Poll: February 1988 Songs

February 1988.  Two months away from getting married. Talk about your life changer. 

For this latest poll 37 songs were picked to vote on. Here are my rankings.  Listen to this countdown at popgoldradio.com

"Push It", Salt-N-Pepa : 1
"What Have I Done To Deserve This?", Pet Shop Boys (& Dusty Springfield) : 2
"Need You Tonight", INXS : 3
"Never Gonna Give You Up", Rick Astley : 4
"Father Figure", George Michael : 5
"Tunnel Of Love", Bruce Springsteen : 6
"I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man", Prince : 7
"I Want Her", Keith Sweat : 8
"Pump Up The Volume", M/A/R/R/S : 9
"Faith", George Michael : 10
"Hazy Shade Of Winter", Bangles : 11
"Everywhere", Fleetwood Mac : 12
"I Want To Be Your Man", Roger : 13
"Man In The Mirror", Michael Jackson : 14
"Shake Your Love", Debbie Gibson : 15
"I Found Someone", Cher : 16
"Don't Shed A Tear", Paul Carrack : 17
"The Way You Make Me Feel", Michael Jackson : 18
"Got My Mind Set On You", George Harrison : 19
"Love Overboard", Gladys Knight & the Pips : 20
"Tell It To My Heart", Taylor Dayne : 21
"Seasons Change", Expose : 22
"Hungry Eyes", Eric Carmen : 23
"She's Like The Wind", Patrick Swayze (featuring Wendy Fraser) : 24
"I Get Weak", Belinda Carlisle : 25
"Endless Summer Nights", Richard Marx : 26
"Is This Love", Whitesnake : 27
"Candle In The Wind (live in Australia)", Elton John : 28
"Can't Stay Away From You", Gloria Estefan & the Miami Sound Machine : 29
"Say You Will", Foreigner : 30
"I Live For Your Love", Natalie Cole : 31
"Could've Been", Tiffany : 32
"Just Like Paradise", David Lee Roth : 33
"So Emotional", Whitney Houston : 34
"Because Of You", Cover Girls : 35
"Out Of The Blue", Debbie Gibson : 36
"Pop Goes The World", Men Without Hats : 37

Playlist for 2/27

T. L. Barrett - Like A Ship 

Jimmy Buffett - Living & Dying In 3/4 Time

Red Clay Strays - Moment of Truth

Larkin Poe - Blood Harmony

Oxford American Ballads Winter Music Issue #123 - Various 

Written In Their Soul: Stax Songwriter Demos - Various (Box Set)

Pushin' Too Hard American Garage Punk 64-67 - Various (Cherry Red Box Set)

Playlist for 2/19

Brittany Howard - What Now

Grandaddy - Blu Wav

Usher - Coming Home

Green Day - Saviors

Charles Wesley Godwin - Family Ties

Amanda Fields - What, When and Without 

Lankum - False Lankum

June (2023 June Carter Cash Documentary)

Greatest Night In Pop (2024 We Are The World Documentary) 

Poll: January 1965 Songs

 January 1965.  I'm 8 months old.  But I count three songs that would turn out to be my favorite songs ever by the artists who recorded them. 

For this latest poll 44 songs were picked to vote on. Listen to this countdown at popgoldradio.com.

"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", Righteous Brothers : 1
"My Girl", Temptations : 2
"All Day And All Of The Night", Kinks : 3
"Goin' Out Of My Head", Little Anthony & the Imperials : 4
"I Feel Fine", Beatles : 5
"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", Marvin Gaye : 6
"She's Not There", Zombies : 7
"Come See About Me", Supremes : 8
"Amen", Impressions : 9
"Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow The Sun)", Del Shannon : 10
"Hold What You've Got", Joe Tex : 11
"Downtown", Petula Clark : 12
"She's A Woman", Beatles : 13
"I'm Into Something Good", Herman's Hermits : 14
"The Boy From New York City", Ad Libs : 15
"Heart Of Stone", Rolling Stones : 16
"I Go To Pieces", Peter & Gordon : 17
"Mr. Lonely", Bobby Vinton : 18
"The Jerk", Larks : 19
"This Diamond Ring", Gary Lewis & the Playboys : 20
"Time Is On My Side", Rolling Stones : 21
"Any Way You Want It", Dave Clark Five : 22
"Love Potion Number Nine", Searchers : 23
"Mountain Of Love", Johnny Rivers : 24
"Tell Her No", Zombies : 25
"Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye)", Four Seasons : 26
"Shake", Sam Cooke : 27
"Give Him A Great Big Kiss", Shangri-Las : 28
"Sha-La-La", Manfred Mann : 29
"Ringo", Lorne Greene : 30
"Too Many Fish In The Sea", Marvelettes : 31
"Let's Lock The Door (And Throw Away The Key)", Jay & the Americans : 32
"The Name Game", Shirley Ellis : 33
"The Wedding", Julie Rogers : 34
"Leader Of The Laundromat", Detergents : 35
"I'll Be There", Gerry & the Pacemakers : 36
"Dear Heart", Andy Williams : 37
"Whenever A Teenager Cries", Reparata & the Delrons : 38
"Dear Heart", Jack Jones : 39
"It's Alright", Adam Faith & the Roulettes : 40
"Don't Forget I Still Love You", Bobbi Martin : 41
"Thou Shalt Not Steal", Dick & Dee Dee : 42
"Willow Weep For Me", Chad & Jeremy : 43
"My Love, Forgive Me (Amore Scumsami)", Robert Goulet : 44

My Latest Appearance on the Rock in Retrospect Podcast (2024 Rock Hall Nominees Reaction)

 Check out my latest appearance on Nick Bambach's Rock in Retrospect podcast.  This time I was on with 3 other guests to discuss the 2024 Rock Hall nominees.  

