Top 14 CD's of 2011

As we enter the third round some re-introduction. These are my picks of the CD's I first acquired or heard this year. So there are many "old" CD's on this list. People don't send me free records- I have to buy them. Here's what the top 14 are for the third round of the shootout

Tierney Sutton-American Road.

I bought this from the Artists Website. I got a track free using "tweet for a track" and also listened to the bulk of it on Spotify. And I still bought it.

Boston-Boston

Always loved this record. Finally bought it. Paid retail at Borders before they closed. I probably first heard this on WMET-Chicago. Google it. It will give you and idea how old I am. I also remember seeing a huge in-store display for the record in a Ben Franklin store. Google that too. All that radio and promo finally worked 35 years later. (Google what a record is too, if you must)

Geoffrey Keezer-Falling Up

Complete audible purchase from Jazz Record Mart. I follow Keez on twitter. Sometimes he talks to me-he's always funny. So that was probably the impetus for me buying this record. Plus he's on most of my later Ray Brown sides and he plays his ass off on those. I figured it was a safe bet.

Yo Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Chris Thiele, Edgar Meyer-Goat Rodeo Sessions

It's got Edgar Meyer on it. Zero chance I don't buy it. Pre-ordered, but thanks to Sony's fulfillment department didn't get until about a week late. Listened to some on Spotify, but I'd already bought it by then.

Darcy James Argue-Infernal Machines

Heard a lot about this record on Twitter. Thought it was yet another case of emperor's new clothes. Then I heard a track on Accujazzradio, and bought it the next day. Physical copy with instant download from the label website. My favorite format!

Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology

Never had the original version everyone uses in Jazz appreciation class. Got the new version as a gift. Great compilation, and still in the running for top honors. Needs more Ron Carter and PC though.

Kira Small & Bryan Beller-Live at the White house

Another side I picked up primarily from talking to the artists on Twitter. Heard a nice long demo in soundcloud, and decided I could share some of my hard earned bread on this

John Coltrane-My Favorite Things

Long overdue. Bought at discount when Borders was wrapping up shop.

Vince Mendoza-Nights On Earth

Bought from label website. Heard about this from miss Donna M @elementsofjazz. She posted the EPK, and after playing it I decided I needed to get this side.

Tedeschi Trucks Band-Revelator

This was a birthday gift. Probably an Amzaon recommendation to my wife. Really glad to have this side. I have one other TTB side that goes back aways. I first got to hear this band on the Clapton-Crossroads DVD.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones-Rocket Science

Another one I was fished in on due to an EPK. Plus I had to check out Howard Levy's return to the band.

Howard Levy-Tonight and Tomorrow

Bought from the artists' table. Saw a duo show with him and a guitarist in Elgin. Dug the show, got the souvenir.

Metropole Orkest-54

Was on quite a few 2010 best of lists. Bought at a discount from a Borders closing. Never heard it before buying it.