Steve Rapid's Top Twenty for 2011

I enjoy reading end of year "best of" lists, if for no other reason that it helps define which writer on a particular site or publication has the closest taste and opinion and, conversley, who's reviews should I avoid. In the case of some writers where there is a sole writer whose taste becomes apparent through regular reading it's interesting to see which albums stand the test of time. Even among those who are involved with Lonesome Highway there is no consensus, we have all come to walk the highway from different roads and have different destinations. At Lonesome Highway we try to get round to review pretty much everything that arrives for consideration. These albums take preference over some worthy albums that are not sent in for review but are purchased by the individual writers. Which is why in the following list there will be some albums that have never appeared in the review section. Our remit is quite wide and covers folk, bluegrass, Americana, roots as well as mainstream and hardcore country. In that light and in no particular order here are the albums that found their way to repeated listening on my CD player:

Dave Alvin - Eleven Eleven  - Dave Alvin has rarely made a bad album but this is one of his best.

Joe Ely - Satisfied At Last - Classic Texas roots music

Nick 13 - Nick 13 - The Tiger Army singer solo album take on country produced to good effect by Greg Leisz and James Intveld.

Amber Digby - Live at Swiss Alp Hall - a great pure country live album from a great singer

The Sweetback Sisters - Looking For A Fight - No siblings here just some straight up punching twang.

Lindi Ortega - Little Red Boots - A new name with a great and varied set of songs and a new voice on the scene

Laura Cantrell - Kitty Wells Dresses - A return to the music that inspired her and it inspires us.

Chris Isaak - Beyond The Sun - Not a mere copyist but a stylist and this is a great album from a great artist.

Audrey Auld - Come Find Me - Audrey rarely dissapoints and this album is one of her best.

Lynn Miles - Fall For Beauty - An artist with integrity and truth with a career best.

Tom Russell - Mesabi - A great storyteller and he's expanding his musical horizons.

Paul Burch - Words Of Love - Paul's direct approach to the heart of Holly's music struck a chord.

Slackeye Slim - El Santo Grial - A concept album that pushes the boundries but one that works on many levels.

Hank 111 - Ghost to Ghost/Guttertown - Making his own music the way he wants the Guttertown album sets a new path.

Austin Lucas - A New Home In The Old World - A writer who covers many bases but does so with skill.

Kenny Vaughan - V - The debut from the talented guitarist and producer never lost sight of his inspirations or having fun.

My Darling Clementine  - How Do You Plead? - What does it say about the state of play that this excellent album to so long to get a release?

John Lilly - Cold Comfort - An album made for all the right reasons, good music made by good people.

Charlie Philips - Sugartime - A new new to me other than the title cut but up to Bear Family's usual high standards.

Various Artists - I Love - Ostensibly a set of children's song but Tom T Hall's songs have a wider appeal.

Although it was not officially out last year Moot Davis' album Man About Town brightened up my end of year no-end.

There's never been a year when there hasn't been, for me, some outstanding music. You just need  to know where to look.

I thank www.savingcountrymusic.com and other sites for pointing me towards some fine music that otherwise would pass me by.