Favorite Albums Of 2013

It's that time of year again to pick my favorite albums of the year. While there are many albums I didn't pick up yet, these are my favorites that I did manage to get. This list is in no particular order.

* Leeroy Stagger - Truth Be Sold

Leeroy's eighth studio album is another great release. If your a fan of Steve Earle and Neil Young this will be right up your alley. A musician that deserves more recognition. Good stuff!!!

Cities On Fire Video.


Leeroy Stagger - Goodnight Berlin




* Moistboyz - V

With it looking like there will be no Ween reunion anytime in the near future, it's nice to see that Mickey Melchiondo (better known as Dean Ween) is again putting out some new music.
This time with his side band Moistboyz, where he takes on the name Mickey Moist and teams up with Dickie Moist (Guy Heller). While it is no Ween record it is rocking and wacked out with some sick humour.

Moistboyz - Paperboy


Moistboyz - Chickendick


* The Sadies - A great roots rock psychedelic album from these Canadian rockers.

The Sadies - Leave This World Behind


The Sadies - The First 5 Minutes



* Shovels & Rope - O' Be Joyful

This album actually came out in 2012, but I only heard of them this year. This is a great album by the husband/wife duo Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst.

Shovels & Rope - Kemba's Got The Cabbage Moth Blues


Shovels & Rope - Birmingham


* Jason Isbell - Southeastern

Solo album by one time member of the Drive-By Truckers. A very personal album with great story telling. One of my very faves of the year.

Jason Isbell - Super 8


Jason Isbell - New South Wales


* Mike Plume Band - Red And White Blues

After four long years, Canadian singer/songwriter (now based in Nashville) Mike Plume finally released a new album in 2013. Even though he now lives in the states, as you can tell by the album title he still has very strong ties to Canada. This is an independent release and is available through this link you can get it for free or pay what you want. I recommend donating a little something at least. Need to keep supporting artists or one day there will be no new records to purchase. And that would suck big time.

Mike Plume Band - Coming Home Again (Hey Hey What D'Ya Say)


Mike Plume Band - Live It Up Until They Lower Me Down



* Blitzen Trapper - VII

Blitzen's new album yet again gives me that feeling that I am listening to outdoor music, something about there sound that gives you a swampy outdoorsy feel. A mix of up-beat folk music with great harmonies, and yet still has a weird vibe to them.

Blitzen Trapper - Feel The Chill


Blitzen Trapper - Ever Loved Once


* Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite - Get Up!

This is a collaboration that I never expected. This is an awesome blues album, sixty-eight year old Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica and Ben Harper finally rocking some blues. The album feels loose like they are having fun making it. An old school blues album for sure.

Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite - Don't Look Twice


Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite - Get Up!


* Danny Michel with The Garifuna Collective - Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me

Danny Michel and The Garifuna Collective - What Colour Are You?


Danny Michel and The Garifuna Collective - Sad And Beautiful World


This has been my favorite album of the year. If you are a fan of Paul Simon's Graceland and Rhythm Of The Saints albums you will love this album. Danny Michel's song writing is incredible and his back up band The Garifuna Collective from Belize, Central America make for an incredible collection of songs. If I need a pick-up this is the album I put on, it never lets me down. After many listens, I'm still not bored of it. Not a bad song on the album. Great stuff.

* Deer Tick - Negativity

This album is a little mellower then their last couple of releases. Still a good album that grows on you.

Deer Tick - The Rock


Deer Tick - Mr. Sticks


* Steve Earle & The Dukes - The Low Highway

I found Steve Earle's new album to be one of his better albums, more along the lines of his El Corazon release from years ago. It's rocking in places, a song that is piano driven and even a song that features his banjo playing. His voice sounds good and as usual some great song writing. All and all a really good album.

Steve Earle - Calico County


Steve Earle - Burnin' It Down


* The Bronx - IV

This was an album I was really looking forward to. And for good reason, it's a balls out rocker, maybe not quite as heavy as previous albums, but still a great punk album.

The Bronx - Youth Wasted


The Bronx - The Unholy Hand


* Jr. Gone Wild - Less Art More Pop!

An album that originally came out in 1986 (their debut), but was re-mastered and re-released this year with local cow punkers Jr. Gone Wild reforming. I totally missed out on this album back in the day. The album Less Art More Pop! that came out this year has a bunch of previously unreleased songs. This album still sounds fresh today. Great stuff!!!

Jr. Gone Wild - Fine Scotch


Jr. Gone Wild - Tragedy In E


So that's my list of favorite albums I purchased this year. I am sure there were many other great albums that I missed, but with any luck I will get those in 2014 and maybe they will make my list next year.

Don't forget to support your local record shop.
Happy New Year!!!! Thanks for checking out my blog. Good times!!!

27 Years Ago Today...December 31st

It was twenty-seven years ago today that I saw Triumph with opening band Kick Axe play Northlands Coliseum here in Edmonton.

And it was fourteen years ago today that I saw Big Sugar perform at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton.

Again on New Years Eve ten years ago, I saw Big Sugar play the Shaw Conference Centre with opening band The Trews.

Stats for the month of December...
I have been to shows 17 out of the 31 days in the month of December.
And I have seen 28 different shows out of them 17 days.

KISS Collectible Of The Day Dec.28th

Another Xmas and more KISS Collectibles for gifts. Today's collectible is KISS Family Guy themed boxer briefs.

11 Years Ago Today...December 23rd

It was eleven years ago today that I went to a bar called Stars here in Edmonton for this all local hardcore show. Bands on the bill were Savannah, Preshure Point, Stronger Than Blood among a couple of other bands.

11 Years Ago Today...December 21st

It was eleven years ago today that I saw Corb Lund with Carolyn Mark play the Power Plant here in Edmonton.