Rock in Retrospect 2024 Rock Hall Nominee Discussion

Goodbye to My Rolling Stone Magazine Subscription

   My Rolling Stone magazine subscription expired this month.  And I didn't renew it.  Before you shrug your shoulders, I should point out that I'd been a subscriber since May 1979.  The 5/3/79 issue had Richard Pryor on the cover.  I bought it and then got a subscription. I was 15 years old.  But already becoming the music junkie I am today.  For 45 years I kept renewing it.  Before that 1979 issue I either bought random issues or read them at bookstores or libraries.  The year I subscribed, the magazine was at a peak.  Here in the U.S. it's still the most popular music magazine ever.  Even though Jann Wenner has been kicked to the curb nowadays, you can't deny that Rolling Stone was a must read at one point.  But things changed when it went monthly in July 2018.  The cutback from a bi-weekly had to do with declining sales and more importantly the internet.  

  There's no denying that the Rolling Stone had an influence on my tastes in music in my teens.  Its reviews, articles and the acts it championed definitely shaped my listening and buying habits. 

  I might have renewed were it not for the high renewal rates.  $99 for a 12 month magazine? And no digital access?  That's an easy pass for me.  The magazine itself is not bad.  But so short of articles and reviews that it would only take me minutes to skim through.  It seemed that what was in the magazine, despite the digital paywall,  could eventually be found for free online.  Why am I paying $99 a year for something that was easily accessed elsewhere?   The first magazine I ever subscribed to was Billboard.  I was 13 years old.  But a chart junkie at an early age.  And I kept a subscription with that until the late 90's.  Nowadays the magazine is a shell of its former glory.  Hardly any charts in it.  Mostly profiles of artists or music industry types.  

  In case anyone is wondering I still subscribe to print magazines.  The best are the UK ones like Record Collector, Mojo and Uncut.  In the U.S. I'm still onboard with Goldmine, Beatlefan, Shindig, Big Takeover, Ugly Things, No Depression, Endless Summer Quarterly. But that list used to be a lot longer.  Like I said earlier, then the Internet came along and so many print music mags disappeared and went online only.

  So, it's goodbye to Rolling Stone.  When I see people posting pictures of past covers I feel nostalgic.  But as someone once sang, "those days are gone forever". 

RIP Henry Fambrough

  Henry Fambrough was the last original member of the Spinners, one of the greatest R&B vocal groups ever.  He died at the age of 85, but happily lived long enough to see the Spinners finally inducted into the Rock Hall in November 2023.  

  As many who read this blog know I'm a huge Spinners fan.  Was pushing hard for them to get into the Rock Hall last year.  Ecstatic that they got in and even more happy that Henry and John Edwards, who joined the group in 1977, was also able to attend.

  The Spinners were a perfect vocal group that after years of laboring on the Motown label finally hit it big in 1972.  Part of that success was getting Thom Bell, who was a hot Producer in 1972 to work with them on their records.  He produced their classic hits in the 70's and even co-wrote many of their hits.  

  

  Henry didn't get to sing lead very often, but when he did his smooth baritone was a reassuring listen.  His best moment was on 1975's Old School classic "I Don't Want To Lose You" a wonderful ballad that still gets played on many Quiet Storm stations.  His biggest hit as a co-vocalist (with the incredible Philippe Wynne) was on "Ghetto Child" from 1973.  The song peaked at #29 Pop and #4 on the R&B chart. 

  After co-lead singer Bobby Smith died in 2013, Fambrough became the last living original member of the group.  He kept performing with the newest members until early 2023.  Fambrough always expressed his hope that the Spinners would be inducted into the Rock Hall and in 2023 they finally made it.  Along with John Edwards, Fambrough was in attendence at the ceremony in November 2023.  

With Henry's passing the Golden Age of R&B Vocal Groups has lost another special individual. 

Playlist for 2/3

Turnpike Troubadours - A Cat In The Rain 

Vincent Neil Emerson - Golden Crystal Kingdom

Rita Wilson - Duets

Bella White - Among Other Things

P.J. Proby - Presley Style

Gabe Lee - Drink the River

James Brandon Lewis - For Mahalia, With Love

Poll: December 1977 Songs

 December 1977.  First year in Junior High.  Not listening to AM radio as much, thanks to local Top 40 stations now simulcasting on both the FM/AM dials. 

 For this latest poll 38 songs were picked to vote on. Listen to this countdown at popgoldradio.com.

