2020 Year-End Music Round-Up Wrap-Up Extravaganza

No one could have predicted a year like 2020. The live music industry is on life support. Bandcamp came through just about better than anyone else to support music. And there was a ton of great music released this year.

Per the norm, I do not rank albums. Music is not a competition and my taste is not your taste. So, after lots of thought and list-shuffling and winnowing, these are the 75 albums that really stood out for me. My original list was quite a bit longer (and you can always keep up in real-time by following the Yearly Bookkeeping page), so I can tell you that this list provides a great overview of my music listening for this crazy year.

Here are my favorite 75 albums of 2020.

The Visual List:

The Alphabet List:

1. Live at Tubby's by 75 Dollar Bill Little Big Band

2. Shaman! by Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids

3. Time is A Gift Which We Share All The Time by Afriquoi

4. Rejoice by Tony Allen and Hugh Masekela

5. Live by Angel Bat Dawid & Tha Brothahood

6. Fu Chronicles by Antibalas 

7. Fetch The Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple

8. Roy Ayers JID002 by Roy Ayers, Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad

9. Ex-Voto by Jamie Barnes

10. Please Advise by Beauty Pill

11. Crash Test Kid by Sammy Brue

12. Long In The Tooth by the Budos Band

13. Regresa by Buscabulla

14. Shadow Talk by Café Racer

15. Echo Mine by Califone

16. Gold Record by Bill Callahan

17. Have We Met by Destroyer

18. I Just Wasn't Made For These Set Times by Dire Wolves (Just Exactly Perfect Sisters Band)

19. Rough and Rowdy Ways by Bob Dylan

20. Afternoon Tea at Six by Eishan Ensemble

21. Acoustic Storm Sessions by Elkhorn

22.  Kahil El’Zabar’s Spirit Groove by Kahil El'Zabar & David Murray

23. Wake Up! by Hazel English

24. Shore by Fleet Foxes

25. A Hero’s Death by Fontaines D.C.

26. Peoples Motel Band by Chris Forsyth and Garcia Peoples

27. SOURCE by Nubya Garcia

28. Nightcap at Wits' End by Garcia Peoples

29. Big Dark Bright Futures by Growing Concerns Poetry Collective

30. Women In Music Pt. III by Haim

31. Infinity Of Now by the Heliocentrics

32. National Freedom by Lonnie Holley

33. Muerto, Carcel o Rocanroll by Huntingtons

34. Beginners by Christian Lee Hutson

35. Reuinions by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

36. Babani Koné by Babani Koné

37. Mutation by Les Freres Smith

38. 2020 by Magik Markers

39. Eno Axis by H.C. McEntire

40. Joshua Massad & Dylan Aycock by Joshua Massad & Dylan Aycock

41. Microphones in 2020 by the Microphones

42. Circles by Mac Miller

43. Dimensional Stardust by Rob Mazurek/Exploding Star Orchestra

44. Annual by Modern Nature

45. Getting Into Knives by the Mountain Goats

46. Staunch Honey by David Nance

47. Three by the Necks

48. Rob Noyes & Sam Moss by Rob Noyes & Sam Moss

49. We No Be Machine by Onipa

50. Jams From The Sun by Oregon Space Trail of Jazz

51. High Upon The Mountain by Pacific Range

52. Suite For Max Brown by Jeff Parker

53. Summerlong by Rose City Band

54. RTJ4 by Run The Jewels

55. Landwerk demos by Nathan Salsburg

56. Acoustic by Oumou Sangaré

57. Untitled (Black Is) by Sault

58. We Are Sent Here By History by Shabaka and the Ancestors

59. The Don of Diamond Dreams by Shabazz Palaces

60. Ocean Bridges by Archie Shepp, Raw Poetic & Damu the Fudgemunk

61. Companion Rises by Six Organs of Admittance

62. Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase? by The Soft Pink Truth

63. Optimisme by Songhoy Blues

64. Swirling by Sun Ra Arkestra

65. Oh Yeah? by Sunwatchers

66. Wooden Flower by Tambourinen

67. Folklore by Taylor Swift

68. Nomad by Tengger

69. Sun Racket by Throwing Muses

70. Siftorde by Tidiane Thiam

71. New Vanitas by William Tyler

72. The Great Mountain by Waterless Hills

73. Eau’d To A Fake Bookie Volume 3 by Wet Tuna

74. Strange to Explain by Woods

75. Homegrown by Neil Young

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• Browse Volume 01 of my 2020 favorites playlist

• Browse Volume 02 of my 2020 favorites playlist

• Browse Volume 03 of my 2020 favorites playlist

• Browse Volume 04 of my 2020 favorites playlist

• Browse Volume 05 of my 2020 favorites playlist

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Holiday At The Sea's Favorite 2020 Music Mix (Volume 03)

Volume 03 of some of Holiday at the Sea’s favorite 2020 music. I chose 75 albums this year and the playlists total 74 songs since “Microphones in 2020 by the Microphones” is 45 minutes long and I didn’t want to include the whole album as part of a mix.

Anyways, enjoy!

Tracklisting:

1. “Houses of the Holy” by H.C. McEntire

2. “Low to the Bird” by Jamie Barnes

3. “It Gets Easier” by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

4. “Santa Monica (Through the Canyon)” by Pacific Range

5. “The 101” by Six Organs of Admittance

6. “Howard St. & The Beach Nov. 1988 After 11” by Califone

7. “Maestranza” by Fleet Foxes

8. “(Our Life Could Be Your Van)” by Garcia Peoples

9. “The Law Of Hospitality” by Waterless Hills

10. “Four Corners” by William Tyler

11. “Protest Song” by Bill Callahan

12. “Crystal Doorknob” by Lonnie Holley

13. “Landwerk 03” by Nathan Salsburg

14. “Love Is The Main Thing” by Fontaines D.C.

15. “Find You Ride” by Magik Markers

16. “Fadjamou” (Acoustic) by Oumou Sangaré

17. “St. Charles” by Throwing Muses

18. “Nenamev” by Tidiane Thiam

19. “Bon Bon” by Songhoy Blues

20. “Love Paste” by Sunwatchers

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Holiday At The Sea's Favorite 2020 Music Mix (Volume 01)

Volume 01 of some of Holiday at the Sea’s favorite 2020 music. I chose 75 albums this year and the playlists total 74 songs since “Microphones in 2020 by the Microphones” is 45 minutes long and I didn’t want to include the whole album as part of a mix.

Anyways, enjoy!

Tracklisting:

1. “(Brother Lee) Womblife Blues” by Dire Wolves (Just Exactly Perfect Sisters Band)

2. “exile” by Taylor Swift

3. “Tattooed Love Boys” by Beauty Pill

4. “Good News” by Mac Miller

5. “Djatigui Baro” by Babani Koné

6. “I Know Alone” by Haim

7. “Flourish” by Modern Nature

8. “Murder Most Foul” by Bob Dylan

9. “Picture Of My Dress” by the Mountain Goats

10. “We” by the Soft Pink Truth

11. “Shout Across Mountains” by Growing Concerns Poetry Collective

12. “Mystic Mountain” by Chris Forsyth & Garcia Peoples

13. “Angels And Demons At Play” by Sun Ra Arkestra

14. “Heavy Baloon” by Fiona Apple

15. “The Wicked Shall Not Prevail” by Angel Bat Dawid & Tha Brothahood

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Holiday at the Sea's Favorite Music of 2019

2019 has been a great year for music. From 30-minute mind-melting jams to Tuareg guitar and all kinds in between. I LOVE year-end lists. I love seeing what other people loved, especially if I can find something I hadn’t heard before. And to a lesser extent, who doesn’t like having their tastes confirmed by people much cooler?

But I don’t necessarily like ranking everything. After all, every list is subjective. And is there really any music that is “best”? Maybe you preferred one album to others, but does that really mean it’s “better”? Excuse me while I step off of my soapbox.

And I don’t like not hearing what people recommend. So, as you already know, I made a four-volume mix of some of my favorite music of the year, which I hope you’ve already checked out. If not, feel free to do so here and here and here and here. Also, just one more time of review, I chose 50 songs this year but only 49 albums since ‘Sideways’ by Seryn was released as a single.

Now that you’ve had a chance to to hear the songs, here is the complete list in alphabetical order.

