It does not seem long ago that the Greencards burst onto the New Grass scene. Almost immediately they captured audiences with music that blended influences from their Australian, European and American heritages. With the release of their fifth studio album, The Brick Album, The Greencards are now one of the most respected bands around. Their musicianship is admired […]
Monday Morning Video: Charlie Chesterman and Scruffy the Cat
I went to a special benefit for Boston musician Charlie Chesterman yesterday. Chesterman is battling cancer and, true to form, was humble and appreciative of the crowd that turned out for the event. Over the course of the afternoon nine different artists and bands, most playing at least one Chesterman song, took the stage for […]
Mayer’s Playlist from May 2011
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive, by Steve Earle Steve Earle could perhaps be America’s most honest songwriter. When one listens to his albums there is never a doubt what he is thinking. Whether railing against George W. Bush (“Little Emperor”) or pledging his love (“Every Part of Me”) […]
Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers- Starlight Hotel
If you read Twangville or any of the other excellent roots rock blogs being written across the internet, then I think you can agree with this statement “alternative country gets a bad rap.†Alt. Country, or as I prefer y’allternative, reached a brief level of prominence during the mid 1990’s, but even then it had […]
Suzanna Choffel – Steady Eye Shaky Bow
As the old Monty Python line goes, “and now for something completely different.” Â A few weeks ago I happened to catch Suzanna Choffel at Old Settlers Music Festival. Â She was playing to an Austin crowd that knew her and my notes say something to the effect of “country meets jazz”. Â Fast forward to last week […]
Monday Morning Video: Session Americana and Kris Delmhorst
Boston legends The Cars recently reunited and released Move Like This, their first album of new music since 1987. Missing from the line-up is bassist Ben Orr, who passed away from cancer in 2000. Orr sang best online casino one of the band”s biggest hits, the ballad “Drive.” This tender take on that classic hit […]
Jason Isbell – To the Ends of the City
Listening to Jason Isbell’s newest album was a true revelation. A few album’s later and he’s really moved beyond his life with the Drive-by Truckers. Now when I hear about a concert on the other side of DC from me, I think twice about heading out to H street. But when I heard Isbell was […]
Kasey Anderson- Heart of a Dog
Kasey Anderson went and found his own Crazy Horse. Though the change isn’t quite as stark as Neil Young’s jump from self-titled debut to the iconic Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Anderson is definitely revving up his raggedy side for the follow up to last year’s excellent Nowhere Nights. Heart of A Dog takes no […]
Monday Morning Video: Jeanne Jolly covers Whitesnake
The Felice Brothers / Celebration, Florida
I honestly didn’t know what to expect when the new Felice Brothers album, Celebration, Florida, arrived in my mailbox. I’d been a fan of the tune “Frankie’s Gun” a few years back on their self-titled release, but that was really about as far as it went. I had failed to hear their 2009 release and […]