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10
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David
Gilmour
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On an Island
(©2006)
 This
was an album I had been waiting for, and it was probably my biggest
disappointment in 2006. It's not that it's a bad album - there are times
when it is beautifully executed. I can't quite put my finger on it,
but it just wasn't up to my expectations. Still, this is David Gilmour,
and even a less than stellar work by one of my favourite dinosaurs is
better than most of what I listened to last year.
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9
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DW
Dunphy
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Gibberish
(©2005)
 This
was a total surprise. This is an indie project by DW Dunphy. I really
haven't liked anything I've heard by him before. I don't care for his
voice, and in my arrogance thought he was a sub par player. So imagine
my surprise when I got a copy of Gibberish and was blown away.
This is a progressive instrumental work. It's wonderfully thought out,
and it flows nicely. If you like Tangerine Dream, with the feeling of
vintage Floyd you'll love this.
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8
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Proto-Kaw
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The
Wait of Glory (©2006)
 Kerry
and company nail another one. The Wait of Glory is unabashed prog at
it finest in my opinion. It's often a meandering self indulgent noodle-fest.
I love it. If you liked early Kansas before they went all "commercial"
then you need to seek out Proto-Kaw.
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7
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Delp
and Goudreau |
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Delp and
Goudreau (©2003)
 This
one came with an RTZ album as a bonus disc. What a find! At long last
an album that doesn't sound like Barry trying to prove he was part of
the Boston sound by releasing yet another Bostonesque album. Delp
and Goudreau is a straight ahead pop album that showcases Brad's
mature voice, and showcases Barry's ability as an unsung guitar hero.
You can find this album at
CDBaby and other places, but if you're smart look for the Frontiers
version of Lost and Found by RTZ and get both at the same time.
Additional: After Brad's passing
I dug this up again, and was struck by how poignant many of these songs
are. It makes for a bittersweet experience.
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6
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Liberty
N' Justice
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Soundtrack
of a Soul (©2006)
 I
can only assume that Justin was a little pissed at the reception Welcome
to the Revolution received. His attempts to merge rap and metal
into something listenable wasn't exactly blowing people away (I kind
of like it, but then again I like John Tesh). So when Justin regrouped
he pulled out the stops and brought in even bigger guns. Soundtrack
of a Soul featured some kick ass performances, and set the bar pretty
high.
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5
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Daniel
Amos
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When Everyone
Wore Hats (©2002)
 This
was an odd choice for a redo. Songs of the Heart was never one
of my favourite Daniel Amos albums, so the thought of a three CD set
expanding and revisiting the album didn't exactly set my world on fire.
So after a few years it's started to sink in. The original album still
has one of my all time favourite songs, and is the title of this collection.
The re-imagined songs are breezy and are done live off the floor as
a jazz combo - it's pretty cool. I'm not sure if this will have a wide
appeal outside of the faithful, but then again there weren't millions
of copies printed.
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4
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Ry
Cooder - Manuel Galban
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Mambo Sinuendo
(©2003)
 Ry
Cooder teams up with Mauel Galban and creates a work that blew me away.
This is a delightful work, and one that is a must for those who liked
the Buena Vista Social Club.
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3
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Oasis
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Heathen
Chemistry (©2002)
Another year another
top 10 finish for my favourite English wankers. This time I go back
and revisit 2002's Heathen Chemistry. It was an album that kind
of got buried in the pile when it came out. After a number of listens
I found myself strangely hooked.
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2
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Saga
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Trust
(©2006)
 Saga
continues to release great albums coming on thirty years into their
career. Trust was also the album that introduced my son to one
of my favourite bands. It was great to hear this blasting out his bedroom
along with Billy Talent and They Might Be Giants. Pretty cool if you
ask me.
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1
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Toto |
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Falling
in Between (©2006)
 Holy
smokes! Toto emerges with their strongest albums in ages. Falling
in Between is a near brilliant work by the band. They can't get
any respect in North America, but in Europe they continue to be a huge
draw. This is really a great album and by far my favourite album this
year.
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