A few years back I put together a series of special playlists featuring my favorite kiss off songs. Despite what my family may think, I’m really not that cynical. Rather, I just appreciate how some songwriters can tackle the topic with humor and bite. Over the past year I’ve come across a few more to […]
Ruthie Foster – Let It Burn
Ever since Ray Charles earned the wrath of the righteous back in the 50’s with his corruption of “church music”, musicians have been stealing that mix of old fashioned gospel, rhythm and blues, and soul. Â Rarely, though, has it come together as well as on the latest Ruthie Foster project, Let It Burn. Â Listening to […]
Reader’s Pick: Micah Schnabel, “I’m Dead, Serious”
I’m Dead, Serious is the second solo record from Two Cow Garage frontman Micah Schnabel. It follows 2010’s acoustic bombshell, When The Stage Lights Go Dim. In between the two, Two Cow Garage put out their fifth record Sweet Saint Me. So, dude’s been busy. His lyrics, as always, are phenomenal, opening with a chorus […]
Monday Morning Video: Willie Nile and Bruce Springsteen
Here are two artists whose love of music clearly knows no boundaries. And what a thrill for the rest of us to join them in their musical celebrations. All the better when they jam on this Nile classic.
Mud, Blood, and Beer- Gone for Good
If you want to get a Twangville reviewer’s attention, mentions of beer, whiskey, or other spirits will usually go a long way. When songwriter and guitarist Jess Hoefner floated me a bottle of bourbon the other week, I knew I had to fulfill my long put off promise of reviewing his band’s latest EP, Gone […]
Mayer’s Playlist for January 2012
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 […]