I found myself a little torn about whether to post a review of the new Alex Hargreaves album, Prelude, to Twangville.  It does have fiddle and banjo and mandolin, but rarely does it even come close to twangy.  It’s much more a jazz album.  But this is a path that’s been blazed already by Bela [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

In American society’s current musical climate (without a lot of love of Americana music), you wouldn’t think that a “classic” sound would show up out of nowhere. Not only is JT Earle’s indie-darling status progressively more established, but the newbie Joe Pug ain’t no lightweight either. Earle had nothin’ but love for Pug and it [...] more »

by Jeff McMahon

Traveling a path that has led him from his native Virginia, to NYC and Los Angeles, singer/songwriter Sharif (Myspace / Official) has honed his skills as an emotive performer that sheds all inhibitions with the vulnerable and excellent slice of pop, Kisses & Lies. The artist known as Sharif, tip-toes a fine line between saccharine and [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

We caught up with Joe Pug on the eve of the release of his debut LP Messenger, the follow up to the widely heralded Nation of Heat EP. Last time we talked you were still talking to various labels and considering putting out Messenger by yourself, how did the deal with Lightning Rod Records happen? We were prepared to [...] more »

by Eli Petersen

You’ll be hard pressed to find a review of the Deadstring Brothers album that doesn’t reference the Rolling Stones.  Fortunately, they are almost always referencing the Rolling Stones 1968-72 era, aka Beggars Banquet to Exile on Main Street.  Personally, I consider that four record run to be the best by any band.  Ever. So yea, [...] more »

by Eli Petersen

Patty Griffin has just released her new album Downtown Church. The album was brilliantly produced by Buddy Miller and has an excellent supporting cast. On this album Griffin captures the soul of the traditional African-American Church, as well as the beauty of more traditional hymns. The mix of songs on this album capture a spirit [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

Last week we profiled the recent tribute to New Orleans’ Preservation Hall. Recorded over the past year in New Orleans historic landmark, the album features the legendary jazz band performing with artists ranging from Tom Waits to Jason Isbell to Brandi Carlile. Did I say win big? I meant really big. Thanks to [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Let’s flash back to 1996…or 1997. I’m in college at the time, and on this particular night at a small club in Columbia, South Carolina named the Elbow Room checking out the Drag from Myrtle Beach. They put on a pretty good show but weren’t quite as grand as I had hoped. (Not the Southern [...] more »

by Todd Mathis

If you’re a fan of 70’s country rock, you’ll feel right at home with the latest release from Great American Taxi, Reckless Habits.  Vince Herman, the leader of Taxi, was also a founder of Leftover Salmon, and the jam band roots are noticeably.  But what really comes through is a homage to the early pioneers [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

I was thrilled when word came that Eef Barzelay was getting the Clem Snide (Official / Myspace) gang back together in 2009, after a break of a few years. While Barzelay’s solo work is solid, it just didn’t have the same zip that I have always recognized in the earlier Clem Snide albums. “Moment in [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

Few cities have as rich a musical heritage as New Orleans, Louisiana. Even fewer have a modest building the mere mention of which conjures up vivid images, both visual and aural. Such is the legacy of Preservation Hall. The building itself is strikingly humble. No running water. No air conditioning. Six [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Rich McCulley’s (Official / Myspace) 4th album, Starting All Over Again wastes no time in establishing its identity as a catchy pop-rock record that twangs in just the right spots and even reflects without moping. “Tell Me, I’m Listening”, “Dreams Tonight” and “The Last Song” open the album with a steady tempo that rocks [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: The Day After Everything Changed, by Ellis Paul New England folk musician Ellis Paul headed south to Nashville to record his latest album and returned with a more polished sound. Despite the change of locale, however, the vividness of his songwriting remains the same. Paul’s songs are filled with rich [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Joe Pug has been heralded by bloggers, magazine editors, and other genre ‘insiders’, all before the release of his first proper LP.  And here it is. A ten song album featuring some of Pug’s best songs yet, Messenger lives up to rather large expectations.  Pug has been busy touring with likes of Josh Ritter, Steve [...] more »

by Eli Petersen

EDITOR’S NOTE: I couldn’t let this newsletter sit in my inbox any longer. Twangville guest author Bobby K offers yet another fine selection of annual picks from the previous year. Enjoy! -Tom Hey Everybody, As always, the following is a link to iTunes to download a playlist containing songs from many of the records I reviewed below: [...] more »

by Bobby K