2012 brought many highlights for the pop music fan, including the debut of a great new retro band, The Alabama Shakes, a screen biography of Bob Marley, the amazing story of singer-songwriter (Sixto) Rodriguez, as recounted in the wonderful film “Searching for Sugarman”, a mega-tour by Bruce Springsteen, many fine new recordings by the likes of big names, such as Jack White, The Black Keys and Bonnie Raitt and smaller names such as Charlie Mars, the 12/12/12 Concert, and many excellent autobiographies from legends such as Neil Young, Pete Townshend and Buddy Guy.

But 2012 was remarkable for the way that so many time-tested stars remained in the game, with strong recordings. 2012 brought us new releases from Van Morrison, Neil Young, Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, Dr. John and even a surprise comeback from Graham Parker & the Rumour. While none of these releases may rival the artists’ best work, each of the new recordings lies somewhere between “respectable, another good effort” to “very, very good”. And given the passage of so much time and so much water under so many bridges, this is an amazing thing and we are very, very fortunate. I am heartily recommending, in particular, the new Graham Parker & The Rumour CD, “Three Good Chords”, as they reunite after over a brief 40 year separation without skipping a beat. After all these years, Graham still has something to say, as he tackles capitalism’s excesses, the war in Afghanistan and women’s rights, all with his classic pub-rock sound. Also, check out Graham and the band in the new Judd Apatow film, “This is Forty”.