"How Deep Is Your Love", Bee Gees : 1
"Baby Come Back", Player : 2
"(Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again", L.T.D. : 3
"Sentimental Lady", Bob Welch : 4
"Isn't It Time", Babys : 5
"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue", Crystal Gayle : 6
"Here You Come Again", Dolly Parton : 7
"Just The Way You Are", Billy Joel : 8
"Turn To Stone", Electric Light Orchestra : 9
"Hey Deanie", Shaun Cassidy : 10
"Boogie Nights", Heatwave : 11
"You Make Loving Fun", Fleetwood Mac : 12
"We Just Disagree", Dave Mason : 13
"Come Sail Away", Styx : 14
"Baby, What A Big Surprise", Chicago : 15
"Your Smiling Face", James Taylor : 16
"We Are The Champions", Queen : 17
"Slip Slidin' Away", Paul Simon : 18
"We're All Alone", Rita Coolidge : 19
"Just Remember I Love You", Firefall : 20
"Nobody Does It Better", Carly Simon : 21
"Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)", Chic : 22
"Send In The Clowns", Judy Collins : 23
"Blue Bayou", Linda Ronstadt : 24
"It's So Easy", Linda Ronstadt : 25
"It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me", Barry White : 26
"You're In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)", Rod Stewart : 27
"Native New Yorker", Odyssey : 28
"Short People", Randy Newman : 29
"You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On)", High Inergy : 30
"Help Is On Its Way", Little River Band : 31
"Swingtown", Steve Miller Band : 32
"Point Of Know Return", Kansas : 33
"She's Not There", Santana : 34
"Gone Too Far", England Dan & John Ford Coley : 35
"You Light Up My Life", Debby Boone : 36
"Heaven On The 7th Floor", Paul Nicholas : 37
"Runaround Sue", Leif Garrett : 38

Playlist for 1/24

Tanner Adell - Buckle Bunny

Peter Gabriel - i/o

Raye - My 21st Century Blues

Renee Rapp - Snow Angel

Chappell Roan - Rise and Fall of A Midwest Princess 

Howdy Glenn - I Can Almost See Houston

William Prince - Stand In The Joy

Not Inducted In The Songwriters Hall of Fame (2024 Inductees Updated)

The 2024 Songwriters Hall Inductees have been announced: R.E.M. and Steely Dan in the Performers category.  Dean Pitchford, Hillary Lindsey and Timbaland in the Non-Performer category.

Who qualifies for a nomination? This from the Song Hall: "A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first significant commercial release of a song". Apparently, inducted songwriters are required to appear at the induction ceremony to get their award.  Those not able to attend can defer their induction to a later date. 

Here's my list of songwriters not inducted as of 2024: 

Alicia Keys

B.B. King
Bert Berns

Beyonce
Billy Joe Shaver
Bo Diddley
Bob McDill
Bobby Womack
Bonnie Raitt

Bootsy Collins 
Boz Scaggs
Bryan Adams
Bryan Ferry
Carl Perkins

Chips Moman
Chrissie Hynde
Chuck Willis

Clash (Joe Strummer/Mick Jones)
Curly Putnam
Dallas Frazier
Dan Fogelberg
Dan Penn
David Gates
Dean Dillon
Debbie Harry/Chris Stein
Dion DiMucci
Donna Summer/Giorgio Moroder/Pete Bellotte

Doobie Brothers
Doors
Dwight Yoakam

George Clinton
George Harrison
George Michael
Guy Clark
Harry Nilsson
Harry Wayne Casey

Heart
J.J. Cale
Janet Jackson
Jerry Chesnut
Jerry Fuller
Jimi Hendrix

Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Cliff

Joe South
John Hiatt

John Legend
John D. Loudermilk
Kate Bush
Kenny Loggins
Led Zeppelin
Lefty Frizzell

Lindsey Buckingham/Stevie Nicks/Christine McVie

Lou Reed
Lucinda Williams
Luther Vandross
Madonna
Mark Knopfler
Mary J. Blige

Matraca Berg
Max D. Barnes

Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn
Mike Love
Morrissey/Johnny Marr
Muddy Waters
Neil Young
Nick Lowe
Outkast
Pam Sawyer
Paul Overstreet
Percy Mayfield
Pete Townshend
Peter Gabriel 
P.F. Sloan & Steve Barri
Phil Ochs

Pink
Prince
Randy Goodrum
Ric Ocasek
Richard Thompson
Robbie Robertson
Robert "Mutt" Lange
Rod Stewart
Rod Temperton
Rodney Crowell
Roger Miller
Roger Waters/David Gilmour
Rosanne Cash

Ryan Tedder
Rudy Toombs
Sandy Linzer/Denny Randell

Shania Twain
Shel Silverstein
Sheryl Crow
Sly Stone
Sonny Throckmorton
Spooner Oldham
Steve Earle
Steve Perry/Neal Schon/Jonathan Cain
Steve Winwood
Talking Heads
Tim Hardin

Todd Rundgren
Tom Waits
Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
Tony Macaulay
Tony Joe White

Toots Hibbert
Townes Van Zandt
Tracy Chapman
U2
Vince Gill
Warren Zevon
Waylon Jennings
Whitey Shafer
William Bell

2024 Rock Hall Nominee Predictions

  There are no surefire first year eligibles, so the 2024 Nominee ballot should be filled with previous and first time nominees.  The Hall usually nominates between 15-17 acts a year. Although they  have gone as high as 19 but last year there were only 14 nominees. 

