My Thermos

It's not too often that I like a cover better than the original...

but this is one of those times:

Warren Haynes - Wasted Time

Cheers!
SB

Today's mission: Top 5 songs and/or albums from 2004

The Allman Brothers Band - One Way Out

Recorded during their Beacon Theater residency, it is a chronicle of a band that despite tragic loss and many personnel changes is still at the top of their game. The guitar duo of Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks is incendiary. For a band famous for their live performances and their classic Fillmore East recording, the bar is set pretty high. They prove here that they are more than up to the task. The version of Whipping Post here is quite possibly the strongest one I've ever heard.

Wilco - A Ghost Is Born

I have always really enjoyed this album, probably more so than Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I love how it was basically out there and available before release, yet was still a big seller as fans made good and made it official. I can't choose a standout track - this is one that should be listened to in its entirety.

 

Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush - Real Live

This was probably the biggest surprise of the year for me. I wasn't surprised that it was good - but that it was released at all. Frank Marino was off my radar until I heard a track from this on XM Radio. A quick online search and I found this outstanding collection featuring some of the most incredible guitar playing I have ever heard. We saw Frank a couple years back and the show was just stellar. Buy this, and go see Frank if you ever get the chance.

 Warren Haynes - Live at Bonnaroo

A really great set from Warren at the 2003 Bonnaroo festival. Starting off a Sunday with a great rendition of Radiohead's Lucky, he follows up with a full solo set of cool covers and Mule tunes. Sounds like a great way to have spent a Sunday morning, wish I had been there. Highlights include Glory Road, Stella Blue and a fantastic version of U2's One.

Gov't Mule - DÉJÀ VOODOO

We were in New York at the Roseland for the album release party when they did the live debut of this material. I loved it then and I love it now. My Separate Reality and New World Blues are standout tracks but the whole album is pretty strong.

Honorable Mention:
Cowboy Junkies - One Soul Now
The Finn Brothers - Everyone Is Here

Thanks Nat for reminding me of the Finn Brothers - love that one.

What did I miss?

So I did some digging and it seems that the Top 5 on Friday topic that I see over at Mini-Obs originates at The Music Memoirs, so if they don't mind I think I'll just join in on the fun and start doing this regularly.

This week's topic - Top 5 Acoustic Albums

oh - but there is a catch: Unpluggeds don't count

So here goes:

Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries

Michael is an extraordinary musician I've written about before and is truly a master of the acoustic guitar. Aerial Boundaries was the first I heard of him and it really was and continues to be an amazing experience every time I listen. I never had the chance to see him live, regrettably, before he passed in 1997 - but there is lot of material out there if you look around. If you don't have this album, buy it.

Warren Haynes - Live at Bonnaroo

It shouldn't surprise any regular reader of My Thermos to see this one here. Warren is a favorite of mine and this solo appearance in front of 80,000 at Bonnaroo is a great listen. Featuring stripped down versions of some Mule songs as well as a bunch of tasty covers including the Dead's Stella Blue, Radiohead's Lucky, Eagle's Wasted Time and U2's One - it really is a great performance. Buy this one as well.

Bob Dylan - The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Quite possibly the greatest album ever recorded. If this isn't in your collection, well, I don't even know what to say....

Billy Bragg & Wilco - Mermaid Avenue (Vol 1 & 2)

What happens when you take completed Woody Guthrie Lyrics and give them to Billy Bragg and Wilco to "collaborate" with Woody on the tunes. You get Mermaid Avenue - a mostly brilliant collection of songs. I couldn't choose between the two - neither should you.

Lyle Lovett - I Love Everybody

I know I seem to mention this album a lot but that's because it's just so amazingly brilliant. I guess this isn't 100% acoustic, but it largely is and certainly has that "feel" to it. Check the archives here for more on Lyle and this LP.

Honorable Mentions:
Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska
Adam Hood - 6th Street (EP)
Randy Newman - Sail Away
Warren Zevon - Learning to Flinch

So how did I do?

Oh - and eliminating the unpluggeds wasn't really a big deal to me. I probably would have included the Paul McCartney Unplugged Official Bootleg but otherwise I find the typical unplugged collections pretty forgettable. Never could figure out why the Clapton one was so popular.

SB