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Happy Newness and the Best of 2012!

Happy New Year, all.

I hope it was rung in properly at yours. Mine was mellow. A few friends, a few bottles of wine and games of chance for high stakes (Left Center Right).

Today is David Bowie's birthday, so I was thrilled to wake up to his new single Where Are We Now? The most amazing thing is how he kept his recording sessions and release under wraps until the very last minute. Isn't this the man who basically brought the sound of Orwell's 1984 to life? As you may recall, I covered Bowie's "Let's Dance" in Liverpool acoustically; and here in L.A. with a full horn section. If he tours his new album, I will have to see him.

I am in the throes of completing this year's Grammy ballot. I due my diligence and listen to as many nominated records as possible. Every year I find a new favorite or two. I'm nearly done. Some categories (for LPs particularly) can be time consuming; but as I just said, it can be worth it to uncover some gold. I got my ticket confirmation; apparently, they went like hotcakes this year. No performers have been announced yet.

As for the past year, well here are my Top 10 of 2012. Not going to lie. My record was the best thing I heard; I may top this list for 2013, too. I discovered a couple of these while on tour in the UK. One is actually a late 2011 release that I consider this year's model. There are a couple of late career entries that give me strength, Like Tom Waits' Bad As Me last year. I will be making music as long as I can!

The sterling releases are as follows:

10. Dr. John - Locked Down
9. Bob Dylan - Tempest
8. Tom Jones - Spirit In The Room
7. Graffiti6 - Colours
6. Grizzly Bear - Shields
5. Donald Fagen - Sunken Condos
4. Kimbra - Vows
3. Black Keys - El Camino
2. Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour/Golden Mile (EP)
1. Norman Kelsey - On The Rebound

Honorable mention to Gaz Coombes - Here Come The Bombs, Nelson Bragg - We Get What We Want, and Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls

 Happy Listening.

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