Thanks to everyone at Jamband News, especially Bill Whiting, for selecting Steady As She Goes as on the of the Top 10 Albums of 2011. We greatly appreciate all the love and respect. Right Back at You! And Thanks to all our friends, fans and supporters for making 2011 a fantastic year! See you in 2012!
Here are the Jamband News Top Ten Albums of 2011
10. Warren Haynes, Man in Motion Stax- I listened to this one on several road trips, going from festival to concert, and it never got old. Rock, gospel, jam, soul and blues combine for a top notch combination as done by the hardest working man in the business, Warren Haynes.
9. Hot Tuna, Steady As She Goes, Red House- Hot Tuna gets back to basics with winning results. Kaukonen and Casady at their very best make this one a must own.
8. Amos Lee, Mission Bell Blue Note Records- Amos Lee opens up his songwriting talent on radio friendly tracks like “Windows Are Rolled Down” and “El Camino.” A Keeper.
7. Lucinda Williams, Blessed Lost Highway- Lucinda Williams sets the standard once again with brilliant compositional depth on rewarding numbers such as “Buttercup,” “Born to Be Loved,” and “Kiss Like Your Kiss.” One of the best albums of this and/or any year.
6. Preservation Hall Jazz Band and The Del McCoury Band, American Legacies MCCOURY Music- This is a once in a lifetime collaboration hybrid that is simply stunning to sit and listen to. Highly recommended.
5. The Joy Formidable, The Big Roar Atlantic- The sleeper hit of the year, it gets better over time. Pounding big rock melodies and hooks that grab and take hold of the imagination. Songs like “Whirring,” “A Heavy Abacus” and “Austere” foretell a bright future for this young band.
4. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Revelator Sony Legacy- Soul, Gospel and Blues collide into one big happy family on “Midnight in Harlem” and “Love Has Something Else To Say.” And, the rest of the world is better because of it.
3. My Morning Jacket, Circuital ATO Records/Red- Louisville, KY’s finest serve up tasty helpings of the year’s finest ear candy on the memorable rock and rhythm laced monsters “Victory Dance,” “Wonderful” and “Holdin’ On to Black Metal.” ‘Nuff Said.
2. Wilco, The Whole Love Anti- Probably the most efficient statement Jeff Tweedy has produced in some time, and likely the most accessible and universal. A true high point for the group and an uncommonly influential disc for aspiring composers and musicians alike.
1. Over The Rhine, The Long Surrender Great Speckled Dog- The masterpiece of the year. Elegant, sleek and sensual, this recording is pieced together with great care and brings out the best performances of the year from Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler on the shining gems, “Undamned (with Lucinda Williams),” “Rave On,” and “All My Favorite People.” 2011′s crown jewel.
Thanks to Kevin Morgan at KMS for the outstanding cover art! He’s the best!
Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, returns to the Beacon Theatre for two nights on December 9 and 10, 2011 to celebrate the music and the fun sparked off by the release of Steady As She Goes, their first studio album in 20 years. Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, David Bromberg, Charlie Musselwhite, GE Smith and Steve Kimock will join electric Hot Tuna with band members extrordinaire Barry Mitterhoff and Skoota Warner for the 8 p.m. shows. The Beacon is at 2124 Broadway, New York City. For tickets and more information: www.beacon.theatre-
Helping them celebrate at the Beacon will be special guests, Charlie Musselwhite, master of the harmonica, who toured along with Hot Tuna and Jim Lauderdale earlier this year on the Hot Tuna Blues tour will be hanging with the guys for the weekend. Charlie’s talented harmonica playing and history steeped in the blues is a perfect blend to the Hot Tuna being served! So if you missed Charlie with Tuna earlier this year. Now is your chance.
During their more than four decade long career Jorma and Jack have created some of the most significant music of our time and Steady As She Goes shows that they remain one of the most innovative bands in American music. Recorded at Levon Helm’s studio and produced by Grammy-winning producer Larry Campbell, the album captures the energy of their live performances with Barry Mitterhoff on mandolin, drummer Skoota Warner (Cyndi Lauper, Matisyahu, Santana) as well as Campbell joining them on guitar, fiddle, organ and vocals and Theresa Williams on vocals.
David Bromberg, often referred to as the guitarist’s guitarist, will be joining Hot Tuna at the Beacon too! Jorma and David find themselves performing together a few times each year, and their roots run deep. It will be interesting to see if he comes acoustic or electric . . . only one way to find out!
GE Smith has to be one of the most sought after session players around. He has performed and recorded with an exceptionally wide spectrum of influential artists from Bob Dylan, Eddie Van Halen, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Rickie Lee Jones, Al Green, Bryan Ferry, David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Lonnie Mack and the list…too long to print.
Steve Kimock, who has earned a living wowing all kinds of audiences with his extraordinary guitar abilities, will also be joining the guys for the weekend. Steve adds a new element to the Tuna stew with his wide range of playing styles that can progress from jazz-influenced rhythms to Roky Erikson (13th Floor Elevators) styled psychedelic leads.
