BEST OF 2016: Fred Rudofsky’s Top 27 Albums
Yes, it’s that time of year once again – best of the year list-time, that is. We’re gathering together Best of 2016 from media outlets, our own contributors and our readers, too. (Sure, just email ’em to us…)
Here’s Fred Rudofsky’s list of the Top 27 albums of the year:
27. Case/Lang/Veirs: case/lang/veirs
26. Wayne Hancock: Slingin’ Rhythm
25. Willie Nelson: For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price
24. Leonard Cohen: You Want It Darker
23. Bobby Rush: Porcupine Meat
22. The Last Conspirators: Hold That Thought Forever
21. Aaron Neville: Apache
20. The James Hunter Six: Hold On!
19. Tedeschi Trucks Band: Let Me Get By (deluxe edition)
18. L’il Ed & the Blues Imperials: The Big Sound of…
17. The Fleshtones: The Band Drinks for Free
16. Willie Nile: World War Willie
15. Alejandro Escovedo: Burn Something Beautiful
14. Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters: Maxwell Street
13. Shemekia Copeland: Outskirts of Love
12. Dale Watson & His Lonestars: Live at the Big T Roadhouse
11. Carrie Rodriguez: Lola
10. Peter Wolf: A Cure for Loneliness
9. Elizabeth Cook: Exodus of Love
8. Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds: Fowl Play
7. Duke Robillard & His All Star Combo: Blues Full Circle
6. Don Leady & His Rockin’ Revue: Poppy Toppy Gone
5. Sarah Borges: Good ‘n’ Dirty
4. David Bowie: Blackstar
3. Iggy Pop: Post Pop Depression
2. Allen Toussaint: American Tunes (2 LP edition)
1. Mavis Staples: Livin’ on a High Note
AND THREE GEMS FROM THE VAULT THAT RARELY LEAVE MY CAR STEREO:
Jimi Hendrix: Machine Gun: The Fillmore East First Show 12/31/69
Bob Dylan: The Real Royal Albert Hall 1966 Concert
The Beatles: Live at the Hollywood Bowl
MORE BEST OF 2016 LISTS
Ed Conway’s Top However Many Shows
American Songwriter’s Top 10 Songs
J Hunter’s Top Jazz Albums (Part Deux)
Newsweek’s Top 11 Documentary Films
Don Wilcock’s Top 10 Blues Albums
The Chicago Tribune’s Top Four Poetry Books
Pitchfork’s Top 25 Music Videos
Stanley A. Johnson’s Top 10 Favorite Musical Places
Time Magazine’s Top 10 Nonfiction Books
TV Guide’s Top Television Shows
J Hunter’s Top Jazz Albums (Part 1)
Esquire’s Top 25 Movies (So Far)
Bowie’s Blackstar was haunting me, literally, through February. Outstanding.
Fred- great list that will cost me some money. I am guessing that I will see you at Club Helsinki for Alejandro. I was in line for Band of Gypsies at the Fillmore East box office on 12/31/69 when the sold-out sign went up. While I was very disappointed, I walked around the corner to The Electric Circus to see Deep Purple with opening act The Staple Singers. It turned out to be a good New Year’s Eve.
“Celebration of Fury” by The Last Cons? That came out in 2013. Perhaps you meant “Hold That Thought Forever”? (which absolutely rocks imho)
Yes, to affirm what Andy Gregory stated–“Hold That Thought Forever” By The Last Conspirators was released in January of 2016. Celebration of Fury was 2013.
The commentators are correct, I mixed up the titles! Great albums both!
OK, Fred, the correction has been made to your list…
Richard, that’s an incredible story. I’d say your consolation of seeing the Staple Singers in their prime was one of a kind. Be sure to watch Mavis get honored by the Kennedy Center Tuesday night on CBS.