What we liked in 2008: MEL's List

OK, here is my list of my 10 favorites for 2008 in no particular order (except maybe the first one). This is a faves rather than a "top 10" list and consist mostly of live shows.

• 7/16/08: Alejandro Escovedo at the Variety Playhouse -- My fave "show of the year"!
• 4/14/08: Meeting and having my picture taken with Mick Jones and Tony James of Carbon Silicon, then catching their show later that night at the Loft and watching them have so much fun on stage.
• 1/31/08: The Forty Fives at the Star Bar (they were still on stage when 2008 began!) and 8/1/08: The Forty Fives show at Fringe Binge (did not see their show at Drive Invasion). -- I plan to encourage Adam to play more reunion shows!
• 10/15/08: Used Vinyl at Criminal Records.
• 4/29/08: X at the Variety -- Second fave show behind Alejandro.
• 4/24/08: Elvis Costello at the Ryman and sitting right in front of John Prine. Of course, being the nerd that I am, I said “Hello John”, as if he would know who I was.
• 9/22/08: Sacred Harp Singers in-store at Criminal Records -- Make a Joyful Noise!
• 4/10/08: Big Sandy and the Flyrite Boys at the Earl.
• 8/5/08: Richard Lloyd’s eccentric (I’m being nice) behavior at Criminal Records for his meet and greet, then tearing it up at Smith’s Olde Bar.
• 1/19/08: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at the Variety Playhouse.
• 4/19/08: Record Store Day at Criminal Records. -- Bands, Beer and the Best record store staff in the USA!

Honorable Mentions:

• 4 great new Records by local bands -- Anna Kramer, Noot d’ Noot, Gentlemen Jesse and His Men, and the Selmanaires.
• 1/26/08: Anna Kramer and the Lost Cause at the Earl International Hits Night with special guests
• 7/11/08: Judy Chicago and Noot d’Noot at the Earl (record release party for Noot d’Noot).
• April 2008, where I saw Levon Helm and Big Sandy on back to back nights, caught Shelby Lynne on a Saturday, then met Mick Jones the following Monday, was a part of the first Record Store Day, saw Elvis at the Ryman and finished the month with X! What a great month of live music!