2014: A Year in Music

Best of 2014: Top Albums | Top Live Music Experiences | Top Music Venues of the South

The Best of 2014
The Best of 2014

The Southland Music Line’s 2014: A Year in Music continues with its “Best of” Collection.
1.) Top Ten Albums
2.) Top Live Music Experiences.
3.) Top Venues of The South that had an impact on us in 2014.
* We will begin with Stephen, then Robby and finally Johnny.
* Johnny will have an extended list for the first two categories.

Stephen “Andy” Anderson (Photographer / Contributor to The Line)
Robby Amonett (Music inspired Artist / Contributor to The Line)
Johnny Cole (Writer/Travelin’ Man / Contributor to The Line)

Top Ten Albums According to:

Stephen “Andy” Anderson
1.) Metamodern Sounds In Country Music – Sturgill Simpson
2.) Sideshow Love – Will Kimbrough
3.) Morning Phase – Beck
4.) Tarpaper Sky – Rodney Crowell
5.) Lost in the Dream – The War on Drugs
6.) Lost on the River – The New Basement Tapes
7.) Small Town Heroes – Hurray for the Riff Raff
8.) Ebb & Flow – Judith Owen
9.) Stardust – Bronwynne Brent
10.) Art Official Age – Prince

Robby Amonett
1.) Metamodern Sounds In Country Music – Sturgill Simpson
2.) Morning Phase – Beck
3.) Sideshow Love – Will Kimbrough
4.) Single Mothers – Justin Townes Earle
5.) Lies & Wishes – Edward David Anderson
6.) Small Town Heroes – Hurray for the Riff Raff
7.) Lateness for Dancers – Hiss Golden Messenger
8.) Going Down to The River – Doug Seegers
9.) Lost on the River – The New Basement Tapes
10.) Benjamin Booker – Benjamin Booker

Johnny Cole –
1.) Sideshow Love – Will Kimbrough
2.) Metamodern Sounds in Country Music – Sturgill Simpson
3.) Kin – Larkin Poe
4.) Stardust – Bronwynne Brent
5.) St. Vincent – St. Vincent
6.) R.E.M. – Unplugged: The Complete 1991 and 2001 Sessions – R.E.M.
7.) The Songs of Big Bill Broonzy – Dave & Phil Alvin
8.) Lost on the River – The New Basement Tapes
9.) Stay Gold – First Aid Kit
10.) High Hopes – Bruce Springsteen

For His Top 200 List: Click Here!

Top Live Music Experiences According To:

Stephen Anderson
1.) The Lone Bellow “Live from T-Bones Records” in Hattiesburg, MS (April 12) * Oh Jeremiah opened for them.
2.) SXSW “South By Southwest” in Austin, TX (March 2014).
(This included: The Jimi Hendrix Tribute with All-Star Lineup – ‘The Doors’ Robby Krieger, Lucinda Williams, ‘Vintage Trouble with Carolyn Wonderland’, Los Lonely Boys, Slash, Rusty Anderson of Paul McCartney’s band and more.  Also at SXSW: Mandolin Orange, Cheers Elephant, Rosco Bandana (in what was one of their best shows), Lincoln Durham and by all means – James McMurtry. *The Tribute to Memphis Soul with another All-Star lineup (including Booker T. Jones, Otis Rush, and more.) was another great part of the entire SXSW experience.
3.) Leland Sklar & Judith Owen at Cafe Istanbul in New Orleans, LA (May 29).
4.) JJ & Mofro at The Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival in Bogalusa, LA. (Sept. 26-27).
5.) The Frog Pond Sunday Socials at The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Silverhill, AL
(All the shows attended were spectacular, but a few real standouts: Oct. 26 (Grayson Capps, Corky Hughes, Will Kimbrough, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Jimbo Mathus, Lightnin’ Malcolm & Chris Mule); Nov. 23 (Willie Sugarcapps with guest Lauren Murphy); From earlier in the year the show featuring: Webb Wilder, Grayson Capps, Will Kimbrough, Bill Kirchen, and Corky Hughes.
6.) Acoustic House Party & Traveling Road Show at Birdie’s in Angie, LA (Aug. 2) & a second show at The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center in Ocean Springs, MS (Aug. 15).
7.) Wash Hole Jam in Brewton, AL (Sept. 20) & Magnolia Springs Seafood Celebration in Magnolia Springs, AL (April 12) * both featuring Willie Sugarcapps.
8.) The Mulligan Brothers at Duling Hall in Jackson, MS (Nov. 21).
* Also The Mulligan Brothers’ Gram Rea & Ross Newell at Jack’s by the Tracks at year’s end must be mentioned. (Dec. 23)
9.) The following three must be added due to the amount of good music performed at these venues: Jack’s by the Tracks (From Sugarcane Jane, Fat Man Squeeze to Bronwynne Brent, Blue Mother Tupelo and others make Jack’s a much visited and enjoyed venue. Secondly, Callaghan’s in Mobile, AL (Grayson Capps, Anthony Crawford, Corky Hughes & John Milham closed out the year with one of the best shows over the last 12 months.) And finally, The Shed in Ocean Springs, MS where Andrew Duhon, Jimbo Mathus, Sugarcane Jane, Jimmy Lee Hannaford and a number of others provided many enjoyable nights of music in 2014.
10.) Jason Isbell with special guest Cary Hudson at Brewsky’s in Hattiesburg, MS (Feb. 23).
*Honorable Mentions: Larkin Poe with Rosco Bandana at Terminal West in Atlanta, GA, Keith Sykes at The Mississippi Songwriters Festival, Grayson Capps with Cary Hudson at Government Street Grocery in Ocean Springs, MS. The list could easily go on for several more.

