Here we are again, hurtling towards another Christmas and another year. Time flies when we’re having fun, so 2024 must have been a good one. An election in the UK gave me some hope. An election elsewhere took it away again. World leaders have rattled their sabres while horrendous conflicts have continued to fill our rolling news. It’s been a year of Post Office scandals, riots and royal illnesses, ending in a disappointing climate summit. Sports fans revelled in a wonderful Olympic Games while England were almost-there in the European Championships. In music news, Band Aid celebrated turned 40 with some debate about how the song portrayed Africa and the role of UK charities there. We said goodbye to the great Kris Kristofferson and Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead. Though not our genre, the death of One Direction’s Liam Payne was shocking, prompting many to ask questions about the music industry and how it treats its young stars. It’s not been all bad – David Lammy’s ‘old news’ and a precisely-aimed milkshake were highlights.
My personal musical year has been an absolute joy, beginning with the AUK writers’ get-together in Buxton. My live shows included: Ferris & Sylvester, Robert Plant, Sting, Frank Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Ella Spencer, The Sam Chase Trio, The Bluetones, Jerry Joseph and the tremendous Jason Isbell. Springsteen’s Wembley show was, as always, stirring and inspirational. Over 50 years into his music career and, along with the E Street Band, he can still perform with that remarkable energy and spirit. But it was equally magical to be in the basement of the Green Note at the very beginning of Ella Spencer’s career. I was privileged to record backstage mini-gigs for Ferris & Sylvester here and Taylor McCall here. My two favourite festivals were wonderfully communal and musically outstanding. Maverick was wet for the first time in its history but the music was superb: the likes of Our Man in the Field and Diana Jones delighted but the event was owned by Jerry Joseph and the ubiquitous violin maestro Chris Murphy. At Black Deer, I got to interview The Delines and loved JJ Grey & Mofro…and possibly shed a tear during “The Wheel” by the wonderful Rosanne Cash.
Now, we turn to the music videos of 2024 and I’ll begin with a couple of extras that, dear reader, you simply must absorb. Firstly, a ‘new’ song from a legend is essential viewing. “Hello Out There” from Johnny Cash is a glorious cosmic hymn. Next up, we have the superbly-directed, cinematic “Boy in the Wild” from Christy Moore. Enjoy both of these instant classics before we get into this year’s rundown of the best videos from each month.
Following those favourites, here is my list of favourite videos from 2024. One video has been selected from each month. Inevitably, there are some great songs and videos that miss out because a number of months were really busy with high-quality releases. I receive a great many videos each and every day; the competition is fierce. Apologies to all the excellent musicians not included here or whose music I didn’t manage to fit in during 2024. But what we’re left with is a pretty fine playlist to soundtrack your Christmas dinner.
January – Dean Owens “After the Rain” (original post here)
When I posted this song in January, I described it as, “…timeless class.” Watching it back, it’s still such a spellbinding performance. Dean Owens’ voice has a fullness, a richness to it that is utterly captivating. This was originally an online performance for a virtual Celtic Connections in 2021. Owens was joined by Calexico’s Joey Burns and Martin Wenk and Kevin McGuire of the Felsons – it’s hard to believe that these sounds were generated across three different countries. Wenk’s trumpet, swelling and rising remains with you long after the song is over.
February – Ferris & Sylvester “Headache” (Original post here)
February was one of those crazy months when an unbelievable stream of brilliant songs were posted, including videos by: Tyler Ramsey, Annie Dressner, The Steel Wheels, Robert Vincent, Elles Bailey, The Hanging Stars, Josh Fortenbery, Taylor McCall and Anna Tivel. The entire annual review could have been based on February. I’ve gone for “Headache” from Ferris & Sylvester – it’s always nice to premiere a video from one of my favourite acts. This was recorded live and raw and Issy Ferris’s unadorned voice is simply gorgeous. Add in Archie’s subtle harmonies and mellow guitar and the result is outstanding. The video is simple in concept but helps to reinforce the authentic kind of love and relationships of which they sing.
March – Icarus Phoenix “Different Languages” (Original post here)
Another premiere was the emotive “Different Languages” from Drew Danburry’s Icarus Phoenix. Danburry’s repetition of, “Words can build and destroy but some building is destruction,” as the song builds towards its climax is brilliantly tense. Danburry conveys perfectly what it’s like when a relationship unravels to the point when a couple just can’t communicate any longer, as if they’re speaking in different languages. An incredibly prolific songwriter, Danburry releases new music relentlessly. This song featured on the EP “Son”, which explored the heartbreak of divorce and leaving his son behind with his former wife. Shortly afterwards Icarus Phoenix released the album “I Should Have Known The Things You Never Said”, an incredibly powerful, lyrically stark album, challenging but rewarding in equal measure.
April – Robert Vincent “Burden” (original post here)
More intimate, more personal than his previous work, Robert Vincent’s “Barriers” is certainly a contender for Americana album of the year and possibly his best yet. “Burden” is an example of Vincent’s sensitive writing and musical craft, masterfully arranged with a tuneful chorus. The video stars fellow singer-songwriter Matt Owens, who actually appeared himself on last year’s video review of the year. Multi-award-winning Robert Vincent is at the peak of his powers here.
