My Favourite Releases of 1999

Albums released 1999:

• Spiritual Bum (Stephen Cummings) - Any Cummings release is likely to make my "best of the year" list just because it's a Cummings album but this time, things were a little different. Firstly, this is the first commercial release I've contributed to (no, not musically) through creating the CDROM component of the disc. Secondly, and most importantly, the album is nothing less than wonderful. Calling it the best of his career might be going a little far (although some didn't hesitate) but it was certainly there in the top 3.

• Driving to Damascus (Big Country) - It was an interesting year for being a BC fan. The new album was preceded by a single release that was ruled out of chart contention by the powers-that-be because it came in a fold-out cardboard box. Apparently this meant some people may have bought it so they could use the handy box and find something else to put the CD in. That absurdity then gave way to a botched album release, where the strategy of also releasing a limited version with bonus tracks backfired due to a manufacturing defect in all pressings of the "limited edition". Irate fans were then left high and dry by the BC management, who have since faked a story about BC's lead singer "disappearing" to save them embarrassment of cancelling some shows due to internal incompetence.

  The only saving grace from all this hoopla was the album itself, which actually wasn't too bad. These guys are as predictable as they come but I've always been sucker for big fat choruses and big power chords, which are a key part of the BC approach. The surprise this time around was their newfound subtlety on tracks like "Fragile Thing" and "Your Spirit To Me". They don't have the ability to change the world with their music but if you'd been hooked previously, this was no disappointment.

• I Am Shelby Lynne (Shelby Lynne) - I was about to include Beth Orton's "Central Reservation" in my list but then I heard this one. Where Beth painted insight with clever wordplay, Shelby cut to the chase and did it in style, lots and lots of style. From the opening drum volley seguing into the sweeping strings of "Your Lies" to the delicate touch of "Black Light Blue", this was a grandiose celebration of 60s pop circa 1999 that was wholly bewitching. If it's taken her 6 albums to figure out who she is, let's hope she doesn't forget it in a hurry.

• "Western Wall" (Linda Ronstadt/Emmylou Harris) - Because of her "Wrecking Ball" album, Emmylou Harris can now do little wrong in my book, even if she does nothing to reproduce the wonder of that album. This album is basically a set of cover versions sung by Harris and friend Linda Ronstadt, and when I heard it included songs written by Springsteen as well as Patti Scialfa (his wife), I had to hear it. While his "Across The Border" works nicely, the country arrangement of her "Valerie" pales in comparison to the original. But the highlights of this disc come from other songs, such as the haunting Andy Prieboy song that opens the disc and the ethereal vocals on "1917".

• 18 Tracks (Bruce Springsteen) - Strictly speaking, I should exercise some restraint and keep this off my "best of" list because my 1998 list included the full 4-CD "Tracks" box set. But this one disc compilation included three new songs that re-affirmed just how good Springsteen is, even when he's discarding songs. The track selection was perplexing (where's "Roulette"? "Back In Your Arms"?) but there were enough of the gems here. If you were curious what all the fuss was about with Tracks, try this.

• Mock Tudor (Richard Thompson) - After hearing his name mentioned regularly for some time, in 1999 I took the plunge and started delving into the work of Richard Thompson. While Mock Tudor was not my first purchase, it's certainly the best of the handful of his albums that I've acquired so far. The final track was perhaps the only clunker but "Hard On Me" featured not one but two of the most exhilarating electric guitar breaks I've heard since Edwyn Collins' "Gorgeous George". If only Clapton still sounded this vital...

• Mule Variations (Tom Waits) - 7 years after his last proper solo album, the man returns with more of the same gravel voice, offbeat arrangements and great songs. Few songwriters write choruses that feature haunting lines like "Why wasn't God watching/Why wasn't God listening/Why wasn't God there/For Georgia Lee". The album may not have been as spectacular as "Bone Machine" but this was impressive nonetheless.

Musical discovery of the year:

• Step Inside This House (Lyle Lovett, 1998) - This one knocked me sideways. I bought it out of curiosity (what does Lyle Lovett sound like?) with no real expectations and wound up completely captivated. Few albums can claim this level of quality in every detail. Careful production has resulted in immaculate arrangements and pristine sound quality. The packaging is exemplary. Although none were written by Lyle himself, the songs themselves are staggeringly good and Lyle's performances of them are engaging and frequently touching. The double disc set is worth the price just for the title track.

• Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band - This was a tough call, especially when you consider that in 1999 year I also saw Richard Thompson, Chris Whitley, Elvis Costello, Jewel, Paul Kelly (twice) and Mr B. Springsteen (5 times), plus a number of others.

  But this gig was a blast. An evening dripping in traditional country music may sound a bit much to take but I wore a big grin throughout the show because, goddammit, this was a great gig! I had a front row position to watch Steve accompanied by a bunch of talented musicians working through some wonderful songs. For more than 3 hours they stepped around the single microphone making it all seem so completely effortless. An unbilled guest appearance by Emmylou Harris was just the icing on the cake. Magic, magic and more magic.

• The Insider - It's probably a film that no one will bother seeing as the marketing mob can't tag it with simple but cool slogans like "Heads will Roll". With this one the bad guy is Brown & Williamson tobacco company and the good guy is an ex B&W research scientist played by an aged Russell Crowe. It's not the usual material for thrillers but then, this isn't your usual thriller. This is a movie that keeps your eyes glued to the screen without messing with your intelligence, and it's certainly one of the gutsier Hollywood offerings for a while. An astoundingly good film that deserves whatever awards get thrown at it.

• The Sixth Sense - If you haven't see it yet, rectify that ASAP and all will be explained. 'Nuff said.

• The Straight Story - G-rated, released by Disney Corporation, directed by David Lynch. Much was made of that incongrous combination but thankfully, just as much was made of the film itself. It's a touching and gorgeously shot film about two elderly brothers, the ten year dispute that has kept them apart and the lawnmower that brought them together again. I had to stay and watch the end credits just so I could compose myself and wipe away some tears. It would be surreal if it wasn't done so beautifully.