From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V16 #2169 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Tuesday, January 2 2018 Volume 16 : Number 2169 To unsubscribe: e-mail ecto-digest-request@smoe.org and put the word unsubscribe in the message body. Today's Subjects: ----------------- 2017 Favorites [Jeffrey Hanson ] Best of 2017 ["S. Deniz Bucak" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 1 Jan 2018 12:22:31 -0700 From: Jeffrey Hanson Subject: 2017 Favorites Favorite Music of 2017 #1. 2017 was marked by one album in particular, Alison Moyet's Other. I've been listening to Alison's voice for almost 35 years, and have followed her career pretty closely. This album continues to demonstrate her talent as a singer and her integrity as an artist and songwriter. I also got to see her perform twice this year, in San Diego and in Zurich, and followed her tour blog, which described both the mundane and magical parts of touring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOqwiSEahrQ #2. London Grammar - Truth is a Beautiful Thing The second album from this group is beautiful and haunting. Hannah Reid's vocals are arresting, and every time she came on shuffle I couldn't help but stop what I'm doing and listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkmGFyHPCxk #3 - Beth Ditto - As the lead singer of The Gossip, Beth Ditto was recognized for her high energy, sweaty live performances and strong vocals. This album shows her more as powerhouse singer with pretty amazing vocals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSj28T2hgHg #4 Tom McRae - Ah the World, Oh the World! Tom McRae has been an amazingly sensitive songwriter over the years and went into a bit of a depression after Brexit and the US political climate and almost left music. This album and accompanying book is him coming to terms with the world and is probably his least commercial album to date. But it's personal, heart-felt and ultimately uplifting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgrWqeVoU7w #5 - Blondie - Pollinator I've been listinening to Blondie even longer than Alison Moyet--with Parallel Lines being one of the first albums I owned in 1978. Who knew at age 72 Debbie Harry would still be releasing interesting pop music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEngbdIMZ6o #6 - Seth Glier - Birds Another unappreciated singer-songwriter, Seth is both an amazing singer and songwriter. This album continues to establish him as an important songwriter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDoaH-JTkFM #7 - Sarah Slean - Metaphysics Sarah Slean is an interesting Canadian artist--I loved her first album and have followed her career ever since. Her latest album is probably her most produced and most orchestrated, but its beautiful and haunting and stirring all at once. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR0SK-1lebk #8 - Half a Shipwreck - To Come Across It Left Me Haunted - Came across this local Santa Fe band when meeting a friend for drinks, and was completely impressed. Their album is all originals and worth listening, but their live show is peppered with surprising covers--from Kate BUsh's Running Up that Hill to Til Tuesday's Voices Carry--surprsiing choices given their bluegrass treatments, but they completely work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQz8ORLiMBE #9 - Casey Stratton - The Turbulent Sea Similar in theme to Tom McRae's album - an artist coming to terms with the world around him, Casey's latest (39th? album) is both powerful and poignant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0He2F1zKFM #10 - Rhian Sheehan - Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses Rhian Sheehan is one of the instrumentalist artists I follow, but his music is haunting and beautiful. This soundtrack is all of that and more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajA9ZJknG1c Other albums of note: Anna Coogan's The Lonely Cry of Sapce and Time - is a surprisingly rocking and operatic album. We hosted Anna Coogan for a house concert several years ago when she was doing more bluegrass stuff with Highway 19. This album is a bit of departure but her voice sounds great. Tori Amos's Native Invader is definitely worth a listen or two, but so far it has't compelled me to listen to more than that. The Staves & yMusic's collaboration The Way is Read sounds just like The Staves with their beautiful harmonies but with a chamber music ensemble backing--what's not to like? Eivor's English version of SlC8r also got a surprising bit of airplay considering I first thought it unnecessary as I liked the Faroese version just fine. Amanda Palmer and Edward Ka-Spel's I Can Spin a Rainbow is moody and introspective and funky and haunting. Lauria's (formerly Lauriane Fiorentino) When I'm an Angel is compelling and surprisingly varied. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2018 03:47:32 +0000 (UTC) From: "S. Deniz Bucak" Subject: Best of 2017 In no particular order, the new albums of 2017 that I enjoyed the most: Security Project - ContactAlways good to hear new Happy.B Original Happy songs would be better, but this was excellent.B Got my video-game soundtrack loving son interested in her. Daughter - Music from Before the StormSpeaking of video game soundtracks, this one is worth listening to even if you aren't into the game.B Generally I prefer songs with lyrics, and most of these songs lack words, but they still held my interest. Alvvays - AntisocialitesA fun album that reminds me of the band Sleeper from the 90s.B Seems like it's a breakup album, though I don't know anything about the band's personal lives, so I could be wrong.B Has the disadvantage that it's impossible to get Alexa to understand either the name of the band or the album. London Grammar - Truth is a Beautiful ThingSultry vocals with sparse guitar.B B Beck - ColorsNot really ecto, but dancable and energetic. Robert Plant - Carry FireAlso not ecto, but not re-hashed Led Zeppelin either.B Some artists never leave what made them successful.B Plant, on the other hand, keeps making original stuff, much like Bowie did. Lydia Ainsworth - Darling of the AfterglowOk, back to ecto.B Not sure how to describe this one, but a good sophmore album. Collide - Color of NothingElectronic/Goth music for 2017. Lana Del Rey - Lust for LifeI thought the two weakest songs were the collaborations with Stevie Nicks and Sean Lennon, but everything else was good.B I particularly like Heroin and In My Feelings. Tori Amos - Native InvaderTori seems back on form. Goldfrapp - Silver EyeAs much as I liked the Cocteau Twins turn of Tales of Us, I'm glad they're back to more poppy music. Spoon - Hot ThoughtsAlso not ecto, but a good album. Not 2017 but that's when I discovered them:Few Bits - Few Bits and Big Sparks Close but not quite:Wolf, Alice - Visions of a LifeThis has some very good songs on it (particularly Planet Hunter and Beautifully Unconventional) but was a bit of a disappointment after the brilliance of My Love is Cool. Gorillaz - HumanzDamon Albarn needs an editor to help him seperate the wheat from the chaff.B She's My Collar is great but the rest I can do without.B B B -Deniz dbucak@yahoo.com Too many of the people can be fooled too much of the time.-Martin Berman Gorvine ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V16 #2169 ****************************