12-29-2020, 03:49 PM
Music Group Chicago - Best of 2020
The year 2020 has been difficult. We have experienced financial and career setbacks, medical challenges, bouts of loneliness, and simply an interruption to our previous daily lives. We lost time with our loved ones. Some of us lost loved ones. And as hard we tried to stay strong, we couldn't deny the year’s mental toll.
However, one consistent bright spot occurred every 2 weeks when a group of friends gathered to share their love of music. This "Best Of" project is a way to look back and celebrate the boost that one of our group's most productive year gave us.
To give all the attention to the tunes that got us through this year, these “Best Of” lists don’t include DJs’ names. And as the lists will attest, this wasn't a competition. No song got more votes than any other (although 11 tied with 2 votes). Also, these picks represent a mere snapshot of our previous 12 months. Every song played was worthy and welcomed (except that one song—"What were you thinking?"—JK)
So, let's get started...
First, we begin with Tom who imagined his "Best Of" list as an actual group meeting, split up between two rounds:
Tom's List
"Round One"
1. Leontyne Price - My Man's Gone
2. Mild High Club - Homage
3. Kathy Heideman - Need
4. Terry Callier - Blues
5. Mark Renner - Riverside
6. Roberta Flack - I Can See the Sun in Late December
7. Woo - The Garden Path
8. WITCH - Like a Chicken
9. Don Agrati - One Man Woman
"Round Two"
10. Jonny Greenwood - Overtones
11. Sun Ra - Somebody Else's World
12. Elia y Elizabeth - Hay Que Vivir la Vida
13. Sensations Fix - Barnhause Effect
14. Mort Garson - Space Walker
15. Carpenters - Crescent Noon
16. Van Dyke Parks - John Jones
17. Dee Dee Warwick - It's Not Fair
18. Minako Yoshida - Machiboke
Spotify playlist here.
Next up, Tara, who noted her list is "in no particular order other than trying to get a good flow":
Tara's List
1. The Idle Race - The Lady Who Said She Could Fly
2. Dry Cleaning - Conversations
3. Ezra Furman - Early Rain
4. Yugen Blakrok - Picture Box
5. Ela Orleans - Better Friends
6. Nara Leao - Ladainha
7. Deerhoof - Love-Lore 2
8. Mort Garson - Space Walker
9. Premiata Formerai Marconi - Appena un po'
10. Bandway - Indecent Proposal
Tara's note: I just wanted to point out, we could have a whole playlist of movie-themed tunes!
Spotify playlist here.
We follow up Tara with Tim who states honestly, "no real order or flow here".
Tim's List
1. Jack Kittel - Psycho
2. Tropical Fuck Storm - Chameleon Paint
3. SAULT - Up All Night
4. The Idle Race - The Lady Who Said She Could Fly
5. Vagabon - Every Woman
6. Daniel Knox - Ghost Song
7. Grand Funk Railroad - I Come Tumblin'
8. Damaged Bug - Sold America
9. This Is Kit - Earthquake
10. Premiata Forneria Marconi - Appena un po'
Spotify playlist here.
Trey also forgoes any order, stating that "all were fabulous and made my year better". I think we can all agree on that sentiment. Speaking of sentiments, Trey shared thoughts on each of his picks:
Trey's List
Did You Ever Take a Journey (Gershon Kingsley)
I think this song was created in a lab, just for me. Crazy how familiar and right it felt right away. And by the way, I missed this group meeting and the playlist is SO GOOD. Should I miss more of them?
Grey Lanes (Jacco Gardiner)
Years ago, I bought a Liminanas album, and inside was a download code for the album. But it wasn’t—it was actually something for Jacco Gardiner. I wrote to the record label and asked for the code for the Liminianas, without even downloading the JG. Wish I had! This is the cosmos telling me I need this artist in my life.
Cut Me (Moses Sumney)
I probably never would have heard this artist if not for music group. And it’s one of my favorite tracks of the year. As always, music group is one of the best things going for me.
Hi a Skoellyas LIV a Dhagrow (Gwenno)
Bold move, doing your album in Cornish, Gwenno. The music would have to be seriously Fanta—oh wait, it is.
Macho (Jaako Eino Kalevi)
For awhile when this tune would come up, I would check spotify to see what cool French band was responsible, but no…it’s Jaako. I’m a sucker for a front and center bassline, but this one is especially insistent and great. Enjoying checking this dude’s catalog, it’s good.
It’s Got Two And That’s Alright (P.E. Hewitt Jazz Ensemble)
Oh…it’s way more than alright! Could not figure out where or when this song was coming from when it was first played. The cosmos, again.
