Best of 2019

Hmmm - well I'm not sure I have any massive new insights to offer, 12 months on.

I've been to fewer concerts again this year and I fear that I'm listening more to people I know I like, rather than breaking new ground on your behalf.

Might I be getting older?

Anyway, the live highlights were Tom Russell, back promoting a decent new album; Van Morrison, behaving himself and deigning to play the glorious 'Saint Dominic's Preview'; and the London African Gospel Choir, reminding us just how wonderful an album is Paul Simon's Graceland.

Some brilliant archive releases, including Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue box-set and the Travellin' Thru bootleg series release, and Neil Young and the Stray Gators' wonderful Tuscaloosa.

And, as for new records, in the traditional reverse order:

10. Lisa Hannigan, Live In Dublin

9. Brighde Chaimbeul, The Reeling

8. Michael Chapman, True North

7. Long Ryders, Psychedelic Country Soul

6. Gunn-Truscinsky Duo, Bay Head

5. William Tyler, Goes West

4. Tom Russell, October In The Railroad Earth

3. Hiss Golden Messenger, Terms Of Surrender

2. Jake Xerxes Fussell, Out Of Sight

1. Charles Rumback & Ryley Walker, Little Common Twist

In short:

• Ryley Walker continues to be a banker - buy with confidence, in whatever combination he's playing;
• Tom Russell's tearjerker 'Highway 46' is my favourite song of the year. Why, exactly, does "I wish I was in Bakersfield tonight" get me going, when I've never ever been there? Nostalgia is a flexible thing...
• J X Fussell is probably my personal discovery of the year - a fresh take on traditional folk and blues.