Post Tagged with: "All-Star Lists"

Nick DeRiso’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (R&B, Jazz and Blues): Paul Rodgers, Rebirth, Walter Trout, Brad Mehldau, Wilko Johnson + Roger Daltrey

Nick DeRiso’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (R&B, Jazz and Blues): Paul Rodgers, Rebirth, Walter Trout, Brad Mehldau, Wilko Johnson + Roger Daltrey

Little other than a sense of soul holds this list together. That’s more than enough.

Nick DeRiso's Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Reissues and Live): Toto, the Who, Roy Orbison, Stick Men, Jon Anderson, Mike Bloomfield

Nick DeRiso’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Reissues and Live): Toto, the Who, Roy Orbison, Stick Men, Jon Anderson, Mike Bloomfield

These 10 reissues and live sets provided us with important new perspectives.

Fred Phillips' Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Southern Rock and Country): Bob Wayne, Sturgill Simpson, Mat D, Jackson Taylor, Willie Nelson

Fred Phillips’ Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Southern Rock and Country): Bob Wayne, Sturgill Simpson, Mat D, Jackson Taylor, Willie Nelson

Sturgill Simpson? The genuine article. Bob Wayne? Back with his best ever.

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Fusion Jazz): Nels Cline Singers, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jaco Pastorius

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Fusion Jazz): Nels Cline Singers, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jaco Pastorius

Everything from ambient post-rock to improvisational, to scattered rock-jazz.

Preston Frazier's Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Rock, Pop and Jazz): Simon Phillips, Kere Buchanan, Nathan East, Oz Noy, Judith Owen, Toto

Preston Frazier’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Rock, Pop and Jazz): Simon Phillips, Kere Buchanan, Nathan East, Oz Noy, Judith Owen, Toto

Already, we’ve heard so much great stuff from the Toto family tree of music.

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Avant Garde & Experimental Jazz): Jimmy Giuffre, Roscoe Mitchell, Jamie Saft/Joe Morris

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Avant Garde & Experimental Jazz): Jimmy Giuffre, Roscoe Mitchell, Jamie Saft/Joe Morris

The appeal of this music is its unbiased diversity and lack of set rules.

Nick DeRiso's Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Rock, Roots and Prog): John Oates, Jack White, David Crosby, Joe Henry, GOASTT, California Breed

Nick DeRiso’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Rock, Roots and Prog): John Oates, Jack White, David Crosby, Joe Henry, GOASTT, California Breed

A career-defining three-EP set, a stirring comeback, another thrilling head scratcher.

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014  (Modern and Mainstream Jazz): Steve Lehman, Jamie Saft, Matthew Shipp, Joe Beck

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Modern and Mainstream Jazz): Steve Lehman, Jamie Saft, Matthew Shipp, Joe Beck

The future of jazz looks blindingly bright.

Fred Phillips’ Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Hard Rock and Metal): Anti-Mortem, Down, Lacuna Coil

Fred Phillips’ Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Hard Rock and Metal): Anti-Mortem, Down, Lacuna Coil

10 early favorites, plus some great stuff to look forward to later this year.

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014  (Non-Jazz): Jack White, Me’Shell Ndegéocello, Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda Williams

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Non-Jazz): Jack White, Me’Shell Ndegéocello, Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda Williams

Here are the seven best albums outside of realm of jazz so far in 2014. So says me.