Earthquake (This is the Kit)
From the last meeting of the year. I knew right away it was going on my list. I’ve been cueing it up every time I get in the car. What a presence, wow!
When We Fall (Beak>)
Just so perfect for this melancholy year. I really have been feeling this song, hard. Just a gorgeous, emotional piece of music.
Sounds Like Now (Damon Locks, Black Monument Ensemble)
And this one is kind of the flip side, emotionally. Lyrically it’s deep, and a bit heavy, but the tune always gets my mood up.
Sofou Unga Astin Min (Hekla)
Like a lullaby, sung to you as you float on a cloud. 2020 needs this.
Spotify playlist here.
My list follows a best of order. At least, today. Everything could change tomorrow.
Hayden's List
10. Michael Leonhart Orchestra - Shimmy Shimmy Ya/Glaciers of Ice
9. Sensations Fix - Barnhause Effect
8. Tom Ze - Defeito 2: Curiosidade
7. Erasmo Carlos - É Preciso Dar Um Jeito, Meu Amigo
6. Roberta Flack - I Can See the Sun in Late December
5. Junior Parker - Tomorrow Never Knows
4. SAULT - Up All Night
3. Mark Renner - Riverside
2. Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir - Like a Ship
1. Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes - Jusqu'à Ce Que La Force De T'aimer Me Manque
Honorable Mention: Vagabon - Every Woman
— This one moved in and out of my list so many times, I felt it deserved to be recognized.
Spotify playlist here.
And finally, Dan, whose list is made of "one song per member, and from sessions I was there for (Sean omitted because I was only present for one round where he was present!)". Dan also adds that all his picks were "new to me, aside from mine (of course)".
Dan's List
Trey: Alan Price - Poor People
Tom: Jan Hammer Group - Don't You Know
Tim: Erasmo Carlos - É Preciso Dar Um Jeito, Meu Amigo
Tara: Gwenno - Hi a Skoellyas LIV a Dhagrow
Laura: Mort Garson - Space Walker
Julia: Dry Cleaning - Conversation
Jonny: Terry Callier - Blues
Jim: Flo & Eddie - Keep It Warm
Hayden: J.J. Cale - Starbound
Dan: Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers - Does Your Mama Know About Me
Spotify playlist here.
The year 2020 has been difficult. We have experienced financial and career setbacks, medical challenges, bouts of loneliness, and simply an interruption to our previous daily lives. We lost time with our loved ones. Some of us lost loved ones. And as hard we tried to stay strong, we couldn't deny the year’s mental toll.
However, one consistent bright spot occurred every 2 weeks when a group of friends gathered to share their love of music. This "Best Of" project is a way to look back and celebrate the boost that one of our group's most productive year gave us.
To give all the attention to the tunes that got us through this year, these “Best Of” lists don’t include DJs’ names. And as the lists will attest, this wasn't a competition. No song got more votes than any other (although 11 tied with 2 votes). Also, these picks represent a mere snapshot of our previous 12 months. Every song played was worthy and welcomed (except that one song—"What were you thinking?"—JK)
So, let's get started...
First, we begin with Tom who imagined his "Best Of" list as an actual group meeting, split up between two rounds:
Tom's List
"Round One"
1. Leontyne Price - My Man's Gone
2. Mild High Club - Homage
3. Kathy Heideman - Need
4. Terry Callier - Blues
5. Mark Renner - Riverside
6. Roberta Flack - I Can See the Sun in Late December
7. Woo - The Garden Path
8. WITCH - Like a Chicken
9. Don Agrati - One Man Woman
"Round Two"
10. Jonny Greenwood - Overtones
11. Sun Ra - Somebody Else's World
12. Elia y Elizabeth - Hay Que Vivir la Vida
13. Sensations Fix - Barnhause Effect
14. Mort Garson - Space Walker
15. Carpenters - Crescent Noon
16. Van Dyke Parks - John Jones
17. Dee Dee Warwick - It's Not Fair
18. Minako Yoshida - Machiboke
Spotify playlist here.
Next up, Tara, who noted her list is "in no particular order other than trying to get a good flow":
Tara's List
1. The Idle Race - The Lady Who Said She Could Fly
2. Dry Cleaning - Conversations
3. Ezra Furman - Early Rain
4. Yugen Blakrok - Picture Box
5. Ela Orleans - Better Friends
6. Nara Leao - Ladainha
7. Deerhoof - Love-Lore 2
8. Mort Garson - Space Walker
9. Premiata Formerai Marconi - Appena un po'
10. Bandway - Indecent Proposal
Tara's note: I just wanted to point out, we could have a whole playlist of movie-themed tunes!
