We are just about halfway through the 2020 release year that runs December-November. This has been a pretty interesting release year. Overall, I’ve seen a lot more EPs and singles released that I have in prior years. You can thank Spotify and YouTube for that I think. Check out what I’ve been playing this year. And please – like, follow and subscribe. In the meantime, here are the …
…TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2020 – SO FAR (vote for your favorite below)
There’s got to be no doubt that future Colorado Music Hall of Fame member Nathaniel Rateliff‘s solo album AndIt’s Still Alright is the presumptive #1 album of 2020 – in every way imaginable. It’s certainly worthy of Grammy consideration for 2021.
Boulder natives The Wood Brothers return from their Grammy nominated One Drop of Truth with Kingdom In My Mind, once again demonstrating the depth of their Americana dust-bowl sounding roots. It’s hard enough to get one album nominated for a Grammy. It’s like winning a Super Bowl, or World Series. Can the Boulder brothers get there again?
Denver newcomer Andy Frasco brought with him a very nicely produced summertime album, Keep On Keeping On, that captures a bit of the rowdy R&B feel of a Nightsweats album, but doesn’t put the full weight of his considerable songwriting and arranging skills there. Andy likes venturing off into more pop directions.
This is modern music. On their first release in three years, Free Your Mind, Boulder’s EDM sensation Big Gigantic turns the page on what it sounds like to fuse jazz, soul, funk, EDM, house and a myriad of other sonic colors and textures.
Reverend Freakchild is one seriously enigmatic bluesman – no doubt due to his association with Naropa University where he’s studying for a graduate degree. The Rev’s latest, the Bodhisattva Blues, has been sparring with Nathaniel Rateliff‘s latest for the #1 position in the Colorado titles chart at RootsMusicReport.com. Oh, and it’s all covers.
Monday May 11, 2020 – I wake up every Monday morning and sit at the kitchen table to write this post. I look out at a trio of unfinished homes from my window. I haven’t seen a single crew for weeks. And I wonder when those houses will be finished, when they’ll be sold and when I’ll see families coming in and out of them. More than that, I wonder when I’ll be face to face with you in person from a stage.
On this particular Monday morning I grieve for one of Denver’s most loved venue owners, Sandra Holman Watts – owner of Live at Jacks – who tearfully announced via video that she has had to close her venue permanently.
In the meantime, some local venues and rehearsal studios have figured out ways to produce live streaming events with full production. And of course musicians are still sending out good vibes from their homes.
One bit of good news – besides producing this show for you weekly from my home studio, I am also an on air host at 105.5 The Colorado Sound KJAC Greeley. I host Saturday 8AM to 12PM and Sunday 5PM-8PM. I haven’t been on since early March. I will return to my Saturday morning shift next Saturday, May 16.
Sweaty Greeley Soul – that’s how the Burrough’s are known. Their spirited shows are infectious dance parties. Their messages are socially conscious and focused on love and unity.
The Colorado Playlist may be the largest collection of curated video playlists on YouTube! Check it out and please subscribe.
At Bohemian Foundation, our focus is on building community …by coming together to create and enjoy music.
MONDAY MORNING MUSIC MEETING (MMMM)
You make a big difference in what gets played on the show. Every week I share some or all of the new music played on the show with you, here in the MMMM. Your rating gets factored into my decision in what to maintain in the show’s “for airplay” library.
A REMINDER: Please listen to ALL of the songs and rate them. Thanks 🙂
(D) = debut LP/EP or single
(N) = new track from previously debuted LP/EP
(P) = Colorado Playlist premier / not available online
The Samples – Close To The Fires – The Samples (1989) (D) David Ladon – Plastic Angel – Mother Market (2020)
The Haunted Windchimes – Spring Cleaning – Sleepy Baby (2019) Cary Morin – Lay Baby Lay – When I Rise (2018) Blue Mesa – Straight Thru Me (2020) John Common – You Ain’t Broken – The Low Wines, Vol. 1 EP (2020) Big Head Todd & The Monsters – Runaway Train – Riviera (2002) The String Cheese Incident – Sing A New Song – Outside Inside (2001) (D) Hard Pressed – Red Rocking Chair – Magic Dime (2020) Whitacre – Seaons – Seasons (2019) King Cardinal – Metronome – Great Lakes (2017) Keith Oxman – The Splashers – Caught Between the Lion and the Twins (2008)
HOUR 2
Rare Silk – Red Clay – New Weave (1983) (D) The Lovely And Talented – Roll with the Changes – Election Day (2020)
Lucy Daydream – Awake & Dreaming – Awake & Dreaming (2019) Moors & McCumber – La Da Da – Acrobats (2018) Finn O’Sullivan – When The Power Comes Back On – When The Power Comes Back On (2020) YaSi – Dreams – Unavailable (2019) Devotchka – Along The Way – A Mad & Faithful Telling (2008) Jack Hadley – Deeper & Deeper – Deeper (2008) (N) Andy Frasco – I’ve Got a Long Way to Go – Keep On Keepin On (2020)
Richard Dean – Eileen – Vignettes (2017) Mark Oblinger – Living Imitation – High Water Line (2019) The Motet – Nachez – Breathe (1999)
THIS WEEK ON YOUTUBE
Rocky Mountain Music Relief Inc – a Colorado 501C3 non-profit with a mission to provide financial and in-kind support to those individuals, groups and organizations within our Colorado music industry that have been impacted physically, financially and/or emotionally due to the occurrence of natural disasters or unforeseen tragedies within their communities.
