Sue has offered us up a list of her all-time favourite albums...
SUE'S LIST
A list of favourites is no easy task - there are just too many to list. I could go on and on, and almost did, but have whittled my list down to a baker's dozen of favourites. Between the three of us, there are not suprisingly duplicates of bands, so suffice to say that a number of Caroline's and Kerri's choices are also on my bigger list, and here I will add some new names in alphabetical order.
Andrew Bird - Most of Andrew's records appear regularly on the turntable at home, but I'm going to single out Armchair Apochrypha. It's a great example of Andrew's talents - interesting lyrics, melodies, production, and a healthy amount variation throughout the songs, his smooth voice the icing on the cake. Oh, and did I mention he plays just about everything? This is a brilliant man.
The Beatles - I am 100% confident that I am not alone in the world with this pick, and though it seems like too obvious a selection, I must include them. Sunday morning coffee, breakfast, Abbey Road and Revolver - nothing beats it!
Carsie Blanton - Carsie was one of my favourite discoveries of 2010, at a venue in New York City. The production on the album is quite different from the live show, which is a very effective guitar and upright bass duo. Her lyrics on the album Buoy are wonderful and what caught my ear most. Carsie herself is absolutely charming, and I hope she tours north of the border soon.
Califone - I have been listening to this band for the last ten years, and the album I enjoy most is Roomsound. I love the guitar style, the gritty vocals, the production and the use of found objects for percussion.
Corb Lund - Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier! Fantastic album! Personally, I enjoy a really well executed album with a specific theme. Corb is so much fun to see live, and this is a favourite album listen to at home and on the road.
Death Cab For Cutie/The Postal Service - This entry is mainly a nod to Ben Gibbard, who I think is a great lyricist and has influenced my own writing. I will admit that I haven't listened to much lately, but love to listen to songs like Passenger Seat now and then.
Django Reinhardt - I picked up Django's Anthology about a year ago and I LOVE disc one. I have been a fan of Django's style for a number of years now, and still hope to learn it soon. It's so playful, and naturally, I think it works really well on his version of "Sweet Sue" ;)
Edith Piaf - Last June I found a colection of Edith Piaf's records in a used vinyl bin. After a cleaning, they play fairly nicely, and when I need some soothing music while working at home, these are up at the top of my list.
Fleet Foxes - The self-titled album is great, and as a lover of harmony, I can't get enough of their arrangements. White Winter Hymnal in particular gets heavy play on my iPod.
Idaho - I fell in love with this band when they appeared on a mixed tape given to me in 2001. Various songs from the albums Alas, Hearts of Palm, Levitate and Three Sheets To The Wind have been played many times, and made it on to many "mixed tapes" I have made since. The music is dreamy/ethereal and moody, and we used this band as a model for the song Detroit on my solo album, 87 Miles - it remains one of my favourite tracks we recorded.
Old Man Luedecke - Few things make me instantly happier than listening to Luedecke's albums. The song "Proof Of Love" off the album of the same name is delightful, and proof of Luedecke's proficiency as a lyricist. I will happily dance a little jiggle to this tune any day of the week.
Royal Wood - I was introduced to Royal's music five or six years ago and quickly fell head over heels for his album A Good Enough Day. Great songwriting, and always gets play at home and on the road.
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - There was a time when I listened mostly to indie and punk, and The Tyranny Of Distance remains on my playlists as my favourite of Ted Leo's albums (Timorous Me, my favourite track).
