ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Live At Lincoln Hall, by Joe Pug Since arriving on the singer-songwriter scene in 2008, it didn’t take long for Joe Pug to establish himself as a rising star. This live album, recorded in Chicago last spring and comprising songs from his one full-length album and two eps, is a spectacular […]
The Possum Posse Rides On Buffaloes!
Most of the time, a band with a gimmick is more gimmick than band. Hokey, jokey one-hit wonders litter our memories like so many bumper stickers on a hippies VW Van. Sometimes – just sometimes – a gimmick is worth more than a disposable three minutes of our time. Austin’s The Possum Posse, a self-described […]
Monday Morning Video: Etta James
Rock and roll lost a legend on Friday with the passing of Etta James. An oft-troubled life didn’t prevent James from a remarkable career that inspired several generations of artists. And how many artists can lay claim to having been inducted into the Rock and Roll and Rockabilly Halls of Fame, not to mention a […]
Best Under the Radar 2011
Instead of focusing on a best of list, I wanted to highlight 10 albums released in 2011, by artists that aren’t household names. There are so many hard working and passionate artists who deserve to be noticed. The current landscape of the music industry makes it difficult for artist from local and regional scenes to […]
Carolann Ames – Laurel Canyon Road
Everybody”s Someone In A Honky Tonk. Â Anyone who”s reading this blog probably knows the David Allen Coe song, You Never Even Called Me By My Name (written by Steve Goodman), about the perfect country western song. Â This tune, from the latest Carolann Ames release, may not be the perfect country song, but it has the […]
The Little Willies – For the Good Times
If you are looking for hot, fun country music by folks who are playing it because they love it, The Little Willies’ newest release, For the Good Times, should be your destination.  A side project by several artists on separate musical paths, the best known of whom is the enchanting Norah Jones, this second album by The […]
Win Big: Elvis!
Is there anyone out there who doesn’t know Elvis? From the early Sun Studio years to the Vegas spectacles, he blazed a distinctive trail. Dig beneath the out-sized legacy, however, and you’ll find the heart of a musician. Over the course of his career, Elvis wrapped his voice around everything from gospel to country to […]
Monday Morning Video: New Lucero
I can’t think of many better ways to usher in the new year than to spend it rockin’ with Lucero. Hence I was thrilled when the band scheduled a New Year’s Eve show in Boston. ’round midnight the band played a song from their forthcoming release.
Readers’ Pick: Best Album of 2011: Jason Isbell’s “Here We Rest”
With 65 of 300 total votes Twangville readers picked Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit‘s “Here We Rest” as their favorite album of 2011. Rounding out the top five were albums from Matthew Ryan, The Decemberists, Ryan Adams, and Gillian Welch. Congratulations to all the nominees which were based on our monthly Readers’ Pick poll. […]
Todd’s Tops of 2011
There were tons of releases in 2011 and I am sure I only listened to a fraction of them. I always have a hard time narrowing down my top 5 or so choices, and then I always have a hard time coming up with a full list of 25. Here’s my top 15 of the […]