After stepping in a more modern R&B direction on his last release, soul singer Eli “Paperboy” Reed has returned to his roots (so to speak) with an old school sound. He’s got a new album — My Way Home — due out in early June. Reed previewed some of the songs at his SXSW performances […]
Readers’ Pick: A Cure For Loneliness by Peter Wolf
PETER WOLF, A Cure For Loneliness beats out HAYES CARLL, Lovers and Leavers as your favorite for the week of April 8, 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, […]
Mayer’s Playlist for March/April 2016, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Walking With a Stranger by Escondido It’s tempting to describe Escondido as cosmic country. Sure, that’s a core part of the duo’s sound. There’s a rock undercurrent and a musical tension, however, that pushes beyond the genre’s typical boundaries. Primary vocalist Jessica Maros has an ethereal voice but a healthy dose […]
Photos that ROCK! Barnstar! Brings Bluegrass to Cambridge
Barnstar! at Club Passim Cambridge, MA March 13, 2016 C’mon!! When I heard that Barnstar! was playing a special 3pm show at Club Passim, I knew that this would be the perfect opportunity for my 15 month old son to experience his first concert. After all, I had just found out that I was pregnant […]
Steve Dawson – Solid States & Loose Ends
Steve Dawson, whose amazing acoustic guitar picking on Rattlesnake Cage grabbed attention in 2014, has proven once again he is a great and versatile artist by moving in a completely different direction with a blues-based masterpiece, Solid States & Loose Ends. Canadian roots master Dawson, who relocated a few years ago to Nashville, is more than just a gifted musician. He won two […]
Robbie Fulks On Empurpling the Gendarmes at Rehearsal and Covering Oscar the Grouch at his First Gig
Robbie Fulks talks about what to do when you forget lyrics to a song why he can’t watch “The Office” and how the old Spanish proverb “wish your son luck and throw him into the sea” relates to the music industry.
Monday Morning Video – Celebrating the Music of Merle Haggard
I won’t even try to compete with Shawn’s excellent tribute to the late Merle Haggard. Instead, today we’ll honor his legacy with a playlist of videos from artists singing classics from the Haggard cannon. Herein you’ll find performances from the Avett Brothers, Dwight Yoakam, Vince Gill and Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson (with Kid Rock and […]
Merle Haggard Remembered
The interwebs are, understandably, full of posts with people’s favorite Merle Haggard songs after the legend passed away on Wednesday. Â You could certainly do a lot worse than spending time listening to your favorites all over again, and maybe venturing out into a few you aren’t familiar with. But there’s a lot more we owe […]
Readers’ Pick: World War Willie by Willie Nile
WILLIE NILE, World War Willie beats out ROBBIE FULKS, Upland Stories as your favorite for the week of April 1, 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 War […]
Jeff Plankenhorn – SoulSlide
Jeff Plankenhorn is a versatile lap steel guitarist, well established in the Austin, Texas music scene, who delivers a funky, crusty and soulful performance on his unique new solo album, SoulSlide. Plankenhorn, who has collaborated with artists like Joe Ely and Ray Wylie Hubbard, says he found his voice while singing in the church choir growing up in […]