Top 40 releases of 2007 Johan Annetorp – Rootsy Magazine (Sweden) www.rootsy.nu/
1. Mark Olson - The Salvation Blues ( Hacktone/ Rykodisc ) 2. Joe Henry - Civilians ( Anti ) 3. Nathan Holscher - Even The Hills ( Self Released/ Hemifrån ) 4. Linda Thompson - Versatile Heart ( Rounder ) 5. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand ( Rounder ) 6. Malcolm Holcombe - Not Forgotten ( Munich ) 7. Peter Case - Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John ( Yep Roc ) 8. Paul Curreri - The Velvet Rut ( Tin Angel ) 9. Richard Hawley - Lady's Bridge ( Mute ) 10. The Bench Connection - Around the House In 80 Days ( 50/50 Recordings ) 11. Patty Griffin - Children Running Through ( Ato Records ) 12. Eleni Mandell - Miracle Of Five ( Zedtone/ V2 ) 13. Rich McCulley - Cerro Gordo ( Self Released ) 14. Rickie Lee Jones - The Sermon On Exposition Boulevard ( New West ) 15. Levon Helm - Dirt Farmer ( Vanguard ) 16. Anders F Rönnblom - Underground Vol. 1 ( F - Records ) 17. Nick Lowe - At My Age ( Proper ) 18. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests Of... ( V2 ) 19. P.J O' Connell - Careful ( Clang ) 20. Adam Hood - Different Groove ( Little Dog ) 21. Kelly Willis - Translated From Love ( Rykodisc ) 22. Jim White - Transnormal Skiperoo ( Luaka Bop/ V2 ) 23. Richmond Fontaine - Thirteen Cities ( Decor ) 24. Beaver Nelson - Exiting Opportunity ( Freedom ) 25. Tommy Womack - There, I Said It ( Cedar Creek ) 26. Justin Currie - What Is Love For ( Rykodisc ) 27. Loudon Wainwright III - Strange Weirdos ( Concord ) 28. Brett Dennen - So Much More ( Dualtone ) 29. Jacob Golden - Revenge Songs ( Sawtooth ) 30. Lucinda Williams - West ( Lost Highway ) 31. Tom Brosseau - Cavalier ( Fat Cat ) 32. Robert Wyatt - Comicopera ( Domino ) 33. J.J Grey & Mofro - Country Ghetto ( Alligator ) 34. Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade ( New West ) 35. Over The Rhine - The Trumpet Child ( Great Speckled Dog ) 36. Barry Sides - Broken Hearts Broken Strings ( Flying Pig ) 37. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger ( Lost Highway ) 38. Basia Bulat - Oh, My Darling ( Rough Trade ) 39. Steve Forbert - Strange Names & New Sensations ( 429 Records ) 40. Jeb Loy Nicholls - Days Are Mighty ( Tuition )
Barry Sides: Reviews
Barry Sides “Broken Hearts Broken Strings” Label: Flying Pig Records
Barry Sides is a veteran musician who has been active in the music scene since the mid seventies. He has appeared in concert with music greats Bob Dylan, BB King, and Leon Russell just to mention a few.
But it would not be until 2001 before he would recorded his debut, "Slippin' Away" and now another five years later with his follow up – the masterpiece “Broken Hearts Broken Strings”
The album is recorded with a hand picked troop of top musicians, including former Tom Petty and the The Heartbreakers, Stan Lynch, multi Grammy winning bassist Ronny Cates, and guitarist producer Jeff Sims. They managed to make a very classic sound. Barry Sides is at his best, writing melodies that quickly become addictive. You can really hear that the mood in the studio must have been genial, because the sound is very relaxed yet pushes the music through. The musicians sound as if they were born for this excellent material and they carry the music through as a tight unit. You are in great hands and the style is close to perfect, they know exactly how to make the music swing while leaving just enough space for the songs to breathe in a production that is quite moderate.
The lyrics sparkle and are poetic observations of a life that above all is about broken hearts and loss. Barry Sides writes about his experiences and his words are written with razorblade sharpness, that are not far from the great singing poets like Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt.
“Broken Hearts Broken Strings” screams for attention and Barry Sides raises himself high above the average as a songwriter, in a genre that is very overcrowded.
This is extremely good music and if you think highly of the music of Bob Dylan, Steve Earl, or Tom Petty, make sure you do not miss this pearl.
Johan Annetorp _ Rootsy Magazine Translation from Swedish by Hans Malm
I couldn't stop listening author: jil A few songs leaped out at me immediately, but I found myself listening to the whole album and finding I couldn't stop. The pain and sadness spoke to me and the lyrics have an ironic twist that made me smile. What's not to love?
