Cottage Views Editors Choice Awards for 2002
1. George Harrison - Brainwashed
you are the wisdom that we seek/the lover that we miss
your nature is eternity/you are Existence, Knowledge, Bliss
2. Norah Jones - Come Away With Me
honesty hasn't been this painfully beautiful since John Lennon's debut solo
3. Bruce Springsteen - The Rising
powerful stuff for a world gone mad
4. Peter Wolf - Sleepless
roots-y and ragged - just the way I like it
5. Fairport Convention - XXXV
more fun than a barrel full of brewskies
6. Heather Nova - South
why hasn't the world made her a household name? a true talent
7. Natalie Merchant - Motherland
deep and meaningful - what Natalie does best
8. Jewel - This Way
Jewel finally bashes out some Rock tunes - and the girl can sing
9. Robert Plant - Dreamland
mysterious and sometimes weird (in a good way) - still has a head of hair
10. Crossroads Band - Crossroads
Tony Merando and Co. finally hit their stride - go get 'em, boys!
Runner Up: Wallflowers - Red Letter Days
Last Year this is what happened...
Results of Cottage Views Annual Readers Poll 2001
The Big Three: (left to right) Joey Molland, Delbert McClinton, Todd Sharp
This year the readers of Cottage Views have chosen Joey Molland as the undisputed king of Rock ‘n’ Roll with him taking not only the most amount of votes for Artist of the Year, but also the most amount of votes for Record of the Year (This Way Up). In second place for artist of the year is Grammy Award winner Delbert McClinton. Delbert also shares a three way tie with Todd Sharp (Walking All the Way) and Bruce Springsteen (Live in NYC) for runner up Album of the Year. Some interesting suggestions came in this year for Most Requested Re-issue but across the board the readers want the George Harrison catalog (which for the most part is now out of print), Joey Molland’s After the Pearl, and Alvin Lee & Mylon LeFevre’s On the Road to Freedom to be re-issued. Thanks to all who contributed their time to actually write, fax, and e mail their opinions. Your feedback is so important!
And now, for those Grammy Awards: #1 Question on My Mind - Did Lenny Kravitz make a deal with Robert Johnson’s ghost? I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. I like Lenny. I like his music. But… has he really recorded the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance FOUR years in a row? Personally I think the nominations were a little lame to begin with (what about John Mayall’s latest work for example?) and I would have felt more comfortable giving the award to Clapton or John Mellencamp.
#2 Question - What is Michael Greene complaining about? He thinks that file sharing is going to bring down the music industry? Don’t let me be the first to let him know that the music industry is bringing themselves down because they don’t have the vision to allow real artists to thrive. They want hits, big ones, and they want them now so they can exploit them and make quick profits. To the Grammies I say, “Stop grandstanding and put the industry back into the hands of the artists.” I mean, really, have you A - B’d a disc burned from the internet to a store-bought one? The sound quality is miles away from each other.
Did you know that Roger McGuinn is giving songs away for free on his web site because he believes Folk music belongs to the people? Well, I ain’t never heard no cows singin’ so I ’spose it’s all Folk music. I say, “Jolly good, Roger!”
If you were wondering why Don Henley said he was probably not the most popular person at the Grammies this year it’s because he is heading up reform campaigns to overturn unfair stipulations in recording contracts that currently prevent artists from owning their own songs. The record companies (many executives of which sit on the board of the Grammies) have long been taking the stance that they are in fact working for the good of the artists in a partnership while they dictate what should and should not be recorded, released, and distributed. I’m sorry, but I don’t see that as a partnership. Why do you think we still don’t have certain records on CD? Because the record companies own the masters, not the artists, and the record companies don’t care about selling 40,000 copies. They only want a product that will sell millions. For more on this subject go to www.recordingartistscoalition.com.
Okay, now that I got that out - 3 cheers for U2 for making a terrific album that was acknowledged by friend and foe alike, and hooray for all of the other winners who deserved to be recognized, including Delbert, Dylan, Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmie Vaughan, and James Taylor to name a few.
Oh Brother, until next time - keep Twangin,’ M.A.C.
Cottage Views Editors Choice Awards for 2001
1. Todd Sharp - Walking All the Way. Hot shot guitarist that deserves to be in the limelight. He's been laying it down for the greats for too long. Check out the buzz saw action on the title track and "On the Way to Heaven."
2. Delbert McClinton - Nothing Personal. Down home Rock 'n' Roll/Blues doesn't come more tasty than this. I couldn't get it out of my CD player all year.
3. Gregg Rolie - Roots. This is what Santana's big hit album should have sounded like.
4. Josh Joplin Group - Useful Music. No, it's not a great new album by R.E.M. It just sounds that way.
5. Travis - The Invisible Band. Scottish Pop-Rockers sophomore effort sounds like they have a bright future. Well crafted songs coupled with chiming guitars, understated banjo, three part harmony, and basic Rock arrangements will prove timeless.
6. George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (30th Anniversary Edition). I just wish there were more bonus tracks.
7. Joe Molland - This Way Up. Badfinger guitarist's third full solo sounds like he fully knows that "this way" is definitely "up."
8. John Mayall & Friends - Along for the Ride. Guitar driven Blues-Rock never goes out of style, and this is top notch.
9. Strawbs - Baroque & Roll. Dave Cousins and Co. return with their strongest effort in many years. Crystal clear upfront production lifts this one out of the bin of ordinary acoustic outings. The content was never an issue.
10. Blackmore's Night - Fires at Midnight. Former Deep Purple ax grinder and companion serve up their third disc of Medieval Rock with much success. Re-inventing Dylan into an ancient minstrel is a feat in itself.