maybe I'm Amazed"

  3. "Too Much Woman (For A Henpecked Man)"

  4. "Street Fighting Man"

  5. "Miss Judy's Farm"

  6. "Love In Vain"

  7. "Stay With Me"

  8. "(I Know) I'm Losing You"

Ramones Live At The Rainbow (12/31/77)

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From the Youtube page:

“The Ramones played the Rainbow Theater in London on December 31, 1977. The show became It's Alive, which was released in April 1979. It's Alive is considered one of the best punk records of all time.”

Setlist:

  1. Blitzkrieg Bop

  2. I Wanna Be Well

  3. Glad to See You Go

  4. You’re Gonna Kill That Girl

  5. Commando

  6. Havana Affair

  7. Cretin Hop

  8. Listen to My Heart

  9. I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You

  10. Pinhead

  11. Do You Wanna Dance?

  12. Now I Wanna Be a Good Boy

  13. Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue

  14. We’re A Happy Family

Rachel's Live at the Black Cat (11.19.97)

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“Rachel's live at the Black Cat in Washington, DC on November 19, 1997”

Setlist:

  1. Rhine & Courtesan

  2. Family Portrait

  3. Kentucky Nocturne

ZZ Top Live Westfalenhalle 1 Dortmund, Germany (1982)

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ZZ Top MAY 28 1982
Westfalenhalle 1 Dortmund, Germany
Tour: El Loco-Motion Tour




Setlist:

  1. Groovy Little Hippie Pad

  2. I Thank You

  3. Waitin' for the Bus

  4. Jesus Just Left Chicago

  5. I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide

  6. Ten Foot Pole

  7. I Love the Woman

  8. I Believe I'll Dust My Broom

  9. La Grange (with Sloppy Drunk Jam)

  10. Tush

Deep Sea Diver: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

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Deep Sea Diver recently recreated the Red Room from Twin Peaks for their NPR Tiny Desk concert.

Setlist:

  1. "Impossible Weight"

  2. "Lights Out"

  3. "Wishing"

  4. "Stop Pretending"

Players:

  • Jessica Dobson: vocals, guitar, piano

  • Peter Mansen: drums

  • Elliot Jackson: keys, guitar

  • Elijah Thomson: bass

  • Natalie Schepman: backing vocals

  • Meegan Closner: backing vocals

  • Henry Lee: beagle

Important People and Details:

  • Video: Tyler Kalberg, Luke Dumke, Dylan Priest

  • Audio: Trevor Spencer

TINY DESK TEAM

  • Producer: Marissa Lorusso

  • Video Producer: Maia Stern

  • Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin

  • Associate Producer: Bobby Carter

  • Tiny Production Team: Kara Frame, Bob Boilen, Gabrielle Pierre

  • Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins

  • Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

  • Visit Deep Sea Diver’s website

  • Follow Deep Sea Diver at Facebook

  • Follow Deep Sea Diver at Twitter

  • Purchase Deep Sea Diver’s music at Amazon

Howard Wales Trio Live Redwood Cafe Live (01.11.20)

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The Howard Wales Trio: Redwood Cafe Live January 11, 2020.

Sorry, no setlist on this one.




Players:

  • Howard Wales on organ

  • Terry Haggerty on guitar

  • Keven Hayes on drums.

Important People:

  • Live Audio Engineer: Bubba Formato

  • Redwood Cafe Live Video Engineer & Studio Mastery Randy Teaford

  • Viral Media Art www.ViralMediaArt.com / Tiny House Live

  • Follow Howard Wales at Facebook

  • Purchase Howard Wales’ music at Amazon

Birds of Maya Live In Philadelphia (06.24.21)

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No really, I can’t get enough of Birds of Maya lately. Check out this recent juicy live nugget.

Sorry, no setlist or any other information, but do you really need it?

Ya dig?

  • Follow Birds of Maya at Facebook

  • Purchase Birds of Maya’s music at Bandcamp

  • Purchase Birds of Maya’s music at Amazon