Steve Earle just released Jerry Jeff in honor of the late Jerry Jeff Walker, the latest in his series of albums paying tribute to songwriters that have inspired him. Here’s a vintage clip of him reminiscing about several others, including Townes Van Zandt – for whom “Ft. Worth Blues” was written.
“The Sun” – a Premiere from Beth // James
It seems like there is a tremendous amount of pain and suffering in the world these days. In times like these, music can offer a welcome salve. The latest single from Austin’s Beth // James – the husband/wife duo of Mikaela Beth and Jordan James Burchill – provides such a musical moment. “The Sun” starts […]
Monday Morning Video – The HawtThorns
Nashville’s The HawtThorns passed through NYC a few weeks ago to promote Tarot Cards and Shooting Stars, their latest release. The collection is a wonderful blend of roots and soul that is centered around KP Hawthorn’s powerful voice and Johnny Hawthorn’s magical guitar. Here’s “Let’s Get Together”, a fave from the album, performed live in […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2022
Southern Intentions, Wood Willow (from the self-released Southern Intentions) Oklahoma’s Wood Willow – the duo of Becca Herrod and Joel Parks – introduce themselves in fine fashion with Southern Intentions, Wood Willow (from the self-released Southern Intentions). Their debut’s ten tracks shift effortlessly between between sweet (“You’ve Got Me”, “Birds”) and brooding (“On With the […]
Monday Morning Video – Rosie Flores
Over the weekend I was reminded of our interview with Rosie Flores. It’s one of my favorites, filled with stories of a career more than four decades long – and one that’s still rollin’. Here’s Flores performing “You Tear Me Up” for Ditty TV back in 2019.
Monday Morning Video – “Show Yourself”, A Benefit Residency
Keepsake House, producers of the “From Story to Song” show that I wrote about earlier this year, are back with an even more ambitious undertaking: they’ve partnered with Nashville musician Alex Wong to host the month-long “Show Yourself: A Benefit Residency Celebrating AAPI Stories”. The series. emcompassing five shows, kicked off last Monday with Wong, […]
Monday Morning Video – Allison Russell and Hozier
How about a little more Allison Russell to kickstart the week? In this live video she is joined by Hozier for a great cover of the Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty duet “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around”.
Monday Morning Video – Allison Russell
One of the most intense – and wonderful – performances that I saw at SXSW a few weeks back was from Allison Russell. The hour was late and the crowd was thin but Russell, backed by a trio of talented musicians and harmony vocalists, threw herself into the songs as well as sharing the stories […]
Monday Morning Video – Dave Alvin, David Hidalgo, and Friends
Dave Alvin, David Hidalgo, and Flaco Jimenez are music institutions. What happens when you bring them together with one another and a group of other talented musicians? You get one heck of a party, as this raucous take on Alvin’s “Marie Marie” demonstrates.
“Sick of This Town” – a Premiere from Michael McDermott
Everyone is from somewhere. The question is how many of us, after leaving, want to go back. It’s a topic that Michael McDermott explores on the forthcoming St. Paul’s Boulevard, and most notably on lead single “Sick of This Town”. “Be careful of the past, don’t let it drag you down, there’s no shame in […]