1. Good Souls Better Angels - Lucinda Williams

Whilst it took a lot of listening and deliberation to put albums 2 to 10 in order, I knew all along what my number one was going to be. For me 2020 was Lucinda's year. She was everywhere - Tiny Desk, on 'A Song For Joe' (Joe Strummer tribute), guesting on podcasts, guesting with Margo Price and finally starring in her own unprecedented livestream series 'Lu's Jukebox'. No dwelling on changed circumstances: Lucinda got on with a covers project she had long wanted to do, but could never find the time for (living in Nashville helps, of course).

I am a long-time fan, but 'Good Souls Better Angels' took me by surprise all the same. Heavier than anything she released before, with fantastic bluesy songs and backed by her superb touring band, Buick 6. An all killer, no filler album.

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2. That's How Rumors Gets Started - Margo Price

3. The Dirt And The Stars - Mary Chapin Carpenter

4. Letter To You - Bruce Springsteen

5. Good Luck, Seeker - The Waterboys

6. A Beginner's Guide To Bravery - David Keenan

7. Song To A Refugee - Diana Jones

8. Ceol Ársa Cláirsí - Tunes Of The Irish Harpers For Solo Guitar - Steve Cooney

9. La Vita Nuova - Maria McKee

10. Varo - Varo

GIGS OF THE YEAR

1. David Keenan, Olympia, Dublin (13 January)

2. Ryan Bingham, Liberty Hall, Dublin (19 January)

3. Frank Turner solo, Barbican, York (8 March)

4. Lankum, Vicar Street, Dublin (4 January)

5. Hothouse Flowers, Olympia, Dublin (22 January)

6. Sharon Shannon & Alan Connor, Dundrum Mill Theatre, Dublin (17 January)

7. Tim Edey, Pepper Cannister Church, Dublin (26 January)

8. Saxon, Doornroosje, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (5 March)

9. Ímar, Whelans, Dublin (25 February)

10. Anxo Lorenzo, Jim Murray, Dónal O'Connor, Jack Talty, Sugar Club, Dublin (14 January)

LIVESTREAMS

1. One Night Lonely - Mary Chapin Carpenter, Wolf Trap, Vienna VA (27 November)

2. Lu's Jukebox - Lucinda Williams, Room and Board Studios, Nashville TN (October-December)

3. Idiot Prayer - Nick Cave, Alexandra Palace, London (23 July)

4. A National Disgrace - Lankum, Abbey Theatre, Dublin (15 August)

5. Show 2500 - Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Vans For Bands, Oxford (9 August)

TRACK OF THE YEAR

Nada - Lido Pimienta (featuring Li Saumet)

FILM OF THE YEAR

Crock Of Gold - A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan, directed by Julien Temple

PODCAST

Fire Draw Near - Ian Lynch

RADIO PROGRAMME

Folkhampton - Christopher Thorpe-Tracey