Dave Heaton: February 3, 2008

Currently listening to…

Music I’ve been listening to or thinking about lately. Five albums and five songs.

1. Willie Nelson – Moment of Forever (Lost Highway)

   His best album in years. Remarkably serene production, minimalist in feeling if not instrumentation, and an excellent selection of songs. Don’t listen to naysayers, or those who run screaming from it just because Kenny Chesney is one of the producers.

2. Wu-Tang Clan – 8 Diagrams (Loud)

   I can’t let this one slip away…such a fascinating album, full of strange sounds and moods, plus all the stellar Wu MCs, who keep getting better year by year.

3. Strawberry Whiplash – “Who’s in Your Dreams” EP and Bubblegum Lemonade – “Ten Years Younger” EP (Matinee)

   Two great EPs from new Glasgow pop-rock bands, each indebted to the ‘60s and to the legacy of Jesus and Mary Chain, the Pastels, and so fun.

4. James Varda – Hunger

   Reissue of a 1988 album from a UK singer/songwriter with his own unique style – stark, dark, and powerful.

5. John Anderson – Tokyo, Oklahoma (Collectors Choice)

   One of the great new reissues of his classic country (with touches of rock and blues) music: five of his his albums from the ‘80s.

6. Tom Waits – “Tell It to Me”
7. Kimya Dawson – “I’m Fine”
8. The National Splits – “Things You Could’ve Stole”
9. Fats Waller – “All That Meat and No Potatos”
10. Willie Nelson – “Me and Paul”