March and April each year bring a plethora of new releases. Just like spring brings the blooming plants, artists release their music upon us that they recorded 6-8 months prior. Some hit the mark, while others don’t.  Here’s a rundown of my playlists for the last couple of months and a few thoughts on each. […]
Got You Covered – A Random Spring Playlist
It’s one thing to simply cover another artist’s song; it’s quite another to re-imagine it in a meaningful way. In that vein we’ve been treated to some mighty fine covers this year. Here are a few of my favorites plus a brilliant selection from the archives . Stop in the Name of Love, Bob Woodruff […]
Sam McCormally of Fellow Creatures on Trusting His Gut and a First Song That Has Been “Lost to History”
Fellow Creature’s Sam McCormally confesses to argument over whether Prince or Bruno Mars are cooler and talks about his first gig at a battle of the bands. They placed fourth. Out of four bands.
Monday Morning Video (and a Song) – Sammy Walker
Bob Dylan casts a long shadow, perhaps too long. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of Dylan’s work and consider him one of the greatest songwriters we’ve known. But think about how many artists have been called “the new Dylan†over the years. While in one sense it is undoubtedly flattering, it is nonetheless […]
Readers’ Pick: Paging Mr. Proust by The Jayhawks
THE JAYHAWKS, Paging Mr. Proust beats out THE BO-KEYS, Heartaches By The Number as your favorite for the week of April 29, 2016. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Spring 2016 WILLIE NILE, […]
Shamrock Shakes and Oxycontin – A Special Boston Playlist, Part 1
The musical ground in Boston and New England has been especially fertile this year. We’ve already seen some outstanding releases by artists that run the gamut from long-time favorites to incredibly talented newcomers, with plenty more undoubtedly to come. To that end, here is the latest installment in our periodic series highlighting Boston and New […]
Monday Morning Video – Gillian Welch and David Rawlings “Miss Ohio”
Eric Ambel’s recent cover of “Miss Ohio” (listen here) sent me scurrying back to Gillian Welch’s original version. It’s been in heavy rotation ever since. “Yeah, I wanna do right but not right now.”
Susto – Twangville Video Premiere!!!
Susto is a Charleston, South Carolina band running all around the U.S. these days.  They’ve got a solid debut album along with a live session you can grab on Spotify etc. We’re pleased to debut their new video for “Cigarettes, Whiskey and Wine”  ahead of their appearance at Stagecoach.  It’s got your normal tour fare and […]
Readers’ Pick: Seven Sonnets & A Song by Paul Kelly
PAUL KELLY, Seven Sonnets & A Song beats out THE STRUMBRELLAS, Hope as your favorite for the week of April 15, 2016. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Spring 2016 WILLIE NILE, World […]
Front Country Debut – Three Of A Perfect Pair
It’s been two years since progressive string band Front Country parlayed their Best Band wins at Telluride and Rockygrass into their first album, the critically-acclaimed Sake Of The Sound. Â Since then they’ve been touring practically non-stop, playing everywhere from a cave in Tennessee to the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco. While that hasn’t given them […]