We lost a giant last week with the passing of Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band. The group The classically trained multi-instrumentalist was a quiet force within the group, one whose contributions helped define their sound. Here are a few choice Garth moments. First, “The Genetic Method/Chest Fever” where Hudson’s expansive solo […]
Monday Morning Video – This Land Is Your Land
Back in 2012, Bruce Springsteen made the trek to Austin for SXSW. Aside from giving the keynote address, he and the E Street Band played the 2,750 capacity Moody Theater. He, accompanied by some special guests, led the crowd in an amazing sing-along of Woody Guthrie’s classic “This Land Is Your Land”. Said guests included […]
Bonus Monday Video – Peter Yarrow
“Puff the Magic Dragon” is one of folk music’s greatest songs. Sure, songs like “This Land Is Your Land” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” epitomize folk’s socio-political spirit. Yet I ask you this: how many songs have been – and continue to be – sung by generations of children. I’m fairly certain just hearing the […]
Monday Morning Video – Sam & Dave
When I think back to the pivotal artists that cemented my lifelong love of music, Sam & Dave rank high on the list. I stumbled across the Atlantic Records R&B Anthology and was immediately drawn to Sam and Dave’s magic. The energy, the songs, the voices – they were all something special. Sam Moore passed […]
Monday Morning Video – Lucero Unplugged
Memphis’ Lucero personify fortitude and commitment to craft. For more than two decades, the group has delivered a steady mix of boisterous rock songs and heartbreaking ballads, much to the delight of fans who turn their live shows into high octane sing-along affairs. At the core, however, are the songs. And what better way to […]
Monday Morning Video – Jesse Malin
Some may know the story of Jesse Malin. The longtime cornerstone of New York’s East Village music scene suffered a traumatic spinal stroke in 2023, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. The singer-songwriter, who has long preached “positive mental attitude”, persevered through months of medical treatments and physical therapy with the hope of returning […]
Bonus Monday Video – More on Buddy Holly
Rounding out Buddy Holly Monday, here are Dion, Graham Nash, Paul McCartney, and Ronnie Wood talking about the legendary Lubbock, Texas artist. Dion talks about time spent with Holly and sings “Rave On”. Nash talks about and plays Holly’s guitar, crooning “Peggy Sue”. McCartney and Wood dissect and perform “Peggy Sue”.
Monday Morning Video – Buddy Holly “Not Fade Away”
I fell down a Buddy Holly rabbit hole this weekend. It had been a while, but it was great to remind myself of how impressive a talent Holly was. And how inspirational. Below is a playlist that features a jaw-dropping collection of artists performing just a single song from the Holly catalog – “Not Fade […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2024, Part 2
I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2024 back in June (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this a continuation — the best songs from the second half of 2024. Rosemary and Thieves, Garrett Owen (from the self-released Memoriam) Owen’s tale of fractured relationships is […]
Mayer’s Picks, More 2024 Favorites
Here, in no particular order, are more favorites from 2024.