Top Shows of 2008

Your humble blogger saw most, but not all, the shows of 2008.  So my top concerts may be missing some of those I missed (e.g. Dar Williams, Johnny Winter).  But of those I saw, here are the tops in no particular order (leave your list in "comments").

Shelby Lynne--absolutely fab.  Great songs.  Great energy.  Great showmanship.

Los Strait Jackets--A load of fun from these masked masters of surf.

Jake Shimabukuro--Ukelele cat brought new respect for the instrument.  His version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is worth the price of admission.

Lil' Ed--Loved the "blues ballet."  Check his entry in this blog and you'll see why.

Sometymes Why--A super group of top female roots artists.  Loved the hand clapping part.

Samuel James--great, scratching blues dude.  He opened for Sonny Landreth.  You probably weren't paying attention.  I was.

Leo Kottke--Light-hearted class all the way.

Beppe Gambetta--Italian guitarist who didn't take himself too seriously.  Fun.

Pierre Bensusan--A classic.

Eric Lindell--A Springsteen for the new millennium.

Bettye LaVette--Soul for the ages.

Judith Owen--Funny, fairly unknown jazz pianist.  Very entertaining.