Robby Amonett – (no particular order)
* SXSW “South By Southwest” and touring with Banditos (early 2014) This included: Banditos at Javelina Bar, Natural Child at Hotel Vegas and Banditos, Ramsay Midwood at Sam’s Town Point. According to Robby, one crazy memorable thing that happened at Sam’s Town Point was when a biker guy placed a pet bird atop his head as he was painting during three consecutive songs – He painted with a bird sitting on his head.
* Justin Townes Earl – He was seen three more times in 2014 at Vinyl Club in Pensacola, FL and Callaghan’s in Mobile, AL.
* South Sounds in Mobile, AL – “13 bands in 2 days” with only an hour’s rest in “the van” (April 11 & 12).
* A few straight nights in Jackson, MS seeing shows at Duling Hall and Hal & Mal’s. (Billy Joe Shaver, Robert Earl Keen, Kim Richey, Kevin Gordon and more (June 19-22).
* Jason Isbell at Seagrass Festival on Dauphin Island, AL (Aug. 30).
* The tribute night at Jack’s by the Tracks for good friend Geoff Painter. He will be missed and Robby says it was an honor to do a painting of Geoff (which now hangs at Jack’s.) The night’s music was performed by one of Geoff’s favorites, Fat Man Squeeze (Oct. 17).
* Will Kimbrough’s Birthday Show (May 4) at Callaghan’s featuring Will Kimbrough and Lilly Hiatt (daughter of John Hiatt).
* Keith Sykes at The Man Cave (Oct. 24) in Jackson County, MS (who also performed in 2014 at the Mississippi Songwriters Festival.)
* The New Years Eve Shows – Saw 2013 come to close at a House Party featuring Willie Sugarcapps; then drove 75 miles to Government Street Grocery in Ocean Springs, MS to see performance by The Dig.
*Hard to keep this at only ten!….. Robby said other shows/moments are worth mentioning: Grayson Capps and Cary Hudson at Chickie Wah Wah in New Orleans; Biloxi, MS’s Kress Live shows Galatic and Dumpstaphunk; Blackberry Smoke, Banditos and Kevin Kenny at Alabama Theatre in Birmingham, AL; The Mulligan Brothers at The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm on Dec. 14; Roger Cook at St. Jude Songwriters Festival at Hard Rock Live in Biloxi, MS; Tim Easton at Satori Coffee House in Mobile, AL; Larkin Poe with Rosco Bandana at Terminal West in Atlanta, GA; The Revivalists Sept. show in Mobile, AL ; John Moreland at Callaghans; also Luke Winslow King at Callaghan’s.
…..and most certainly more

Johnny Cole
1.) The Lone Bellow/Oh Jeremiah Show at T-Bones Records in Hattiesburg, MS (April 12).
2.) Larkin Poe at S Listening Room of the historic Avalon Theatre in Easton, MD (Nov. 5).
3.) Larkin Poe w/ The Shadowboxers, Lindsay Jarman & Rosco Bandana at Terminal West in Atlanta, GA. This show featured favorite live music moment when Larkin Poe & The Shadowboxers did a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain”. The rehearsal prior to show was equally entertaining (Feb. 15).
4.) Vintage Trouble at SXSW in Austin, TX followed by All-Star Tribute to Jimi Hendrix.
The tribute in Austin’s Butler Park featured: Los Lonely Boys, The Doors’ Robby Krieger, Slash, Lucinda Williams, Carolyn Wonderland, Dave & Phil Alvin and more (Mar. 13).
5.) Dave Rawlings Machine at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN (June 27).
6.) Dave & Phil Alvin at Mid-City Lanes Rock n Bowl in New Orleans, LA (Aug. 12).
7.) Paul McCartney at Smoothy King Center in New Orleans, LA (Oct. 11).
8.) Leland Sklar performing with Judith Owen at Istanbul Cafe in New Orleans, LA (May 29).
9.) Grayson Capps, Anthony Crawford, Corky Hughes & John Milham at Callaghan’s in Mobile, AL (Dec. 28).
10.) Willie Sugarcapps at The Frog Pond at Blue Moon in Silverhill, AL (Nov. 23).

