I thought I would start out this unofficial update with a possible rhetorical question: Is it wise to simultaneously work on two years of Philby Awards?
The short answer is, “probably not.”
The even shorter answer is, “maybe?”
Actually, that’s not really correct because I am always working on several lists.
It’s the only way I can attempt to keep track of what I listen to so I can recall what I want when it’s time to put together another update show.
Early on when I start to work on two lists–literally January 1st of a new year, there is an added advantage to slide an album that I really don’t feel I’ve given enough attention, onto the brand new yearly list.
At this point of the year–the latest I’ve ever worked on a Philby list from a prior year, all of my selections have been made for several months.
All that’s left now is final positioning on the Top 20 list.
So, in a few weeks, everything about the 2021 Philby lists will be a moot point.
Submission info appears after the update!
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Here, in reverse order, is The Unofficial Philby Best Albums of 2021 Countdown #5!!!:
100.Seekers and Finders—Gogol Bordello
99.Things I Dream About—2Bit Palomino
98.Secondus—Travis Bowlin
97.Myths and Mortals—The New Zeitgeist
96.Spirit of ’74—Spirit of ’74
95.The Pirate—Michael Jonathon
94.Fable Bait—Eve’s Twin Lover
93.A Highway Cruise—J.P. Reali
92.Steel—Nell and Jim Band
91.The Big Sound of Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials—Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials
90.Vicious Kid—Kiss the Tiger
89.MK II—Vandenberg’s MoonKings
88.The Wreckage—Carl Caballero
87.Lonesome for a Long Time—Pat Smilie
86.Green Denim—Green Denim
85.Whiskey—Thorton Creek
84.Nobody Told Me—John Mayall
83.Serious Issues—DeeCRACKS
82.Closing Time—Chris Youlden
81.Call the Shots—Suzi Moon
80.Small Blues and Grooves—11 Guys Quartet
79.Deadbeat Grafitti—Black Pistol Fire
78.Into a World Bright and Beautiful—Sublunar Minds
77.Organisms—The Doug McDonald Quartet
76.Cowboys and Aliens—Trio of Awesuhm
75.Free Yourself Up—Lake Street Dive
74.Bark and the Pack—Michael Snyder—Barker
73.Lockdown Live—Jeff Slate
72.White Noise/White Lines—Kelsey Waldon
71.Transitions D’eau—Mary Ann Kirt
70.One of These Days—The Regulators
69.Marty and Laura—Marty and Laura Kohn
68.What You Love Comes Along—Bad Camper
67.Life in the City—Turkuaz
66.Thieves and Yesterday—Dan Bubien and The Delta Struts
65.Duel—The Satin Cowboy and The Seven Deadly Sins
64.Songs for An American Hero—Tom Alter
63.Bent Frets—Mick Clarke
62.Someday Soon Somehow—Scott Fab
61.Not Made for Hire—The Bennett Brothers
60.Random Rex—Random Rex
59.At King Electric—Ray Bonneville
58.Be Here Now—Heather Pierson
57.Ride the Wave—Jay Elle
56.Chevy Town—Charlie Walmsley
55.The Outsider—Davy Knowles
54.Zoom In—Ringo Starr
53.Tea and Tunes—Katherine Moller
52.Lost and Found—Odds Lane
51.Victor V. Gurbo and Co—Victor V. Gurbo
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Here’s a section on submissions:
I am accepting entries for Philby consideration!
The album selections are made from a sliding four year pool of music.
The pool for 2022 is 2019-2022.
One of the reasons that I use a multiple year submission scale is that just getting music out to the world is sometimes difficult for an artist.
A lot of them are not really wired for self promotion.
Making music is totally different than drumming up interest in it, especially for independent musicians.
Yes, there are promoters that can help with that. And nothing against promoters because they have a role to play. But they cost money, and the artist already had to pay to record the music, and may not be prepared for the process of promoting it.
After looking at how some other independent awards are handled, I figured a four year window allows me enough time to serendipitously run across someone’s music.
I have told this story several times, but I try very hard to listen to everything that is submitted.
Although I work on my list, starting literally on January 1st, using a four year sliding window, I carry over some of what would qualify from the prior years.
So, if you’ve made some music dating back as far as 2019, I will accept that music for consideration.
If you have something older than 2019, send that, too, but identify the release date. I’m always looking for GREAT music.
For the Philbys, I’m looking for full albums.
However, if you only have a single, I’ll accept that, too. Don’t forget that I also have a Philby Hot Songs list, and more artists are releasing singles these days.
But please don’t send me an incomplete album if you have one.
So, please don’t edit for me.
I dislike that and I might not even check out the item. I don’t know why anyone would only send selected songs instead of their whole work of art for consideration.
Please don’t send me links to listen to music. That’s not how I listen to music. And I probably won’t listen to it if you send me a link to stream it. Either send me the album to download or request my mailing address to send a physical copy.
Every year I say that if your item came out later than May, it may not end up on this year’s list. So it’s possible that submissions entered now may only be considered for 2021. (It sounds so good to think of 2020 being finished!)
However, this year will be totally different than other years. I have not received any where near the amount of releases that I normally do.
It might be an excellent year to send a submission.
I will accept any genre of music. I like a variety of styles, even on the same album!
So, please e-mail your mp3s, and please make sure it is an mp3 only, to phil@philmaq.com.
If you want a physical address or have other questions, please e-mail me at the same address. Because selections will be considered for more than a single year, there isn’t an expiration date at the present.
If you want someone who will actually listen to your music, I am that person.
If you want some recognition for working hard and baring your soul, that might be me, too. I can’t make any promises, but I will listen to your music.
If you are reading this and are not a musician but know someone who is, please forward this to them.
Good luck to all who participate!
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My weekly radio show “Theme Attic,” can be heard Wednesdays, 12PM-4PM ET!
The show can be heard on WHFR 89.3 FM in the Dearborn-Detroit area of Michigan, or it can be streamed with this link: https://www.whfr.fm/streamer/!
It almost always includes a weekly countdown of my favorite albums or songs and some shows feature two countdowns!
There’s plenty of other musical things to browse on my website!
Here’s the link to the complete history of all the Fave Albums: https://philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-albums/!
Here’s a link for the complete history of all the Fave Songs: https://philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-songs/!
Another list that you might find interesting is my list for “The Most Awesomest Songs of the Day”: https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/!
If you’d like to know what I think are even better than the awesome songs, have a look at “The Greatest Songs Ever Recorded”:https://philmaq.com/the-greatest-songs-ever-recorded/! Occasionally, an “awesome song” crosses over to become a “Greatest Song!”
My somewhat unusual Hall of Fame can be explored here: https://philmaq.com/hall-of-fame/!
Lastly, but most importantly, is my Philby Awards link! A Philby is my annual award for outstanding musical achievement! https://philmaq.com/philbys/!
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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!
#Unofficial2021PhilbyBestAlbumsof2021Update #Philby #Philbys
