As 2006 comes to a close, I just realized that when January rolls around I will be celebrating 14 years of Saturday afternoons on KEXP and also celebrating hitting that milestone of 40. KEXP has taken me from my mid-twenties - my first show was the day before my 26th birthday, all the way through my thirties (Troy, being 30 really doesn’t suck THAT much), and now into the next decade. I can’t believe it’s already that time of the year to put together another top ten list — 2006 has zipped by in record speed (and I don’t mean 33RPM). My Top Ten for 2006 is a mixed bag:

The Decemberists - The Crane Wife (Capitol)
Sufjan Stevens - The Avalanche (Asthmatic Kitty)
The Transmissionary Six - Radar (Roslyn): Infrared (MP3)
Bryan Harvey - Remember Me Well 1956-2006 (Plan 9 Music)
Mojave 3 - Puzzles Like You (4AD)
Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3 - …tick…tick…tick (Down There / Red Eye)
Alejandro Escovedo - The Boxing Mirror (Back Porch)
Deadstring Brothers - Starving Winter Report (Bloodshot)
Tarkio - Omnibus (Kill Rock Stars)
Midlake - The Trails of Van Occupanther (Bella Union)

Sufjan Steven’s The Avalanche features outtakes from the Illinois album, which topped my list for 2005. As a native Illinoisan I really enjoyed hearing Mr. Steven’s sing about Pittsfield and my hometown of Springfield. Portland’s Decemberists are now on a major label but that hasn’t changed their sound. The Crane Wife only gets better with repeated plays. Also making my list is Colin Meloy’s early band, Tarkio. Omnibus (Tristan and Iseult MP3) is a two CD release featuring recordings from 1996 to 1999 when Colin was majoring in English at the University of Montana in Missoula. With a stripped down alt-country feel, you can definitely hear the genesis of The Decemberist’s sound. One of the best in-studios I saw this year was Steve Wynn, that man can play guitar. His latest release, …tick…tick…tick (Freak Star MP3) is reminiscent of the guitar drenched sound of The Dream Syndicate. Midlake makes new music that sounds old, but not dated, think Fleetwood Mac meets Radiohead. They are one of those bands that when I would play a track on my show the phone would light up.

As the days count down and times runs out for grabbing gifts, here are a couple of suggestions for the music geek in your life:

XTC Action figures! Yes, you read that right, XTC has commissioned a set of collector figures in a very limited edition of 200 sets. The metal figures are made by Irregular Miniatures, a company specializing in tin solider figures.

Series No. 1 features Andy, Colin, Barry and Terry circa 1978 White Music. Imagine XTC faces the great armies of the ages. Who will prevail — soldiers and weapons or XTC and their instruments?

If you have a Neutral Milk Hotel fan on your list you are in luck. While Jeff Mangum hasn’t been recording lately, he has completed a limited series of weird collage Fender acoustic guitars. Truly a one-of-a-kind piece of playable art.

And finally, Joseph Arthur has released a limited edition book of original art titled “We Almost Made It” which also includes a CD of instrumental compositions. The book is limited to 5,000 copies.

I hope that you have a good holiday season and wonderful New Year. Here’s to 2007 and the music that it holds!

This month’s Audioasis Live Remote Broadcast and Benefit Show at High Dive features an awesome lineup and benefits Communities In Schools of Seattle. DJs John Richards, Abe Beeson, Sean Nelson and Lisa Wood are set to rock High Dive this Saturday (Dec 2) with Ms. Led, Unnatural Helpers, Coconut Coolouts, Iceage Cobra and Vindaloo!

Live Broadcast performances:
6:30 Ms. Led - live on KEXP (Afternoon in Central Park - MP3)
8:00 Unnatural Helpers - live on KEXP (Cardboard Swords - MP3)

Showcase:
10:00 Coconut Coolouts (Coconut Weekend - MP3)
11:00 Iceage Cobra
12:00 Vindaloo (FTWN at 40 Below - MP3)

Doors: 5:00 Show: 6:00 Age: 21+

Tickets for the entire night are only $6 with all proceeds to benefit Communities In Schools of Seattle. Tickets available now at Brown Paper Tickets.

High Dive is located at 513 N. 36th in Fremont. See you there!

Every Monday-Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent musicians that KEXP DJs think listeners should hear, along with songs from more well-known artists.

