My top 10 records of 2004

I've been waiting more than a month to post this, because I was trying to compile a list of 10 records (see post title). Unfortunately, since I'm not someone who makes "best of" lists, I could only come up with 9. But they're good ones! 2004 was a good year for music for me. Here goes:

1. Corin Raymond - Record Lonesome Night (*sigh*...I'm so glad to finally have these songs on CD. Nothing says "lonely" like "lonesome"...)

2. Greg Hobbs - Threats & Promises (I can't put this one down, especially the title track)

3. Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose (produced by Jack White of The White Stripes, this is a triumph for Loretta Lynn...a truly beautiful record)

4. The Backstabbers - Deep, Dark & Dangerous (who doesn't love The Backstabbers? And with more original songs, you can't go wrong)

5. Michael Franti - Songs from the Front Porch (I'm not that familiar with Franti's Spearhead work; but this disc is awesome...from what I understand, there are some stripped down versions of Spearhead songs. He can sing and groove with the best)

6. Bob Dylan - Live in 1964 (Well, it's Dylan. He's young, he's funny, and he slays with epic tales and sweet love songs)

7. Jory Nash - Spaz Loves Weezie (Jory's long-awaited new disc is a must have. The new songs are great - he's topped "Lo-Fi Northern Blues", which is not an easy task)

8. k.d. lang - Hymns of the 49th Parallel (the list of songs isn't all that original; but her interpretations of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' and Joni Mitchell's 'A Case of You' are stunning)

9. Kim Beggs - Streetcar Heart (she's a carpentress troubadour with a wry wit and a green guitar...makes me want to find out what they're putting in the water in Whitehorse...)