Editor's Choice Cuts - 2007

River: The Joni Letters (Herbie Hancock)

www.herbiehancock.com

The.Broken.Headphones (Jason Harwell)

Stylistically, Jason lists influences such as Toad the Wet Sprocket, the Police, Paul Westerberg, 80's pop, even (old) Mariah Carey! But make up your own mind... it sounds like Jason Harwell to me! If you are not already familiar with Harwell's deeply personal, authentic, funny and at times, profound song-craft, you're in for a treat!

www.jasonharwell.com

I Was Only Dreaming (Marcel Borrack)

Having been called an 'urban troubadour', Melbourne-based Singer/Songwriter Marcel Borrack has made a great album of 'easy listening' (of the best kind!) Alt-Country 'classics'. He describes his sound as 'rootsy pop with a ragged, handmade production ethic.' Released on the Croxton label, I Was Only Dreaming is Marcel's much-anticipated follow-up to his acclaimed debut Help. The record contains Submarine, perhaps one of my favourite songs of the year!

Borrack's music has garnered comparisons to Elvis Costello, Ron Sexsmith and Josh Rouse. And having interviewed him on Sunday Studio Live earlier in the year, I can also say that he's one of the nicest guys you could ever meet as well!

www.marcelborrack.com

Pink Moon (Nick Drake)

When you get back to the source, it's actually quite easy to understand why every indie college kid and their dog is trying to sound like Nick Drake or Jeff Buckley these days... Nick Drake's Pink Moon -- recorded over two brief midnight sessions way back in October, 1971 -- stands alone, and it arguably the most influential Singer/Songwriter record of all time.

The album's closing track, From The Morning must be one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

Personally, hearing Nick Drake for the first time -- especially this album -- was akin to remembering a long forgotten dream or a flash of memory from life in the womb... So Sad. So beautiful. So Rare. Never before had I so connected and identified with someone else's music.

www.nickdrake.com

Here Is What Is (Daniel Lanois)

Although not primarily known as a Singer/Songwriter, Daniel Lanois is one of the world's most influential record producers, having worked with U2, Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, Brian Eno and Coldplay, to name a few. While his own material may not prove as accessible or 'radio-friendly' as many of his famous clients, his songs are nevertheless superbly crafted and well worth exploring. Here Is What Is paints a dark, moody, intense sonic landscape, but avoids leaving you depressed -- quite an achievement for an artist of Lanois' calibre!

Scattered throughout are snippets of philosophical interchange between Daniel and old friend and 'Father' of ambient music, Brian Eno. Here Is What Is also forms the 'soundtrack' to a soon-to-be-released movie (of the same name) that documents Lanois' creative process. Red Floor Records has made it available as a digital download in conventional MP3 or as high-resolution WAV files (for the same price!).

www.redfloorrecords.com

Common Senses (Chris Poulsen Trio)

What an awesome instrumental jazz album this is! Recorded live in the studio over only a couple of days, this is the Brisbane-based CP3 at their best!

Every time I listen to these guys I'm amazed by how 'big' a jazz trio featuring Fender Rhodes, Bass and Drums can sound! Having a particular weakness for funk (in my left ankle I think) my all time favourite cut is Number Seven. But a word of warning... don't play this one too loud in your car... it has been responsible for me breaking the speed limit on several occasions now...

If you are fortunate enough to witness the Chris Poulsen Trio live, you'll understand why they are one of the best live acts around. Even if you swear you don't like jazz, you'll love CP3!

www.myspace.com/chrispoulsentrio

Ambient 4: On Land (Brian Eno)

I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I've always admired and respected the work of electronica guru and avant-garde composer Brian Eno -- but never enough to actually buy and listen to one of his albums.

All that changed with my recent purchase of 1982's Ambient 4: On Land. From the very first listen I was absolutely blown away! This has to be one of the most 'organic', warm sounding, naturalistic examples of electronic, ambient music in existence! Without any real melody, conventional percussion or song-like structure it remains riveting throughout. So darkly atmospheric, richly layered and evocative, it's the best example I am aware of, of 'music' that can be 'seen' as well as heard.

www.enoshop.co.uk

Move (Levi McGrath)

Move is without doubt one of my favourite (and most listened to!) albums of 2007. Having recorded and produced it, I am obviously intimately connected to it... but I just so love the way Levi writes and sings from his heart on this record. He is not afraid to be himself... to be vulnerable... to sing 'I belong to you'... 'I'm so overwhelmed'. As Producer, rather than building a 'larger-than-life' super Levi (with billions of layers of effects) I wanted to 'capture' him in a way that invited the listener to connect with, and get to know the real him -- not merely a hyped-up version.

An artist's debut release is often remembered more for historical reasons rather than artistic ones... Sometimes they merely mark the point at which the artist's journey began... capturing still 'unrealised' potential... If that's the case -- and considering this album's strength -- we can expect some incredible work from Mr McGrath in the years ahead. And I don't just think that's my opinion... :)

www.levimcgrath.com

We'll Never Turn Back (Mavis Staples)

If you ever suspect that the music you're listening to lacks something... like depth, focus, passion, spiritual and artistic integrity... then listen to Mavis -- a living Gospel and Soul legend! Mavis Staples was an original member of The Staple Singers who shared the stage with Dr. Martin Luther King, performed before US Presidents and at many civil rights protest marches in America during the Sixties.

'Blues and gospel are cousins, says Mavis. 'They're very closely related. Both styles of music lift you up from what's keeping you down.'

Superbly produced by Ry Cooder, We'll Never Turn Back is one of her best solo efforts to date.

www.mavisstaples.com

Grown Backwards (David Byrne)

Former Talking Heads front man, David Byrne, never fails to surprise, amuse or unsettle. This arty, at times experimental, at times highly accessible work is no exception. It succeeds, in part, by not taking itself too seriously. Byrne's clever lyrics and occasionally ridiculous vocal delivery is supported throughout by the Tosca Strings -- a string quartet who have recorded and toured extensively with Byrne.

Whether this is your 'thing' or not remains to be seen, but Grown Backwards 'works' by knowing how to walk the line between the esoteric and the everyday. It manages to provide enough inroads for those uninitiated in the New York art scene without ever being 'dumbed down' for an audience 'ruined' by the catchy hooks and sing-a-long choruses of mainstream pop. Thanks David!

www.davidbyrne.com