Today’s featured selection is from Songs from the Year of Our Demise by Jon Auer…

Jon Auer - Six Feet Under Love (MP3)

Listen to an exclusive in-studio performance from 8/19/06 - (WMA, Real) and watch a performance of ‘Six Feet Under’ from the in-studio here.

Catch Jon Auer Central Services and Collapsichord at the Croc on December 13. Learn more about podcasting and subscribe now.

2006. Contrary to some peoples belief (if peoples is a word), music can STILL be groundbreaking. For me, 2006 proved it through and through. Blindsided by the overwhelming amount of bands emerging from the Brooklyn scene (Slowlands, the Mugs, Aeroplane Pageant, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, to name a few) as well as other newbie’s from across the nation like Dr. Dog, Ladyhawk, White Whale, Kelley Stoltz, The Rosewood Thieves and the Little Ones, I believe that there is a shift in meaningful music once again. The local hip-hop scene grew out of it’s own pants, the decibel festival was a great success, and independent music is finding more and more outlets as time goes on. Hopeful for the future of music with integrity for the first time in a long time!! (That statement actually doesn’t make sense if you think about it, but it sounded good in my head.)

Here is my best of 2006:

1. Thom Yorke – The Eraser (XL)
I know, I know, obvious right? I guess I could have lied and put some creative, very obscure and amazing release at #1. Well, although not obscure, it is most definitely creative and amazing. And I’m not going to lie. Harrowdown Hill is one of the most beautiful and darkest songs I have heard in a long long time.

2. Trentemoller – The Last Resort (Poker Flat Recordings)
Minimal electronic rhythm patterns and lush soundscapes have never sounded more soothing and beautiful from this Denmark DJ.

Trentemoller - Pretender (MP3)

3. Comets on Fire – Avatar (Sub Pop)
I love when you hear an album and know that it is classic. Hard album to explain, and it’s hard to sound smart explaining it. Probably because it is what it is, and you don’t need to.

Comets on Fire - Dogwood Rust (MP3)

4. Extra Golden – Ok-Oyot System (Thrill Jockey)
Indie rock meets World beat? Two members of the band Weird War visit Nairobi, meet Kenyan musician Otieno Jagwasi, and create one of the years most interesting and unconventional albums of 2006. It’s sad that Jagwasi passed away before the album’s release, but at least he left this behind.

4a. Kelley Stoltz – Below the Branches (Sub Pop)
Transcending the spirit of artists like Lou Reed and Brian Wilson may seem like an odd coupling, but a gorgeous one at that. Meticulous songwriting that sounds effortless.

5. The Hidden Cameras – Awoo (Arts & Crafts)
I’ve heard people say that certain melodies and notes can unlock ancient feelings and emotions. This band does that for me, almost every song. Pop brilliance with the strongest baritone in recent memory.

The Hidden Cameras - Awoo (MP3)

6. Brightblack Morning Light – Brightblack Morning Light (Matador)
Soothing hushed vocals over an organic soundscape that allows the listener to mentally transport themselves to a place of peace. Sounds deep? It is, and I’m surprised I came up with that. That’s how good it is.

7. Slowlands – Never Was There a Town (self-released)
Dreamy and Ethereal are two words that come to mind when I think of Slowlands. The innocence in Josh Kolenik’s vocals draws me into their sweetly crafted melodies.

Slowlands - Listeners Dilemma (MP3)

8. The Lights – Diamonds and Dirt (Wantage)
One cup of Gang of Four. Two scoops of Dream Syndicate. A tablespoon of punk rock and a sh*t load of awesomeness = The Lights. And some may say opening your album with a cover song is cheeky, I say it’s ballsy.

The Lights - Setting Sun (MP3)

9. Slumber Party – Musik (Kill Rock Stars)
Beat machines and smooth female vocals. What else do ya need but minimal atmospherics and synthesized tones? Well they got that too. Even with some critical praise and an underground following, I still feel these girls are one of the most underrated bands out there today.

Slumber Party - 10-9-8-7-6-5-4 (MP3)

10. Asobi Seksu – Citrus (Friendly Fire)
This album sounds like it’s from somewhere else. As in, not Earth. Heavy on the reverb and echo, wall of sound guitars and great melodies, Asobi Seksu will actually make you gaze at your shoes. That was my shoegazer joke, and it wasn’t that funny.

