Any list of the artists playing at the top of their game is bound to include Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit. Here’s a studio session that, to these ears, includes the best of the bunch from the group’s latest release. Isbell’s entertaining between song banter is a special bonus.
Monday Morning Video – Let the Season Begin
It’s football time again. And what better way to celebrate than two epic Superbowl halftime performances, courtesy of Bruce Springsteen and Prince. And, seriously, “can you make it rain harder?”
Well You Heard About The Boston… Playlist, Part 2
Climb the Ladder, The Rationales (from the self-released Upstream) I’m a sucker for great power pop and have long enjoyed The Rationales, who have consistently been among Boston’s finest practitioners. Their latest release not only continues that trend, it raises the bar a few notches higher. The band’s line-up has evolved over the past few […]
Well You Heard About The Boston… Playlist, Part 1
Ex-Girlfriends Cost Less Money Than Ex-Wives, Greg Klyma (from the self-released Never Knew Caroline) There are some artists who are tireless students of music, constantly exploring the historical corners of country, blues and folk to better understand the anatomy of song. Greg Klyma is one of them. In fact, for several years he has brought […]
Monday Morning Video – Terra Lightfoot
One of my favorite discoveries from SXSW last year was Canadian powerhouse Terra Lightfoot. She’s a triple threat – her voice, guitar and songs come together with a fiery intensity. Lightfoot has just announced a new album, entitled New Mistakes, due on 13 October. Given how much I enjoyed her previous Every Time My Mind […]
Monday Morning Video – A Premiere from Paul Kelly
I’ve written about Paul Kelly on many occasions and with good reason – he is quite simply one of the greatest songwriters of his generation. Given that he has been releasing albums for more than 35 years, that puts him in some rarified air. Over the past several years, he has been on a particularly […]
Monday Morning Video – Shane Nicholson
Yeah, I know Shane Nicholson has just released a new album. Truth be told, I haven’t heard it yet as I’m still stuck on his previous release. Here are two standouts from 2015’s Hell Breaks Loose, both heartfelt reflections on on life as a parent.
Say What?! Spring/Summer 2017 Edition
One of my favorite things about seeing live shows (well, after the music) are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from spring/summer 2017. There was a couple of times that it gave me too much courage. I got an ass whoopin’. Don Henley on drinking tequila […]
Monday Morning Video – Korby Lenker
Typically, artists go on tour to support a new album*. Well, Korby Lenker did it a bit differently for his latest – he toured to record the recent released Thousand Springs. He started by traveling his home state of Idaho recording his vocals and guitar in places that were personally meaningful to him. Then he […]
Monday Morning Video – Ben Kweller’s Penny on a Train Track
When I’m not surveying potential review material, I tend to hit the shuffle button and see what happens. I’m occasionally rewarded with a forgotten gem, such as this one from Texas wunderkind Ben Kweller. Kweller has been on a self-imposed hiatus but his website hints that there may be some new music in the works. […]