THIS PAGE IS A SPECIAL FEATURE LONE STAR WEBSTATION MUSIC NEWS. 25 Essential Texas-Related CDs from 2004 Texas music writer Tom Geddie's list of "25 Essential Texas-Related CDs from 2004" was first published in the January 2005 issue of "BUDDY" (THE ORIGINAL TEXAS MUSIC MAGAZINE) and is reprinted with the author's permission. By Tom Geddie How do we define the "best" of anything in art? The easy answer is, "We don't." If we're fair, we might share a list of "favorites," because individual preferences vary widely. So here's a list of favorite Texas-related CDs for 2004. "Texas-related" means the CDs are by people born or raised in Texas, or who live here now or lived here for some meaningful bit of time in the past. "Favorite" means just that; there is no attempt here to say these are the 25 "best" CDs. Why does Texas get its own list? Sure, every state has some great music; Texas always seems to have more than its share. There's no Willie here this year, no George Strait, no Pat Green. All three released good CDs in 2004, like many other people did, but there's nothing challenging - thus, not much, if any, real reward - in any of them. No Destiny's Child or Polyphonic Spree, either, because this is, with few exceptions, a roots music list. It's highly personal, filled with music that, at some level, challenges the careful listener. A few of the CDs comfort us. Often, this is also genre-bending music. Almost all of it comes from small labels or from the artists' own labels. A lot of it doesn't fit easily into radio formats so you may not have even heard much of it if you haven't been to one (or more) of the artist's shows. (With Christmas coming, most of the CDs to be released in 2004 are already available; one or two new ones might still be released.) Here's the list: 1. Jon Dee Graham, The Great Battle (New West): Graham remains in a dark valley of good songs and guitars with just a promise of sunrise in the distance. It's a world where we're conceived in sin and walking in twilight, where we used to wonder what it all means, where we sometimes win. Electric guitars and percussion dominate the music. 2. James McMurtry, Live in Aught-Three (Compadre): McMurtry writes strong lyrics and, with his experienced band, makes consistently strong electric music. Live in Aught Three proves both of those points, sharing live performances of 12 songs from previous CDs and one song recorded for the first time. 3. Norah Jones, Feels Like Home (Blue Note): Now that the newness is mostly worn off, we can judge her work on its merits; if the lyrics are sometimes very simple, just chill to the often melancholy sound, and let the aches drain out of your body. Or wait for the next song, which will be as strong lyrically as it is musically. 4. Terri Hendrix, The Art of Removing Wallpaper (Wilory): Adding small bits of gospel, bluegrass, and pop - and even a bit of rap - to her wide, folk-based repertoire, Hendrix shares songs that are, at the same time, universal and very personal: vulnerability, futile love, looking for something better, seizing the day, a bitter-funny commentary on aging and individuality, and coming to terms with who you are. 5. Eliza Gilkyson, Land of Milk and Honey (Red House): There can be something almost holy in Eliza Gilkyson's words, arrangements, and delivery. Her best music aches with passion and compassion, which she delivers on the socially and politically conscious Land of Milk and Honey. 6. Ruthie Foster, Stages (Blue Corn): Foster's mix of blues, gospel, folk, "old-style" R&B and a bit of jazz is always a welcome listen. In this jewel case, selections range from familiar originals to interpretations of Brownie McGhee, Billie Holiday, Stephen Foster, John D. Loudermilk, Sidney Wyche, and the traditional "Death Came a Knockin'." 7. Doug Burr, The Sickle & The Sheaves (self-released): A powerful, different sort of gospel CD as much for the musical production by Deadman frontman Steven Collins as for the songs and vocals by The Lonelies frontman Doug Burr. 8. Patty Griffin, Impossible Dream (ATO): Edgy, introspective vocals with music that's almost just right but tends, in spots, to be just a little bit more lush (over-produced?) than necessary. 9. Lisa Markley, Live at Gloria Dei Nights (self-released): Six jazz standards, three Markley originals that sound like standards, one co-write, and fine accompaniment from Jeffrey Barnes of Brave Combo on horns, Drew Phelps on upright bass, and Paul Slavens on piano. 10. Cowboy Johnson, A Grain of Sand: A Collection of Mickey Newbury Songs, MoonHouse: The combination of newly discovered singer doing classic songs is potent. The performances are so unexpectedly good that they resonate deeply. Johnson almost - without being silly about the thought - channels Newbury on songs. 11. Thrift Store Cowboys, The Great American Desert (self-released): The band calls it "desert music" - a blend of country, rock, and pop with enough world music hints to drive a country radio programmer crazy. 12. Slaid Cleaves, Wishbones (Rounder/Philo): Basically a continuation of Cleaves' deservedly successful Broke Down, with a few musical enhancements provided by hot Austin producer Gurf Morlix. This time, the sound is a little - not a lot - more edgy, electric, and varied. 13. Kristy Kruger, An Unauthorized Guide to the Human Anatomy (just like freddy music): Lyrically mature alt-rock without losing any of the positive quirkiness that marked her first two recordings, and musically sophisticated without bleeding over into excess. 14. Lavelle White, Into the Mystic (Antone's/Texas Music Group): White toured the old-style R&B circuit for nearly 30 years before she recorded her first CD in 1994. Now, you'd almost think she's just hitting her stride as a singer and interpreter. The dozen songs - four of hers and eight classic covers - encompass soul, blues, gospel, and even the edge of country. 15. Bonnie Whitmore, Picking Up Pieces (Two Capos): Five of the songs, including one co-write, are Whitmore's. The other seven are covers; they are good choices for Whitmore's alt-folk-pop style and voice, which is both strong and restrained, and with a hint of delicacy like a child growing up. 16. The Flatlanders, Wheels of Fortune (New West): Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock blend more effectively as a seamless band they did on Now Again. While the sound is mostly upbeat, the songs are, in one way or another, mostly about the kinds of longing that seem to come with experience. 17. Charlie Robison, Good Times (Dualtone): Mostly thoughtful, a little playful. Maybe moving a little back toward his roots, which isn't surprising since co-producer helped - or let - the Dixie Chicks do the same thing last year. 18. Jay Johnson Band, Royalbluemoon (self-released): Over time, Johnson always surprises. On Royalbluemoon, he's a confident Southern rocker with a new wrinkle in his sound. And eventually, on the same CD, because it is Johnson, something eclectic. 19. Johnny Bush, HonkyTonic (BGM Records): It's damn near impossible to think of Bush without thinking of honky-tonks - of people drowning themselves in whiskey rivers or of people seeing green snakes on the ceiling. He's in top form again. 20. Michael O'Neal, Dark Side of a Small Town, self-released: Impressive country-folk debut is a somber, resigned, dreary look at human weather. 21. Steve Earle, The Revolution Starts Here (Artemis): As usual, and indicated by the title, Earle is angry again. And a little understandably disgusted with so much of the world. He shares it well. 22. Shelley King, Rockin' The Dancehall (Lemonade): Consistently excellent, high-energy country-rock-pop-blues-gospel-soul, delivered by a tight, experienced band. No studio overdubs or other tricks here, just 14 songs from the show the way you heard it at Gruene Hall. 23. Tom Russell, Indians Cowboys Horses Dogs, HighTone: A mix of Russell originals, a couple of western classics, and a couple of unexpected but appropriate interpretations, all delivered in his trademarked style. 24. Kimmie Rhodes, Lost and Found (Sunbird, Bottom line): Many of Rhodes' gentle leftovers, featured on this new release, are better than a lot of folks' first choices. Rhodes is a consummate pro as a songwriter, either solo or as a collaborator exploring the possibilities of themes and turning them into unified wholes within the limited time of a song. 25. Jesse Dayton, Country Soul Brother (Stag): Dayton delivers in many colors. He is, at various times, country, country-rock, rockabilly, slightly Mexican, and, always, a bit of an outlaw. Here, he swings between and around genres without ever losing his basic countryness. If the mostly independent music on this list intrigues you, you can do three things to support these musicians: 1. Go to a show and buy copies directly from the artist. 2. Go to the artist's web site and buy copies. 3. Go to your local music store. If these CDs are not in stock, ask for them. ------------------------------ Tom Geddie www.tomgeddie.com "The people in the house moved like too many ghosts among the white sheeted tables, met face to face in the corridors and covered their eyes for fear of a new stranger . . . " -- Dylan Thomas