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BRIAN ROBBINS

What will you remember most about 2011?

Having my disappointment in our leaders being replaced by hope for folks taking things into their own hands.

What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?

No iAnything for me; still the faithful old Onkyo changer and weigh-a-ton KLH speakers – survivors of the last glacier.

At the horrible risk of leaving out many others, some fave 2011 albums: Middle Brother, The Drive-By Truckers’ Go-Go Boots, Confederate Buddha by Jimbo Mathus, Warren Haynes’ Man In Motion, Mike Doughty’s Yes And Also Yes.

Older stuff:

Spring-is-here album: Stir Fried – Electrifried

Sunday morning go-to music: Jon & Roy – Home

Get-lost album: Keith Jarrett – The Koln Concert

Let-‘er-rip album: Neil Young – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?

Apart from the DN-3 Taylor that became my go-to guitar, two artists that have been around for a while, paid their dues, and are really, really good:

The band Glossary deserves the same attention as the world gives Wilco. Everyone should have a copy of their latest album, Long Live All Of Us.

And they don’t come any more real or talented than Grayson Capps. His Lost Cause Minstrels album was another great release from 2011.

What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?

David Crosby & Graham Nash up here in Portland, ME at the State Theater on 5/21/11. Say what you will about the historic ego clashes and the wretched excesses of CS&N/CSN&Y’s past – these two are friends and soul brothers. The band hit the stage in Portland with a drifty, spacey jam – and Crosby suddenly dug into his old Strat and began chugging out a rhythm that exploded into a cover of The Byrds’ “Eight Miles High”. An evening of amazing passion.

When the two of them showed up to play for the Occupy folks on Wall Street, that wasn’t a career move – that was powered by heart and soul.

What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?

The Alabama Shakes – Just look up the video for their tune “Hold On” and you’ll be blown away – guaranteed. There’ll be a new album this spring.

Des Horsfall’s Kuschty Rye – Chock full of the spirit of the great, late Ronnie Lane’s solo work, Horsfall will break your heart and leave you smiling about it. His album The Good Gentleman’s Tonic is only available as an import at this point, but it’s worth laying hands to. And if he makes the States this year, go listen to him.

And Ray Wylie Hubbard’s been around for years – but he just as easily could’ve died a long time ago. A true survivor, Ray Wylie’s music is what Charles Bukowski might’ve cranked out if he’d played a wicked guitar and hailed from Texas. New album in March.

Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?

I have a New Monsoon show from San Francisco on 5/11/06 that features Steve Kimock and Tim Carbone sitting in on a 18:59 version of “Mountain Air”. It’s simply beautiful. I’d love to hear those two play together again with anyone.

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?

Finish the next book.

Make more outdoor time – especially get back out on the water more. It gets harder to do as you get older … but it’s needed. You could die at this desk.

*****

KEVIN LONG

What will you remember most about 2011?

All things considered, I would have to say Superball IX. I felt like a kid losing myself in the music for three glorious days. Phish delivered in every way, taking me to a place I forgot I missed.

What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?

I would have to say easily, Grateful Dead and Phish shows. As far as albums from this past year, Paul Simon’s “So Beautiful or So What” definitely got the most play.

What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?

Catching the Quixotic Fusion shows at Wakarusa blew my mind. I had heard nothing about this act prior to stumbling upon their hypnotic sound. I look forward to seeing them again.

What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?

I really enjoyed seeing Bela Fleck and the original Flectones at Harvest Festival. When the entire band sat in with Yonder afterwards, things got out of hand. That is a perfect memory.

What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?

Leftover Salmon is due for a big year. They seem to be reinvigorated with this line-up and have ambitious plans. Second, for a band not everybody is aware of, I believe Slip Lip Rayfeild is due to break out. They seem to be picking up steam every time I see them.

Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?

Steve Kimock with anybody, although I prefer Grateful Dead projects. Kimock has the uncanny ability to sit in with anybody and add to the performance. I am convinced he could make a Barry Manilow show smoke.

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?

To become a better husband while still catching a hundred shows.

*****

EVAN MANN

What will you remember most about 2011?

#OWS #DBG

What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?

Dawes – Nothing is Wrong, Meagafaun- Self Titled, War on Drugs – Slave Ambient

What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?

Jonathan Wilson….where have you been all my life?

What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?

LCD Soundsytem’s last show at MSG or Ryan Adams at Carnegie Hall. Talk about variety…

What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?

Spirit Family Reunion

Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?

Tough one….would love to see a Middle Brother follow up

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?

To start smoking cigarettes again (JK, going against the grain here).

*****

DAN WARRY-SMITH

What will you remember most about 2011?

The incredible lineup and unusually great weather at Camp Bisco X

What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?

From 2011:
Wilco – The Whole Love
Radiohead – The King Of Limbs
M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
Holy Ghost! – Holy Ghost!
Death Cab For Cutie – Codes & Keys

From History Times:
Portishead – Dummy
DJ Shadow – Endtroducing
The Notorious B.I.G – Ready To Die
Dr. Dog – Fate
OK Go – Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky

What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?

Amon Tobin’s ISAM Live (holy shit!)

What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?

Show I attended: Camp Bisco X
Show I wish I had attended: LCD Soundsystem at MSG

What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?

Union Duke

Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?

David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, & Jerry Harrison

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?

Get a record player, see more concerts.

*****

DEAN BUDNICK

What will you remember most about 2011?

Beautiful family moments aside…watching John Scher and Eric Baker engage at 92YTribeca, joining Josh Baron on the dais at Ticket Summit, great nights with old friends at Sonny Rollins, Phish, Todd Rundgren, Widespread Panic, Soulive, The Slip and Tedeschi Trucks Band.

What albums appear most in your iTunes or iPod?

Tedeschi Trucks Band Revelator, Dawes Nothing Is Wrong, Sidony Box Pink Paradise, Warren Haynes Man in Motion, Miles Davis Tribute To Jack Johnson, Grateful Dead Europe 72, 4/8/72, Wes Montgomery Smokin’ at The Half Note

What was the best musical discovery you made in 2011?

Baboon Moon, Middle Brother, Futurebirds.

What was your favorite show or tour of 2011?

Del McCoury Band/Preservation Hall Jazz Band Combo at Bonnaroo. Just inspiring on many levels

What musicians should readers look out for in 2012?

You’ve heard this already: Alabama Shakes, Real Estate, The Barr Bothers

Also: Sidony Box, Diamond Rugs

Are there any musicians you would like to see collaborate in 2012?

Jack Black and Kyle Gass.

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?

See more music at venues within 30 miles of home.