Picking a best album from the many that were released in 2007 is a daunting task, especially when you consider all the various genres, but it was a challenge the following nine familiar faces to the BC Music section were up to. Keep reading to see what a handful of our writers chose. Did any of them make your personal top ten list?
Michael J. West: Jason Lindner Big Band - Live at Jazz Gallery
I’m over the moon, shouting from the rafters, and piling love all over Live at Jazz Gallery (Anzic), a two-disc release by the Jason Lindner Big Band. We’re talking 21st-century big band here: adventurous post-bop with complex harmonies and rhythms, and just enough electronica for some spice. 
In addition to (phenomenal) piano-playing, (spectacular) composing, and (incredible) arranging skills, Lindner demonstrates that Ellingtonian ability to maintain a group of stellar musicians while keeping all of their egos in check. But then, how do you pick a star from — among others — Omer Avital, Avishai and Anat Cohen, Miguel Zenon, Duane Eubanks, Jay Collins, and Eric McPherson?
The answer, according to Lindner, is to first arrange the ensemble passages such that everyone is on an even playing field, then give everyone in the band a feature solo. The dueling soprano sax and trumpet by Collins and Eubanks on the mighty “Suheir” does make an overwhelming splash, but not to the point of dominating the whole band.
What makes Live at Jazz Gallery, though, is the pure, beautiful ebullience that blasts forth from every note. Even this year’s biggest names and most seismic groundbreakers got nothin’ on this one.
Big Geez: Brian Setzer Orchestra - Wolfgang's Big Night Out
So, this is where I tell you how I carefully considered all the albums I've reviewed this year (over 70 of them), listening to each and every one endlessly until my ears were worn to nubs, before finally coming to a thoughtful, well-considered choice for Album Of The Year.
Nope. Didn't happen that way. Truth is, my decision was ridiculously easy. It was actually made in October when I first reviewed Wolfgang's Big Night Out from the Brian Setzer Orchestra. The album reached out, grabbed me by the front of my shirt and slapped me silly. (No, not literally — work with me here, OK?)
Article comments
1 - Donald Gibson
Thank you, Connie, for including my selection in this article. You did a great job putting everything together.
- Donald
2 - Pico
I concur with Donald, Connie, you did a great job with this article and overall with the BC Music Section. I'm proud to be associated with such a well-run subsite.
3 - Connie Phillips
Thank you Donald, Pico, and every other writer who contributed to this article and the section throughout the year.
I enjoyed reading the varied choices all of you brought to this article, as much as I enjoy reading about and discovering new music through your writing through out the year.
I look forward to the new year of releases and reading what all of you have to say about them.
4 - Chris Beaumont
Excellent stuff here! (especially Tomahawk!)
5 - Mark Saleski
hmm, i'll have to revisit Tomahawk. i bought it, listened, and then managed to misplace it!
6 - Tom Johnson
Thanks for putting this together, Connie. From the looks of things, our choices mean we're not going to sit well with the Pitchforkmedia set. I'm seeing some stuff they would probably categorize with a prefix of "dad-" thrown on for the ease of insult. Regardless, as I've said in other pieces about favorites, these are likely to be the albums we continue to listen to in many years rather than ones that are chosen out of a need to maintain some aspect of "cred," whatever that really means anymore.
Yep, that Tomahawk is one of those odd albums that I love yet won't be listening to all that often. Definitely suits a particular need. A bright moment of the year, for sure, but not something I can put on my list simply because I can't listen to it that regularly.
7 - Glen Boyd
No arguments with two picks for Bruce, plus Wilco, Norah, and the rest. Of those I haven't heard Tomahawk, Torn, and Uncle Earl all sound pretty interesting. Good list all around from our crack group of music scribes for sure.
-Glen
8 - Sterfish
Great article. The beauty of these types of posts is that it makes you want to seek out stuff. I have never listened to any of the albums in this article. In addition, I haven't even heard of a couple of artists on this list.
My pick for best of 2007 would be The White Stripes' Icky Thump.
9 - Michael J. West
Thanks so much for including me in this, Connie! And great job to everybody else who contributed, too!