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

Arms & Legs and Flowers, Ian Hunter (from the New West Records release Man Overboard) It’s no accident that Ian Hunter gets two mentions on this list. The legendary singer-songwriter is a true rock and roll poet, writing magnificent songs that combine simplicity with depth. “Arms & Legs” is an inspirational tribute to [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Give Me Tomorrow, Willie Nile (from the River House Records release House of a Thousand Guitars) Nile’s eternal optimism reigns supreme, most notably on this spirited testament to change and opportunity. “I’ve seen poison in the waters, heard the crying of the sea, I have heard your sons and daughters say what’s to become of [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

#1. LUCERO, 1372 Overton Park (Republic/Universal) The former residents of 1372 Overton Park in Memphis let loose a potent blend of classic rock anthems and horn-infused Southern soul. Fueled by singer-songwriter Ben Nichol’s gritty vocals and filled with lyrics about whiskey-filled nights and the mornings after, this one is a barnburner. (Twangville review here [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

The Winner is… Tis the season… The best of lists are coming out in force. The Twangville eitors list just came out and now it is time for us in “The Posse” to reveal our individual lists. I am going first because I am the best looking. In my mid-year list, Buddy and Julie were on top, [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

I have been trying and trying to listen to some new releases lately, but my 3 year old daughter insists that we listen to Christmas music. About 3 weeks ago I checked out an Ella Jenkins disc of holiday tunes for her from ye ole public library, and that has not left my car speakers [...] more »

by Todd Mathis

Man, I’ve got some catching up to do. A heavy travel schedule has kept me from my monthly playlist duties. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had the pleasure to visit some impressive places. Even better, I’ve had plenty of great new music to keep me company along the way. Well, its time to [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Man, I’ve got some catching up to do. A heavy travel schedule has kept me from my monthly playlist duties. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had the pleasure to visit some impressive places. Even better, I’ve had plenty of great new music to keep me company along the way. Well, its time to [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Man, I’ve got some catching up to do. A heavy travel schedule has kept me from my monthly playlist duties. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had the pleasure to visit some impressive places. Even better, I’ve had plenty of great new music to keep me company along the way. Well, its time to [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

We’ll cut right to the chase with this live performance only edition of the Video Companion. The Drive-By Truckers burst out of the gate with Patterson Hood’s fiesty “The Righteous Path” followed by Austin’s (by way of Somerville) Porterdavis singing “Smack You Back.” We carry on with Ian Hunter, Delbert McClinton, Sam Baker, [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Showerhead, Rachelle Van Zanten (from the RZV Records release Where Your Garden Grows) Canada’s Van Zanten sure can play a mean guitar. What really caught my ear, however, was the confidence and brawn in this track. Mix the rawness of a Lucinda Williams tune with the slide guitar chops of Bonnie Raitt and [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Late Music, by Dennis Diken with the Bell Sound Who knew? After nearly 30 years sitting behind the drums with the Smithereens Dennis Diken emerges as a pop maestro. Diken and collaborator Pete DiBella shine with an album that brims with echoes of the Beach Boys and the Who, circa [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

So my quest for a Bottle Rockets video from the new release turned up empty. That won’t, however, stop us from watching the boys rock out with David Bowie’s “Suffragette City.” From there we run through a string of great live performances from Daddy (Will Kimbrough & Tommy Womack), Jones Street Station, Those [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Lean Forward, by The Bottle Rockets Now that summer has finally arrived, it’s a good time to pick out the summer albums. It starts with the latest from the pride of Festus, Missouri, The Bottle Rockets. Lead songwriter Brian Henneman is a pop songwriter masquerading as an alt-country musician. [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

We kick the June video companion off with selections from this month’s spotlight artists: Missouri’s Ha Ha Tonka and Athens, Georgia’s Patterson Hood. From there we get a bevy of performances from Rhett Miller, Amy Speace, Crooked Fingers, A Camp, Andrew Ripp, The Roadside Graves, Pete Yorn and Matthew Grimm (covering Billy Bragg). [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig