The MoM 5: Five Albums They're Currently Digging

photo: Roger Borgelid

Thomas Denver Jonsson

1. Haley Bonar, Size Of Planets (Chairkickers Union Music, 2003)
(Jonsson: "One of 2003's absolute best releases and one of Duluth's and the United States' best kept secrets. She's got the songwriting talent, the lyrics, the melodies, and a god-blessed voice. If she keeps writing songs and releasing stuff she'll be as overwhelming as Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams.")

2. Townes Van Zandt, High, Low And In Between (Tomato, 1971)
(Jonsson: "This is an album that will always be timeless. Townes' voice is as tender as it gets on the marvelous 'Highway Kind' and then he bursts out in such country-gospel-stompers as 'Two Hands' and "'Standin'.'")
 

3. My Morning Jacket, Acoustic Citsuoca: Live At The Startime Pavilion (EP) (ATO, 2004)
(Jonsson: "Love this bear-band (with beards). I saw them play in southern Sweden last winter and despite a heavy fever forcing me to sit down most of the concert, one of the finest moments is still close to my mind, their first encore, an acoustic take of 'Golden.' That song in particular makes this limited EP a must-have, but there are more goodies on this disc featuring a more acoustic MMJ. Must also mention the two circus bears with roller skates on the cover.")

4. France Gall, L'amerique 7" (Philips, 1965)
(Jonsson: "France Gall may have been the cutest girl of the '60s and one of the best voices of her time too. Yeah, I know people claims she's just famous for her good looks and that she's not a great singer at all. But a voice where you can notice its limitations can be just what hits the spot, and I hear so much passion and tenderness in her way of carrying her songs' melodies. She wouldn't be the cutest girl of the '60s to me if she wasn't singing the way she was. Her records are a little bit tricky to find but I'm buying her original seven-inch EPs from sellers at ebay.com. Wait! wish I hadn't said that! stay out of there! I was there first!")

5. Rosie Thomas, Only With Laughter Can You Win (Sub Pop, 2003)
(Jonsson: "I like albums like this, where you feel its sprit all the way through and every track has its given place. This is a classic album and I can't wait to hear her next record. A year ago I was listing the artists I would want most to collaborate with and Rosie was actually my number-one pick. And do you know what? I was given the opportunity to tour with her last winter and I actually did my duet with her. I'm so proud I could burst.")

With his band, the September Sunrise, Sweden's Thomas Denver Jonsson brings forth his disarming brand of lo-fi country/folk on the album, Hope To Her, from Kite Recordings.