In spite of it all, there were actually some *good* things to celebrate in 2020, especially when it came to music. As I wrap up another year of All-Wheel Drive and get set to say sayonara to the past year, let’s highlight some of the great tunes that made my year (and hopefully yours as well) just a wee bit better.
Everybody’s Coming To My House (Live)/David Byrne’s American Utopia On Broadway Back in January (pre-COVID!) I saw this show live on Broadway in NYC — such an amazing experience. Then Spike Lee released a film version of the Broadway production in October — a fantastic film that actually captures the frenetic fun and inspiring message of the live show.
Da Da Da/Trio
Bizarre Love Triangle/New Order
Cold Hard Truth/Turn Turn Turn One of my favorite Minnesota album releases of the year, ‘Can’t Go Back,’ from stellar musicians Adam Levy, Savannah Smith & Barb Brynstad. Plus I had the good fortune of producing a livestream performance with them from The Parkway Theater in Minneapolis.
In My Arms/Teddy Thompson
A Thing Called Love/Glen Campbell
Kindness/Brianna Kocka Brianna released this song a couple of years ago, but it’s one of my faves to spin with a message that’s especially important in these challenging times.
Just Breathe (w. Lukas Nelson)/Willie Nelson ‘Nuff said, am I right?
Real Long Distance/Josh Ritter
Bad Trip/The Key Kids Another favorite Minnesota album release, aptly titled ‘Townie’ — cuz The Key Kids (Madelyn Hartke and Charley Markson) hail from the 55057!
I Know I Know I Know/Tegan & Sara
Live Learn/The California Honeydrops
Juice/Lizzo Is there anything this woman can’t do? A song that kept me dancing all year long.
Never Follow Suit/The Radio Dept.
When I Was A Writer/Matt Wilson & His Orchestra The debut album from this incredible ensemble came out in March. Definitely one of my favorite albums of 2020. Oh, and they also just happen to hail from Minnesota.
The Moon and The Stars/John Mark Nelson
It’s Only Dancing/jeremy messersmith
Feel It All Around/Washed Out
People, I’ve Been Sad/Christine & The Queens J’adore Christine & The Queens! This is from the 2020 EP release, ‘La vita nuova,’ and another song that really hit home in this devastating year.
Play Myself Some Music/R. Stevie Moore
Every Heart Needs A Companion/Matt Latterell & the P-Cool Draculas From my very favorite album (also from some v-cool Minnesota musicians) of 2018 — and I still spin it on the regular.
Terrified/Mark Mallman Guessing this doesn’t need much explanation, but I’ll add that Mark Mallman has found a way to bring a lot of light to this very dark year.
In This City/Lydia Liza ‘Of Unsound Mind’ was released in 2019 but I honestly didn’t get my hands on it until this year. So darn good. (No coincidence, another amazing Minnesota musician).
Love You Inside Out/The Bee Gees Those harmonies! That disco beat! That perfectly coiffed hair! Need I say more?!? Listening to The Brothers Gibb brings me endless joy.
Shadow Dancing/Andy Gibb I really enjoyed the 2020 documentary about The Bee Gees, ‘How Deep Is Your Love,’ which also pays homage to fourth brother, Andy — and I was obsessed with this song in 8th grade!
Rhythm Guitar/Ben Vaughn
Smash This World/Papas Fritas
Awkward/San Cisco
Make Room/Sarah Morris And another Minnesota musician makes my year’s best list! No surprise, of course; Sarah is such an insightful songwriter and lovely singer — and this song, while technically a ‘Christmas’ song, has a message that’s important 365 days of the year.
Try Me/James Brown
I Just Want To Make Love To You/Etta James
Lean On Me/Bill Withers Hard to believe that Bill Withers passed away in March, just when this crazy year was just starting to get crazy. Only one of many legendary musicians who passed away this year and I am grateful for their music which continues to live on. Plus it’s another great song & important message in these hard times.
Call Me/Me’Shell Ndegeocello
Prom/SZA
Nazareth/The Staves I was so excited to learn that The Staves were working on a new album! Entitled ‘Good Woman,’ it won’t be released until February 2021 but it’s great to have this sneak-peek single until then.
Would You Rather/Phoebe Bridgers A favorite of many and it’s exciting to see her get some much-deserved credit with a Best New Artist Grammy nod.
Run Run Run/Molly Maher and Her Disbelievers More great Minnesota music! Molly’s latest album release, ‘Follow,’ is definitely on my best-of list. An album that transcends (and transports) the listener. Fantastically produced too.
El Picador/Calexico
Father Mountain/Iron & Wine and Calexico
Hanging From The Earth/The Pines
Wrecking Ball/Lissie A definite highlight to 2020 was being able to produce not one, but TWO livestream performances with Lissie and her band from The Parkway Theater in Minneapolis. Such a great soul and amazing singer. Lissie also released a sweet EP of cover tunes, ‘Thank You To The Flowers,” which includes this beautiful rendition of the Miley Cyrus hit.
Julianna Calm Down/The Chicks The Chicks are back and better than ever! (And with a new & improved moniker.) Their ‘Gaslighter’ album release is incredible. So powerful and devastatingly important.
Thunderlove/Ryan and Pony This Minnesota indie pop/rock (and husband & wife) duo released a kick-a** new album, ‘Moshi Moshi.’ Chockful of tasty tunes!
I Wanna Be Sedated/The Ramones 2020 24 hours to go…..!
Let It Be/The Beatles Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of the final album (released) from the Fab Four. (Not to be a stickler, but ‘Abbey Road’ was actually recorded after ‘Let It Be’, but released before. Gotta stay on top of this music trivia!) Fifty years? How can it be?? Can’t wait to see the Peter Jackson directed documentary ‘Get Back!,’ created from the legendary ‘Let It Be’ sessions, coming out next year.
What Is Life/George Harrison ‘All Things Must Pass’ is one of my all-time faves (I even have my dad’s original vinyl) — also released fifty years ago in 1970. The message behind his songs really resonated deeply this year.
Me Voy a Pinar del Rio/The Mavericks ‘En Espagnol’ is one of my favorite albums of the year — and why play only one song when I can spin four in a row??!? Try not to start swaying your hips when spinning this album. I dare you.
Poder Vivir/The Mavericks
Mujer/The Mavericks
Suspiro Azul/The Mavericks
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve/The Head & The Heart
Auld Lang Syne/Andrew Bird
New Year’s Resolution/Camera Obscura
And A Happy New Year/Mikey Wax
Happy New Year and as always, thanks so much for tuning in and supporting All-Wheel Drive this past year. Cheers!
