My 2009 Favorites

I've avoided "Best of", "Top" or other superlatives because I don't want to argue about why Wilco and Lyle Lovett aren't on my list.
So, in no particular order, the albums that I truly enjoyed and played the hell out of (iTUNES play count doesn't lie) in 2009 were:

Todd Snider / "The Excitement Plan": If Todd can't make you laugh (and think) nobody can.
Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women (self-titled)
Tom Russell / "Blood And Candle Smoke": A perfect companion piece to "The Man From God Knows Where" and "Hot Walker".
Chuck Prophet / "Let Freedom Ring!": Swagger, sarcasm and sweetness. A perfect album for imperfect times. Tonio K would be proud.
Drew Kennedy / "An Audio Guide To Cross Country Travel"
Chris Hickey / "Razzmatazz"
Matthew Barber / "Ghost Notes" and his EP "Side Notes"
Vanessa Peters and Ice Cream on Monday / "Sweetheart Keep Your Chin Up"
Ian Hunter / "Man Overboard": Seventy and still rockin'...nice follow up to "Shrunken Heads".
Sam Baker / "Cotton": Worth the price of admission for one song-"Signs".
Corb Lund / "Losin' Lately Gambler": Canadiana, talkin' blues and Corb name checks Stompin' Tom Connors.
Chris Knight / "Trailer II"
Terry Anderson and the Olympic Ass Kickin' Team / "National Champions"
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (self-titled): A very strong solo album from the former DBTer.
Sons of Bill / "One Town Away"
Austin Collins / "Roses Are Black": Look for a new disc from Austin in early 2010!

Favorite Concerts:
John Howie and the Rosewood Bluff / Saxapahaw Music Series, Saxapahaw, NC
Todd Snider / Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey / Sarah Duke Gardens, Durham, NC
Alejandro Escovedo / Reynolds Theatre at Duke University, Durham, NC
Dex Romweber Duo / Sarah Duke Gardens, Durham, NC
Austin Collins and the Rainbirds / Slim's, Raleigh, NC
Kenny Roby / Broad Street Cafe, Durham, NC
Austin Collins and Drew Kennedy / The Oxford, Raleigh, NC
Matthew Barber / The Mill, Carrboro, NC
Chuck Mead / Berkeley Cafe, Raleigh, NC

Favorite novel:
"How To Rob An Armored Car" by Iain Levison
Springsteen's "Youngstown" meets Richard Russo with a sense of humor.
Somebody needs to make a movie out of this book and get Todd Snider to write the soundtrack.