Flashback: Nippertown’s Top 10 Albums of 2005

Before we announce our selections of the Top 10 locally produced albums of 2009 on Thursday, we’ll be taking a glance back at a few earlier years of the decade each day this week.

The Best Capital Region CDs of 2005

Sarah Pedinotti’s “One Mirror”: The sublime young Saratoga Springs jazz singer stretches out to embrace her inner singer-songwriter.

Bryan Thomas’ “Spy Box Love: The Babylon B-Sides” (WT3): Better than most musicians’ A-sides.

The Brian Patenaude Quartet’s “Distance” (WEPA): Cookin’, straight-ahead jazz with plenty of sax appeal.

David Greenberger and 3 Leg Torso’s “Whispers, Grins, Bloodloss & Handshakes” (Meester/PelPel): Greenberger’s monologues and 3 Leg Torso’s French cabaret-tango music makes for a mesmerizing listen.

Rumdummies’ “Too Dum to Quit” (Swampjangle): A groovy gumbo of rock, funk and blues from local music vets.

Mitch Elrod and CountrySoulHouse’s “Roadhouse Nature” (Farm to Market): Unvarnished, eclectic and oh-so-intimate.

Alex Torres y Su Orquesta’s “25 to Life” (WEPA): After a quarter century, Torres and his crew know how to serve up sizzling salsa.

Annie & the Hedonists’ “Moonglow on the Midway” (Windy Acres): From jazz to country, the folksy Hedonists do it all.

Hector on Stilts’ “Same Height Relation” (Fun Machine): The best of local power pop.

Various artists’ “Caffe Lena: Historic Stages, Vol. 1” (Groove House): A wonderful folk compilation recorded live at the Saratoga Springs coffeehouse between 1972-2000.

Note: Sara Ayers’ “A Million Stories” (Dark Wood) was disqualified from the list because, well, she’s my wife.

Listen to Greg Haymes hosting the Nippertown 2009 Local 518 Top 10 Countdown and playing selections from the Top 10 albums on WEXT (Exit 97.7 FM) at 6pm Friday, New Year’s Day.