From 4 to Willamette

2012, Age 40. "Blunderbuss," by Jack White, from the album of the same name.

I'm always intrigued to listen to/read others' "best of" lists at the end of each year, but I must confess that I feel a bit left out.  Despite my deep love of music and the fact that I invest a pretty fair amount of income finding music to listen to, my lists are never quite as timely.  There are a number of reasons for this.  One is that I have a day job.  The other, and probably more important, is that I don't receive free CD's in the mail on a daily basis asking for me to review them.

One of the things I find rather dishonest about these lists is that it implies that everyone gets hip to a record the year it is released.  This is, of course, simply not true.  I'm betting that The Eagles' Greatest Hits sold more copies than most of the indie rock stuff that makes critics top ten lists, but no one wants to talk about catalog purchases (and don't get me started on The Eagles).

So, I thought it might be interesting to share a list of albums that I acquired (purchased or given to me) during the 2012 calendar year (assuming I don't buy any tomorrow).  You will notice that the vast majority are not new releases.  Yet I think this list probably says more about my listening habits than a "best of" list might.

I would like to give a few caveats:

• This list only includes complete albums I purchased.  I probably purchased another 300 individual songs.  It also doesn't include the many mix tapes that have been gifted to me this year.
• The list only includes albums that I have digital copies of, either CD or via the Internet.  I didn't include my vinyl purchases (which are rather significant, too), simply because I can't remember them.  (iTunes made the other acquisition dates easier.)
• Several of these are actually re-purchases and most of those are a case of getting a digital copy of something I had on vinyl.  In at least one case, there was a re-purchase of something I already owned that was pretty indulgent, simply to satisfy some sort of completist urge.  (This was the Louis Armstrong box.)
• Purchasing an album does not necessarily imply listening to it.  I will confess here that the Das Racist record only got four spins.

Without further ado, here is the list, in roughly chronological order of purchase.

1. 4 by Beyoncé
2. Watch the Throne by Jay-Z
3. Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine
4. Lioness: Hidden Treasures by Amy Winehouse
5. Wild Flag by Wild Flag
6. Greatest Hits II by Queen
7. The Slider by T. Rex
8. Heroes by David Bowie
9. Low by David Bowie
10. Scary Monsters by David Bowie
11. Sigh No More by Mumford and Sons
12. Bowie at the Beeb (The Best of the BBC) by David Bowie
13. Holy Smoke by Gin Wigmore
14. What Were You Hoping For? by Van Hunt
15. Dandy in the Underworld by T. Rex
16. Futuristic Dragon by T. Rex
17. Relax by Das Racist
18. Pin Ups by David Bowie
19. They Say I'm Different by Betty Davis
20. Percy Sledge: 20 of His Best by Percy Sledge
21. The Very Best of Solomon Burke by Solomon Burke
22. Maiden Voyage by Herbie Hancock
23. In the Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra
24. The World of Nat King Cole - His Very Best by Nat King Cole
25. The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself by Billy Idol
26. 3 New Songs Woot!  by Pomplamoose
27. Tribute to Famous People by Pomplamoose
28. In Bertolt Brecht's Baal by David Bowie
29. The Threepenny Opera Soundtrack
30. German Cabaret by various artists
31. Kabuki and Other Traditional Music by various artists
32. 100 Hits! by Edith Piaf
33. 1949-1950 by Django Reinhardt
34. Peerless by Ali Akbar Khan
35. The Queen of Fado by Amália Rodrigues
36. Java Court Gamelan, Vol. II by various artists
37. El Camino by The Black Keys
38. Chelsea Girl by Nico
39. V.U. by The Velvet Underground
40. Carnivale Electricos by Galactic
41. Byzantine Hymns in Arabic by Mt. Sinai
42. American Recordings by Johnny Cash
43. Satan is Real by The Louvin Brothers
44. The Nightfly by Donald Fagen
45. Bella Donna by Stevie Nicks
46. The Best of The Statler Brothers by The Statler Brothers
47. Blunderbuss by Jack White
48. Life Fantastic by Man Man
49. The Best of the Squirrel Nut Zippers by The Squirrel Nut Zippers
50. Jukebox Hits 1930-1950 by Cab Calloway
51. Bach: The Complete Brandenburg Concertos by Consortium Musicum
52. The Essentials: Betty Wright by Betty Wright
53. Spiritland by Coco Robicheaux
54. Genuine Negro Jig by Carolina Chocolate Drops
55. Astral Weeks by Van Morrison
56. The Bright Lights E.P. by Gary Clark, Jr.
57. How Long Has This Been Going On by Van Morrison
58. Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose Allison by Van Morrison
59. The Best of Van Morrison by Van Morrison
60. The Best of Van Morrison, Vol. II by Van Morrison
61. Glad Rag Doll by Diana Krall
62. Lucky Devil by Meschiya Lake and The Little Big Horns
63. Babel by Mumford and Sons
64. Rockwell's Ghost by Rockwell's Ghost
65. Spiders on the Keys: Live at the Maple Leaf Bar by James Booker
66. Rebirth of New Orleans by Rebirth Brass Band
67. Rock and Roll Sermon by various artists
68. Shake Your Moneymaker: The Best of the Fire Sessions by Elmore James
69. The Coming Tide by Luke Winslow-King
70. Live at Three Muses by Glen David Andrews
71. His Best by Little Walter
72. Happy Times in New Orleans.  The Early Sessions: 1958-1960 by Allen Toussaint
73. The Music of Louisiana by various artists
74. 21 Classic Blues Songs from the 1920's, Vol. 10 by various artists
75. The Hot Fives and Hot Sevens by Louis Armstrong
76. Come Out Swingin' by The Panorama Jazz Band
77. The Life and Times of the Hot 8 Brass Band by The Hot 8 Brass Band
78. Willamette by Willamette

In case you are wondering:

• The best new record I purchased this year was the Jack White album, hands down.
• I bought way more greatest hits and compilations than is typical.  I'm not sure why this is.
• Most promising new record I bought: Willamette featuring my friend Matt Rippetoe.  I just got it yesterday and I already love it.  Punk rock with baritone saxophone.  Perfect.
• Best New Orleans record I bought: Tie between Lucky Devil from Meschiya Lake (God, it's so sexy) and Spiders on the Keys: Live at the Maple Leaf Bar by James Booker.
• Best record you don't know about: The Queen of Fado by Amália Rodrigues.
• Best record someone recommended: Life Fantastic by Man Man (thanks, Zack) although Eric recommended Spiders on the Keys: Live at the Maple Leaf Bar by James Booker, too.
• Best record given to me: Astral Weeks by Van Morrison.
• Best catalog purchase: Satan is Real by The Louvin Brothers.  Just go get this one already.

I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store.