The Colorado Playlist is fully dependent on financial support from its sponsors as well as donations from listeners. If you’re a small local business, I am currently offering special COVID-19 rates during the duration of this crisis. Email me at coloradoplaylist@gmail.com
Monday May 04, 2020 – It’s been estimated that over 60% of us discover new music at free outdoor live music events put on in our local communities, while less than 40% discover new music at various types of indoor venues. Of course, that’s pre-COVID.
Now, Facebook has become the de facto source for live music, the audience left watching and engaging on our devices. These shows have also become a significant way we donate to local causes – from supporting our local artists, to supporting organizations feeding those who need it now the most.
The Colorado Playlist may be the largest collection of curated video playlists on YouTube! Check it out and please subsribe.
VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK
This month’s Big Head Todd & the Monsters‘ Monsters Music Monthly is in honor of the late John Prine. And of course, they obeyed stay-at-home rules.
At Bohemian Foundation, our focus is on building community …by coming together to create and enjoy music.
MONDAY MORNING MUSIC MEETING (MMMM)
You make a big difference in what gets played on the show. Every week I share some or all of the new music played on the show with you, here in the MMMM. Your rating gets factored into my decision in what to maintain in the show’s “for airplay” library.
A REMINDER: Please listen to ALL of the songs and rate them. Thanks 🙂
(D) = debut LP/EP or single
(N) = new track from previously debuted LP/EP
(P) = Colorado Playlist premier / not available online
Let me know if there’s something you think I should play. Email coloradoplaylist@gmail.com
HOUR 1
Chuck Pyle – Colorado – Camel Rock (1995) (D) Claire Heywood – Python – I Won’t Resign My Love For That Old Dream (2020)
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – Hey Mama – Tearing At The Seams (2018) Big Head Todd & The Monsters – Damaged One – New World Arisin’ (2017) (N) Reverend Freakchild – Big Boss Man – The Bodhisattva Blues (2020) Lee Sims – Live Myself to Death Before I Die – A Few More Miles to Go (2020) Mollie O’Brien – Big Red Sun Blues – Big Red Sun Blues (1998) Hillbilly Hellcats – I Never Thought – Our Brand (1998) Rob Drabkin – It’s A Beautiful Day – Beautiful Day (2018) (D) Dream Feed – Touch The Flame (2020)
Plum – Love Is In the Air – Light Years Dark Years EP (2016) Megan Burtt – In A Minute – The Bargain (2015) The Fred Hess Band – Norman’s Gold – Single Moment (2008)
HOUR 2
Liz Barnez – Don’t Rush Me – Liz Barnez Band (1993) (D) Dragondeer – Stay High (2020)
Thom Sumbler And The Exceptions – It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie – There’s One In Every Crowd (2019) Zuba – To Whom It May Concern – The New Cruelty (1996) (N) Andy Frasco – Keep On Keeping On – Keep On Keepin On (2020)
Whitewater Ramble – This Ol’ Guitar – Pseudonymous (2020) Sherri Jackson – Time & Time – Sherri Jackson (1997) The Apples In Stereo – Questions And Answers – Her Wallpaper Reverie (1999) The Lumineers – Life In The City – III (2019) (P) Augustus – Kick Your Doors Down – Color TV and Tall Tales (2020) Wildermiss – Carry Your Heart – Lost With You EP (2017) Electric Swingset – Inebriated Witch Doctor – Inebriated Witch Doctor (1996) (D) Steve Denny Trio – Wig’s Ears – Life in New York (2020)
THIS WEEK ON YOUTUBE
Rocky Mountain Music Relief Inc – a Colorado 501C3 non-profit with a mission to provide financial and in-kind support to those individuals, groups and organizations within our Colorado music industry that have been impacted physically, financially and/or emotionally due to the occurrence of natural disasters or unforeseen tragedies within their communities.
The Colorado Playlist is fully dependent on financial support from its sponsors as well as donations from listeners. If you’re a small local business, I am currently offering special COVID-19 rates during the duration of this crisis. Email me at coloradoplaylist@gmail.com
We are just about halfway through the 2020 release year that runs December-November. This has been a pretty interesting release year. Overall, I’ve seen a lot more EPs and singles released that I have in prior years. You can thank Spotify and YouTube for that I think. Check out what I’ve been playing this year. And please – like, follow and subscribe. In the meantime, here are the …
Chris K's Colorado Playlist 