TJ Music’s Best of 2017

Posted by TJ Staff on December 28, 2017 at 8:38 am

Another year of great music is in the books. TJ’s best of 2017 celebrates the work of artists we love, ranging from country legends to impressive newcomers. Thank you to all of our TJ family, who contributed their time, taste and support and representing who we are as a publication. As we look forward to what 2018 will bring, we close the year highlighting some of the best music of we heard this past year.

Editor’s Top 10

By Courtney S. Lennon

1. For You To See The Stars – Radney Foster (album: Devil’s River Records | book: River’s Edge Media)
“[Foster’s] latest release, For You To See The Stars, is both an album and a book. The two versions work in concert, telling the same narrative in two different forms. The instructions are simple: read the short story, then, listen to the song that it is based on. Although both stand on their own, following the intended sequence reveals the uniqueness and inventiveness behind the project. As a listener, one is able to better understand the depth of each song by reading the correlating prose. For You To See The Stars lends insight into Foster’s process as a writer and who he truly is as an artist. ”

“Radney Foster: The Storyteller of Del Rio,” Oct. 2017 feature

2. From A Room: Volume 1, From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton (Mercury Records)

3. Close Ties – Rodney Crowell (New West)

“The song “It Ain’t Over Yet” (feat. Rosanne Cash and John Paul White), one that is hard to listen to without feeling the deep emotion that Crowell so honestly penned. It is a moving goodbye, to two of his closest friends [Guy and Susanna Clark], who were there with him as he set out on the path to become the master he is today.”

Rodney Crowell: Close Ties & Last Goodbyes Sept. 2017 feature

4. I Am Nice – Sammy Brue (New West)
“He has a confidence and easiness beyond his years. For most of I Am Nice, Brue sings with a shaky tenor and a sometimes angry growl that he didn’t have on his first EP, I Don’t Want You To Leave. Having re-recorded some of the songs from the EP on I Am Nice, it’s easy to hear the difference. His voice, no longer as high pitched and worlds different from when he started out six years ago.”

“The Evolution of Sammy Brue,” July 2017 feature

5. Prayer For Peace – North Mississippi Allstars (Legacy Recordings)

6. So You Wanna Be An Outlaw – Steve Earle & The Dukes (Warner Bros.)

7. Colter Wall – Colter Wall (Young Mary’s Record Co.)

8. Dale & Ray – Dale Watson and Ray Benson (Ameripolitan/Home Records)
“On [Watson’s] last album, which was a collaboration with Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel), Dale & Ray, they recorded a song called “Feelin’ Haggard” after the death of Merle Haggard. The song, not so much a tribute to Haggard, rather it is a song about losing someone important, who despite passing on will always be with you. When Haggard died, Watson and Benson were already in the process of making their album.”

“Dale Watson: On The Road To Memphis,” August, 2017

9. King of Country Music – The Reeves Brothers (Joe Missouri Entertainment)

10. This Highway – Zephaniah OHora with The 18 Wheelers (BMI)

TJWEST Top 10 Albums

By Kim Grant

1. Andy Warhols dream – Trevor Sensor

2. Canyons of My Mind – Andrew Combs

3. Ben Bostick – Ben Bostick

4. In The Alps – Phoebe Bridgers

5. Wow and Flutter – Amilia K. Spicer

6. Barefoot in the Head – Chris Robinson Brotherhood

7. Brand New Day – The Mavericks

8. Lotta Sea Lice – Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile

9. Kings and Kings – Blackie and The Rodeo Kings

10. Dale & Ray – Dale Watson and Ray Benson

Rock’s Top 10 Albums

By Brian Rock

Dirt On Your Hands – Jared Taylor

Cures Just Like Medicine – A.J. Croce

Kids In The Street – Justin Townes Earle

Duende – Band of Heathens

You Gotta Sell Something – Blair Crimmins & The Hookers

From a Room Vol 1 – Chris Stapleton

Rule 62 – Whitney Rose

Laughing With The Reckless – The Contenders

The Valley – The Whiskey Charmers

An Hour Before Daylight – Rob Williams

Tully’s Top 10 Albums

By Jake Tully

1. Prisoner – Ryan Adams

2. Lotta Sea Lice – Kurt Vile & Courtney Barnett

3. The Nashville Sound – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

4. All American Made – Margo Price

5. Roll With the Punches – Van Morrison

6. God’s Problem Child – Willie Nelson

7. The Hitchhiker – Neil Young

8. Together At Last – Jeff Tweedy

9. A Crow Looked at Me – Mount Eerie

10. A Deeper Understanding – The War On Drugs

Country Perspective Top 10 Albums

By Josh Schott

1. Purgatory – Tyler Childers
Purgatory is the announcement of Childers upon the independent country scene and marks the arrival of the next big thing you’ll be hearing about in the coming years. Undoubtedly Appalachian folk tones combined with candid and timely songwriting makes this the best country album you’ll hear in 2017.

2. The Nashville Sound – Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
One of the best songwriters alive today once again delivers big. This album has everything from songs that make you want to move your feet (“Cumberland Gap”) to poignant love songs (“If We Were Vampires”) to timely social commentary (“White Man’s World”).

3. On The Rocks – Midland
While many seemed to be turned off by this new trio’s backstory, the music is undeniably great in my mind. Recalling the sounds of 70s and California country, this album delivers infectious melodies and rich instrumentation that will light you right up.

4. From A Room: Volume 1 – Chris Stapleton

The hottest name in country music once again delivers a thrilling set of songs. It contains arguably his two best songs yet in the form of “Either Way” and “Up To No Good Livin’.” This album may be short, but each one packs a punch in all facets of music.

5. All American Made – Margo Price
I feel like this is the most underappreciated album of the year. This album intellectually explores complex issues from women’s pay inequality to the struggles of the lower class and dichotomy of America’s history. And of course Margo’s voice sounds great throughout too.

6. A Long Way From Your Heart – Turnpike Troubadours
The Oklahoma group follows up their excellent self-titled album with another all-around solid album. Just like the last album, this album starts off with the best song, “The Housefire,” which perfectly displays the sharp storytelling skills of the group. Each song on the album is a scoop of country goodness.

7. Tenderheart – Sam Outlaw
When Outlaw debuted a few years ago people were skeptical of a man who’s name is Outlaw. With his sophomore release I think this skepticism can be put to rest, as Outlaw delivers another great helping of his smooth country and impresses with his introspective songwriting.

8. Brand New Day – The Mavericks
No group embodies the Americana label more than these veterans. Each album they impressively blend a fusion of genre to create something that just sticks with you and Brand New Day is no different. Fueled by the soulful Raul Malo, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a smile on your face after listening to this album.

9. Way Out West – Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
Many artists tend to rest on their laurels as they get later in their career, but not Marty Stuart. Him and his Fabulous Superlatives instead deliver an album that takes you on a phantasmal, drug-fueled trip through the desert, while also evoking memories of the days when country was country and western.

10. Big Bad Luv – John Moreland
One of the best songwriters in Americana today delivers his most accessible album yet. Newly married, we see a happier Moreland on this album. The beautifully written sad songs are still there of course, but it’s great to see a happier side of Moreland showcased too.