Billy Bragg is among the artists who released an album in 2021 and is finally able to support it with a tour in 2022. Bragg is about to hit the road through portions of the US and Canada (dates listed below) to showcase songs from The Million Things That Never Happened and, undoubtedly, others from […]
Monday Morning Video – Loamlands
Hat tip to Lee Bains for introducing me to North Carolina’s Loamlands. The band recently toured with Bains, opening the show and then backing Bains for his set. The band, led by singer-songwriter Kym Register, pack their rock and roll with a simmering intensity. Here’s a taste, “What Kind of Love” from their 2016 release […]
Monday Morning Video – Stevie Wonder
I’m kinda in the mood for something funky to start the week. And who better to provide it than Stevie Wonder. Here’s “Living For the City” performed live back in 1974.
Monday Morning Video – Candi Staton
Technically summer isn’t over yet, right? So let’s kick off the week with a fun summer jam from the soulful Candi Staton. This version of “Heart on a String” is from the 2011 Americana Music Awards and features an all-star band led by the one and only Buddy Miller.
Monday Morning Video – Sam and Dave
Let’s have a soulful start of the week courtesy of R&B legends Sam and Dave.
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2022, Part 2
Nobody’s Coming to Get You, Fantastic Cat (from the Blue Rose Music release The Very Best of Fantastic Cat) It takes some chutzpah to call your debut album “The Best Of” but Fantastic Cat darn sure deliver the goods with their first album. The group’s four singer-songwriters, each talented in their own right, come together […]
Monday Morning Video – The Dales
I kicked off my weekend with a fine set from L.A.’s The Dales. The trio’s sound is defined by their immaculate harmonies, which were on full display at the show. The set featured songs from the group’s forthcoming Multi Trick Pony. Among the songs on the album is “Jar of Hearts”, co-written by The Dales’ […]
Monday Morning Video – Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe took advantage of an off night while touring with Elvis Costello (“Elvis has a more leisurely work ethic”, he quipped) to play a small club in Queens, New York City. Backed by the mysterious Los Straightjackets, Lowe reminded why he is a revered pop songwriter. The set list included lots of Lowe classics, […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2022
Clean Getaway, Caroline Spence (from the Rounder Records release True North) Caroline Spence looks at relationships from a myriad of perspectives on her wonderous new True North. “Blue Sky Rain” and “Clean Getaway” focus on their failure with a thoughtful clarity. “You never see it coming, only see it pass,” she sings on “Blue Sky […]
Monday Morning Video – Don Covay
The video quality may be less than stellar but the performance is spectacular. Here’s legendary R&B singer Don Covay, with Ron Wood on guitar, performing “Somebody”.