May – Steve Forbert “Sound Existence” (Original post here)
It was an absolute pleasure to premiere a video from the legendary Steve Forbert in May. “Sound Existence” is a flowing, rolling song with an easy, immediately-familiar melody. It showcases, once again, Forbert’s distinctively characterful, gravelly voice, full of warmth and wit. This is from the album “Daylight Savings Time”, which came out in the summer and was Forbert’s 21st album release – what a career, spanning decades since “Romeo’s Tune”, from Forbert’s second album “Jackrabbit Slim”, reached #11 on the Billboard pop charts in 1979. He’s still writing brilliant tunes – check out the latest album from Steve Forbert.
June – American Aquarium “Cherokee Purples” (Original Post here)
“Cherokee Purples” appeared on one of the year’s best albums – “The Fear of Standing Still” by American Aquarium. The band worked with three-time GRAMMY-winner Shooter Jennings to create a richly-layered sound across the album and this is my favourite of those songs. The opening grabs you immediately with powerful percussion, a gorgeous repeating sequence on the guitar and luscious pedal steel. Over these beautifully-arranged textures, BJ Barham delivers a captivating, warm vocal melody that feels new and familiar at once. Simply brilliant songwriting and played constantly throughout my summer.
July – Chris Murphy “Worn Thin” (original post here)
Urgent, hypnotic, rhythmic violin sets an atmospheric tone for this moody tale of ‘romantic fatigue’ from Chris Murphy. “Worn Thin” appeared on this summer’s EP “The Red Road”, which was Murphy’s 21st release. The incredibly prolific violinist has released more than 500 songs over his career. A more stripped back collection, these songs are great live and one of my personal highlights of 2024 was watching Murphy perform at the Maverick Festival, where he accompanied at least fourteen different acts on stage. Literally, he just kept popping up, lending his considerable gifts to musicians that he had often not met before appearing alongside them, never mind having rehearsed together. Each collaboration was wondrously improvised, sweeping, riffing fiddle filling out the sound of others’ songs. His own set was totally ethereal and absorbing, looping musical phrases building through epic songs. I was delighted to have premiered one of his songs just before the festival.
August – Dawes “House Parties” (Original post here)
I listened to this a lot during the summer – it was one of those songs that accompanied all my summer days. Upbeat and uplifting, “House Parties” from Dawes is a catchy, tuneful song that sounds immediately familiar. The bass and rhythms will have you swaying and dancing and singing along to this song about belonging. It’s taken from the band’s 9th studio album “Oh Brother”, a new direction for the band. I love the fact that the video features footage from real house parties supplied by fans – this is real, authentic fun and it’s infectious.
September – Frank Turner “Somewhere Inbetween” (Original post here)
Possibly my favourite video of the year, the artfully-cinematic visual accompaniment for “Somewhere Inbetween” presents us with a compelling narrative: an alternate life for Frank Turner, imagining that his music career ended back in 2005 after punk band Million Dead split. Well-shot and full of clever details, the video is particularly notable for Turner’s heartfelt, aching portrayal of someone who can’t find peace, haunted by ghosts of what might have been. When he sings, “…a stranger to myself,” we see a man unravelling, unable to come to terms with himself. He takes a great song and, with this inventive video from director Stuart Alexander, transforms it into something even greater. Powerful stuff.
October – Chuck Prophet “Red Sky Night” (Original post here)
“Red Sky Night” was recorded with Chuck Prophet’s band The Mission Express and ¿Qiensave?, a Californian band that Prophet fell in love with while recovering from serious illness. There are gorgeous depths and textures provided by the masterfully-arranged instrumentation. In particular, the guitar and lap steel are sublime and Prophet’s vocal melody is absolutely brilliant. “Red Sky Night” soars, a shimmering, subtly epic song that is amongst the best released in 2024. It’s taken from the new collaborative album “Wake the Dead”, which is full of life and energy. Enjoy.
November – Jesse Malin “Argentina” (Original post here)
This is a genuinely emotional song and video that reflect on Jesse Malin’s time in Argentina where he was being treated for a serious illness. Musically and visually, we join him during this difficult period and his weary vocal and harmonica are really affecting. Earlier this year, a wonderful tribute and benefit album was released featuring some of the finest artists, including: Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, Frank Turner, The Hold Steady, Elvis Costello and Counting Crows. “Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin” is packed with great songs, re-imagined and brilliantly performed. If you haven’t already, you must check it out.
December – Aoife O’Donovan “All My Friends” (Original post here)
What a stunning song to round off the year. Aoife O’Donovan’s voice is simply magical in this performance with the National Symphony Orchestra and 124-member Girls’ Chorus at the Kennedy Center. The angelic backing is heavenly and the arrangement is perfect. This is deeply affecting stuff and it’s no surprise that O’Donovan has been nominated for two GRAMMY Awards for 2025. This single was the title track on her album from earlier this year, a critically-acclaimed release that’s just as absorbing as 2022’s three-time GRAMMY-nominated “Age of Apathy”. Beautiful and timeless. Enjoy.
So, there you have it. Another year has swept by and amidst the constant changes, one constant is the flowing river of great music that continues to enchant us. Amongst the thousands of videos I’ve seen this year, just a few are on this list but they make a fine summary of 2024 and I hope you enjoy checking them out as much as I enjoyed writing about them. Your Christmas holiday homework this year involves exploring the new albums from the following talented artists: Ferris & Sylvester, JJ Grey & Mofro, Robert Vincent, Aoife O’Donovan, Peter Bruntnell, Bob Sumner, American Aquarium, Taylor McCall, Josh Fortenbery, Jesse Malin, Chuck Prophet and Dawes. What delights await you – these are the best Christmas gifts I can offer. Enjoy the holidays and we look forward to more stunning videos in 2025.