Sammy Hagar Book Review

I just finished reading the Sammy Hagar autobiography My Uncensored Life In Rock. While I have never really been a big fan of Hagar or his time in Van Halen, I have to say this was an entertaining and fun read. When he says uncensored he wasn't lying.

He tells stories about his upbringing talking about his drunk father, and some sad stories there indeed, his time with Montrose, his early days of his solo career. And where it really gets interesting is his stories about brothers Alex and Eddie Van Halen, he really does give you the dirt on these guys. He also don't have much good to say about David Lee Roth. From their drunkenness, there rudeness to him and many other stories.

Sammy also gives the dirt on himself as well, about cheating on his first wife and stories of being on the road. He has made money from his music career, but what really surprised me is how rich he really is, and not so much from the music, well maybe his days in Van Halen, but how he has made fist fulls of cash from smart business deals. Between the bars that he owns and the tequila he made famous, the man has made a lot of money. To the pint now where he doesn't rely on music to make money but does records with his new band Chickenfoot more for the pleasure of making music more so then money. All and all I thought this was a great read.

10 Years Ago Today...December 19th

It was ten years ago today that I saw Misery Signals play King Edward Community Hall here in Edmonton.

And it was nine years ago today that I saw another band led by Jesse Zaraska (lead singer of Misery Signals) the.stars.wept play ay New City Suburbs in Edmonton.

Highway 3 Roots Revue in Edmonton Dec.15th 2013

Last night I went to the Highway 3 Roots Revue held at Queen Alexandria Hall here in Edmonton. This was a re-scheduled show from November when the three musicians that make up the Revue got snowed in in Calgary. So it was nice to see them return for the make-up date.

Now the three musicians that make up this Highway 3 Roots Revue are Leeroy Stagger who is now based in Lethbridge, Alberta, John Wort Hannam from Fort Macleod, Alberta and Dave McCann also based in Lethbridge. These three singer-songwriters have toured as a trio for a few tours now, as this was my second time seeing all of them perform together.

The set-up for the show is each musician taking a turn doing a song and telling a story,and occasionally singing together. The main reason I was at this show as to see Leeroy Stagger as it had been over a year since I last saw him play, and that was with this same trio around this time last year. Dave McCann and John Wort Hannam were really good as well.

But I was focused on Leeroy's performance on this evening, having followed his career for about five or six years now. Leeroy Stagger released another great album earlier this year called "Truth be Sold". I was really hoping to hear some new stuff from the album, but it was a no go on this evening, as most of the stuff on "Truth Be Sold" is more rock then folk roots, but he did a few new songs that have yet to be released, so that was a bonus. Leeroy was the first singer to start the night, and he opened with the song "Stormy" from his album "Everything Is Real". Another song he did which is one of my favorites of his was "Dirty Windshields" from his album "Radiant Land". Speaking of Radiant Land,John Wort Hannam who has covered this title song on one of his own albums, played the song this evening, with Leeroy kicking in here and there. Some of the new songs Leeroy did was a song called "Angry Young Man" and "Ten Long Years" which both sounded quite good. Leeroy has also recorded an album with another trio called ESP (Easton,Stagger,Philips) which was done
about five years ago. Well, it looks like they have got back together and recorded a new
album that will be coming out this spring, followed by a few dates in southern Alberta. Leeroy did one of the new songs which was called "Highway Is My Home". Another great sounding song, I am looking forward to hearing the full album.


My brother has talked with Leeroy quite a bit over the past year, having seen him play Calgary lots this summer. And I too had the pleasure of speaking with him on Sunday. Word is or was that Leeroy was going to retire or take a break from his music career. Having got burned out and frustrated with the music business and now having a son (8 months old now). This would be a shame as the man is a great entertainer and singer songwriter and hell of a guitar player too. Well no sooner did he start thinking this, some breaks are coming his way. First off he landed two gigs opening for the Los Lobos in Lethbridge on Thursday January 23rd at Yates Theatre and then on the 24th in Calgary at the Thorncliffe Community Hall. And then in February Leeroy will be playing solo sets opening for Steve Earle in Chicago for three dates at the City Winery. Not only did he get these great opening slots, he also let the cat out of the bag by mentioning that he will be playing the Edmonton Folk Festival in the summer of 2014. A nice break for Leeroy as it is about time he got some recognition up here in Edmonton. So here is hoping even more great things come your way Leeroy.


Back to the show. This two hour show Sunday night was a great evening of folk inspired
tunes with all three artists putting on a great show. And a big thank you to the Northern Lights Folk Club for bringing this show to town. Good times!!!

Leeroy Stagger, Dave McCann and John Wort Hannam.

Leeroy Stagger.

John Wort Hannam.

Dave McCann.

27 Years Ago Today...December 16th

It was twenty-seven years ago today that I saw Metallica with opening band Metal Church play the Convention Centre here in Edmonton.

13 Years Ago Today...December 14th

It was thirteen years ago today that I saw Gordie Johnson and Kelly Hoppe of Big Sugar play an acoustic show at the Myer Horowitz Theatre.

2 Years Ago Today...December 13th

It was two years ago today that I saw Prince perform at Rexall Place in Edmonton.

And it was a year ago today that I saw the band Yukon Blonde do an in-store acoustic performance at Permanent Records here in Edmonton.

1 Year Ago Today...December 11th

It was a year ago today that I saw Mike Plume play the Haven Social Club here in Edmonton.

26 Years Ago Today...December 10th

It was twenty-six years ago today that I saw Pink Floyd play BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.

And it was three years ago today that I saw Roger Waters perform The Wall in Vancouver at Rogers Arena.

12 Years Ago Today...December 8th

It was twelve years ago today that I saw the Bad Brains play New City Suburbs in Edmonton.