TOP 2009 ALBUMS LAST PART

THE BLUEPRINT 3---JAY-Z
there were lots of big expansive albums from this side of the street this year: raekwon, kanye, 50cent, timbaland, juvenile but none had the exhilaration that this song carried. it makes me want to be there in nyc & i don't like that city at all. i'm pretty sure it has to do w/alicia keys but who cares. it's easy to get tired of jay-z's braggadocio. how many times do we have to hear he's the new sinatra? still, ms keys elevates this anthem to incredible heights & jay-z throws down some great rhymes & the rhythm shoots for the stars & hits them as far as i'm concerned.

POTATO HOLE---BOOKER T.
personally, i'm waiting for the payoff from the truckers for their various tutorials they've undertaken since their wunderkind, jason isbell, was cut loose. they've been the foundation now for TWO great muscle shoals flavored albums &, really?, can we ever get enough of booker t? this kind of american instrumental music does NOT get any better than this.