Last week’s Ramblin’ Jack Elliott video was so much fun that we’re going to bring him back again this week. This time it is a 1969 performance of “If I Was a Carpenter” from the Johnny Cash Show. You gotta love Johnny’s intro, “He’s got a song and friend for every mile behind him.”
Mayer’s Picks: The Best of 2013, So Far (the Albums)
This has been a great musical year and we’ve still got several months — and some highly anticipated releases — to go before it ends. Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2013. You’ll see that I’ve listed my favorite Boston releases as a group. Each […]
Monday Morning Video: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Friends Perform Woody Guthrie
Here’s a great one from the archives. Legendary folk singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is joined by Marty Stuart, Joe Henry, Kelly Hogan and Billy Bragg to perform a cover of Woody Guthrie’s “The Ballad of Pretty Boy Floyd” from SXSW back in 2006.
Win Big: Signed Twangville Music Festival Poster
So, the Twangville posse is just about recovered from last month’s Twangville Music Festival, a weekend’s worth of fantastic performances from six incredible artists. We’re not done yet, however. We’re giving away a couple of limited edition Festival posters. Even better, the posters are signed by each of the musicians who performed at the Festival: […]
Monday Morning Video: Sittin’ Around the Kitchen Singin’ George Jones
There’s a cool house concert series in Boston called the Kitchen Sessions. Well, Ward Hayden of Girls Guns & Glory, Amy Black and Sarah Borges stake their claim on that particular room with this killer cover of George Jones’ “Why Baby Why.” The trio, rehearsing for an upcoming set of shows that they are doing […]
The Boston & New England Festival Circuit
It’s a good time to be a music lover in New England. The region is awash with great music festivals, both long-standing and new. Not surprisingly, my list starts with the recent Twangville Music Festival and the famed Newport Folk Festival. Here, however, are a host of new festivals bringing great music to New England. […]
Steve Earle: The Warner Bros Years
I ‘m usually not a fan of re-releases. My general view is that if I bought the album once, why should I buy it again? Well, I’d make an exception for Shout Factory’s new collection The Warner Bros. Years, which brings together Steve Earle’s first three releases for Warner Brothers Records. This trio of albums […]
Monday Morning Video: Paul Pena “Jet Airliner”
No doubt everyone knows Steve Miller’s take on this song. How many know songwriter Paul Pena’s original version?
Shooter Jennings on the Fourth of July
Shooter Jennings passed through Boston last night and played one heck of a show. Pretty cool to usher in the Independence Day holiday with this one…
Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2013, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH American Kid, by Patty Griffin It’s hard, if not impossible, to avoid being mesmerized by Patty Griffin’s new release. Long revered for both her passionate songwriting and enchanting voice, both are in exceptional form on American Kid. Just one listen to album opener “Go Wherever You Want to Go” and you […]