Asobi Seksu - New Years (MP3)

– Troy Nelson

“The debut album from British multi-instrumentalist Nathan J. Whitey was released last year in England, but is just now being released in the U.S. It’s a promising set of sinister electro-rock combining buzzing dance grooves with Whitey’s dark lyrics.” - Don Yates

The Light at the End of the Tunnel is a Train is available now. Check out the video for ‘Non Stop’ and stream a couple songs at Whitey’s MySpace page.

Learn more about Whitey and get info on the current U.S. tour.

Every Monday-Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent musicians that KEXP DJs think listeners should hear, along with songs from more well-known artists.

Today’s featured selection is from the debut self-titled EP from Fleet Foxes…

Fleet Foxes - In the Hot Hot Rays (MP3)

Catch Fleet Foxes with The Village Green and Tall Birds at the Vera Project this Friday (Dec 1). Learn more about podcasting and subscribe now.

Hey… it’s Jo. I’m one of the fill in DJs here at KEXP. One of the hardest things for me is coming up with my Top 10 or Top 20 or Top whatever list at the end of each year. I have an ongoing envy of John and his lists that he keeps updated all the time. Every time I see those in his daily email I think, I really should do that. But, here we are, another year nearly over and once again I am swearing that will be one of my new years resolutions (again). Yay me, very impressive. But for me, a top album list is virtually impossible anyway because I hardly ever listen to anything the whole way through. I’m always midway through a song thinking, OH, that makes me want to hear ________. That’s sort of how my radio show works too. So instead of a top album list, here are the songs that in the future will remind me of 2006:

1. Silversun pickups – Lazy Eye
2. Michael Franti and Spearhead – One Step Closer to You
3. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Mercy (recorded live at the triple door)
4. NOFX – Seeing Double at the Triple Rock
5. Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins – Handle With Care
6. Mountain Goats – Woke Up New
7. Transmissionary Six – Pod Bay Doors
8. Ghostland Observatory – Piano Man
9. The Roots – Don’t Feel Right
10. Belle & Sebastian – Another Sunny Day
11. The Ettes – It Ain’t you
12. Thee Emergency – Girl, You Should Have Known
13. Gothic Archies – Walking My Gargoyle
14. The Gossip – Yr Mangled Heart
15. The Ettes – Begging
16. Mason Jennings – If You Ain’t Got Love
17. The Boy Least Likely To – I’m Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon to Your Star
18. Two Gallants – Steady Rollin’
19. Band of Horses – The Funeral (MP3)
20. Clearlake – It’s Getting Light Outside

I’m not even 100% sure that all of these were 2006 (I didn’t check dates when I was making this list, I’m remembering the first time I fell in love with each of these songs), and since it’s still the end of November, there are probably still a few more that I’ll add before the year is up. Right now, I’m listening to the bright eyes rarities cd, noise floor, and I’m thinking a couple of these are going to end up on my favorites list by the end of the year. I have the biggest musical crush on Conor Oberst. So that’s the list. Happy Thanksgiving, happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever your pleasure is, happy new year, and thanks for listening and being a member of KEXP. we couldn’t do this without you.

xo
jo

“This Seattle band formed out of the ashes of Midnight Triton, a promising local trio that was cut short by the suicide of band member Todd Kennemer. Bandmates Jeremy McDermott and Mike Lane recruited Ryan Fitts to help them carry on under the new moniker of Coho, debuting with this promising outing of atmospheric , emotional indie-rock.” - Don Yates

Things Change is out now. Download a few songs from the new record…

I Will Disappear - (MP3)
UFO - (MP3)
Said and Done - (MP3)

Learn more about Coho and catch them at the Croc on Thursday, December 7.

Every Monday-Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent musicians that KEXP DJs think listeners should hear, along with songs from more well-known artists.

Today’s featured selection is from the debut Sing Song EP by The Little Ones…

The Little Ones - Oh, MJ! (MP3)

Listen to an exclusive in-studio performance from 7/29/06 - (WMA, Real)

Catch The Little Ones live on KEXP this Thursday (Nov 30) at 2pm, and later that night with Small Sins at Neumos. Learn more about podcasting and subscribe now.

Music ignores national and idealistic boundaries. It goes right inside of us and makes a home there — each home a little different than the one next door. It helps us mark our time on the planet. It comes right along on our journey.With jazz, we get both evolution and revolution. Though, as my friend Paul Harding says, evolution doesn’t take quite as much courage.

There are plenty of good examples of both among my favorite recordings and concerts in 2006. Also, given that the further down the road one gets, the more tempting it is to look back instead of forward, there are plenty of great jazz reissues to mention in a year-end recap. We’ll get to them.

Pianist Jason Moran’s new release (Jason Moran and Band Wagon - Artist in Residence, Blue Note Records) continues to exemplify the healthy progression of vibrant musical form. Moran brings the jazz tradition face to face with popular culture, mixing in found-sound recordings with a savvy awareness of business world in which his music is cast. His new CD and his recent Seattle concert at the Triple Door certify his personal journey as one to watch.

Vietnamese guitarist Nguyen Le also turned in a stunning Seattle appearance this fall. Le’s recent recordings cover a wide breadth of musical possibilities, from almost-traditional Vietnamese musical duets with vocalist Huang Than to a slamming collection of Jimi Hendrix covers (Purple, ACT Records) with Terri-Lynn Carrington and Meshell N’Degeocello. Covering the rich middle ground between those musical poles are two CDs, also on the ACT label, called Tiger’s Tail and Tales from Vietnam. They’re all good.

Perhaps the most notable label-wide campaign to advance the art form of jazz, is the Blue Series Continuum on Thirsty Ear Records. Curated by New York (East-Village) pianist Matthew Shipp, the Blue Series represents jazz in the present and future tense. It brings progressive (and aggressive) artists from the fringes of pop, like Antipop Consortium, Springheel Jack, and Vernon Reid, together with producers such as DJ Logic, EL-P, and DJ Spooky, and avant-jazz greats William Parker. Craig Taborn, Mat Mareri, and others. The result is a body of contemporary work that will shine as brightly in retrospect - 20 years from now — as it does now.

Of the notable reissues this past year (but actually released in 2005), the one that made the biggest splash (deservedly) was the recently “discovered” tape of The Thelonious Monk Quartet, live with John Coltrane in a Carnegie Hall performance from 1957, on Blue Note records. Though the world of jazz is plagued by the relentless repackaging and reissuing of classic recordings, it is rare that “new” old recording like this comes along. And, given what we now know about what we know, it is kind of fascinating to go back and hear a live date like this, from a time when giants (who didn’t yet know that they were going to be giants) roamed the earth.

Speaking of reissues: since the noted TV producer Norman Lear bought into the Concord Jazz label, a house that had already assimilated many classic recordings from the Fantasy, Prestige, Mercury, and Riverside labels, among others, Concord has issued a huge volume of classic, off-the-beaten-path jazz gems. Most notable, in my mind, of these are various small-group settings of the pianist Red Garland, especially his trios. Garland’s soulful statement of the melody, using tight, two-handed, chord statements, rather than single-note runs with his right hand over a left-hand chord bed, show him to be a remarkably understated leader in jazz, rather than a mere side-man to the greats. I believe there are three recent Best of Red Garland CD’s recently issues on Concord Records.

The enigmatic and subtly slammin’ bassist Meshell N’Degeocello released a good one earlier this year. Meshell N’Degeocello Dance of the Infidels on Shanachie records, brings the almost quiet, low-end power of Meshell’s bass with jazz legends like the drummer Jack DeJohnette, saxophonist Oliver Lake, and clarinetist Don Byron. Its mixes with understated instrumental elements, like the banjo of Brandon Ross and harmonica of Gregoire Moret, are more successful to my ears than the vocal tracks, but the general flavor of the record points an interesting direction for the music.

Also new and notable:

Branford Marsalis - Braggtown (Marsalis Music)
Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra - Boulevard de Independence (Nonesuch)
Ali Farke Toure - Savanne (Nonesuch)
Kahil El’Zabar’s Ritual Trio - Big M (Delmark)
Rudresh Mahanthappa - Codebook (PI Recordings)

I am sure there are many more. I’m so old, I’ve already forgotten more than some people have learned. Tune in to Jazz Theater some Sunday night at midnight, to pick up on some of the new releases, or catch it any time at the Streaming Archive. This ain’t your parents’ jazz music.