Looking ahead... 2006!

I can't say it was the best music year in recent memory, but the upshot is that there should be plenty of awesome new music in 2006.

• 
  Here are some releases already slated for early next year:
  
  Rhett Miller - 'The Believer' (Feb. 28)
• Neko Case - 'Fox Confessor Brings The Flood' (Mar. 7)
• Josh Rouse - 'Subtitlo' (Mar. 7)

And here are some likely candidates, though without known release dates:

• Sam Phillips
  Back in the studio as of September, but she does tend to draw out her studio work. Prediction: late summer/early fall.
• Lucinda Williams
  Apparently, Lu has extensively road-tested new material and was slated to enter the studio right about now. She's had good luck with her new band in the studio. Prediction: late spring.
• Joe Henry
  If this dude can ever slow down his production work, he'll likely crank something out pretty quick. Well overdue. Prediction: late spring/early summer.
• Drive-By Truckers
  They've been back in the studio and have been chatting up a spring release.
• Wilco
  Already been back in the studio. Predicting a spring release.
• Gillian Welch
  Sister - where art thou? Two-and-a-half years is WAY too long to suffer without new material from Gillian. Long overdue. Prediction: early spring.
• Allison Moorer
  To be produced by her new husband, Steve Earle, Moorer's next record should be pretty interesting. Hopefully, she'll steer clear of her hubby's recent penchant for brow-beating. Otherwise, I've always loved Earle's production work so I'll be looking forward to it. Prediction: summer.
• Steve Earle
  Rarely goes more than two years without a release. Prediction: early fall.
• Buddy Miller
  Though he is still supporting his 2004 release, United Universal House of Prayer, Miller is a notoriously fast worker. I'd expect to see either another solo release or the finishing touches on Julie's long, long, long overdue record.
• Patty Griffin
  Expected to hit the studio shortly. Prediction: late spring.
• Emmylou Harris
  Recently joked about the dust gathering on her last release, 2003's Stumble Into Grace. Emmy tends to drag her heels into the studio but usually turns around a record relatively quickly. Prediction: fall (maybe).