2023 RPMer's Top 5s

The RPM Top 5s of 2023

Here we go list lovers…RPMers top five choices of 2023. Oh, and in case you are new here or just have a bad memory and were wondering, “Why 5?”…well, if it was good enough for Rob, Dick and Barry in Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity, it’s good enough for RPM.

Philip

Top 5 New Releases of 2023 -

Starting with new albums released this year (not necessarily in order of preference, which alters from day to day, and on another day, I might not even pick the same five albums).

1. Weathervanes by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit - Once again Mr. Isbell proves his right to be mentioned alongside the likes of Springsteen, Earle, Young, and the artist who made my second choice.

2 Stories From A Rock 'n' Roll Heart by Lucinda Williams - Great to hear the extent to which she has recovered from her health problems.

3. The Returner by Allison Russell - A largely female cast (16 women, 3 men) recorded this highly creative and idealistic album, in the accompanying notes to which she nods to Joni Mitchell and Carole King.

4. The Chicago Sessions by Rodney Crowell - I think this, recorded with Jeff Tweedy in Wilco's loft, is his best record since "The Houston Kid."

5. Ain't Through Honky-Tonkin' Yet by Brennen Leigh - A genius of modern Country song-writing and performance, whose sense of humour always comes across in her work.

Like I said, on another day this list might have included Robert Finley, The Rolling Stones, Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, Sunny War, etc etc.

Top 5 Books -

Here's a list of 5 books I've read this year and would recommend highly. No music books, but I found Lucinda's memoir to be well written and enlightening.

1. The Donut Legion by Joe R. Lansdale - An old favourite, the prolific Mr. Lansdale is the author of the "Hap and Leonard" series. As one reviewer said, this book reveals "the dark underbelly of cults." Allow me to mention the epigraphs inside the front cover: one is Mark Twain's observation on the nature of religion, and the other reads "Insanity is contagious" -Sebastian Haff, Elvis impersonator.

2. Independence Square by Martin Cruz Smith - The latest in his Arkady Renko series that began with "Gorky Park" in 1980, I didn't know this book existed until I came upon it in Waterstones. It is largely concerned with the predicament of Crimean Tartars following the Russian invasion.

3. The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman - The fourth and best yet of Mr. Osman's very entertaining Thursday Murder Club mysteries.

4. Flags On The Bayou by James Lee Burke - Another old favourite of mine, but one whom I had gone off in recent years, thinking he was becoming very weird in his dotage. This, however, is an American Civil War set historical novel and is in my opinion the best things he's done in years. Some have apparently found it difficult or incoherent because it features six different narrative voices but, given that I've come across children's books that use this narrative device and children seem to be able to understand different points of view, I don't see why any regular reader should have a problem with it.

5. Politics On The Edge by Rory Stewart - An unusually entertaining political memoir. He is disarmingly honest about his own failings, which gives him licence to be scathing about the general dysfunctionality of the system and several of the high-profile figures operating in it. Furthermore, the man can really write.

Tim –

Top 5 New Releases of 2023 –

1. Carried In Sound by Smoke Fairies – Recorded and produced at home, this is quite likely the best thing Smoke Fairies have done so far.

2. Unending Ascending by Gong – The Gong guys second golden period continues.

3. 72 Seasons by Metallica – The thrash meisters return proving there’s no limit to their riffing imagination.

4. Lotus Unfolding by Ozric Tentacles – What can one say?....a band in a genre of one…as I’m sure I’ve said…at least once before. Very enjoyable new album and cracking live show this year.

5. Shanty Punk by Skinny Lister – Another bunch of very hummable tunes from the Skinnys, and great fun to boot.

Top 5 Trad Tunes Albums Purchased in 2023.

1. In Your Ear by Seamus Egan – Not yer man from Solas, but an amazing Irish banjo player from the West coast of the USA.

2. Sweeney’s Dream by Kevin Burke – Brilliant 1972 album from a stunning young Kevin.

3. Across The Black River by Kevin Burke and Cal Scott – Very tasteful fiddle / guitar collaboration.

4. At Our Leisure by John Carty and Michael McGoldrick – An album of John’s very traditional feel banjo playing and Mikes pipes and flutes in very relaxed mode. A treat.

5. Black Cuillin by Duncan Chisholm – Another superb concept album from the Scottish fiddler/composer.

Top 5 Live Gigs.

There seemed to be a dearth of live bands who interested me this year. I got most of my live music fix from playing in pub Irish / Trad tunes sessions. But here are my favourite gigs of the year…

1. Ozric Tentacles (The Crescent, York)

2. Alabama 3 (The Crescent, York)

3. Richard Durrant (The Brewhouse, Taunton)

4. McGoldrick, McCusker, Doyle (The Crescent, York)

5.Oysterband (Trio) (The National Centre for Early Music, York)