The 2020 Album List

Several years ago a neighbour of mine, Phil Considine - Director of Executive Education at Strathclyde Business School, and I started to swap handwritten lists of our top 5 albums of the year. When we moved away we continued this tradition on Facebook - this year, I thought I might use LinkedIn to share my list and also to find out what music resonated with you this year - it is clear that Covid-19 and it's effects have influenced some of the songwriting here. Music (along with Espresso!) is what gets me through my days, keeps me motivated and brings moments of immense joy. So here goes with my 2020 list....

Honourable Mention: Kiwanuka by Michael Kiwanuka.This album was released at the end of 2019 so technically doesn't count but I only heard it in early 2020 and it's been on heavy rotation since then - hard to put into a single genre but it's an awesome late night listen.

5. folklore by Taylor Swift. Always been a fan of her songwriting, the queen of clever lyrics and superb storytelling. This stripped back, recorded at home production really showcases her abilities and talent. Love it.

4. Elgar by Sheku Kanneh-Mason. More than just the exquisite rendition of Elgar's Cello Concerto and especially love the pieces written by Swiss-born American composer Ernest Bloch. Also if you have not seen the BBC documentary on the Kanneh-Mason family - watch it!

3. The Sun and Her Scorch by Dizzy. Canadian band Dizzy were recommended to me by a friend who also had got me into Of Monsters and Men. I can't wait to see them live when we finally get back into venues, hopefully in the next few months.

2. Letter to You by Bruce Springsteen. I've liked him since Born to Run in 1975 and then in 1985 my sister took me to see the Born in the USA tour at Wembley - I've been a firm fan ever since. This raw and live recorded album captures Bruce and the E Street Band at their best - it's been a real joy to experience the reflection, redemption and hope that is enshrined on this album.

And the coveted top spot goes to...

City of Love by Deacon Blue. The band I have seen more than any other live, Deacon Blue have been the primary soundtrack to my adult life, 1987s Raintown debut coinciding with my first year at work. They have always resonated with me, makes me wonder if somehow the music we like is wired into our DNA. This album was recorded in Glasgow's Gorbals area, right by where my Father was born. Released just prior to lockdown the lyric "If you've got the will you've got to keep on going" has been my mantra for the strange world of 2020.

The thing I have missed most this year is seeing bands play live. The picture at the top of this article shows our family seeing The 1975 playing in Leeds in February 2020, it was an incredible night - they are an unbelievably good live band. Let's hope 2021 brings back the joy of nights like that for millions around the world, especially for the venues and jobs that rely it. I hope you have enjoyed this and that you will share your albums of 2020 in the comments below - I'd love to hear the music that helped you through the year.