WICN Hosts: The Best of 2024

WICN Hosts: 2024 Best-Of Lists

Tom Nutile’s Top 12:

 As a lifelong reader of jazz magazines, who notes with interest their top ten lists, their five-star reviews, and who pays attention to the JazzWeek charts when planning my weekly Standard Time show on WICN, I have come to realize that all these lists mean… very little. They’re guides, at best.

Instead of adhering to someone else’s idea of what is best, I’ve focused on which recordings I take to instantly, which cuts I go back to for repeat performances on my show because YOU like them, which cuts I play over and over because they intrigue me, or warm my heart, excite me or, after a particularly difficult day, will soothe me when I collapse on the couch in front of the fireplace. In the long run, that’s far more important than someone else’s list of top recordings of the past year.

So, ironically, here I am in the position of giving you my list. Don’t take this list as gospel truth. Instead, check out some of my selections, and those of my worthy colleagues who have joined me in this endeavor. Then add in some recordings you personally like that may not be on these lists. Feel free to share your list, or any part of it that you particularly like, with me. I’m always on the lookout for great music. You can reach me at tomn@wicn.org

In no particular order:

Bria Skonberg – What It Means – Cellar Music Group

Joshua Redman with Gabrielle Cavassa – where are we – Blue Note

Charles Lloyd – The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow – Blue Note

Eric Alexander – A New Beginning: Alto Saxophone with Strings — HighNote Records

Catherine Russell and Sean Mason – My Ideal – Dot Time

The Bobby Broom Organi-Sation —  Jamalot – Steele Management

Bill Evans – Tales – Elemental Music

Dave Brubeck Quartet – Live From the Northwest 1959 – Brubeck Editions

University of Nevada Las Vegas Jazz Ensemble – Let the Good Times Roll – UNLV Records

Zacchai Curtis — Cubop Lives! – TR Collective

Somethin’ Else! featuring Vincent Herring – Soul Jazz – Smoke Sessions

Karrin Allyson – A Kiss for Brazil – Origin Records

Gary Bohan, WICN Swing-Shift Host:

Here are ten of my favorite 2024 jazz recordings (in no particular order).  I’ll play cuts from these when I fill in for Steve in December and will highlight them as being among my 2024 faves.  –Gary

Zara McFarlane, Sweet Whispers: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan

Brian Lynch, 7x7by7

Charles McPherson, Reverence

Jane Monheit, Jane Monheit

Emmet Cohen, Vibe Provider

Charles Lloyd, The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow

Elaine Elias, Time and Again

Vincent Herring, Soul Jazz

Zaccai Curtis, Cubop Lives!

Samara Joy, Portrait

Nick DiBiasio, Host of Against The Grain and World Rhythms:

1. T Bone Burnett – The Other Side
2. Nick Lowe with Los Straitjackets – Indoor Safari
3. Bonny Light Horseman – Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free
4. Secret Sisters – Mind, Man, Medicine
5. Sierra Ferrell – Trail Of Flowers
6. Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy
7. Kim Richey – Every New Beginning
8. Old 97’s – American Primitive
9. John Levanthal – Rumble Strip
10. Hayes & The Heathens (Hayes Carll & the Band of Heathens)
11. Melissa Carper – Borned In Ya
12. Willie Nelson – Last Leaf On The Tree
13. Hurray for The Riff Raff – The Past is Still Alive
14. Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson) – Passage Du Desir
15. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland

Steve Miller, Host, The Blend, Thursday noon-3p, Friday noon-2p

Top 5 2024 albums:

Miki Yamanaka, Chance

Melissa Aldana, Echoes of the Inner Prophet

Jenny Scheinman, All Species Parade

Grace Kelly with Strings, At the Movies

Lakecia Benjamin, Phoenix Reimagined

 

Music-related books I enjoyed in 2024:

Patti Smith, “Just Kids”

Claire Dederer “Monsters:  A Fan’s Dilemma”

