That coupled with a landslide of anniversary remastered and repacked deluxe editions, made for a mountain of old music being released. Given the improvements in recording technology over the years ,many of the remastered did sound much better in the reissue than the original

There were some interesting albums that came out this past year. The best ones came and went without the attention that they merited.

The best of those were BACK TO ME by Janiva Magness. This veteran singer/songwriter with a bluesy touch, has a long list of awards to her credit and this album will show you why. The Delines release of MR. LUCK & MRS. DOOM was more of a surprise. The virtually unknown group from Portland, Oregon has been around for a few years, but they have had more success in capturing an audience in Europe than here in the states.

The best albums from the established performers were Grace Potter’s MEDICINE and Jethro Tull’s CURIOUS RUMINAT. After a long hiatus, the Ian Anderson led classic band put out two gems in the past three years. Van Morrison continues to amaze fans by releasing new albums year after year. REMEMBERING NOW was the name of this year’s new effort.

Here’s a list of some of the albums that were issued during this calendar year.

Ringo Starr LOOK UP
Dream Theater Parasomnia
Neil Young OEANSIDE COUNTRYSIDE
Neil Young TALKIN’ TO THE TREES
Jethro Tull CURIOUS RUMINAT
Envy of None STYGIAN WAVZ
My Morning Jacket IS
Mumford & Sons RUSHMERE
Elton John & Brandi Carlile WHO BELIEVES IN ANGELS?
Billy Idol DREAM INTIO IT
Samantha Fish PAPER DOLL
Little Feat STRIKE UP THE BAND
Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ ROOM ON THE PORCH
Grace Potter MEDICINE
The Doobie Brothers WALK THIS ROAD
Marianne Faithful BURNING MOONLIGHT
The Cure MIXES OF A LOST WORLD
Van Morrison REMEMBERING NOW
Haim I QUIT
Styx CIRCLING THE DRAIN
Buddy Guy AIN’T DONE WITH THE BLUES
Fitz & The Tantrums MAN ON THE MOON
Kurt Vile CLASSIC LOVE
Patty Griffin CROWN OF ROSES
Paul Weller FIND EL DORADO
The Black Keys NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS
Kathleen Edwards BILLIONAIRE
John Oates OATES
David Byrne WHO IS THIS SKY?
Glenn Huges CHOSEN
Josh Ritter I BELIEVE IN YOU MY HONEYDEW
38 Special MILESTONE
Sarah McLachlan BETTER BROKEN
Jeff Tweedy TWILIGHT OVERRIDE
Robert Plant with Suzi Dian SAVING GRACE
Bernie Leadon TOO LATE TO BE COOL
Boz Scaggs DETOUR
Chrissie Hynde DUETS SPECIAL
Rick Wakeman MEANCHOLIA
Florence & The Machine EVERYBODY SCREAM
Mavis Staple SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD
Cheap Trick ALL WASHED UP
Janiva Magness BACK TO ME
The Delines MR. LUCK & MRS. DOOM

The second thing that stands out about 2025 was the large number of talented and beloved artists who lost their lives during the year. While we’re sad to lose their talent, we will forever have their contribution to music to remember and love them.

Just in the past couple of weeks were lost Steve Cropper’ whose guitar work was a huge influence on many. He was best known for working with Booker T & The MGs and The Blues Brothers. However, his work as a studio player for Stax Records was legendary. Steve’s unique talent was a huge influence on many who followed. They studied and, in many cases, copied his style.

Raul Malo had one of the best voices in the world. This tenor could be soulful one minute, then rock with the best the next. However, he gained most of his fame as the frontman for The Mavericks. This Grammy winning band was popular as a Country/ Tex Mex band. That led many to believe that Raul was Mexican, however, he was Cuban. He was just 60 years old when he died from Cancer.

Mick Abrahams was the original guitarist for Jethro Tull. Despite playing a major role in the development of the group’s sound, Mick left soon after the debut album. He left the band to form Blodwyn Pig. Their two albums were never as popular as Jethro Tull but remain as important contributions to that era.

Here’s a list of some other great performers that we lost this year.

Perry Archangelo Bamonte (Sept. 3, 1960 – Dec. 24, 2025)
Joe Ely (Feb. 9, 1947 – Dec. 15, 2025)
Carl Carlton (May 21, 1953 – Dec. 14, 2025)
Raul Malo (Aug. 7, 1965 – Dec. 8, 2025)
Steve Cropper (Oct. 21, 1941 – Dec. 3, 2025)
Jimmy Cliff (July 30, 1944 – Nov. 24, 2025)
Phil Upchurch (July 19, 1941 – Nov. 23, 2025)
Gary “Mani” Mounfield (Nov. 16, 1962 – Nov. 20, 2025)
Jellybean Johnson (Nov. 19, 1956 – Nov. 21, 2025)
Todd Snider (Oct. 11, 1966 – Nov. 14, 2025
Donna Jean Godchux-MacKay (Grateful Dead) August 22, 1947- Nov 2, 2025
Ace Frehley (Kiss) April 27, 1951-Oct. 16, 2025
John Lodge (Moody Blues) July 20, 1943-October 10, 2025
Sonny Curtis (Crickets & songwriter) May 9, 1937- Sept. 19, 2025
Bobby Hart (Singer-songwriter) Feb 18, 1939-Sept 10, 2025
Rick Davies (Supertramp) July 22, 1944-Sept. 5, 2025)
Mark Volman (Turtles, Zappa Flo and Eddie) April 19, 1947-Sept. 5, 2025
Bobby Whitlock (Derek & The Dominos) March 18, 1946- Aug. 10, 2025
Eddie Palniere (Latin super star) Dec. 15, 1936-Aug. 6, 2025
Terry Reid (Famously turned down Led Zeppelin to pursue a solo career) Nov. 13, 1949-Aug. 5, 2025)
Tom Lehrer (brilliant satirical songwriter) April 9, 1928, July 26. 2025)
Chuck Mangione Nov. 29, 1940-July 22, 2025
Ozzy Osbourne Dec. 3, 1948-July 22, 2025
Connie Francis Dec. 12, 1937-July 16, 2025
Bobby Sherman July 22, 1943-June 24, 2025
Mick Ralphs March 31, 1944-June 23, 2025
Lou Christie Feb 19, 1943-June 18, 2025
Brian Wilson June 20, 1942-June 11, 2025
Sly Stone March 15, 1943-June 9, 2025
Rick Derringer Aug. 5, 1947-May 26, 2025
Jill Sobule Jan. 16, 1959-May 1, 2025
Clem Burke (Drummer for Blondie) Nov. 24, 1954-April 6, 2025
Dave Allen Dec 23, 1966-April 5, 2025
Johnny Tillotson April 20, 1938-April 1, 2025
Jesse Colin Young Nov. 22, 1941-March 16, 2025
Joey Molland (Badfinger) June 23, 1847- March 1, 2025
David Johansen Jan. 9, 1950- Feb. 28, 2025
Robert John Jan. 4, 1946- Feb. 24, 2025
Roberta Flack Feb 10, 1937-Feb. 24, 2025
Marianne Faithful Dec. 29, 1946- Jan. 30, 2025
Garth Hudson Aug. 2, 1937-Jan 21, 2025
Peter Yarrow May 31, 1938- Jan 7, 2025
Brenton Wood July 26, 1941- Jan. 3, 2025

We thank them all for their contribution to making our lives better with their music. May they all now rest in peace.

Thanks to all of you who logged in to the website this past year. We wish you all the best in 2026.