Let’s kick off the week with two blues legends: Stevie Ray Vaughan and one of his heroes, Albert King. Here they jam on King’s classic “Born Under a Bad Sign”.
“Good Day” – a Premiere from Calling Cadence
Los Angeles-based Calling Cadence have been a pleasant earworm for my this year. The songs on their debut album are acoustic-based but with an inherent funkiness that comes from smooth organ and electric piano and plenty of bass grooves. And then there are the vocals of band leaders Oscar Bugarin and Rae Cole, each strong […]
Monday Morning Video – Jason Molina
Jason Molina left us way too young back in 2013. Nonetheless, the prolific songwriter left behind a tremendous catalog, including the brooding – and wonderful – “The Dark Don’t Hide It”. Here are two versions of Molina performing the song – one solo and one with Magnolia Electric Company.
A Little Boston in Your Attitude – A Special Boston Playlist
Follow, Susan Cattaneo (from the Jersey Girl Music release All Is Quiet) It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that Susan Cattaneo taught songwriting at Berklee School of Music for many years. Her songs are wonderfully crafted, filled with meaning and musical grace. Her latest album may be stripped down in terms of arrangements, […]
Monday Morning Video – Emma Swift
Emma Swift and her guitarist passed through NYC last week to perform songs from Swift’s 2020 album Blonde on the Tracks, a collection of songs written by Bob Dylan. It was a wonderful performance as Swift laid bare the tremendous emotion of the featured songs. Here is “Visions of Johanna” and “Just Like a Woman”, […]
The Twangville Summer/Fall 2022 Release Preview
All This Life by Parker Twomey (15 July) Parker Twomey’s debut has a freewheeling and airy vibe, not to mention a maturity that belies his age. Lava Lamp by Jonah Tolchin (15 July) Tolchin steps away from his more restrained and often acoustic-based previous work to serve up one heck of a rock album. Nation […]
Monday Morning Video – Joan Armatrading
Stumbled down the Joan Armatrading rabbit hole this weekend. So much goodness, including these two faves. First, back to the late 1970’s for the uber-funky “Show Some Emotion” and then the wonderful “Love and Affection” from Glastonbury back in 2008.
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2022 (So Far), the Songs
Meant to Be, BER & Charlie Oriain (from the self-released And I’m Still Thinking About That) A wonderful discovery at this year’s SXSW… and one of my favorite songs so far this year. But I think you’re the one for someone else And that shit’s hard to say It’s okay, you feel the same and I can […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2022 (So Far), the Albums
Twilights by Jesper Lindell Sweden’s Lindell makes true Americana that channels the spirit of the Band, a point he emphasizes with a great cover of that group’s “Twilight”. It’s Lindell’s own compositions and the arrangements that bring the songs to life, however, that make Twilights such a memorable experience. How Long Will It Take Them […]
Bonus Monday Video – Todd Thibaud
How about another fave Fourth of July song? This time from Boston’s Todd Thibaud, performing the song in a pandemic throw-back living room stream. (If you like what you hear, you can get a full collection of Thibaud’s couch sessions here.)