Malcolm Gladwell, “Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon” (available only as an audiobook)

Al Dean, Host, Wednesday Standard Time

Favorite Albums of 2024

Ken Peplowsky,  Live at the Mazzrow

Amber Weeks,  A Lady with a Song: A Celebration of Nancy Wilson

Gary Urwin, Flying Colors

Bill Evans, In Norway

Rebecca Kilgore, A Little Taste: A Tribute to David Frishberg

Oscar Peterson,  City Lights

Rose Mallett,  Dreams Realized

 

Rick McCarthy, Host of The Blend, M-Wed 12p-3p 

Best Of 2024:

Sextet
Michael O’Neil Sextet – Synergy
Heavy Hitters – That’s What’s Up!
Huntertones – Motionation

Saxophone
Gregory Groover, Jr. – Lovabye
Tim Lin – Birdwatching

Organ
Brian Charette – You Don’t Know Jack!
Tony Monaco – Over and Over

New Orleans
Nation Beat- Archaic Humans

Trombone
Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra – Crescent City Jewels

Trumpet
Constantine Alexander – Firetet
Jumaane Smith – Come On Home

Drums
Jacob Wendt – A New Groove

Vibes
Behn Gillece – Stick Together

Bass
Mark Egan – Cross Currents

Vocal
Lizz Wright – Shadow
Kristin Korb – Sweet Dreams
Madeleine Peyroux – Let’s Walk

Piano
Marius Van Den Brink – New York Knock
Zachary Bartholomew – Balancing Act

Guitar
Julian Lage – Speak to Me
Thom Rotella – Side Hustle

Latin
Ron Rieder – Latin Jazz Sessions

Big Band
Danny Jonokuchi Big Band- A Decade

 

FOLK FAVORITES

Six Superb 2024 CDs from Local New England Artists

by Nick Noble

2024 has been an impressive year for new recordings from folk/folk-style/acoustic performers.  Over one hundred such CDs have arrived in my box at WICN over the past eleven-plus months, the vast majority of them quite good. I have done my best to play music from each of them on the air during that time, and listener response has been positive overall.

I was asked if I might put together a Top 10 or Top 25 list as we approach 2025, but there were so many excellent offerings—both album and EP—that I felt I couldn’t do them all justice and I might inadvertently leave out a deserving act. Still, WICN has always been supportive of local New England artists.  Almost one third of the folk CDs sent to the station in 2024 had roots in our region and they all have something to offer. Among them were six new releases that I particularly enjoyed; five from Massachusetts-based artists and one from a folk duo from New Hampshire. Without further ado, here are six of my favorites: all superb 2024 CDs from Local New England artists.

DOUBLE DOWN – Colette O’Connor  This is the fourth album from the multi-talented singer-songwriter based out of Southeastern Massachusetts. It is musical storytelling at its best, with echoes of folk, blues, Americana, and soul. Among my favorite songs are “Devil’s Star (The Ghost of Robert Johnson)”, O’Connor’s evocative “Boo Radley”, a terrific cover of Colin Meloy’s  “Shankill Butchers” (The Decemberists), and the title track—“Double Down.”  But all of the dozen tracks are excellent, the result of an effective group effort featuring Colette’s vocals and guitar stylings, creatively complimented by colleagues like drummer Greg Baker and  guitarist Wayne Ridenhour Jr.  “The Ballad of Slow Hand Willie Jeffries”  by David Jackson and Jerry Lagadec is the centerpiece of her collaborative endeavors. Colette O’Connor describes her desire to “make a tenacious album” resonating “on behalf of a history that keeps repeating lessons, examples, and cautionary tales that actually mean something.” She is absolutely right. It is a CD worth listening to.

SIGNPOSTS AND MARKS – Erin Ash Sullivan  With her second solo album, Erin Ash Sullivan confirms her award-winning reputation as an outstanding songwriter. Released in July, it reached #4 on the national folk charts during the summer. With songs like “One Time I Stole a Book”, “Goat on a Stone Wall” (#8 on the folk charts), “Rest Stop Bird”, “Eat the Pie”, and “Before You Go,” she paints fine musical portraits; sometimes pointed, sometimes passionate, sometimes poignant, sometimes profound, sometimes picturesque. The CD is superbly produced by Doug Kwartler at Hollow Body Studios (and Mr. Kwartler lends his extensive musicianship to the album by backing up Erin with a variety of instruments). Signposts and Marks is an outstanding piece of work, reflecting Sullivan’s notable gifts as both singer and songwriter. Her performing roots go back a long way. In 1998 she was teamed with Amy Speace as the New York-based folk duo Edith O and they released a critically acclaimed album: Tattooed Queen. A quarter century later, now based in Central Massachusetts, Erin Ash Sullivan is a rising star as a solo artist. Check out this album!

MAKING PROMISES – Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards  This husband-and-wife duo from Webster, Massachusetts  have a rich legacy of making music together going back two decades. Making Promises, the eighteenth (or is it the nineteenth?) album they’ve been involved with, is the best yet (and that’s saying a lot, as so many of their earlier releases are outstanding). Both Raianne and Mark are accomplished songwriters, and these most recent efforts demonstrate the maturity and sophistication of their talents. Terrific songs like “When Love Comes ‘Round Again”, “Another Day Tomorrow”, and “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” are exemplars of fine contemporary folk-style songs. The only cover on the disc—their take on “Auld Lang Syne”—is one of the best interpretations of that Scottish classic. All the songs are enhanced by beautiful harmony vocals and excellent instrumentals. Both artists are accomplished performers on multiple instruments (Raianne’s folk clarinet is not to be missed!) and they are ably abetted by Zack Ciras (upright bass), Doug Williamson (piano), and Peter Hart (pedal steel). In many ways, this is a very personal album for Mark and Raianne, while continuing to reflect their commitment to music and to the environment. After all, for a dozen years now they have led the Massachusetts Walking Tour, hiking the roads and trails of the Commonwealth, more than 100 miles in less than two weeks, each evening stopping to put on a free concert featuring local performers and fellow artists while raise awareness not only of the arts but also of the trails and greenways in Massachusetts. Their newest album, then, reflects the breadth Raianne and Mark’s varied experiences and many talents.

HOLDING THE THREADS – Beth DeSombre   The first two tracks on this CD—“Listen to the Radio” and “My Father’s Piano”—are both delightful and poignant, a reminder of just how good a storytelling songwriter Beth DeSombre is. They are also the album’s biggest hits, both featured prominently on the nationwide folk charts this past summer. Yet after its first two tracks, the songs become even deeper and richer. “Heredity”, “I Won’t Be Famous”, “Just Keep Walking”, and especially “53 Letters” with its wistful romantic reminiscence, are beautifully crafted and performed, as is the entire album.  Dr. DeSombre  (she is also the Camilla Chandler Frost  Professor of Environmental Studies at Wellesley College)  has assembled a wonderful crew supporting her original songs,  guitar skills, and lead vocals, including Tracy Grammer (harmony vocals and violin),  Lisa Bastoni (harmony vocals),  Paul Kochanski (upright bass), Doug Plavin (percussion and drums), J.J. O’Connell (drums), and the amazing Adam Rothberg  (mandolin, piano, acoustic guitar, 12-string, electric guitar, accordion, percussion, harmony vocals – and he produced the album). Holding the Threads is Beth’s sixth release in eighteen years of songwriting and recording. Listen to the first two tracks and you’ll be hooked.

GARDENS OLD, FLOWERS NEW – Tom Rush  After 63 years as a performer and with 19 albums under his belt, Tom Rush has still got it! He has said more than once that he’s written more good songs in the last five years than he ever wrote in the previous fifty-eight. Of course, he has always been a fine songwriter. His “No Regrets” was an early critical success, while his “River Song” has been one of the most requested songs by WICN folk listeners over the past eighteen years. Still, Tom initially made a name for himself singing songs by Joni Mitchell (“Circle Game”, “Urge for Going”), James Taylor (“Something in the Way She Moves”, “Sunshine, Sunshine”), and Jackson Browne (“Shadow Dream Song”). His latest release—Gardens Old, Flowers New—features nothing but originals. Two of the tracks—“Sailing” and “One More Time Around the Sun”—are ranked in the Top 20 on the national folk charts for the entire year, while the CD,  produced by his multi-talented colleague and collaborator Matt Nakoa, is currently ranked third among folk albums played for all of 2024. There are nothing but good songs on this CD. In addition to the aforementioned, tracks like “Toy Boat Song”, “It All Comes Down to Love”, “The Harbor”, “To See My Baby Smile”, “Won’t Be Back at All”, and “Siena’s Song” are together exciting, evocative, and nuanced exemplars of Tom’s seasoned songwriting skills, all created in the post-pandemic era. My favorite track is the upbeat, anthemic “Glory Road”, the only one on the album written during his pre-pandemic career. Tom Rush has remained true to his New England roots, as he now lives on Massachusett’s North Shore, not far from his Portsmouth, New Hampshire birthplace. He continues to tour extensively, hosts a weekly virtual performance series, and is still recording, obviously.  Tom firmly declares that Gardens Old, Flowers New is his best album ever. He absolutely has a point.

WHO WE ARE – Dan & Faith  The sixth CD from New Hampshire-based husband-and-wife folk duo Dan and Faith Senie is a triumph!  Although as yetr eleased for just barely a month at this writing, it has already climbed into the Top 40 on the nationwide folk chart. The album contains sixteen original songs and was produced by renowned troubadour Joe Jencks. The song with the most airplay so far is the joyous “I Want to Sing About Love”, co-written by Faith and Jencks, and is one of my favorites on the CD. I am waiting, however, for the simple duet “My Name is George” to get the recognition it deserves. A beautiful song written by Faith, it relates a powerful message of being true to oneself and the challenge of unconditional parental love. Faith wrote seven tracks on the release, including the wistfully evocative “Twilight Time in the Meadow and the lovely lullaby “Gently Sleep.”  Nine songs are Dan’s creations, touching on a wide range of subjects. I particularly like “Ghosts”, his reflection on 9/11 some two decades later; “Dig a Hole”, about striking coal miners; “Se Llama Juanita”, a co-write with Joe Jencks about immigrants seeking asylum in the United States; and “Thanks for the Memories”, recalling his friendship with Pete and Toshi Seeger. All of the songs are excellent, with lovely harmonies and wonderful instrumental work.  In addition to Faith (ukulele, acoustic bass, mountain dulcimer, lead vocals) and Dan (guitar, banjo, lead vocals), there are significant contributions from a talented team, including Tracy Grammer (fiddle), Raianne Richards (clarinet), Joe Jencks (bouzouki, backup and  harmony vocals), Christine Stay (backup and  harmony vocals), Aidan Quinn (backup and  harmony vocals), Catherine Miles (backup and  harmony vocals), Mark Dann (bass), John Kirk (fiddle), Michael G. Ronstadt (cello), and Brad Yoder (soprano saxophone,  glockenspiel). The result is something musically quite special, and it is presented in an impressively magnificent 70-page booklet that delivers lyrics and extensive background for each track, all wrapped up in Leslie Lee’s gorgeously designed package. I highly recommend the entire experience of Dan & Faith’s Who We Are.

There were many other fine releases from New England artists in 2024. These six stood out to me. The folk/folk-style/acoustic community in the region is closely interconnected, and many local performers have shared stages with each other, appeared at festivals together, and have assisted with each other’s recordings. Dozens of New England area artists have been interviewed on WICN programs or have appeared live in our Joe Zupan Memorial On-Air Studio or our Studio 50 performance hall. Please support local New England folksingers/singer-songwriters whenever you can!

 

---

Courtesy of WICN Monday Standard Time host Tom Lucci, here’s a “best of” upcoming concerts in the area for 2025!

As we always encourage WICN listeners to get out and hear live the music we play, here are some gigs that I’m excited about and can recommend as gift ideas to family and friends – or to yourself! Hope to see you at some of these…

Celebrity Series of Boston (celebrityseries.org):

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Weds. Jan. 22, Symphony Hall, Boston

Wynton’s group, the undisputed champion of big bands, returns for its annual Symphony Hall show. Always exciting and enlightening, it often sells out!

Dafnis Prieto Si-O-Si Quartet, Friday, Jan. 24, Berklee Performance Center. Cuban-born Prieto, a MacArthur Genius Fellow, is an absolute dynamo on drums. He writes music with dazzling rhythmic and melodic sophistication that flows and grooves like nothing you’ve heard before. P.S.: His 2024 album Three Sides of the Coin is a standout – but IMHO music like this is best heard live.

Celebrity Series Jazz Festival, Thursday, March 13 thru Friday, March 16, Arrow Street Arts, Cambridge (intimate performance space in the Harvard Square area). Four very interesting and diverse artists will appear; two I’m particularly excited about:

Linda May Han Oh Friday March 14 (2 shows) A powerhouse bassist, Ms. Oh blew folks away a few years ago at the Geller Jazz Concert at Clark. She records and tours with the likes of Pat Metheny and Vijay Iyer; her own music is especially compelling in person.

Brandee Younger, Sunday, March 16 (2 shows) A breakthrough artist on the jazz harp, Brandee Younger’s music is both challenging and enjoyable.

Samara Joy, Saturday, May 3, Berklee Performance Center. Samara made her area debut at age 22 in March 2022 right here at Geller Jazz. Her career of course has skyrocketed since then. Her artistry is on brilliant display on her new, #1 Portrait album. But let me tell you: live, she and her 7-piece band are on another level. General public tickets go on sale January 14. What can I say: GO!!!

Groton Hill Music (grotonhill.org) – the “died and gone to Heaven” concert venue just up 495 in Groton, MA.

Miguel Zenon and Luis Perdomo, Saturday, January 11. L’arte del Bolero is unspeakably beautiful music from Latin America, and it is passionately performed by the duo of master musicians Zenon (alto saxophone) and Perdomo (piano).

John Pizzarelli Swing Seven: Dear. Mr. Sinatra, Friday, February 21. Mr. Pizzarelli needs no introduction to our WICN audience! With an expanded band, this evening of Sinatra tunes promises to be an exceptional treat.

Meshell Ndgeocello, Saturday, March 22. Fresh off her main-stage set at Newport Jazz last summer, we eagerly await “what’s next” from this eclectic, electric, passionate, musical crusader.

Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Marcus Gilmore Friday, April 18. A superstar trio comes to our area, sure to be worth the trip.

Shows at Scullers Jazz Club (scullersjazz.com), Boston

Tierney Sutton, Friday, January 11

Tim Ray February 1

Jeremy Pelt February 15

Regattabar (regattabarjazz.com), Cambridge

Bill Charlap Trio, January 24-25

Sachal Vasandani (very original vocalist) February 21

Ron Carter Trio. March 7-8

Yoko Miwa April 11. (Yoko also continues her residency at The Mad Monkfish in Central Square Cambridge all other Fridays)

Of course, you can stay right in the Woo and support your favorite station by attending the Spring season of Club 321 at Mechanics Hall on February 20, March 20, April 3, and May 8 and the WICN Brian Barlow Concert Series Presented by Westboro Toyota, next happening on April 4 (details to come). Follow wicn.org/events

And don’t forget The Granddaddy of Them All: Newport Jazz Festival (newportjazz.org) Friday August 1 thru Sunday August 3! All three days of the Festival sold out well in advance last year (Saturday tickets by two months), so make plans early! Stay tuned to WICN; we expect to have another bus trip opportunity in 2025.