Twangville


Folk

Ray Lamontagne – God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise

Ray Lamontagne’s latest project might be the most un-Lamontagne album he has done, thus far, even though it’s the first album he has produced for his own self. God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise, his fourth studio LP, was recorded in Lamontagne’s New England cabin with the help of his country, soul-brothers, the Pariah [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

Mayer’s Playlist for June & July 2010, Part 2

ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Joe Hill’s Ashes, by Otis Gibbs Gibbs is one of the most distinctive voices in Americana, both for the integrity in his songwriting and the authenticity of his voice. While some may find both a bit gruff, it gives his music a realism that can’t be doubted. Most songs are built [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Twistable, Turnable Man – Shel Silverstein Tribute

I must admit that I am sick of tribute albums. There is no one left it seems that hasn’t had a tribute album done in their name. In fact, I am waiting for a tribute album to tribute albums. Better yet, I would love to see a tribute album to a band that hasn’t even [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

Terri Hendrix – Cry Till You Laugh

Hendrix CD

Running on all cylinders. In the groove. Hitting the sweet spot. All are descriptors about when everything comes together and suddenly the sum is greater than the parts. They’re also good descriptions of the latest album from the queen of San Marcos, Texas, Terri Hendrix. Her latest release, Cry Till You Laugh, with long-time collaborator [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Merle Haggard, with Kris Kristofferson – Live at Mountain Winery

MerleHaggardJun09

Sometimes you just can’t make this stuff up. There we were, all 1800 of us, singing along with Joan Baez, that darling of the counterculture, “We don’t let our hair grow long and shaggy, like the hippies out in San Francisco do. And I’m proud to be an Okie from Muskogee.” The occasion was the [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Shippin’ Up to Boston: A Special Playlist

Bruce-Fenway

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 »

by Mayer Danzig

Shinyribs – Well After Awhile

Shinyribs Cover

“I’m a little bit crazy, but I ain’t no fool.”  Although that’s the chorus for Country Cool, off the Shinyribs debut, Well After Awhile, one suspects it’s a little bit of an autobiographical statement by the driving force of the Shinyribs, Kevin Russell.  Russell is more known as the front man for The Gourds, one [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Susan Cowsill – Lighthouse

From the beginning track “Dragonfly,” Susan Cowsill recalls days when she was a kid and youth was full of hope. This uptempo rock song sets a positive mood for the album. Cowsill seems to have recaptures the innocence of youth on lighthouse. The irony of all of this, is the fact her life has recently [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

Warren Hood – Live at Amnesia

Warren Hood Amnesia

As a preview to an upcoming mini tour, Warren Hood played an unannounced show last week at Amnesia Bar in San Francisco.  Featuring his new band, the Goods, the brief-but-very-enjoyable show covered a wider range of material than Warren’s background might otherwise indicate.  Covering everything from Stevie Wonder to neo-Balkan indie music to a song [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2010, Part 2

ALBUMS OF THE SEASON: Street Songs of Love, by Alejandro Escovedo Alejandro Escovedo is living proof that some things just get better with age. Street Songs of Love rocks with abandon and rolls with purpose. “Anchor” is a fitting opener, electric guitars kicks off a rocker that, although mid-tempo, still packs a forceful punch. “If [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Old Settler’s Music Festival – 2010

Bearfoot At the Campground

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 »

by Shawn Underwood

Carrie Rodriguez – Love and Circumstance

promo1

Lots of people have covered the Hank classics.  The Carrie Rodriguez version of I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, on her latest record Love and Circumstance, ranks right up there with the best of them.  With Carrie on mandolin and Bill Frisell on guitar, there’s a richness to the instrumental that complements Carrie’s vocals and [...] more »

by Shawn Underwood

Sharif – Kisses & Lies

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 [...] more »

by Kelly Dearmore

Ain’t Nobody Better Than The Preservation Hall Jazz Band

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 spare benches and a [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Mayer’s Playlist from January 2010

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 imagery [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig