1 – Unforgettable – Charlie Wilson, Shaggy – When I was discussing modern reggae with Hollie Cook earlier this month I completely forgot about Shaggy, though this terrific song does what it is so difficult: it takes reggae and adds it to r&b and the reggae, which s the milk to black coffee, it chnges its complexion, doesn’t manage to – A
2- An American Trilogy (Live) – Sing it fellas… “I wish I was in Dixie…” The Mickey Newbury arranged Southern hymnals are borderline offensive to some blacks but are still high art. The thing is, Mickey arranged them s a question about the Vietname but Presley performed them as a sweeping act of patriotism (check out the ending) – A
3 – Bless Us All – Bettye Lavette – A different Mickey Newbury song is all but unrecognisable by the time Betye has stopped her deconstruction job. I have no problem with it, but I do wonder why Bettye doesn’t just search out original material – B
4 – Dixie – Tennessee Ernest Ford – This is a great take, it remains completely true but there is something a little laid back as well. Ford has such a powerful voice he sees no reasons to push hard and so every word rings – A
5 – There’s Nothing There – Corey Dargel – Original sounding singer songwriter stuff – B
6 – My Oh My – Punch Brothers – Crosby, Stills And Nash without the indelible melodies o the voices – B-
7 – Stink – Kate Tempest – Off last year’s great album, re released as the flip side to the new single -B+
8 – American Beauty – Drew Holcomb And The Neighborhood – This is a pretty song, not much but not bad – B
9 – Marathon – Doomtree – Very impressive album closer – A-
10 – Integrity – Ne-Yo, Charisse Mills – This is a strangely constructed mid-tempo soul ballad. One of the best songs on the album – A
