There’s something about city life that shapes and reshapes a person’s perspective. Sights, sounds, smells – really the totality of a city environment – have an influence, whether instilling a sense of excitement and wonder or causing anxiety and unhappiness. Few cities have a more dramatic effect than New York City. Just ask singer-songwriter Kevin […]
G. Love on Fresh Guitar Strings and Tending His Garden
G. Love talks about rehearsing in a 200 year old garden shed and finding the balance between business and music.
Monday Morning Video – Eleven Hundred Springs
Eleven Hundred Springs are something of a Dallas institution. Heck, they’re country music stalwarts, mining the depths of the genre’s traditions and legacy. The group is gearing up to release a fine new album, entitled Here ‘Tis., this Friday . For those in Dallas, come join me for the album release party at the Granada […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2019, Part 2
I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2019 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this a continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. Have You Seen My Girl, Todd May (from the self-released Let’s Go Get Lost) […]
Signe Marie Rustad on Wet Carpet, Exotic Food, and “Twist and Shout”
Norwegian singer-songwriter Signe Marie Rustad talks about the laughing fit that marred her first gig and life touring in a VP camper.
Monday Morning Video – Lost Bayou Ramblers
Want to start the new year off right? How ’bout some of Louisiana’s finest – The Lost Bayou Ramblers – taking over the legendary Preservation Hall in New Orleans to perform the song “Granny Smith”. And in case you missed it, group founders Louis and Andre Michot recently talked with us about Ramblers life past, […]
Bill’s Belated Blues-Based Best of 2019
Well, it’s that time of the year again, and after awakening from my yearly food coma, I realized I hadn’t compiled my annual inexpert list of favorite blues-based albums. Well, here we go: Â Jimmy “Duck” Holmes – Cyprus Grove. A collection of earthy originals and covers from the last of a breed of Mississippi Delta […]
Remembering Sleepy LaBeef
One of my fondest musical memories was the time that Sleepy LaBeef got under-aged me and my younger brother into a club to see his show. I had been recently introduced to Sleepy’s music by a cousin, who himself was introduced to Sleepy’s music by music historian Peter Guralnick. I thought it would be fun […]
Monday Morning Video – A Slaid Cleaves New Years
There are a few occasions where I allow myself to re-post songs and New Years is one of them. I’ve always enjoyed Slaid Cleaves’ “One Good Year,” a magical blend of melancholy and hopefulness. Happy New Year everyone!
Best of 2019- Chip’s Picks
This was a tough year to rank best albums. The sheer volume of good releases made it difficult. This is especially true in the Americana genre with it’s ever expanding boundaries. All the same, I gave it my best shot. 1)Yola- “Walk Through Fire” Released early in the year, from my first listen I knew […]