Mike Pengra's Radio Heartland best-of-2015 albums
by Mike Pengra
December 21, 2015
A sampling of Mike Pengra's Radio Heartland "best-of" albums of 2015.
MPR photo/Luke Taylor
Gosh, I tried to narrow this down to five picks to make it simpler, but there was way too much great music this past year. Even with my top TEN picks, I could still highlight ten more. But I won't.
So here are my favorite records that crossed my desk this past year, listed in no particular order. Some new artists, some not; some funky, some folky, some bluesy … all of it wonderful music that fits perfectly into the Radio Heartland stream.
Mandolin Orange, Such Jubilee I was told by some other North Carolina musicians that Andrew Marlin sleeps with a mandolin in his hands. You can tell. Not only is this new collection of songs wonderful, but Emily Frantz adds just the right amount of everything else to make this duo's sound so very special. (See in-studio session)
Olivia Chaney, The Longest Ride During my first listen to this, I thought I was hearing old English folk tunes. But Olivia Chaney's dazzling voice, young and clear, drew me in for the kill. (See in-studio session)
The Honey Dewdrops, Tangled Country This was my first exposure to this wonderful duo, even though it's their fourth album. For those of us who grew up trying to sing all of the vocal harmonies to the records we heard in our teens, Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish prove that their sound needs nothing else.
Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams (self-titled) Larry and Teresa have logged many miles in tour buses, making every other band sound so great (Bob Dylan, Levon Helm). It's about time they got to take center stage and do that voodoo they do so well. Americana, blues, folk, gospel and flat out rock … these two are both stars in their own right, and some of the sweetest people you'll ever meet. (See in-studio session)
Jason Isbell, Something More Than Free What more can one say about the prolific Jason Isbell? He's turning heads all over the music industry with this new release which has been nominated for a couple of Grammys. Hear for yourself!
Kevin Gordon, Long Gone Time While he was new to me, you can easily hear that he's been around for a while. Kevin Gordon grew up in Louisiana, put in his time in Iowa working alongside "Obi Wan" Bo Ramsey, and now pumps out intelligent songs with tasteful, dusty bar groove.
Joan Shelley, Over and Even She had me 30 seconds into the first track: "Is she singing to me?" Her voice is pure and her songs are intimate. Rumor has it she wrote the album while on an island in the Mediterranean, and that's where the songs took me … to a very warm, exotic, peaceful place. (See in-studio session)
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, The Travelin' Kind Again? Emmylou and Rodney made big waves with their last release, Old Yellow Moon, back in 2012. This one is even better. Check out the groove on the track, "Bring it On Home to Memphis."
Patty Griffin, Servant of Love "Girl writes a sad song." That's what Rose Cousins said about this album — 'nuff said.
Jeffrey Foucault, Salt As Wolves I love the direction he's going of late, with more electric guitar and minimal production. His band on the CD (Bo Ramsey, Billy Conway, Jeremy Moses Curtis and Caitlin Canty) nails the groove. Each song could easily be the beginning of a great American novel. (See in-studio session)
