ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: See You On the Moon, by Tift Merritt I suppose that Merritt could sing the alphabet and I’d listen. There is such a genuine quality to her voice, an infectious spirit. It is a spirit that shines through her music despite the dark overtones of her latest release. “Engine to Turn” [...] more »
I’m fortunate to live in a city that appreciates and supports great music. Here are a few of my current favorites. Banks of the Mississippi, Jenee Hastead (from the self-released Hollow Bones) “Baby, if we could go to the banks of the Mississippi, watch out I’ll float your body out to sea,” sings Halstead in [...] more »
As the first night of this year’s Old Settler’s Music Festival was just swinging into high gear, the Infamous Stringdusters took the stage. Andy Falco marched up to the microphone and said, “Wow, feels like we’ve been cooped up all winter”. That pretty well captured the moment. They then launched into a version of the [...] more »
Two of the best young Newgrass groups have upcoming albums. Crooked Still – will release Some Strange Country on May 18th on Signature Sounds. They are certainly a genre bending groups always, but they rise to a new level on this. The album is beautifully arranged,lyrically infused with both spiritual and earthly wisdom, and as [...] more »
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 »
Musical fads are a double-edged sword…or are they a blessing and a curse? Either way, with each new “movement”, whether it be Texas/Red Dirt or Freak-Folk or whatever, we see an influx of artists that, thanks to the artists who initially drew the attention of the masses to a certain trendy style, get to bask [...] more »
If you’re a frequent Twangville reader you know by now I’m an unabashed live music aficionado. I usually manage to see 30 or more live acts a year, so in addition to the top records of the year I have to add my view to the best live sets I saw. #9 Michelle Shocked. Many [...] more »
As you’ve no doubt figured out, in addition to the collective top 20 albums of ’09, each of us is sharing our own spin. So here’s my perspective on the best of the year. 1. Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women – eponymous: Perhaps my opinion is colored by having seen a couple of stellar [...] more »
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 [...] more »
Circles Around Me, Bush’s seventh solo album is a mix of classic bluegrass covers and new originals. Quite possibly this is Bush’s most cohesive release. Bush has always been a dichotomy. He is influenced by the old but is the original innovator of the new. Hell, he literally coined the term new grass with his [...] more »
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 make up [...] more »
Many great artists produce music that is inspiring without being technically gifted vocalists. Kris Kristofferson and Ryan Bingham have produced two of the year’s best albums while displaying vocals that few would term “smooth”. The largely acoustic solo debut from Curtis Harvey (Myspace), Box of Stones (FatCat), successfully showcsaes the same ability to move the [...] more »
Move over Bonnaroo. Step aside Coachella. With crowd estimates hovering around 750,000 this year, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is now the country’s largest music event. And it’s free. Three days, 6 stages, 80 acts with a broad range of appeal, all courtesy of Warren Hellman, a local investment banker and philanthropist. With that many sets of [...] more »
The record by relatively new act, Michael Ford Jr. & The Apache Relay, 1988, is a really focused and well performed set of tunes for a band that hasn’t been together for very long. The bio of the band really enhances the overall experience of listening to 1988. When you find that Michael Ford Jr. [...] more »
Sometimes it is the song that really matters, as illustrated by these Twangville pick songs so far in 2009. Mayer’s Pick: “Good” by Jason Isbell (from the Lightning Rod Records release Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit) It’s hard to escape the onslaught of guitars in this furious rocker. They are the musical equivalent of [...] more »
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Because spoon-fed music sucks and twang is cheaper than therapy. Alt-Country, Americana, Indie, Rock, Folk & Blues. Est. 2005.
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