Another year has come and gone and that means that it is time for another infamous "Best of the Year" list. I have to admit that this whole phenomenon of ranking music has gotten a bit out of hand in the media and in our society. I am as guilty of this as anybody, but Rolling Stone magazine was the primary culprit this year with their "Top 100 Guitarists of All Time" and "Top 500 Albums of All Time" issues. By definition any list will be imperfect and have omissions. The best that you can hope for is to spark some conversation and/or turn somebody on to something new. Last year, my friends Chris and Ben followed up my list with their own lists and I encourage you to do the same.

I heard so many great albums this year and saw so much live music as well. One huge highlight was series of shows across the Midwest (Joliet, Indianapolis & Columbus) that I caught featuring The Dead, Bob Dylan and Robert Hunter. Having most of my all time favorite musicians on the same bill and collaborating was one of the thrills of the summer. I also ignored my natural suspicion of huge festivals this summer and hit both the Midtown Music Festival in Atlanta and Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee. I also ventured out to several smaller festivals like The Black Swamp Arts Festival in Bowling Green, Ohio and the Hideout Block Party in Chicago. These festivals are primarily devoted to music and it was heartening to see so many other people who chose to embrace the music so enthusiastically at least for the few days that these festivals lasted. Although fascists may try to use music for their own causes (Remember Bush's inauguration when he danced with Ricky Martin?), I truly believe that music is one of the only anecdotes for the poison of fear and hate which is so prevalent in our society today. One of my favorite music experiences this year was seeing the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra in Atlanta. The name of this inter-racial band translates to "Anti-Bullets". In the end I think David Crosby was right, "Music is Love".

1. Fool For Love-Paul Burch

This album took me a bit by surprise. I saw Paul Burch perform several times as an opening act before the release of Fool For Love this Fall on Bloodshot Records and was impressed, but not blown away. His solo live show didn't prepare me for how wonderful this album turned out to be. Burch combines the best elements of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams with the literacy of Bob Dylan. I like his work because he doesn't shy away from hardcore country influences, but still manages to update the genre. There is nothing fancy here, but lots of inspiring songwriting and playing that comes together to make a near perfect album. Supposedly, his next project will be a collaboration with Bloodshot labelmates, The Waco Brothers, which should also prove interesting and exciting,

2. Cockadoodledon't-Th' Legendary Shack Shakers

These guys are crazy and rock harder than just about any band out there. The album doesn't quite have the intensity of their live show, but it also adds textures that are hard to recreate on stage. Some of their songs are clever rockers like "CB Song", while others are real lyrical revelations like the haunting, "Blood on the Bluegrass". Their sound is sort of Honky Tonk,/Rock-a-billy/Punk on steroids. Get the CD and catch their live show, just don't stand in the front row.

3. The Wind-Warren Zevon

One of the musical tragedies of 2003 was the untimely death of Warren Zevon to lung cancer. Despite having only one real hit single with "Werewolves of London" back in the late seventies, Warren never lost his songwriting edge. Every year or two he would produce another album with half a dozen little masterpieces on it that few would hear. This album is no exception, but more people paid attention due to Zevon's illness. He wrote and recorded the album after being diagnosed in Fall 2002. As result the album is a combination of heartbreaking melancholy contrasted with upbeat hopefulness. Warren manages to remain graceful and un-jaded through it all in a way that few artists probably could have pulled off. I especially like "Prison Grove" and "Keep Me In Your Heart". Check out this album, but also check out all of Warren's albums.

4. Thickfreakness-The Black Keys

A two-piece blues band from Akron featuring drums and guitar. Sounds similar to Detroit's White Stripes and they are in some ways. The Black Keys however, are a bit bluesier and maybe sound a bit more like Cream than Led Zeppelin. Whatever the case, these guys know how to rock pretty hard for two white guys from Ohio. The production on this Fat Possum released album is simple, which is good. Best Blues album of the year. Check out: "Have Love Will Travel".

5. Country for True Lovers-Eleni Mandell

This is a beautiful album by one of the best female singers around. Eleni Mandell has had several past albums which dabble in various genres, but this one out on Canada's Zedtone label is all country flavored originals and covers. Mandell can sing it smooth like on "I've Got a Tender Heart" or get more of a honky tonk vibe like on, "Tell Me Twice". She is also great live so don't miss her.

6. Soul Serenade-The Derek Trucks Band

In his early twenties, Derek Trucks is already one of the most gifted and original guitarists on the planet. The Derek Trucks Band is his main gig, but Derek earns the bulk of his cash playing guitar alongside his Uncle Butch in the Allman Brothers Band these days. Derek didn't just get that gig because he was the drummer's nephew either. He can play Duane Allman-esque slide, but his talents go far deeper as evidenced on this album. Soul Serenade has a bit of a Kind of Blue vibe to it, in that it is very organic, but still swings when it wants to. Derek is into the blues (as can be heard on "Drown in My Own Tears" with Gregg Allman guesting on vocals), but he also delves into Jazz deeply (Check out the Coltrane inspired "Afro Blue" and the tribute to Elvin Jones "Elvin"). Perhaps most surprising is the opening medley of "Soul Serenade/Rasta Man Chant" which runs the combines elements of Indian, Fusion and Reggae. I should also mention Derek's excellent band which includes Kofi Burbridge on flute & keyboards, Bill McCay on organ, Yonrico Scott on drums and Todd Smallie on bass.

7. Countrysides-Cracker

I had sort of forgotten about Cracker before this year. They were moderately popular in the early nineties with their sacastic brand of roots oriented pop. They have never really gone away however. I happened to catch part of their set at Atlanta's Midtown Music Festival this spring and was impressed. Even more impressive though are the two country oriented albums they put out this year. The first was a collaboration with the band, Leftover Salmon called O Cracker Where Art Thou?, which recast a handful of Cracker originals like "Eurotrash Girl" as bluegrass tunes. That album works surprisingly well, but I like their "country" album even better. It is titled simply Countrysidesand contains material they performed on a stealth tour of truck stops and Honky Tonks under the moniker, Ironic Mullet. It contains 8 country covers and one origrnal. Frontman David Lowrey shows some of his roots when covering Merle Haggard ("Reasons to Quit"), Hank Williams JR ("Family Tradition") and Bruce Springsteen ("Sinaloa Cowboys"). The sole original is perhaps the greatest kiss off song of all time (I'm not kidding!) called "Ain't Gonna Suck Itself".

8. Diamond Jubilation-The Dixie Hummingbirds

Current Bob Dylan guitar player, Larry Campbell recruited an all star band to back up Gospel legends, The Dixie Hummingbirds on their 75th anniversary album aptly titled Diamond Jubilation. Ira Tucker is the group's longest serving living member and he leads the vocal ensemble through a nice selection of tunes including "Nobody's Fault But Mine" and "And We Bid You Goodnight". Also included are contemporary tunes by Buddy & Julie Miller, Bob Dylan (A previously unreleased song, "City of Gold") and Larry Campbell himself. The backing band includes Campbell on guitar with his other bandmates from Bob Dylan's touring band, Tony Garnier (bass) and George Recile (percussion). Filling out the group are former Dylan associates Levon Helm (drums) and Garth Hudson (organ/accordion). Add to that a guest appearance by Dr. John and liner notes by Isaac Hayes and you have the makings of a great collection. The music is simple, organic and beautiful, but the harmonies of the Hummingbirds are what shine the brightest. Gospel music for people who don't like Gospel music (Or people who do).

9. Dead Man Shake-Grandpaboy

Grandpaboy is actually former Replacements frontman Paul Westerberg. He recorded this album for Blues label Fat Possum Records, which is a hint to what the sound of this album is. The album is an extremely loose collection of originals and covers that sound sloppy and off the cuff, but that is probably the point. My favorite of the originals is a tune called "MPLS" which is a heartfelt ode to Westerberg's hometown of Minneapolis. Also of special note are the great covers of John Prine's "Souvenirs", Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and Jimmy Reed's "Take Out Some Insurance". The sound of these sessions is sort of an updated conglomeration of the Chess and Sun Sounds of the 50's and that is a good thing.

10. The Concert For George-Various Artists

They almost didn't release this soundtrack to the excellent concert film of the same name, but I sure am glad they did. The concert which happened a year to the day after the death of Beatle George Harrison is a reunion of sorts. To my knowledge this is the first time that Paul MaCartney and Ringo Starr have played on stage together since the Beatles. This combined with Rock & Roll royalty like Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Tom Petty, Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), Jim Capaldi (Traffic) and Jeff Lynne (ELO) makes a truly memorable program of songs. All of these artists were close friends of George who had worked with him many times in the past. I am really glad they didn't bring in a bunch of hot new artists to pay tribute and help sell records. This is a real tribute from those musicians who knew George and his music best. Eric Clapton helped organize the concert and plays on almost every track including some incredible Indian flavored acoustic guitar with Ravi and Annoushka Shankar. Fellow Wilbury Jeff Lynne also surprises with his versatility, turning in a revealing version of the Beatles era "Inner Light". He also joins with Tom Petty to reprise the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle With Care". Billy Preston is also magnificent on "My Sweet Lord" and dueting with Clapton on "Isn't it A Pity". Ringo Starr's "Photograph" takes on extra poignancy considering the occasion and he pays tribute to Carl Perkins whom George and Ringo both loved on "Honey Don't". Paul McCartney gets accused of having too big of an ego, but he checks it at the door for this show. His version of "All Things Must Pass" is one of my favorite vocal performances by him ever (and that is saying something). If you dig the Beatles, make sure you track this down. It is a fitting celebration of the life and music of George Harrison. Also see the movie, it is the best concert film since The Last Waltz in my opinion.

Honorable Mentions:

Hittin' The Note-The Allman Brothers Band

Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet-Skerik

Elephant-The White Stripes

Stop and Let the Devil Ride- James Mathus & His Knockdown Society

Emphasizer-Garage a Trois

Gods & Generals Soundtrack (Just for Dylan's track, "Cross the Green Mountain")

Cold Mountain Soundtrack (Jack White, Alison Kraus, et al.)

R.I.P. Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Waren Zevon, Johnny Paycheck, Don Gibson & Speedy West

The Insanity Rolls On! Contribute your own list...