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In this special episode, I'll look back at all the best albums of 2025 and talk about the musical trends, highlights, and back stories of this year's most interesting music. I've included samples of 35 different songs spanning every genre from alternative to rock to country to dance to jazz to blues and soul, even some pop and international music as well. Listen to a playlist on Spotify for Full versions of all the songs sampled here. It also includes 12 more hours of music showcasing the best songs from the 180 albums I reviewed this year.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2mfZBeRKeFrBqAuwK2Nr09?si=1f0a6b5035584333

If you have enjoyed this podcast, please feel free to email me at dhuffman324@gmail.com with any comments, questions, or just to continue the conversation started here. Also please leave a comment or rating on your podcast server and recommend this podcast to any music fans you know. Thanks for all your support.

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There are not many artists who personify the spirit of Texas more than Willie Nelson. In this episode we'll explore his developing years as he struggled to make a living in the music industry. From his early days on the farm in Abbott Texas to the release of his classic album Red Headed Stranger, this episode will focus on his early music and the stories behind them.

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Join us for part two of our series on the rise of the electric guitar in Texas as we explore the life and music of Charlie Christian, America's first electric guitar hero. In this episode we discover how an unknown Jazz guitarist, born in Bonham Texas became not only the new musical voice in Benny Goodman's popular swing band but actually created the template that virtually all guitarists after him would follow. He re-invented not only swing and jazz but laid the foundation for rock and roll as well. Hear the story behind the music of this short lived but eternally relevant Texas icon.

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T-bone Walker didn't invent the electric guitar but was the first to popularize the instrument while playing the blues. In this two-part series, we'll look at the role Texas played in the proliferation of the electric guitar, from its humble beginnings to now. This episode focusses on the life and music of legendary Texas Bluesman T-bone Walker and how his early use of the electric guitar and innovative style inspired just about everyone who came after, from B.B. King and John Lee Hooker to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. Besides writing blues classics like Stormy Monday, Mean Old World, and Papa Ain't Salty, T-bone led an amazing life. Hear the whole story and samples of his music, as well as many of the great artists that covered him.

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In this episode, we debut a special theme of Texas Connections, where artists from outside of Texas share a meaningful and notable connection with the Lone Star State. This time, we are looking at the life of Sterling Morrison and the seminal band, the Velvet Underground. Though three of the members were from New York and one from the UK, their unusual story involves a bizarre connection to Texas as Sterling left the band and moved to Texas to become a English professor at the University of Texas and then a Tugboat captain in the Houston Ship Channel. Follow his remarkable life and hear samples of the Velvet Underground's ground breaking music as they become one of the most influential bands of all time.

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On this special episode I once again give my yearly analysis of the best albums that were released this year. After reviewing over 185 albums, I've selected the best of the best in a wide variety of genres. Listen to short samples of my favorites and hear some of the interesting stories involved in their production. I doubt that anyone will like all the songs from every style featured here but you'll probably hear something new that you can add to your own playlists. To hear the full versions of all the songs I've sampled as well as 170 more, click on the link below.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uqZdo6s0Pe0PWuEn3d0dP?si=0f1acef6adb04603
With over 11 hours of new music from 2024, there should be plenty of great songs for everyone. Thanks for listening and if you have any comments, please email me at dennis@fatcatloungeandcafe.com

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Join me, as we explore the life and music of one of Texas's all but forgotten legends. Known primarily for his innovative sax solos on R & B and early rock and roll songs like "Yakety Yak" and "Charlie Brown" by the Coasters, he was actually a master of many styles and genres. He played Soul music with Aretha, including his solo on Respect, recorded with some of jazz music's greats, and could really let loose on some down and dirty blues. Listen to his musical journey as we sample some of his greatest moments and hear the back story to these classic soulful songs.

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Listen as we explore the troubled life and eloquent music of one Texas's original singer/songwriters Townes Van Zandt. Though he came from a wealthy, prestigious family Townes lived an almost bohemian lifestyle, dedicated to his music and his decadent vices. His dark, almost brutal lyrics have been a touchstone for generations of artists and fans. Hear the backstory of this influential icon and Texas music legend.