• I Was Real by 75 Dollar Bill

• Mandatory Reality by Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society

• Ancestral Recall by Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah

• U.F.O.F. by Big Thief

• Sahari by Aziza Brahim

• RE_CORDIS by Bruno Bavota

• i,i by Bon Iver

• V by The Budos Band

• African Giant by Burna Boy

• Shepherd In A Sheepskin Vest by Bill Callahan

• Ghosteen by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

• All My Relations by Cochemea

• A Good Time by Davido

• Grow Towards The Light by Dire Wolves

• Sun Cycle / Elk Jam by Elkhorn

• Pianoworks by Eluvium

• Blue Values by Eamon Fogarty

• All Time Present by Chris Forsyth

• Gold Past Life by Fruit Bats

• One Of The Best Yet by Gang Starr

• One Step Behind by Garcia Peoples

• The Unseen In Between by Steve Gunn

• Back At The House by Hemlock Ernst and Kenny Segal

• The Gospel According to Water Joe Henry

• Terms of Surrender by Hiss Golden Messenger

• More Arriving by Sarathy Korwar

• Miri by Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba

• Sauropoda by L'Eclair

• Ilana (The Creator) by Mdou Moctar

• Stars Are The Light by Moon Duo

• Three Chords and the Truth by Van Morrison

• All Mirrors by Angel Olsen

• Desire Path by One Eleven Heavy

• Phoenix by Pedro the Lion

• Rainford by Lee “Scratch” Perry

• Purple Mountains by Purple Mountains

• Rose City Band by Rose City Band

• ‘Sideways’ by Seryn

• Out of Darkness by Some Dark Hollow

• Illegal Moves by Sunwatchers

• Amankor / The Exile by Tartit

• Amadjar by Tinariwen

• Preserves by Matt Valentine

• Father of the Bride by Vampire Weekend

• Remind Me Tomorrow by Sharon Van Etten

• Come On Up To The House: Women Sing Waits by Various Artists

• Water Weird by Wet Tuna

• Ode To Joy by Wilco

• The Sisypheans by Xylouris White

• Walk Through The Fire by Yola

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• Listen to Volume 01 of my 2019 Year-End Playlist

• Listen to Volume 02 of my 2019 Year-End Playlist

• Listen to Volume 03 of my 2019 Year-End Playlist

• Listen to Volume 04 of my 2019 Year-End Playlist

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Holiday at the Sea’s Favorite Music Label of 2019

My Favorite music label of the year would have to be, without a doubt, Brooklyn’s Beyond Beyond is Beyond. Self-describes as: "“Music for Heads, by Heads,” which just about sums it up. More a vibe than a genre. A way of thinking than a particular style.

With five out of my favorite 49 albums of the year; (Dire Wolves, Garcia Peoples, L'Eclair, One Eleven Heavy, and Matt Valentine (plus, if I had expanded my list or included an “Honorable Mentions” section, this list would have expanded even more. That De Lorians is really good to mention only one more), no other single label presented as much music that I wanted to hear this year.

I can’t wait to hear what’s next.

• Visit the Beyond Beyond is Beyond website

• Visit Beyond Beyond is Beyond’s Bandcamp page for all the goodies

• Follow the label on Facebook

• Follow them on Twitter

Holiday at the Sea's Favorite 2019 Music Mix (Volume 03)

As I’ve explained, rather than just give a context-less list, I’ve made a four-volume playlist of some of my favorite music of 2019. Each mix is as close to an hour as I could get it.

Today we dive in to Volume 03. Also, just to review again: there are 50 songs, but only 49 albums represented, since ‘Sideways’ by Seryn was released as a single. After lots of finagling, I just decided to leave it alone and enjoy the music. It is what it is and it is all great. I hope you enjoy this third installment.

