Chris blows our cover by listing Laughing Stock and Solo Piano as two of his favorite crate diggers this year, proving beyond all doubt that, yes, we are a small circle of people who share music. But isn’t that what this site is all about? Sharing music? See! Now we’re sharing with you! Don’t you feel lucky? Happy holidays!
Van Morrison – “Astral Weeks”
From: Chris Mollica
To: Brandon Hall, Natalie Snoyman, Sarah Braunstein
A Jazzy, Brooding Year or Apologies for Not Being a Revolution
I’m with you, Natalie. Years ago, I played my part in creating a greatest hits of the year mix. Sure, the resulting disc was awesome, but it was filled with far too many compromises. Kinda like building a tree house with your parents.
Child: “What do you mean the slide can’t go on the balcony?”
Parent: “No slide. Also, no balcony.”
Child: “I feel like you’ve lost a critical understanding of this project.”
Ever year I fall in love with some older album which feels like it fits perfectly into my life. To leave those songs off a “year ender” feels like giving the year short shrift. Who wants a tree house without a balcony or a slide? I want anything that I claim to be “my year end blahbiddy blah blah” to feel like my year or at least reflect it.
This year’s disc would be a beast anyway. 2011 has been very good to me with new, old and returning favorites. I’m lucky to be a part of these Audiovoles. Without a doubt they have led to this being one my most eclectic years of music. It also leads to overlap.
F-that! Great music is great music. So here’s four older albums that I truly appreciated this year. They have a similar feel, but couldn’t be more different.
In this specific order:
1) Van Morrison – Astral Weeks: I used to argue that Moondance was better. I was wrong. This music needed to come out of the 23 year-old Morrison. Luckily, he had some great jazz musicians around him when it did.
2) Talk Talk – Laughing Stock: See Brandon’s write-up or P4K’s or anyone more eloquent than I. This album deserves so much. It wraps you up. The only reason it sits below Astral Weeks is because I never feel like dancing to it.
3) Gonzales – Solo Piano: I don’t need to be able to play it; I just want it to be the soundtrack to night…and all modes of travel.
4) Keren Ann – Not Going Anywhere: I bought it on Valentine’s Day and fittingly so. Towards the end of the album she switches over to French and you’re even more charmed than you thought you could be.
“And I’ll be satisfied not to read between the lines.”
Chris
Keren Ann – “Not Going Anywhere” (Live)
From: Brandon Hall
To: Natalie Snoyman, Sarah Braunstein, Chris Mollica
Christ, guys. You’re totally blowing our cover. We obviously look like friends who all share the same music since we keep repeating albums!
AudioVole 
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