Everybody”s Someone In A Honky Tonk. Â Anyone who”s reading this blog probably knows the David Allen Coe song, You Never Even Called Me By My Name (written by Steve Goodman), about the perfect country western song. Â This tune, from the latest Carolann Ames release, may not be the perfect country song, but it has the […]
The Little Willies – For the Good Times
If you are looking for hot, fun country music by folks who are playing it because they love it, The Little Willies’ newest release, For the Good Times, should be your destination.  A side project by several artists on separate musical paths, the best known of whom is the enchanting Norah Jones, this second album by The […]
Todd’s Tops of 2011
There were tons of releases in 2011 and I am sure I only listened to a fraction of them. I always have a hard time narrowing down my top 5 or so choices, and then I always have a hard time coming up with a full list of 25. Here’s my top 15 of the […]
Best Shows of 2011
Top Live Shows of 2011 Gillian Welch at Strathmore, Bethesda, MD As a music fan, I am always looking for the beautiful sonic combination of melody, harmony and that lonesome sound. As a live show, the sonic perfection of the symphony hall at Strathmore with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings was a stunning experience. […]
Shawn’s Favorite Live Sets Of 2011
By now you’ve seen what most of us were listening to on our MP3 or CD players last year. Â So I thought I’d add my favorite live sets from last year. Â 1) Roger Waters: I got a chance to see The Wall at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Â Holy cow. Â As far as I’m […]
Eli’s Picks: Best of 2011
2011 was another pretty damn good year for music. #1 was the easiest pick on the whole list. Frank Turner blew my mind this year. I re-discovered his back catalog just prior to the release of England Keep My Bones and now have a new favorite songwriter. Other notables on the list include several “new” […]
80s Love Fest
As a twangville writer, I rarely listen to the 80s stations. I can’t stand the production and electronic drums. It’s tough to hear songs by the Boss and Lucinda Williams choked by the little knobs behind the glass. But still, some of those songs are irresistibly fun. They have an undeniable upbeat nature to them […]
Photos that ROCK! Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band Photos taken at 2 separate concerts: Mass MoCA in North Adams, MA and the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC Post by Suzanne D. McMahon (Suzanne Davis Photography) I have had the privilege of seeing Josh Ritter and his band play numerous times. My favorite show was an outdoor […]
Shawn’s Best of 2011
 1) R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now: OK, I’m willing to admit maybe this was a little bit of a sentimental choice for me since it may be their last album.  But darn it, I still think this is their best effort since the 80’s and 91’s Out Of Time.  The jangly guitars, the inexplicable Stipe […]
Mayer’s Picks: Best Songs of 2011
I posted a best songs list for the first half of 2011 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this the addendum — the best songs from the second half of the year. When My Time Comes, Barnstar! (from the self-released C’Mon!) I somehow missed this song […]