It's that time! Time to reflect on all the
fun had in the previous year. 2016 was full of challenges, heartbreak, and
uncertainty, but we had a lot of fun, too! Here's the best (of what I could
actually remember) to come out of this year.
Favorite Albums/Shows of 2016:
·
Bruce Katz
– Out from the Center: Katz is one of the top five of musicians touring
today. His latest album is even more accessible to everyone, but still keeps that
funky Katz flair. Putting more emphasis on Chris Vitarello’s guitar work [the
album is officially titled: Out from the Center (Featuring Chris Vitarello)]
the band’s 2016 release beautifully blends their talents into a collection of
songs that will keep your toes tapping and your ears interested.
·
Bonnie
Raitt – Dig in Deep: With a career that spans five decades, Bonnie Raitt
is one of the legends. Her 2016 release keeps her in the game. Fresh new album,
same great Bonnie. She’s still out there touring, in fact, she was in Lincoln
this fall and I’m so glad I went. While her voice is aging, the show lacked none of the talent, soul, and excitement
that I expect from Bonnie.
·
Buddy Guy
– Born to Play Guitar: 80 years old, began performing in the 50s, and
put out his 17th solo studio album in 2016. Need I say more?
·
Davina
& The Vagabonds – Nicollet and Tenth: I love a live album. It’s the
next best thing to being there. This is especially true of DATV’s latest
release because of all the wonderful covers that are such a big part of who
they are. Nicollet and Tenth features unique takes on Sowers’s originals, but
also includes the ragtime and Louisiana favorites that we enjoy at live shows. Spending
our 15th wedding anniversary with them in Des Moines was definitely a bright
spot in 2016.
·
Gov’t Mule
– Tel Star Sessions: A 2016 release of 1994 music. Not everyone can get
away with releasing old “crap” that was never meant to see the light of day,
but these cats can. Having lost their original bass player, Allen Woody, old
school fans enjoy hearing music from the early years when the band was a power
trio, fresh out of The Allman Brothers Band. The really fun part of this album
is hearing early takes on familiar songs. Even better, “The Same Thing” has
never been recorded at all, so us die-hard Mule fans have a new/old studio
track to get into.
·
Kris Lager
Band – Rise & Shine: Kris and the guys continue to grow with this album. I
love the edgy direction they’ve been going. I’m looking forward to hearing
these songs jammed out live.
·
Mad Dog
& The 20-20s – EP: The world needs more ska. Period. And these cats do it
right. They tore up a packed house
during Lincoln Calling. I think the local scene is paying attention.
·
Marcus
King Band – Marcus King Band: This is the best “new” band out there.
While Marcus King has been on the scene for a while, he grew nationally in
2016. I had the opportunity to see them at Knuckleheads in Kansas City, and it
was totally worth the drive. A legitimate guitar slinger, with a voice like Ray
LaMontagne, King bring more soul than his age suggests. Both Marcus King
Band and the first album Soul Insight are diverse, interesting, and
lyrically intelligent. I can’t get enough. But don’t take my word for it…
Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks each lend their guitar to a track on MKB
and Haynes produced the album.
·
Mavis
Staples – Livin’ on a High Note: Mavis brings it again. And thank
goodness. What the world needs now is more Mavis.
·
Mike Zito
– Make Blues Not War: Zito is always making us feel better with his
blues. His latest release does not deter from the mission. Quintessentially
Zito, Make Blues Not War seamlessly combines blues and rock into fun, danceable,
even thoughtful at times, music.
·
Tedeschi
Trucks Band: Let Me Get By made my 2016. By far this band’s best effort
yet, Let Me Get By ventures out musically, offers even more
thought-provoking lyrics, and better showcases the talents of its members. Trucks’s
guitar, Tedeschi and Mattison’s vocals, and more prominently featured horns
make their 2016 album the one that should
have won the Grammy.
I had the great fortune of seeing
this tour on two separate nights in the spring and the Wheels of Soul Tour at
Red Rocks this year. I can’t wait for their next live album. It sounds like it’s
right around the corner. http://www.jambase.com/article/tedeschi-trucks-band-prepping-new-live-album-studio-album
·
Tinsley
Ellis – Red Clay Soul: Tinsley is one of the most creative songwriters I
know. Having released an album a year for the last four years, he still manages
to make them interesting, exciting, thoughtful, and fun. Red Clay Soul
is good, solid Tinsley; I can’t get enough of “All I Think About.” We were
lucky in Lincoln to get to see him three times this year at The Zoo Bar!
Other 2016 Highlights:
·
Lincoln
Calling: I had a blast at this festival. I discovered so many great local and
touring artists outside of what I normally play, listen to. I love all music and it was soothing for my
soul to experience new music and revisit genres I hadn’t explored in a while.
·
ZooFest:
This is always one of my favorite weekends of the year. New experiences (Lee
Fields & The Expressions, The Mighty Jailbreakers), old favorites (Mike
Zito, Dale Watson), and all the friends you could want to drink, dance, and get
sunburned with.
·
Two trips
to Red Rocks: We saw Tedeschi Trucks Band on August 5th and Gov’t Mule on
August 25th. It was a good month.
·
Dale
Watson’s Chicken Shit Bingo: I got to play and didn’t have to drive to Austin!
(Though I would love to go to Austin…)
In case you’re curious, it was a borrowed chicken, and yes, it pooped freely.
·
EKB 12-8-16:
I had Mike Zito live in the studio, a pre-recorded phoner with Samantha Fish to
air, Josh Hoyer live in the studio to talk about the Nebraska Funk & Soul
Alliance, and at the last minute, I added a live phoner with Kelley Hunt. What
a whirlwind day!
·
Blues
Blowout this year was extra special with Blues Bits and the event with Sister
Sparrow & The Dirty Birds. I had a great time with them live on my show,
and I danced my face off that night at The Zoo. Thanks to all who support the
blues on KZUM. We’ve really got something special here. And on that note…
·
Perhaps
the biggest event of the year, for me, came at the very beginning of 2016. In
2015, fellow blues programmers and the Omaha Blues Society put together a
nomination package that earned our station a Keeping the Blues Alive Award from The
Blues Foundation. A huge national honor, we were immensely grateful and humbled
by the award. The best part? Tuesday Bluesday guy let me tag along to Memphis
with him to pick up the award at a special brunch held during the International
Blues Challenge (IBC).
The IBC was basically blues camp. People
from around the world chatted, boogied, and made connections to each other, the
music, and the magic of Beale Street. We cheered on crowd favorite and hometown
hero Hector Anchondo all the way to the finals, and were so proud he
represented Nebraska in the Top 8. Together, we definitely increased awareness
of the good life.
Thank you for reading. What a year! I plan to expand on most (if not
all) of these events in the coming weeks, so check back. There are great
stories to be had in all of them.