Spotify playlist here.
We follow up Tara with Tim who states honestly, "no real order or flow here".
Tim's List
1. Jack Kittel - Psycho
2. Tropical Fuck Storm - Chameleon Paint
3. SAULT - Up All Night
4. The Idle Race - The Lady Who Said She Could Fly
5. Vagabon - Every Woman
6. Daniel Knox - Ghost Song
7. Grand Funk Railroad - I Come Tumblin'
8. Damaged Bug - Sold America
9. This Is Kit - Earthquake
10. Premiata Forneria Marconi - Appena un po'
Spotify playlist here.
Trey also forgoes any order, stating that "all were fabulous and made my year better". I think we can all agree on that sentiment. Speaking of sentiments, Trey shared thoughts on each of his picks:
Trey's List
Did You Ever Take a Journey (Gershon Kingsley)
I think this song was created in a lab, just for me. Crazy how familiar and right it felt right away. And by the way, I missed this group meeting and the playlist is SO GOOD. Should I miss more of them?
Grey Lanes (Jacco Gardiner)
Years ago, I bought a Liminanas album, and inside was a download code for the album. But it wasn’t—it was actually something for Jacco Gardiner. I wrote to the record label and asked for the code for the Liminianas, without even downloading the JG. Wish I had! This is the cosmos telling me I need this artist in my life.
Cut Me (Moses Sumney)
I probably never would have heard this artist if not for music group. And it’s one of my favorite tracks of the year. As always, music group is one of the best things going for me.
Hi a Skoellyas LIV a Dhagrow (Gwenno)
Bold move, doing your album in Cornish, Gwenno. The music would have to be seriously Fanta—oh wait, it is.
Macho (Jaako Eino Kalevi)
For awhile when this tune would come up, I would check spotify to see what cool French band was responsible, but no…it’s Jaako. I’m a sucker for a front and center bassline, but this one is especially insistent and great. Enjoying checking this dude’s catalog, it’s good.
It’s Got Two And That’s Alright (P.E. Hewitt Jazz Ensemble)
Oh…it’s way more than alright! Could not figure out where or when this song was coming from when it was first played. The cosmos, again.
Earthquake (This is the Kit)
From the last meeting of the year. I knew right away it was going on my list. I’ve been cueing it up every time I get in the car. What a presence, wow!
When We Fall (Beak>)
Just so perfect for this melancholy year. I really have been feeling this song, hard. Just a gorgeous, emotional piece of music.
Sounds Like Now (Damon Locks, Black Monument Ensemble)
And this one is kind of the flip side, emotionally. Lyrically it’s deep, and a bit heavy, but the tune always gets my mood up.
Sofou Unga Astin Min (Hekla)
Like a lullaby, sung to you as you float on a cloud. 2020 needs this.
Spotify playlist here.
My list follows a best of order. At least, today. Everything could change tomorrow.
Hayden's List
10. Michael Leonhart Orchestra - Shimmy Shimmy Ya/Glaciers of Ice
9. Sensations Fix - Barnhause Effect
8. Tom Ze - Defeito 2: Curiosidade
7. Erasmo Carlos - É Preciso Dar Um Jeito, Meu Amigo
6. Roberta Flack - I Can See the Sun in Late December
5. Junior Parker - Tomorrow Never Knows
4. SAULT - Up All Night
3. Mark Renner - Riverside
2. Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir - Like a Ship
1. Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes - Jusqu'à Ce Que La Force De T'aimer Me Manque
Honorable Mention: Vagabon - Every Woman
— This one moved in and out of my list so many times, I felt it deserved to be recognized.
Spotify playlist here.
And finally, Dan, whose list is made of "one song per member, and from sessions I was there for (Sean omitted because I was only present for one round where he was present!)". Dan also adds that all his picks were "new to me, aside from mine (of course)".
Dan's List
Trey: Alan Price - Poor People
Tom: Jan Hammer Group - Don't You Know
Tim: Erasmo Carlos - É Preciso Dar Um Jeito, Meu Amigo
Tara: Gwenno - Hi a Skoellyas LIV a Dhagrow
Laura: Mort Garson - Space Walker
Julia: Dry Cleaning - Conversation
Jonny: Terry Callier - Blues
Jim: Flo & Eddie - Keep It Warm
Hayden: J.J. Cale - Starbound
Dan: Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers - Does Your Mama Know About Me
Spotify playlist here.
