The Best Releases of 2008

We are happy to present what we feel are the very best album releases of the past year. Please let us know what you think.  Buffalo

1. Bonnie Bramlett   Beautiful
   Produced by none other than the master Johnny Sandlin, this album is the return to glory Bonnie has been working toward for years. It is one of her best releases ever, and the songs are all perfect. The cast of players ain’t too shabby either.

2.Tommy Talton  Live in Europe/Someone Else’s Shoes
    Cowboy founding member Tommy Talton is one of the finest writers and musicians working today, and this collection, partly recorded with his European band The Rebelizers and part with his own Tommy Talton Band is a good sampling of what is yet to come. Excellent.

3. Chris Hicks   Dog Eat Dog World
   Whether he was an Outlaw or Tuckerized, this Macon, Georgia boy has always turned out stellar, passionate writing, singing and playing. On this eagerly awaited solo disc, Hicks proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that he belongs in the big leagues, and beyond

4. The Boxmasters   The Boxmasters
   Billy Bob Thornton, JD Andrew and Mike Butler created a totally unique sound that combines hillbilly music with British invasion and more than a little bit of tongue in cheek good humor. The double CD (also available on highly collectible 2-LP vinyl) is simply great. One disc of originals, and one that covers everyone from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to Mott The Hoople. Groovy.

5. Paul Thorn   A Long Way From Tupelo
    Paul is one of my absolute favorite writers and singers. He can make you laugh one minute and cry the next, and his latest album ranks among his very best works.

6. Randall Bramblett   Now It's Tomorrow
    Randall has been singing and playing for many a year, both solo and with Sea Level, Cowboy and others, and his work always stands head and shoulders above most of the music rolling out of the radio these days. His latest is just amazing.

7. Donnie Fritts  One Foot in the Groove
    It’s been way too long since we got an album from The Leanin’ Man of Alabam.’ This collection of tunes from one of the South’s very best songwriters is better than a plate full o fried chicken and a glass of sweet iced tea.

8. Delaney Bramlett  New Kind of Blues
    Delaney just gets better and better. His latest is an awesome collection of songs from one of rock and roll’s most important and talented figures.

9. Bo Bice    See The Light
    Bo steps out of the Idol shadow to knock a home run with a Southern Rockin’ second album. “You Can’t Take The Country Out Of Me” sounds like his unofficial theme song.

10. Jimmie Van Zant   My Name is Jimmie
      Ronnie, Johnny and Donnie’s cousin Jimmie has been busting it for a number of years, and now he has scored big. This album rocks, Southern Style. It’s been a long time coming, but well worth the wait.

11. James Otto   Sunset Man
     Nashville Muzik Mafia member James Otto has a Southern Rocker soul to be sure, and it blends very well with his country roots to create one of my favorite albums of the year.

12. Willie Nelson  One Hell of a Ride
      The ultimate Willie. A four disc boxed set that chronicles his whole multi-label career. And they are all good.

13. Gator Country Live   Gator Country
      Former Molly Hatchet members blow it out of the water with this live set featuring powerhouse vocalist Jimmy Farrar doing Hatchet old school.

14. Sugarland  Love On The Inside
     Jennifer Nettles is one of the purest country voices on the scene, and Sugarland never ceases to amaze me with their gift for songwriting.

15, Drive By Truckers  Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
The future of Southern Rock, the DBT's get better and better with each album.

16. Billy Joe Shaver  Everybody’s Brother
      Shaver does it up, gospel style.

17. Elvin Bishop   The Blues Rolls On
      Former Capricorn artist Elvin Bishop gets by with a little help from his friends, including Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, and the results are amazing.

18. Tony Joe White   Deep Cuts
     Another legendary Southern songwriter, with a brilliant collection of tunes.

19. Monte Montgomery   Monte Montgomery
      One of the finest acoustic (and electric) guitar players of our time, Texan Monte Montgomery is also a fantastic singer and songwriter.

20. Montgomery Gentry   Back When I Knew It All
      Eddie and Troy blend the country and Southern Rock like no others, and this may be their finest work yet.

OUR TOP FIVE INDIE ALBUMS OF 2008

1. Galloway Kelliher   Outlaws & Renegades
2. Amanda Martin  You Can’t Help But Love Me
3. Tom Coerver & Goin’ South   From The Mud To The Sky
4. Thompson Ward   Porch Funk
5. Charlie Tatman  Free and Easy

 

related tags

Read More...

Comments