2018 was a hell of a year. Hiss seemed to be on the road more often than not—we played Jazz Fest in New Orleans for the first time the Newport Folk Festival, one of our country's great musical gatherings, and a million shows in between—and the whole time I felt like I was looking over my shoulder, like something was chasing me down and gaining on me each day. I sang with Mavis Staples and John Prine, played with Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench—got to be around my heroes, really—and the whole time there was a small voice in the back of my mind saying, “Watch out.” I'm sure I'll figure out a way to articulate this more clearly sometime. Music was a balm and healer. This is some music that I liked this year, and it's not at all comprehensive.

The Tree of Forgiveness by John Prine
There was not a record of more importance in my life than this one in 2018. I cannot believe it exists, how good it is, how concise and sad and beautifully melodic. To me, Prine is sort of an unlikely survivor and elder musical statesman—he's kind of too good and too smart—and the fact that he made a record that stands up to, and even betters, some of his very best loved work was a source of tremendous hope and happiness to me.

Freedom by Amen Dunes
My Dad had a heart attack in the spring of this year and it was unclear whether he was going to make it. He lives in Southern California, and I just happened to be in Los Angeles as part of a show celebrating Jerry Garcia's music during his convalescence a few days later. On the morning of the show, I woke up very early and drove down the 5 to Orange County, where my folks live, to see him. This record was the soundtrack to that drive, and probably will always be connected to that moment for me. Even though I know this record was made in New York, it sounds like the freeways around L.A. to me.

The Hex by Richard Swift
Swift's death was a terrible and stupid loss to music. I always loved his production and arrangement work, but had never spent much time with his solo records. I love this record.

Overload by Georgia Anne Muldrow
I think Georgia Anne Muldrow is one of the true original souls in music. Her work sounds like nothing else out there, totally unique and on its own groove. She seems to be on a real deep journey, like maybe the audience is incidental to what she's doing. In a way, her music gives me the same feelings Alice Coltrane's does, although they sound absolutely nothing alike. Back in 2013 when I was making Haw, I ask her to do a dub version of the song “Sufferer.” She said yes, but she clearly had no idea who I was. I kind of wish I would have done that.

Putting on Airs by Erin Rae
I wonder if this wasn't the record that I listened to the most this year? This record was a heavy reminder of what real and genuine songs from the heart can do to and for me. These songs sort of remind me of what I love about George Harrison's work, that searching spiritual quality. The song “Bad Mind.” Wow. I hope you all listen to this.

This Too Shall Light by Amy Helm
I wrote the title track to this album with my friend Josh Kaufman, who plays with me in Hiss. He asked me whether I would ever be interested in collaborating with Amy at Levon Helm's barn in Woodstock, where she also lives. Being a huge fan of Levon's, I jumped at the opportunity. When I met Amy, she was as kind and inviting and generous a person as I could ever hope to meet. When she sang in front of me for the first time, I almost fell down. It was that moving. Josh and I wrote this song in about 30 minutes, and then she took it to LA and recorded it with some of the greats there, including Joe Henry and Jay Bellerose. This record is great.

Long Wave by Bonny Doon
This is a record that kept on coming up on tour and I was always thinking, “Man, this is that Bonny Doon record again?” It sort of reminds me of the VU's Loaded. Maybe it doesn't exactly sound like that but there's something in its DNA that puts me in that place.

Unsung Passage by The Dead Tongues; People Are My Drug by Phil Cook; Lost Time Behind the Moon by Scott Hirsch
I'm grouping all of these together because they're all musicians that have been closely involved in Hiss Golden Messenger, and they all made their defining music this year. I love Ryan, Phil and Scott like family, and I've learned so much from them, and from these records. 

Onwards.
MC

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Hiss Golden Messenger's Devotion: Songs About Rivers and Spirits and Children was released November 2, 2018