Volume 03:

Volume 03 Tracklisting:

1. ‘Shadow Conductor’ by Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society from the album Mandatory Reality

2. ‘Ptah, The El Daoud’ by Sunwatchers from the album Illegal Moves

3. ‘Spider Web Pt. 1’ by The Budos Band from the album V

4. ‘One Step Behind’ by Garcia Peoples from the album One Step Behind

5. ‘Water Bearing One by Dire Wolves from the album Grow Towards The Light

6. ‘Telephone Song’ by Xylouris White from the album The Sisypheans

7. ‘Love Is Everywhere’ by Wilco from the album Ode To Joy

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• Listen to Volume 01 of my 2019 Year-End Playlist

• Listen to Volume 02 of my 2019 Year-End Playlist

• Listen to Volume 04 of my 2019 Year-End Playlist

Garcia Peoples, “One Step Behind” (Live)

To celebrate getting my copy of the new Garcia Peoples album (the second this year behind the fantastic Natural Facts), One Step Behind, here is a 48-minute live performance of the title track at the band’s album release show at Nublu in New York.

The band’s label (the reliably groovy) Beyond Beyond is Beyond says on Facebook: “Um, our dude Bryon snagged the whole 48 minutes of Garcia Peoples “One Step Behind” last night at Nublu. Have a gander! The amazing Bob Malach rippin it on sax!”

Byron Whitley says at the video’s YouTube page: “48 glorious minutes of Garcia Peoples’ “One Step Behind” record release show at Nublu in NYC with Tom’s dad, Bob Malach, sitting in on sax.”

Garcia Peoples present us with something we don’t get to see that often any longer; a band creating itself as it goes. In the throes of pre-packaged pop and when everyone has to have an “image” and a “sound,” it’s exciting to hear a band that sounds excited. Garcia Peoples have allowed themselves to musically mature in public.

Their 2018 debut ‘Cosmic Cash” came out of the gate strong and garnered a lot of well-deserved attention. Their name and vibe definitely caught the ears of many heads. But could they jam? And the live tapes showed a band working out and through its sound. Earlier this year, the band released Natural Facts which proved that they were maturing and finding their voice. But could they jam?

The band’s third album in a year-and-a-half, ‘One Step Behind’ has the feel of a band with something to prove. The album sticker says as much: “Whether or not you thought you knew Garcia Peoples’ music, One Step Behind is something new and beautiful, for new heads and old.” Jesse Jarnow’s liner notes echo the sentiment: “Welcome to the sound of Garcia Peoples at full speed. Without losing a ray of sunshine or a drop of dew, One Step Behind is the first major statement by the malleable Brooklyn sextet.”

Yes, they can jam and Garcia Peoples should not feel like they have anything left to prove. I can’t wait to see where the music takes us. One Step Behind is a terrific step forward.

• Visit my post “Garcia Peoples: October 3, 2019 Nublu.”

• Follow Garcia Peoples at Facebook.

• Visit the show’s page at NYC Taper.

• Visit the page’s show at the Live Music Archive.

• Support Garcia Peoples at Bandcamp.

• Purchase Garcia Peoples’ music at Bandcamp.

Garcia Peoples: October 3, 2019 Nublu

As I mentioned the other day, I am very grateful that the Live Music Archive exists. If you’re not familiar with the Live Music Archive, you should really rectify that situation.

I’ve also extolled the virtues of NYC Taper and asked you support what they do, but I’m going to do so again. Please support them so they can continue making shows like this possible (browse posts at this site tagged with “NYC Taper” to see what I’m talking about.

It occurred to me the other day that I haven’t posted about New Jersey’s Garcia Peoples and I couldn’t believe that was possible, so I looked and it was not only possible, it was the sad, sad reality. I couldn’t think of a better way to break that trend than with this VERY recent (10/03/19) show at New York’s Nublu. NYC Taper says:

“Let’s get real here: You already know we love Garcia Peoples. I’m getting this recording to you less than 24 hours after it occurred. So if you want to know our opinions on GP and their shows, read any number of other reviews on this site. I’m here to tell you the basics:

1. This is part of a month-long residency at Nublu . Buy tix to the other shows here.

2. These shows celebrate the release of their latest LP on Beyond Beyond is Beyond, One Step Behind. Buy it here.

3. Garcia Peoples are good peoples, and they rule. See items #1 and #2.

I recorded this set with Schoeps MK4Vs on the right side toward the front. The sound is excellent. Enjoy!”

• Follow Garcia Peoples at Facebook.

• Visit the show’s page at NYC Taper.

• Visit the page’s show at the Live Music Archive.

• Support Garcia Peoples at Bandcamp.

• Purchase Garcia Peoples’ music at Bandcamp.