A Twangville reader rightfully called me out for last week’s Monday Morning Video. A great song, for sure, but certainly more fitting for the political season than the holiday season. So here’s a gem that is perfect for all seasons!
Mayer’s Picks: Best EPs of 2011
Many of my favorite releases from this year were 5-6 song eps rather than 8-10+ song full-length releases. It is, perhaps, a statement on modern music industry that, with one exception, all of these were self-released. As John Lennon said, “Power to the people.” Here, in no particular order, are a few favorite EPs from […]
Mayer’s Picks: Best Albums of 2011
#1. JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT, Here We Rest (Lightning Rod) I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t hoping for a full-on rock assault from Isbell and crew. What I got was something better — a nuanced musical tour of his home state of Alabama. From the back porch acoustic sway of […]
Monday Morning Video: Steve Earle “Christmas in Washington”
It’s Christmastime in Washington The Democrats rehearsed Gettin’ into gear for four more years Things not gettin’ worse The Republicans drink whiskey neat And thanked their lucky stars They said, ‘He cannot seek another term They’ll be no more FDRs’ I sat home in Tennessee Staring at the screen With an uneasy feeling in my […]
Mayer’s Playlist for December 2011
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Too Drunk to Truck, by Roy Sludge This album was tailor-made for Twangville. Old school in all the best ways, it might as well be a collection of lost classics from the Sun Studios archive. The title track kicks off the album with a strong indication of what will follow. Yup, […]
Win Big: Johnny Cash
Few legends shine brighter than Johnny Cash. Over the course of a nearly 50 year career, he defined and re-defined American music in his own iconic style. And as anyone who has seen footage of his appearances at San Quentin or Folsom Prisons can attest, his live performances are the stuff of legend. Over the […]
Monday Morning Video: Steve Earle
Back in the early 1990’s Steve Earle did time in a correctional facility in Tennessee on drug and firearms charges. As part of his probation, Earle returned to the Cold Creek Correctional Facility in Henning, Tennessee on June 25, 1996 for a special performance. Get ready to rock.
Mayer’s Playlist for Oct/Nov 2011, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Long Live All of Us, by Glossary Glossary have always had a reputation as a scrappy rock band from Murfreesboro, TN. While their latest doesn’t abandon the past, the band has injected a healthy dose of southern soul into the mix. And, man, does it sound good. Opener “Trouble Won’t Always […]
Monday Morning Video: Ryan Adams Covers Bob Mould
I hope that everyone has been keeping up with Suzanne’s survey of Ryan Adams musical catalog (parts 1 and 2; stay tuned for part 3!). Adams recently appeared at a tribute to legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist Bob Mould. Mould has provided us with legions of music from his tenures with Husker Du and Sugar […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Oct/Nov 2011, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Beauty, Wit & Speed, by Nathan Hamilton “Give me the mad ones, the sad ones, the ones who’ve got nothing to lose,” sings Hamilton in “Through Ether and Time” from his latest release. It is a telling comment and a great introduction to an album that deftly explores the search for […]