  This will be an interesting Hall ballot. Jann Wenner’s dismissal exposed the Hall’s lack of diversity among its inductees. Will the 2024 ballot be affected by all of this? That’s the big question confronting those of us making predictions. 

  For 2024 I'm predicting 15 nominees.

B-52's - These New Wave pioneers are long overdue for a nomination.  Still in the news regarding a final tour, an induction would bring a much needed boost of humor, camp and party vibes to the Hall.  No previous nominations. 

Cher - A huge icon that has amazingly never been nominated. Cher seemed to be everywhere in the last 3 months of 2023 promoting her Christmas album and the 25th anniversary of "Believe".  I don't think the NomCom will care that Cher has been saying she doesn't care about getting inducted.. 

Cyndi Lauper - Of the 2023 nominees not to get inducted, Lauper's was the most surprising.  My guess is she was close enough to get her back on the ballot.  One previous nomination. 

Dave Matthews Band - The 2020 fan vote winner hasn't been able to get a second nomination.  Matthews was busy in 2023 though.  A new album, tour plus another appearance as an inductor at last years Rock Hall ceremony. Take all that and 2024 seems like his best chance for a second nomination. 

Dionne Warwick - Off the ballot last year after 2 consecutive nominations.  I still think she will get in soon, either in the performer category or the Musical Excellence one. Two previous nominations. 

Jimmy Buffett - Buffett's death last year spurred a deeper look at his influence on Country and Rock music.  I feel safe in saying that his influence on Country music was deeper than on Rock music.  Never nominated before, 2024 now seems like his best chance at an induction. No previous nominations. 

Kool & The Gang - How is that one of the Founders of Funk turned 80's crossover hit machine can't get on a ballot?  And 2024 is their 60th anniversary too. A Songwriters Hall inductee in 2018.  Now, sadly down to one original member.  Paging Questlove.  No previous nominations.. . 

Mariah Carey - When? That’s the only question most are asking regarding a possible first nomination. 

Outkast - We all know how bad the NomCom wants A Tribe Called Quest inducted.  But after 2 successive nominations, maybe it's time to switch things up and give a group that might be an FYN a chance. Andre 3000 was back in the music news last year with an instrumental album.  No previous nominations. 

Queen Latifah - The induction of Missy Elliott has many wondering who will be the next female rap act to get a nomination.  You can't go wrong with either Latifah or Salt-N-Pepa. She also inducted Missy last year too.  No previous nominations.  

Sinead O'Connor - As usually happens when someone dies, a reappraisal of their career happens.  And O'Connor's career definitely needed a new look.  I'm betting the NomCom sees how influential she was. No previous nomination.  

Soundgarden - - Back in 2020 Motorhead, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, MC5, T. Rex and Soundgarden were all on the same ballot. A dream ballot for Metal/Hard Rock/Classic Rock fans.  But, alas, only T. Rex got voted in that year. With Judas Priest receiving a Musical Excellence nod in 2022. With RATM finally off the ballot, Soundgarden might be able to pick up some extra votes. This would be Soundgarden’s 3rd nomination. 

Tracy Chapman - Just as Kate Bush had a catalog song find new from its placement in a hit TV show, so did Tracy Chapman thanks to Luke Combs’ Country crossover cover of “Fast Car”. Chapman’s  career has gotten a reappraisal thanks to all this newfound publicity. Maybe enough for a first nomination. 

Warren Zevon - A surprise nominee last year that thrilled many baby boomers. John Sykes said on a radio show after the inductees were announced that Zevon did well on last years ballot.  Good. enough for a second nomination?  One previous nomination. 

White Stripes - Count me as one of those surprised that they were not an FYE last year.  I just thought Jack White had made enough musical peers to go in. So, let's see what happens on a second nom. One previous nomination. 

Other Possible Nominees: A Tribe Called Quest, Coldplay, Devo, Iron Maiden,  Jane’s Addiction, John Prine, Lenny Kravitz, Los Lobos, Mary J. Blige, Peter Frampton, Replacements, Salt-N-Pepa, Snoop Dogg, War

Playlist for 1/15

Johnny Bush - Texas Dance Hall Girl

Wanda Jackson - Country Keepsakes

Skeeter Davis - Hillbilly Singer 

Robbie Williams (2023 Netflix Documentary) 

Del Lords - Frontier Days

Todd Snider - Crank It, We're Doomed

Willie Nelson & Family (2023 Documentary) 

Willie Nelson’s  90th Birthday Celebration (TV Special)

My Latest Appearance on Rock In Retrospect Podcast

 Check out my latest appearance, with 5 other folks, on Nick Bambach's Rock In Retrospect podcast.  We spent nearly 2 hours talking about potential 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees. 

2024 Rock Hall Nominees Draft

Playlist for 1/8 (Songs About Elvis Presley)

There have been more songs written about Elvis Presley than any other performer.   No surprise since he's one of the most important musicians of all time. But doing research for this post, even I couldn't believe how many songs about Elvis have been released.  I can't claim that all the songs listed below are stellar.  A lot of tribute records can be pretty mawkish, no matter the subject.  But there's certainly many good ones and at the very least, interesting takes on Elvis' legacy.

Billy Burnette - Today Is Elvis' Birthday

Bob Dylan - Went To See The Gypsy

Bobby Bare (as Bill Parsons) - All American Boy
Bruce Springsteen - Come On (Let's Go Tonight)
Bruce Springsteen - Johnny Bye Bye

Bryan Adams - Hey Elvis 

Carmella Rosella - Oh It Was Elvis

Chris Wall - Half Of What Killed Elvis
Confederate Railroad - Elvis and Andy

Danny Mirror - I Remember Elvis Presley

Dead Milkmen - Going to Graceland
Dire Straits - Calling Elvis

Dolly Parton & Ronnie McDowell - I Dreamed About Elvis
Elton John - Porch Swing in Tupelo

Fatboy - What Would Elvis Do?

Florence + The Machine - Morning Elvis

Frankie Allan - Just A Country Boy

George Jones - King Is Gone
George Michael - John and Elvis Are Dead

Gillian Welch - Elvis Presley Blues

Hayden Thompson - Boy from Tupelo

James Brown - Love Me Tender (A remake, but first 30 seconds JB talks about his love for Elvis)
Janis Martin - My Boy Elvis
J.D. Sumner - Elvis Has Left The Building
Jerry Reed - Tupelo Mississippi Flash

Jillian Cardarelli - If I Could Talk To Elvis
Jim Ford - Story of Elvis Presley

John Fogerty - Big Train
John Hiatt - Riding With The King
John Hiatt - Tennessee Plates

Johnny Earle - Private Elvis
Kacey Musgraves - Velvet Elvis
Kenny Chesney - Jesus and Elvis
Lalo Guerrero - Elvis Perez

Lana Del Rey - Elvis 

Lenny LeBlanc - Hound Dog Man

Link Davis - Trucker from Tennessee

Link Wray - It Was Elvis

Lisa Marie Presley - Lights Out

Marc Cohn - Walking In Memphis

Margo Price - Long Live The King

Merle Haggard - From Graceland to the Promised Land
Mojo Nixon - (619) 239-KING
Mojo Nixon - Elvis Is Everywhere
Neil Young - He Was The King

Nuns - Elvis Said
Odie Palmer - Letter to Elvis

Patty Loveless - I Try To Think About Elvis

Paul Simon - Graceland
Ray Stevens - Mama's In The Sky With Elvis

Richard Thompson - From Galway to Graceland 

Ronnie McDowell - The King Is Gone

Sonny Cole - I Dreamed I Was Elvis

Sonny Fisher - I Miss You Elvis
Stan Freberg - Heartbreak Hotel
Steve Goodman - Elvis Imitators

Stray Cats - Elvis On Velvet

T M Hanna - I Saw Elvis At The K-mart
Unknown (Jimmy Fields) - I Have Returned

U2 - Elvis Presley & America

Wanda Jackson - I Wore Elvis' Ring
Warren Zevon - Jesus Mentioned
Warren Zevon - Porcelain Monkey

Weeklings - Little Elvis

Playlist for 1/5

Bean Blossom - Various

Roy Orbison - Milestones

Tom T. Hall - For The People In The Last Hard Town

Kitty Wells - Yours Truly

Ray Price - She's Got To Be A Saint

Hank Snow - Sings Grand Ole Opry Favorites

Strangers - Totally Instrumental With One Exception

American Symphony (2023 Jon Batiste Documentary)

Thriller 40 (2023 Documentary) 

Elton John's Rocket Hour: 2023 Christmas Special (Apple Radio)

Playlist for 12/28

Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023 Documentary) 

Albert Brooks - A Star Is Bought

Albert Brooks - Comedy Minus One

Jaime Wyatt - Feel Good

Cat Power - Sings Dylan: 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert

Juliana Hatfield - Sings ELO

Andre3000 - New Blue Sun

Luther Dickinson - Magic Music for Family Folk

Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas (TV Special) 

CMA Country Christmas (TV Special)

Playlist for 12/23 (Christmas Albums)

Statler Brothers - Christmas Card

Red Simpson - Trucker's Christmas 

Johnny Cash - Christmas Spirit 

Los Lobos - Llego Navidad

Alligator Records Christmas Collection - Various

Ray Conniff - Christmas With Conniff

Chet Atkins - Christmas with Chet Atkins

Stax Christmas - Various

Swing Time Christmas - Various

Marty Robbins - Christmas With 

Bill Anderson - Christmas

Teddy Pendergrass - This Christmas

Cher - Christmas

Johnny Mathis - Christmas Time Is Here

Samara Joy - A Joyful Holiday

Gregory Porter - Christmas Wish

Brandy - Christmas with Brandy

Harry Belafonte - To Wish You A Merry Christmas

Fitz & the Tantrums - Perfect Holiday

A Very Special Acoustic Christmas - Various

A Christmas Record - Various (ZE)

Tom’s Top Albums/Songs/Reissues of 2023

I alway says this but it's true, it's possible that my favorite album of the year is one I haven't heard yet.  So much music, so little time.   I'm still catching up on records that were released decades ago.  But this list is a good snapshot of what I heard and liked in 2023. 

1.  Jason Isbell - Weathervanes

2.  Tyler Childers - Rustin' In The Rain

3.  Allison Russell -  The Returner

4.  Molly Tuttle - City of Gold

5.  Olivia Rodrigo - Guts

6.  Janelle Monae - Age of Pleasure

7.  Ashley McBryde - Devil I Know 

8.  Brandy Clark - s/t

9.  War and Treaty - Lover's Game

10. Margo Price - Strays/Strays II

11. Lana Del Rey - Did You Know There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.

12. Sufjan Stevens - Javelin

13. Zach Bryan - s/t

14. Mitski - Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We

15. Iris DeMent - Workin’ On A World 

16. Rhiannon Giddens - You're The One

17. Morgan Wade - Psychopath

18. Margo Cilker - Valley Of Heart's Delight

19. National - First Two Pages Of Frankenstein/Laugh Track

20. Jenny Lewis - Joy'All 

21. Jaime Wyatt -Feel Good

22. Corrine Bailey Rae - Black Rainbows

23. Elle King - Come Get Your Wife

24. Chris Stapleton - Higher

25. Rodney Crowell - Chicago Sessions

26. Jessie Ware - That Feels Good

27. Mayer Hawthorne - For All Time

28. Boygenius - The Record

29. Kelsea Ballerini - Rolling Up The Welcome Mat

30. CMAT - Crazymad, For Me

31. Hiss Golden Messenger - Jump For Joy 

32. Megan Moroney - Lucky

33. Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want To Turn Into You

34. Sunny War - Anarchist Gospel

35. Kara Jackson - Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love

36. Anohni & the Johnsons - My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross

37. Marty Stuart - Altitude

38. Lucinda Williams - Stories From A Rock n Roll Heart

39. Robbie Fulks - Bluegrass Vacation 

40. Parker Millsap -Wilderness Within You

41. Layng Martine Jr.  - Music Man

42. Brent Cobb - Southern Star

43. Joe Henry - All The Eye Can See

44. Billy Strings - Me/And/Dad

45. Buddy Miller & Julie Miller - In The Throes

46. Willie Nelson - I Don't Know A Thing About Love

47. Lori McKenna - 1988

48. Victoria Monet - Jaguar II

49. Hold Steady - Price of Progress

50. Jamila Woods - Water Made Us

51. Jess Williamson - Time Ain't Accidental

52. Arlo Parks - My Soft Machine 

53. William Prince - Stand In The Joy

54. Hozier - Unreal Unearth

55. Hives - Death of Randy Fitzsimmons

56. Juliana Hatfield - Sings ELO

57. Jon Batiste - World Music Radio

58. Tanner Adell - Buckle Bunny

59. Brothers Osborne - s/t

60. Robert Forster - Candle and the Flame

61. Willie Nelson - Bluegrass

62. Belle & Sebastian - Late Developers

63. Tracy Nelson - Life Don't Miss Nobody

64. Bethany Cosentino - Natural Disaster

65. Renee Rapp - Snow Angel

66. New Pornographers - Continue As A Guest

67. Chappell Roan - Rise and Fall of A Midwest Princess

68. Meshell Ndegeocello - Omnichord Real Book 

69. PJ Harvey - I Inside The Old Year Dying

70. Barbie the Album - Various (Soundtrack)

71. Amanda Shires & Bobbie Nelson - Loving You

72. Dave Matthews Band - Walk Around The Moon

73. Tanya Tucker - Sweet Western Sound

74. Turnpike Troubadours - A Cat In The Rain

75. Bully - Lucky For You

76. Dolly Parton - Rockstar

77. Blind Boys of Alabama - Echoes of the South

78. Wilco - Cousin

79. Paul Simon - Seven Psalms

80. Eddie 9V - Capricorn

81. Teenage Fanclub - Nothing Lasts Forever

Songs  (I'm not a stickler for release dates.  If a song made its impact in 2023, then it gets listed)

1. Miley Cyrus - Flowers

2. Zach Bryan & Kacey Musgraves - I Remember Everything

3. October London - Back To Your Place

4. Jenny Lewis - Psychos

5. Jake Shears - Too Much Music

6. Chris Stapleton - White Horse

7. Tyla - Water

8. Tyler Childers - In Your Love

9. Jelly Roll - Need A Favor

10. Jungle - Back on 74

11. Taylor Swift - Cruel Summer

12. Anohni - It Must Change

13. Kylie Minogue - Padam Padam

14. Shakira & Bizarrap - Bzrp Musica Sessions Vol.53

15. Paul Russell - Lil Boo Thang

16. Lana Del Rey - A&W

17. War & Treaty - That's How Love Is Made

18. Iris DeMent  - Workin' On A World

19. Brittany Howard - What Now

20. SZA - Kill Bill

21. Billie Eilish - What Was I Made For

22. Luke Combs - Fast Car

23. Victoria Monet - On My Mama

24. Dua Lipa - Dance The Night

25. Olivia Rodrigo - Get Hm Back

26. Kelsea Ballerini - If You Go Down 

27. Jason Isbell - Death Wish

28. Boygenius - Not Strong Enough

29. Janelle Monae - Lipstick Lover

30. Olivia Rodrigo - Vampire

31. Rema & Selena Gomez - Calm Down

32. Hiss Golden Messenger - Nu-Grape

33. Ryan Gosling - I'm Just Ken

34. Renee Rapp - Snow Angel

35. Noah Kahan - Stick Season

36. Sufjan Stevens - Javelin

37. William Prince - When You Miss Someone

38. Mitski - My Love Mine All Mine

39. CMAT - Stay for Something

40. Bethany Cosentino - It's Fine

41. Jaime Wyatt - World Worth Watching

42. Jonas Brothers - Waffle House

43. Doja Cat - Paint the Town Red

44. Caroline Polachek - So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings

45. Maren Morris - The Tree

Reissues 

1. John Coltrane & Eric Dolphy - Evenings At The Village Gate (Impulse)

2. Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night - Various (Ace) 

