BEST OF 2016 by Michael Buffalo Smith
There was a lot of good music coming down the pike last year. As a self-appointed critic, I often felt overwhelmed by the sheer mass of the stack of CDs on my desk to review, but in the end, the cream rises to the top every time. So here, in my humble opinion, are the best releases of 2016.
1. Blackberry Smoke - Like an Arrow Southern rock lives, and let’s face it,
Blackberry Smoke is one of the primary reasons the music of our youth is enjoying a resurgence in
popularity.This may be my favorite Smoke record yet.
2. Kentucky Headhunters - On Safari I have been telling my friends that I
would be just fine if I could only listen to two records duringl 2017, the new Blackberry Smoke and this one.
3. Donnie Winters - Real Country, Real Family Real Country. Real Family deserves to
be heard by everyone who grew up country, and all who have missed the “cry in your beer” one minute and then “get up and line dance” the next minute true countrymusic. Like David Allan Coe said. “If this ain’t country, I’ll kiss your (explitive deleted)!”
4. Marcus King Band - Marcus King Band I’m not putting this one on the list just
because he’s from my city, or because I used to go to the bars to hear his daddy wail on the gui- tar before Marcus was even born. It’s because the kid is a guitar monster. Just ask Warren Haynes, who produced the record.
5. Paul Hornsby - Red Hot Hornsby digs deep into his musical influ-
ences to turn out a highly listenable and enjoy- able debut album filled with energy and fun. Check out Red Hot and by all means, let the good times roll.
6. The Boxmasters - Tea Surfing Everyone’s favorite party band is back
with anoter double-album set that proves once and for all that Bud Thornton and JD Andrew are the new Lennon and McCartney.
7. Dallas Moore - Live at Bullit County Jail Dallas has been a facorite of mine for many a
year now, and he only gets better. His live shows are the shit, and this document proves the fact.
8. Kate Bush - Before the Dawn The fairy pixy princess of British rock re-
turns with her first ever full length (double CD) live album, culled from her long awaited (as in 35 years) set of live shows recorded a couple of years ago. Ever the artist, Kate continues to colour outside the lines, and we love it.
9. Foghat - Under the influence I get a little miffed when I mention
Foghat, and some folks I know roll their eyes with that “they are has beens” air of know it all- ness. Then I stop and pour myself a glass of Foghat wine, and set about explaining that this double album is as good as any they recorded it the ‘70’s. Give ‘em a chance . You can thank me later.
10. Jerry Lee Lewis At SUN Records: The Collected Works Talk about a KILLER boxed set! Eight-
een discs, two big books! Every note Jerry Lee ever recorded at SUN. What else do you need? •
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