2016 – A year filled with so much loss. I never imagined that I would get hit again so soon when I hadn’t even fully realized the concept of losing David Bowie in January…There were too many musical giants lost in 2016 to mention here, but 2016 was also a fantastic year for new music discovery and killer live shows. A lot of my favorite music this year came from right here in Nashville as you’ll see when I get to the local section! Some on this list are old favorites who released new music and some were completely new to me in 2016. Happy New Year!
In no particular order:
SONGS:
“Drag” – Day Wave
“Here In Spirit” – Jim James
“Tearing Me Up” – Bob Moses
“Door” – Nice As F***
“Capsized” – Andrew Bird
“Shine” – Mondo Cozmo
“Biloxi” – Hiss Golden Messenger
“Smooth Sailin'” – Leon Bridges
“Cold, Cold, Cold” – Cage The Elephant
“Wide Open” – Chemical Brothers w/ Beck
“Love and Hate” – Michael Kiwanuka
“Day Stealer” – Music Band
ALBUMS:
Wilco – Schmilco
Luther Dickinson – Blues & Ballads A Folksinger’s Songbook: Volumes I & II
Jim James – Eternally Even
Aaron Lee Tasjan – Silver Tears
The Wild Feathers – Lonely Is A Lifetime
Hiss Golden Messenger – Heart Like a Levee
Norah Jones – Day Breaks
Margo Price – Midwest Farmer’s Daughter
Marcus King Band – Self Titled
Band of Horses – Why Are You Okay?
Lucius – Good Grief
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats – Self Titled
NASHVILLE SUNDAY NIGHT:
Ruby Amanfu & Friends
Willie Watson
The Weeks
Cordovas (March AND November)
Simo
The Social Animals
Arkells
Yonder Mountain String Band
LOCALS: There’s an insane amount of quality music being created here in Nashville by bands of all genres as you can tell by this list…and this is only scratching the surface with some of my favorites:
Cordovas, Roots of A Rebellion, Andrew Leahey, Shelly Colvin, Escondido, The Weeks, Nikki Lane, Repeat Repeat, Langhorne Slim & The Law, Elizabeth Cook, Amanda Shires, Josh Farrow, Ruby Amanfu, Allen Thompson Band, Natural Child, Smooth Hound Smith, Albatross, Zach Schmidt, Todd Snider, Sun Seeker, Music Band, Lera Lynn, Matt Haeck, Rick Brantley
SHOWS:
Cat Stevens – Ryman Auditorium
Neil Young – Ascend Amphitheatre
Tedeschi Trucks Band w/ Los Lobos & North Mississippi All Stars – Red Rocks
Tedeschi Trucks Band – Ryman Auditorium
The Wild Feathers – Ryman Auditorium and Live On The Green
Aaron Lee Tasjan – Album Release Show at 3rd and Lindsley (Also every show he played this year and ever)
Band of Horses – Live On The Green
Americana Honors and Awards – Ryman Auditorium and showcases all over town
Dylanfest – Ryman Auditorium (particularly Kesha singing “I Shall Be Released”)
Mudcrutch w/ The Shelters – Ryman Auditorium
Great insights to the music beats of Nashville. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year 2017. We are overdue for a chat. Check out the Irish trio OnOff from Dublinwho live in No. California. They will be at the Gretsch NAMM party in January in Anaheim. Also check out singer songwriter musician John Wroath from the Isle of Wight UK.
Ana Lee Babycakes….Might I add:
The Features – Sunset Rock & The Coal Men – Pushed To The Side.
XO,
Evan MacKenzie
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