Fifteeen — OK, Twenty Favorite CDs of 2006

Author: SVFPublished: Dec 20, 2006 at 3:13 pm 8 comments

Well, it was only supposed to be the "fifteen favorite CDs of 2006"... but as a tribute to the dearly departed Tower Records, and therefore probably my last year of quality deep-catalog browsing and impulse music buying at an actual record store, the list is hereby expanded to twenty...

[1] Frank Sinatra: Vegas
At long last... a treasure trove of previously unreleased (legitimately, at least) live Sinatra performances from the vaults, beautifully packaged as a four CD + DVD box set. You get to experience The Man not only in his swinging 1960s prime but also during his under-appreciated post-"retirement" phase, including a remarkable 1978 Caesar's Palace show on the DVD. (Too bad they edited out some of Frank's more outrageous comments from the monologues, though...)


[2] Moondog: Rare Material
A welcome reissue of the out-of-print and fantastic Big Band album in its entirety, along with a second CD of Moondog rarities including some wonderful stuff from the impossible-to-find Bracelli. I only wish there was more truly "rare material" like this included here instead of several readily available tracks from Moondog's Prestige albums. Please keep 'em coming, ROOF Music!

[3] Rhys Chatham: Die Donnergotter
[4] Rhys Chatham: An Angel Moves Too Fast To See

Table of the Elements happily reissued the contents of their phenomenal but now out-of-print Rhys Chatham box set on individual CDs this year, so if you missed out on hearing these incredible electric guitar symphonies the first time around, you've got another chance to experience some of the most rockin' avant garde music ever recorded. Forget about Glenn Branca... Rhys Chatham is the real shit. (But buyer beware: Two Gongs is only for die-hard drone-heads...)

[5] Bonnie "Prince" Billy: The Letting Go

Everything comes together perfectly on The Letting Go, probably Bonnie "Prince" Billy's finest effort to date. The harmony vocals by Dawn McCarthy are Will Oldham's secret weapon here, along with the subtle and seductive acoustic arrangements. Basically, it's an indie-folk-pop dream come true.

[6] John Coltrane: Fearless Leader

If you don't already have this stuff, now's your big chance... Here are all of Trane's Prestige sessions as a leader newly remastered and repackaged as an attractive and relatively affordable six CD set. His soloing on the uptempo tunes has the impressive and dazzling pyrotechnics, but it's the ballads on these recordings that are truly breathtaking.

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2Page 3Page 4

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for svf

Article Author: SVF

I have no iPod, no cell phone, and three blogs.

Visit SVF's author pageSVF's Blog

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own

Article comments

  • 1 - Mark Saleski

    Dec 20, 2006 at 3:38 pm

    well dang, somebody else around here has heard of Rhys Chatham. it's about time.

    Not the religious experience it's been hailed as by some....is so! nyah!! ;-)

  • 2 - Pico

    Dec 20, 2006 at 5:33 pm

    I was fortunate to procure Douglas' Keystone last year and I couldn't agree more. A rare fresh approach to electric jazz.

    -P

  • 3 - Willard Quine

    Dec 20, 2006 at 7:44 pm

    Love that Douglas, too. And as someone who was lucky enough to be there at the Carnegie Hall Jarrett show, you are right on both counts. The crowd was worshipful and there WAS something in the air. I came out of that place in a perfect blissful trance of music.

    And now I listen to that album and I wonder what happened? It's just not as engaging as I remembered; it's just another (great)Jarret solo excursion, not that different from Koln or the rest from years ago. Sure, it's great, but as a record, I like a bunch of the last few trio albums better. Whether a moron like me has even a word of advice for a genius like Keith Jarrett, of course, is doubtful.

    Briefly, the Douglas is amazing, and I think it's time evreyone acknowledges his place in current jazz. The Barber thing was awful and pretentious to me, but I' a jerk. I love the Bonnie "Prince" Billy and those weird harmonies. I also loved the Thompson, but in truth I don't find it sincere at all. I just don't care that much about sincerity in music. Cool list!

  • 4 - Dave

    Dec 20, 2006 at 9:34 pm

    Nice collection of mini-reviews...


    • I've been needing to add to my Moondog collection-all I have is Sax Pax for a Sax. I'd been leaning towards the German Years collection or the twofer Moondog/Moondog 2, but this one sounds as though it ought to be good (pricey, though).
    • Douglas has a new 12 disc web-only release out, too.
    • I read that Jarrett's CD has a total of 19 minutes of applause on it. A bit much, no?

  • 5 - Stephen V Funk

    Dec 20, 2006 at 9:40 pm

    Try DustyGroove.com for the ROOF Music Moondog CDs.... I think they sell Rare Material for $19.99 [currently out of stock, though] and German Years for $21.99... much better deal than Amazon...! Definitely seek out the Prestige Moondog and More Moondog CDs also...

    Yeah, that sounds about right on the Keith Jarrett applause timing. He's always been one to include ALL the clapping on his live recordings... annoying...!

  • 6 - D'oh

    Dec 20, 2006 at 10:59 pm

    I would add 10,000 Days by TooL.

    For all the jazz sensibilities on this list, I present a bit more of a muscular treat,with intricacies of rhythm and off time signatures coupled with high quality musicianship and movements (tracks) forming into an operatic scope whole.

    Plus, it just kicks ass.

  • 7 - Michael J. West

    Dec 22, 2006 at 2:10 pm

    Not my favorite Douglas, Keystone, but still a goddamn good one. Pretty groovin' list overall. :-)

  • 8 - tink

    Dec 24, 2006 at 12:58 pm

    "What It Is!" is definitely in my Top 10 list for the year. Great tunes and (if possible) even better packaging. Something for those new to the genre as well as for collectors.

    Terrific choice!!

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for Nov 27, 2009

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for October

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs