2025 is coming to an end, and this is when I render my music list for the year. The purpose is to offer a gift of music, to share what I have been listening to during the year, possibly help folks find new artists, and to document what I have been listening to throughout. This year's list was easy to create and amazingly all the songs that are on this list were released in 2025 with the exception of Fr. Bonporti's song. The purpose of the list is not to share currently released music, however, it happened this year -- very cool!!!
Here is the list:
10) Cory Weeds - Jazz! Saxophone, need I say more? Cory had owned his own club for years and is playing music like we are in the height of jazz. If you have a taste for the Blue Note years mixed with an occasional Tito flair you will enjoy Cory
9) Rachel and Vilray - If you have ever listened to Rachel Price with Lake Street Dive you will know her voice right away. She has a clear beautiful sound and singing along with Vilray's bossa nova guitar you will find some tunes for a quiet candlelit dinner..... yeah right, who are you kidding, you have 6 kids ;)
8) Dean Johnson - Folk, and why have you not heard about him? Because if I understand correctly he started playing the stage when he was 50.
7) Natalie Bergman - Not sure how to describe her music, the song "Lonely Road" is like going back in time to a better place, but as you listen to the rest of the album you might begin to hear something a bit deeper.
6) Father Francesco Antonio Bonparti - This gem was discovered in the Imaginative Conservative site. Do you like Vivaldi? You will like Bonparti. This album was the "most listened to" of 2025 and when you listen you will understand why.
5) Aaron Frazer - He has been on the list before, he sings with Durand Jones and the Indications, but will also sing along --- his falsetto voice will bring you back to the days of Smokey Robinson.
4) Charley Crockett - He ended up coming to Philly this year with Leon Bridges at The Mann. Looking forward to seeing his stage presence mature, but he has a sound that oscillates between country and blues. Unique voice with edge to story telling that is human. Refreshing to say the least, and again has been on this list before for a reason.
3) The James Hunter Six -- New to the list this year, Soul music! R&B, but wow does this team pack a punch. This was a happy find!
2) Watchhouse - Husband & wife folk duo. They ended up coming to the Keswick this year and the private setting was fitting. Again, the story telling and imagery with their lyrics is worth a studied listen.
1) Goose! They release 2 albums in 2025, and the second album released a day after my daughter's birthday, as if to offer her their own birthday present they named a song after her Maddalena -- they spell with one "L" but who is counting. Also, say them at The Mann this past year, and wow! Goose is a jam band, so not all their songs sound like Madalena, but easily my favorite band at this point.
Finally, half the reason I write this list is to offer a note to whomever says there is not good music being make today, I would say you have to look in the "fat tail" to find it. I hope this helps you on your music journey!
Warm regards,
Paul
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