3. Written In Their Soul: Stax Songwriter Demos - Various (Stax Box Set)

4. She's Got the Power! Female Power Pop, Punk & Garage - Various (Ace)

5. Replacements - Tim (Let It Bleed Edition) (Rhino)

6. Looking For Magic: American Pop In the Seventies - Various (Cherry Red)

7. Holy Church of the Ecstatic Soul 1971-83 - Various (Soul Jazz)

8. Jon Savage's 1980-82 Art of Things To Come - Various (Ace)

9. Guerilla Girls! She-Punks & Beyond 1975-2016 - Various (Ace)

10. This Is Flying Dutchman - 1969-75 - Various  (Ace)

11. Best of Wattstax - Various (Craft)

12. Dolly Parton Songbook - Various  (Ace)

13. Birthright: A Black Roots Music Compendium - Various (Craft)

14. Howdy Glenn - I Can Almost See Houston (Ominvore)

Top Christmas Songs (2023 Edition)

Below is a list of some of my favorite Christmas songs. There may be multiple versions of the same song, by different artists.  

1. Bing Crosby - White Christmas
2. Nat "King" Cole - The Christmas Song
3. Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around The Christmas
4. Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas
5. Judy Garland - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
6. Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock
7. Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad
8. Darlene Love - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
9. Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby
10. Donny Hathaway - This Christmas
11. Harry Simeone Chorale - Little Drummer Boy
12. Jimmy Durante - Frosty The Snowman
13. Vince Guaraldi Trio- Linus and Lucy 
14. Burl Ives - Holly Jolly Christmas
15. Gene Autry - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
16. Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
17. Drifters - White Christmas
18. Charles Brown - Please Come Home For Christmas
19. Andy Williams - It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
20.Ronettes - Sleigh Ride
21. Dean Martin - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
22. Bing Crosby - Silent Night
23. Elvis Presley - Silver Bells
24. Jackson 5 - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
25. Carpenters - Merry Christmas Darling
26. Aretha Franklin - Winter Wonderland
27. Andy Williams - Happy Holidays
28. David Bowie/Bing Crosby - Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy
29. Gene Autry - Here Comes Santa Claus
30. Pogues & Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York 
31. Roy Orbison- Pretty Paper
32. Wham - Last Christmas
33. Vaughn Monroe - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
34. Darlene Love - Marshmallow World
35. Johnny Mathis - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
36. Chuck Berry - Run Run Rudolph
37. Elvis Presley - Santa Claus Is Back In Town
38. Whitney Houston - Do You Hear What I Hear?
39. Jimmy Boyd - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.  
40. James Brown - Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto
41. Gene Autry - Here Comes Santa Claus
42. Leroy Anderson- Sleigh Ride
43. Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick
44. Elvis Presley - Merry Christmas Baby
45. Luther Vandross - O Come All Ye Faithful
46. Nat "King" Cole - O Tannenbaum
47. Joni Mitchell - River
47. Perry Como - Home For The Holidays
48. Bing Crosby - I'll Be Home For Christmas
49. Run DMC - Christmas In Hollis
50. Stevie Wonder - Someday At Christmas  
51.  John Denver & Muppets - 12 Days of Christmas
52. Thurl Ravenscroft - You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch                                                     
53. John Lennon - Happy Xmas
54. Elton John - Step Into Christmas
55. Barry Gordon - Nuttin' For Christmas
56. Greg Lake - I Believe In Father Christmas
57. Crystals - Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
58. Merle Haggard - If We Make It Through December
59. Bruce Springsteen - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
60. Nat "King" Cole - O Little Town of Bethlehem
61. Spike Jones - All I Want For Christmas
62. Clarence Carter - Back Door Santa
63. Jackie Wilson - O Holy Night
64. Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
65. Dolly Parton - Hard Candy Christmas
66. Vanessa Williams - What Child Is This?
67. Jackie Wilson- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
68. Frank Sinatra - The First Noel
69. Barbra Streisand - Ave Maria
70. Nat "King" Cole - Hark The Herald Angels Sing
71. Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here
72. Angela Lansbury and Cast - We Need A Little Christmas
73. Ray Parker Jr. - Christmas Time Is Here
74. Elvis Presley - Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
75. Nat "King Cole" - I Saw Three Ships
76. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Deck The Halls
77. Dan Fogelberg - Same Old Lang Syne
78. Madonna - Santa Baby
79. Harry Belafonte - Mary's Boy Child
80. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?
81.  Buck Owens - Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy
82. Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime
83. Elvis Presley - If I Get Home On Christmas Day
84. Aretha Franklin - Joy To The World
85. Windham Hill Artists - Carol of the Bells
86. Eagles - Please Come Home For Christmas
87. George Strait - Away in A Manger
88. Alabama - Christmas In Dixie
89. Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Jordan - Baby It's Cold Outside
90. Pretenders - 2000 Miles
91. Louis Armstrong - 'Zat You Santa Claus?
92. Johnny Mathis - My Favorite Things
93. Chipmunks - Chipmunk Song
94. Robert Earl Keen - Merry Christmas From The Family
95. Kelly Clarkson - Underneath the Tree
96. Bobby Lloyd and the Skeletons - Do You Hear What I Hear/You Really Got Me
97. Johnny Mathis - Caroling Caroling/Happy Holidays
98. Mills Brothers - I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
99. Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody
100. Randy Travis - Old Time Christmas
101. Oak Ridge Boys - Thank God For Kids
102. Prince - Another Lonely Christmas
103. Kenny Loggins - Celebrate Me Home
104. Elmo & Patsy - Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
105. Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans - Bells of St. Mary
106. Mabel Scott - Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
107. Hall & Oates - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
108. Fred Waring - 'Twas The Night Before Christmas
109. Miles Davis - Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)
110. Michael Buble - Grown Up Christmas List
111.  Billy Squier - Christmas Is The Time To Say "I Love You"
112. Temptations - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
113. Jimmy Buffett - Christmas Island
114. Detroit Junior - Christmas Day
115. Weird Al Yankovic - Christmas At Ground Zero
116. Dolly Parton - Hard Candy Christmas
118. Bryan Adams - Christmas Time
119.  Alexander O'Neal - My Gift To You
120. Bing Crosby & Andrew Sisters - Mele Kalikimaka
121. Frank Sinatra - Mistletoe and Holly
122. Roches - Here We Come A Carolling
123. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton - Christmas Without You
124. Emmylou Harris - Christmas Time's A-Coming
125.  Darlene Love - All Alone At Christmas
126.  Gayla Peevey - I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas
127.  John Mellencamp - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
128.  Luciano Pavarotti - Adeste Fideles
129.  Gene Autry - Up On The Housetop                
130.  Tom Petty - Christmas All Over Again
131. Trans Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Canon
132. Nsync - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
133. Stevie Wonder - What Christmas Means To Me 
134. Ariana Grande - Santa Tell Me
135. Counting Crows - A Long December
136. Kurtis Blow - Christmas Rappin'
137. Kenny Rogers - Kids
138. Sounds of Blackness - Soul Holidays
139. Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
140. Pentatonix - That's Christmas To Me
141. Kinks - Father Christmas
142. La Rondallita - El Burrito de Belen
143. Andrea Bocelli - Angels We Have Heard On High
144. Faith Hill - Where Are You Christmas 
145. James Taylor - Go Tell It On The Mountain
146. John Prine - Christmas In Prison

