Another great month of music, another fine collection of videos. And speaking of videos, how about Justin Timberlake at the VMAs imploring MTV to play more videos. Rock on, Justin, rock on. Highlights this month include a dynamic duo of live Josh Ritter performance and a double shot and short documentary from new faves Stonehoney. […]
Twangville Recommends: Will Kimbrough
I look to Fortune Magazine for a lot of things, but music has never been one of them. Hence my surprise to be flipping through the magazine several years back and finding a snippet about Will Kimbrough’s debut solo release, This. I’d known about Kimbrough for several years, most notably through his work slinging guitar […]
Raid the Twangville Country Store!
Don’t miss out on your chance to win either the new Sam Mellon and the Skylarks or Mark Knopfler cds. For a chance to get Sam Mellon and the Skylarks self-titled debut, post a comment here. Contest ends Thursday, 9/13/07 at midnight EST. Mark Knopfler fans (or potential fans) who are eyeing Knopfler’s latest Kill […]
Mark Knopfler: A Twangville Contest!
The legendary Mark Knopfler, one of rock and roll’s most distinctive guitarists, is releasing a new album on September 18th. Titled Kill to Get Crimson, it hearkens back to classic songwriting of the early Dire Straits releases. I’ve been particularly taken with “Punish the Monkey,” and its catchy chorus “punish the monkey, let the organ […]
Mayer’s Playlist for August 2007
THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, by Josh Ritter Josh Ritter bounces back from his label’s bankruptcy in fine fashion. Quickly (and smartly) picked up by Victor/Sony, Ritter releases his second masterpiece in as many years. Historical Conquests may not have the lyrical gravity of last year’s breathtaking Animal Years, […]
Live Shots: Josh Ritter @ The Box
Josh Ritter has always come across as a polished live performer, but his enthusiasm couldn’t be contained within the theater walls at a low profile cd release performance on August 22nd in New York. “It is amazing to be here, awesome, awesome,” he exclaimed a few songs into the show. Much of the set focused […]
Mayer’s Playlist for July 2007, A Video Companion
“My name is Jason Isbell. This is my fabulous rock and roll band The 400 Unit. And we need more whiskey as soon as anybody can get it up to the stage.” Quite the fitting kick-off to the July video companion… This month’s video companion bears a certain similarity to a full bottle of Jack […]
The End of an Era
Hilly Kristal, founder and proprietor of CBGB, passed away on Tuesday. A musical patriarch and legend.
Mayer’s Playlist for July 2007
THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: It was another great month for new albums. I’m calling it a draw in the album of the month category. Sirens of the Ditch, by Jason Isbell At long last, Isbell unleashes his solo debut and shows the breadth of his talents. Sure, there are rock songs like the opening […]
Live Shots: Kay Hanley @ Lizard Lounge
Having re-located to Los Angeles, Boston native former Letters to Cleo singer Kay Hanley returns home twice annually for the Hot Stove, Cool Music shows. Invariably Hanley and crew fit in a club gig to stretch their legs a bit, as was the case at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA on August 17th. Perhaps […]