I learned a valuable lesson this weekend while catching some music at my neighborhood music club. A couple walk into the bar and approach the bartender to order drinks. She: I’d like a Long Island Iced Tea. He: I’d like a Grateful Dead. Bartender: Sure, name one Grateful Dead song. He: (after an all too […]
Mayer’s Playlist for August 2006
I Am a Leaver, The Damnwells (from the album Air Stereo The boys from Brooklyn may have switched labels, but the sound remains constant. Songwriter Alex Dezen knows how to construct energetic rock songs with smart lyrics. “I am a Leaver” packs a punch with its driving rhythm and gleaming power chords. Lookin’ for a […]
Special Guest Twangville Commentary
While conducting an interview backstage at this year’s Lollapalooza Festival, Mike Patton (Faith No More, Peeping Tom) offers his opinion on the band Wolfmother. See the video here. Video courtesy of G4.
Steve Earle, a Video
Steve Earle offers up a powerful acoustic performance while confirming his status as one of today’s most poignant songwriters. Taken from a 2005 benefit appearance in Washington D.C. (posted by jackynjimy on YouTube)
Mayer’s Playlist for July 2006
Love It When You Call, The Feeling (from the album Twelve Steps and Home) For fans of the late, great Jellyfish, this may be the best thing since, well, Jellyfish. The Feeling blend 1970’s pop classicism in the vein of ELO with the polish of 1980’s alterna-pop. The icing on the cake is the closing […]
Twangville Recommends: Jabe
After several years spent performing as a guitarist for Kris Delmhorst and Todd Thibaud, Jabe Beyer returns with Where are We Going & When Do We Get There, his fourth solo release. I’ve got my own question for New England guitarist Jabe Beyer: why did we have to wait so long for his latest release? […]
Twangville Recommends: Eli “Paperboy†Reed
Boston’s “Paperboy” Reed is possessed with the spirit of rhythm and blues. His 2005 release made the Twangville Best of 2005 list and now he’s back with some great new tracks being previewed on his web site. “Am I Wasting My Time†swings with a soul so real you’ll swear it’s a discovery from the […]
The Genius of Allen Toussaint
Live shows don’t get much better than the pairing of Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, currently wrapping up a tour in support of their collaborative release The River in Reverse. While Costello has become known for his eclectic musical collaborations over the past decade, he’s reached a new peak with Toussaint. Whether creating musical arrangements […]
The Musical Heat: The Best July Releases
June was a great month for new music with great new offerings from Roman Candle, the Bottle Rockets, the Yayhoos, and a remarkable collaboration between Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint. July is shaping up to be just as good with a host of solid releases. Americanitis, Will Kimbrough (7/25) Known primarily as a side-man and […]
You Never Know Who Will Stop By…
After Pearl Jam finished performing at the Boston Garden recently, Eddie Vedder joins Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein at the small Cambridge, Massachusetts club Toad to jam with Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom). Apparently Vedder commented that the club stage was almost as big as Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron’s drum riser. And where was […]