The Best Music of 2008

Flying Upside Down

But the winner and “Best Album of The Year Award” goes to Griffin House. It amazes me that many people and radio stations have missed out on the Springfield, Ohio native’s album Flying Upside Down.

Jay will be a guest on “Jim Chenot’s Radio Sandbox” show Friday, December 19 at 11 p.m. on WAPS 91.3 The Summit.

If music was like fine wine, 2008 was one of the best vintages for album releases. To those of you that will be giving the gift of music this holiday season—for a loved one or to yourself—these selections are worthy of exceptional merit.

The band category garners lots of love in several musical genres. The Raconteurs Consolers of the Lonely takes the torch from Led Zeppelin and could be the next kings of the misty mountain. The SteelDrivers self-titled debut is a unique blend of southern comfort bluegrass rock; The Coal Men Beauty is a Moment is full of great songs that deserve more airplay; Drive By Truckers Brighter Than Creations Dark highlights the band’s originality when not backing other artists; and The Black Keys Attack & Release was a big hit for our native sons. But the winner in this bracket goes to My Morning Jacket whose Evil Urges continues to raise the bar in creativity and defines the term “album” as something other than downloadable songs.

Some exceptional work from female singer/songwriters include Shelby Lynne’s take on the Dusty Springfield ongbook Just a Little Lovin’, Lucinda Williams crankin’ up the guitar with Little Honey and our own Jessica Lea Mayfield’s homespun With Blasphemy, So Heartfelt. But the best vocals came from Kasey Chambers with the help of her husband Shane Nicholson on Rattlin’ Bones—their down under take on Americana Appalachia.

In the heavyweight division, James McMurtry gave us Just Us Kids while Rodney Crowell delivered on Sex & Gasoline. But the winner and “Best Album of The Year Award” goes to Griffin House. It amazes me that many people and radio stations have missed out on the Springfield, Ohio native’s album Flying Upside Down. “It’s the continuing story of what’s happening in my life,” explains Griffin about the collection of songs from when he fell in love, got engaged and then realized he’d made a huge mistake.

House’s recordings about his own issues gave birth to a chock full of hits that rival some of the best albums in any audiophile’s collection.

Jay will be a guest on “Jim Chenot’s Radio Sandbox” show Friday, December 26 at 11 p.m. on WAPS 91.3 The Summit. Two special “Meet & Greets” will be held at CO-OP Optical Eye Care Center in Stow from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, December 20.

You may reach Jay Minkin at blues4bird@aol.com.

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