WFUV’s John Platt Shares His Favorite Albums of 2009

December 3rd, 2009

Do you know how many albums were released in 2009? Including us “indy’s” (having researched it quickly online), you’ll see that it could be close to 27,000 albums! That’s a lot of music.

Well, WFUV just put out it’s “Best of 2009 FUV Staff Picks”. Each DJ notes their favorite records of the year. You can see them all by clicking here.

But, there’s one list that I was especially fond of… It was posted by John Platt – Host of WFUV’s “Sunday Breakfast”. Here it is for you to enjoy. There’s some nice picks here. Read past the top ten and you’ll see why I’m especially fond of it!

John Platt – Sunday Breakfast Host – Top Albums of 2009

Forced to choose 10, I liked these best:

Girlyman - Everything’s Easy
America’s favorite androgynous trio moved from Brooklyn to Atlanta, but lost not of its quirky songwriting or wonderful harmonies.

Diana Jones – Better Times Will Come
In a year of keeping up with the Joneses, I liked the new CDs by Rickie Lee and Norah, but had a special affection for this one by Diana. While her songs may remind you a little of Gillian Welch, her voice is unlike any other.

Ellis Paul - The Day After Everything Changed
Working in Nashville with Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Ellis digs deep to explore a world of broken promises.

Pierce Pettis – That Kind of Love
The songwriter’s songwriter of contemporary folk at his best.

Madeleine Peyroux – Bare Bones
Her first album of all original songs, some of them pretty personal, but co-writer and producer Larry Klein knows how to bring out the best in her.

Tom Russell – Blood and Candle Smoke
Dark, atmospheric tales of Africa, Mexico, and the Southwest by an American treasure.

Amy Speace – The Killer in Me
It’s a crime that this gem somehow got lost in the Bermuda Triangle of the music biz; it shows a great talent coming into her own.

Bruce Springsteen – Working On a Dream
The year he turned 60, he chose not to make a grand statement, just release an album full of well-crafted songs.

Susan Werner - Classics
Susan’s keen musical intelligence made what could’ve been a bland exercise — recording great pop songs of the late 60s/early 70s with chamber arrangements — a subtle, thoughtful success.

Wilco – (The Album)
Thanks to Jeff Tweedy (the songwriter), this one shines.

But I liked these a lot, too:

Rosanne Cash, The List;

Marshall Crenshaw, Jaggedland;

Elvis Costello, Sacred, Profane & Sugarcane;

Neko Case, Middle Cyclone;

Gathering Time, Songs of Hope and Freedom;

Peter Holspapple & Chris Stamey, Here and Now;

Joe Iadanza & his Beautiful Band, Traveling Salesman; (That’s Me!)

Indigo Girls, Poseidon and the Bitter Bug;

Eilen Jewell, Sea of Tears;

Rickie Lee Jones, Balm in Gilead;

Harper Simon, Harper Simon;

Todd Snider, The Excitement Plan;

Jill Sobule, The California Years.

Favorite Songs:

Elvis Costello, “Sulphur to Sugarcane”
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, “Shake It Out”
Amy Speace, “The Weight of the World”