147. Alan Jackson - Let It Be Christmas

148. Kay Starr - Man With The Bag

149. Dick Shawn - Snow Miser Song

150. Tracey Thorn - Joy

151. El DeBarge - Christmas Without You

152. Raveonettes - The Christmas Song

153. Low - Just Like Christmas

154. Marvin Gaye - Purple Snowflakes

155. Irish Rovers - Good King Wenceslas

156. Emotions - What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas Eve

157. Roger Miller - Old Toy Trains

158. Bob Seger - Sock It To Me Santa

159. George Jones & Tammy Wynette - Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus

160. Ventures - Sleigh Ride

161.  Zach Schmidt - I'm Drunk Again This Christmas

162. NRBQ - Christmas Wish

163. Elvis Presley - If Every Day Was Like Christmas

164. Everly Brothers -  Christmas Eve Can Kill You

165. George Strait - Christmas Cookies

166. Youngsters - Christmas In Jail

167. O'Jays - Christmas Ain't Christmas

168. Johnny Mathis - When A Child Is Born

169. Jim Croce - It Doesn't Have To Be That Way

170. David Lasley - This Christmas, This Year

171.  Huey "Piano" Smith - Silent Night

172. Leona Lewis - One More Sleep

173. Sia - Snowman

174. Earth, Wind & Fire - Happy Seasons

175. Pet Shop Boys - It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas

176. Jerry Butler - Little Red Shoes

177. Clarence Reid - Winter Man

178. Ramones - Merry Christmas 

179. Mavis Staples - Christmas Vacation

180. Shirley Booth & Mickey Rooney - Year Without Santa Claus

181. Billy Ward & His Dominoes - Christmas In Heaven  (Jackie Wilson lead vocals)

182. Cold Crew - Rappin' Christmas

183. Nick Lowe - Christmas At The Airport

184. Peggy Lee - Christmas Spell

185. Taylor Swift - Christmas Tree Farm

186. Moonglows - Hey Santa Claus

187. Ron Sexsmith - Maybe This Christmas

188. Frank Sinatra - Christmas Waltz

189. Isaac Hayes - Mistletoe and Me

190. Rufus Thomas - I'll Be Your Santa Baby

191.  Kate Bush - December Will Be Magic Again

192.  Leadbelly - On A Christmas Day

193.  Samara Joy - Warm In Christmas