• Barry is a great songwriter and musician. Broken Hearts, Broken Strings is a CD with songs that have lyrics that touch the heart. The listener will be saying-I've felt that way before-I know what he is singing about.
What great music and amazing lyrics. Your lyrics are insightful and seem to communicate basic feelings we all have but can not seem to put into words. When I listen to your songs it seems as if I have known you forever. Keep writing, keep playing!
Incredible lyrics. Straight from the heart. Barry Sides Broken Hearts Broken Strings fits perfectly between my Bob Dylan and Tom Petty Cd’s. I’m a fan!
Great wit and creativity…love your music!
Your use of word and music is nothing short of classic. Count me as your newest fan! Keep a smile in your heart,
Nice tunes! I've listened to the whole group now three times. I'm not here to review your new album, but do let me list a few things that stand out for me: great vocal delivery, amazing lyrics, good performances and well-recorded & mixed (and I have a little xperience how tough that can be to achieve.) What's not to like, I ask you!
great original material and a refreshing style to go with it.
Like John Prine, Barry Sides writes with wit and intelligence from a place a little off center.
I still have Memphis Morning Rain in my head.
I don't normally like every song on a CD but I like every one on yours! Great songwriting...Why aren't you more famous?!
I listened to your CD. . . . I liked every song on the CD. I hear Townes Van Zandt
I’ve played your Cd in my car so often that my car know all the words!
Got your CD in the mail yesterday and it sounds great! Love Memphis Morning Rain.
Great songs! I love Letters From Diane...
Great lyrics and a unique vocal style!
Top 40 releases of 2007 Johan Annetorp – Rootsy Magazine (Sweden) www.rootsy.nu/ 1. Mark Olson - The Salvation Blues ( Hacktone/ Rykodisc ) 2. Joe Henry - Civilians ( Anti ) 3. Nathan Holscher - Even The Hills ( Self Released/ Hemifrån ) 4. Linda Thompson - Versatile Heart ( Rounder ) 5. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand ( Rounder ) 6. Malcolm Holcombe - Not Forgotten ( Munich ) 7. Peter Case - Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John ( Yep Roc ) 8. Paul Curreri - The Velvet Rut ( Tin Angel ) 9. Richard Hawley - Lady's Bridge ( Mute ) 10. The Bench Connection - Around the House In 80 Days ( 50/50 Recordings ) 11. Patty Griffin - Children Running Through ( Ato Records ) 12. Eleni Mandell - Miracle Of Five ( Zedtone/ V2 ) 13. Rich McCulley - Cerro Gordo ( Self Released ) 14. Rickie Lee Jones - The Sermon On Exposition Boulevard ( New West ) 15. Levon Helm - Dirt Farmer ( Vanguard ) 16. Anders F Rönnblom - Underground Vol. 1 ( F - Records ) 17. Nick Lowe - At My Age ( Proper ) 18. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests Of... ( V2 ) 19. P.J O' Connell - Careful ( Clang ) 20. Adam Hood - Different Groove ( Little Dog ) 21. Kelly Willis - Translated From Love ( Rykodisc ) 22. Jim White - Transnormal Skiperoo ( Luaka Bop/ V2 ) 23. Richmond Fontaine - Thirteen Cities ( Decor ) 24. Beaver Nelson - Exiting Opportunity ( Freedom ) 25. Tommy Womack - There, I Said It ( Cedar Creek ) 26. Justin Currie - What Is Love For ( Rykodisc ) 27. Loudon Wainwright III - Strange Weirdos ( Concord ) 28. Brett Dennen - So Much More ( Dualtone ) 29. Jacob Golden - Revenge Songs ( Sawtooth ) 30. Lucinda Williams - West ( Lost Highway ) 31. Tom Brosseau - Cavalier ( Fat Cat ) 32. Robert Wyatt - Comicopera ( Domino ) 33. J.J Grey & Mofro - Country Ghetto ( Alligator ) 34. Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade ( New West ) 35. Over The Rhine - The Trumpet Child ( Great Speckled Dog ) 36. Barry Sides - Broken Hearts Broken Strings ( Flying Pig ) 37. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger ( Lost Highway ) 38. Basia Bulat - Oh, My Darling ( Rough Trade ) 39. Steve Forbert - Strange Names & New Sensations ( 429 Records ) 40. Jeb Loy Nicholls - Days Are Mighty ( Tuition )