For His Extended List: Click Here!

Top Music Venues:

Stephen “Andy” Anderson – (no particular order)
* The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm (Silverhill, AL)

* Jack’s by the Tracks (Pascagoula, MS)
* Callaghan’s (Mobile, AL)
*Birdie’s Roadhouse (Angie, LA – north of Bogalusa)
*Duling Hall (Jackson, MS)
*Cafe Istanbul (New Orleans, LA)
* Thirsty Hippo (Hattiesburg, MS)
* Terminal West (Atlanta, GA)
* Government Street Grocery (Ocean Springs, MS)
* House of Blues (New Orleans, LA)

Robby Amonett – (no particular order)
* The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm (Silverhill, AL)
* Callaghan’s (Mobile, AL)
* Jack’s by the Tracks (Pascagoula, MS)
* Sam’s Town Point (Austin, TX area)
* Duling Hall (Jackson, MS)
* Thirsty Hippo (Hattiesburg, MS)
* Terminal West (Atlanta, GA)
* Iron City (Birmingham, AL)
* Blue Moon Saloon (Lafayette, LA)
* Flora Bama (Gulf Coast)
Others: Alabama Theatre (Birmingham, AL); Hal & Mal’s (Jackson, MS); Workplay (Birmingham, AL); Gasa Gasa (New Orleans, LA); Martins (Jackson, MS ); Beatnik (New Orleans, LA); Government Street Grocery (Ocean Springs, MS); Saenger Theatre (Mobile, AL); Joe Jefferson Playhouse (Mobile, AL)………and more. Impossible to name them all. All these and more are appreciated and enjoyed.

Johnny Cole – (no particular order)
* Jack’s by the Tracks (Pascagoula, MS) – I’ve seen more live music at Jack’s than anywhere else in 2014.
* Callaghan’s (Mobile, AL) – One of The South’s Best Live Music Venues!
* The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm (Silverhill, AL) – One of Kind Experience! I’ve been to a Midnight Ramble and The Frog Pond Sunday Socials are equally entertaining.
* Irish Coast Pub (Gulfport, MS) – Totally enjoyed Open Mic Nights!
* Eddie’s Attic (Decatur, GA) – One of the best music venue in the Southeast.
* Duling Hall (Jackson, MS) – Provides the perfect setting for great shows.
* Thirsty Hippo (Hattiesburg, MS) – Nice venue and friendly service.
*  Birdie’s Roadhouse (Angie, LA near Bogalusa) One of the South’s best music venues sadly closed in late 2014. Birthplace of the Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival.
* The House of Blues (New Orleans) – The Main Stage has one of the coolest backstage green rooms around. Its several stages within the venue complex provides a great environment for live music.
* Flora Bama (Gulf Coast) – You can’t go wrong with one of the South’s most entertaining and liveliest music establishments.
Honorable Mentions: The Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN); Terminal West (Atlanta, GA); The Basement (Nashville, TN); The Tabernacle (Atlanta, GA); The 40 Watt Club (Athens, GA); Hal & Mal’s (Jackson, MS); The Vinyl Club (Pensacola, FL); Iron City (Birmingham, AL); The Listening Room Cafe (Nashville, TN); Government Street Grocery (Ocean Springs, MS); Cafe Istanbul (New Orleans, LA); The Shed at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson (Maryville, TN); Mid-City Lanes Rock n Bowl (New Orleans, LA); Leo’s (Ocean Springs, MS); Brewsky’s (Hattiesburg, MS); The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint (Hwy 57/I-10 Crossroads); The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center (Ocean Springs, MS); Mississippi Juke Joint (formerly Mezo’s in Ocean Springs, MS); Kress Live (Biloxi, MS); Georgia Theatre (Athens, GA); Buckhead Theatre (Atlanta, GA); Caledonia Lounge (Athens, GA); The Julep Room (Ocean Springs, MS); T-Bones Records (Hattiesburg, MS) AND OF COURSE, THERE’S MORE! The Line travels throughout the South and abroad. Several more venues from Oklahoma City, Memphis, Nashville, Austin, Chapel Hill (NC), Asheville (NC), New Orleans, Athens (GA), The MS/AL/FL Gulf Coast and elsewhere could easily be named on this list.

 

2014: A Year in Music –
According to The Southland Music Line
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2014: A Year in Music
The Photos of Stephen Anderson

CLICK HERE!

2014: A Year in Music
The Music-Inspired Art of Robby Amonett
CLICK HERE!

 

© The Southland Music Line. 2014. All rights reserved

©The Southland Music Line

 

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