(My humble vote for “Best yet in ’07”) You’ve heard of the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon?” I prefer the “Six Degrees of Richard Thompson.” As a nascent Folk-Rock fan, I took a gamble on a little album called Shoot Out the Lights, and the floodgates opened. From producer Joe Boyd, I followed a breadcrumb […]
The Basement – Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs
The Basement generated a lot of hype among the UK press before they released their first album. Early singles hinted at something special and they generated quite a following among fans. For some reason the buzz has been a little slower to build in the US, but they have released their first US CD on […]
Mayer’s Playlist for June 2007
THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: It was a tough month for the Album of the Month… in a positive way. I couldn’t decide on a single album so this month we get two! A Year in the Wilderness, by John Doe John Doe may be one of the most under-appreciated songwriters of the day. Musically […]
Kim Richey: Chinese Boxes
It has been almost five years since Kim Richey released a new album. Clocking in at 33 minutes, Chinese Boxes is worth the wait. The short length of the album is appropriate for the conceptual simplicity of the lyrics. The imagery Richey uses in her lyrics allow her to provide the listener a conceptual framework […]
The 2007 Musical Eclipse
About once a year the earth, sun and moon align and a plethora of great new music arrives on a single day. In 2007 that day is July 10th. Jason Isbell, Sirens of the Ditch (New West Records) The former Drive-By Trucker rolls on to great success. Isbell’s tunes were among my favorites on the […]
Pearl Jam – Live at the Gorge
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing Pearl Jam live, you’ll understand when I say that Eddie Vedder has golden lungs. Whether you’ve seen them in a large stadium or small club, their sound is all encompassing and Eddie Vedder’s voice is a large part of it. This Seven CD Box Set was recorded […]
Best Yet in ’07? A Twangville Contest!
What has been your favorite album so far this year? We at Twangville have some thoughts of our own, but we’d like to hear what you have to say. Add a comment to this post with the album and artist, along with an optional description of why your Twangville neighbors might enjoy it. You’ll find […]
The Wells “The Outcasts Will Make a Strong Nation”
When Tom, the Mayor of this rocking metropolis we call Twangville, gave me The Wells Outcasts Will Make a Strong Nation cd, he told me I would like it because it reminded him of X and John Doe and he knows what a big fan I am. He was absolutely right. The harder songs especially […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May 2007, A Video Companion
It’s hard to go wrong with a book-end set of Stax classics featuring Otis Redding and Sam & Dave. In between we venture into the heart of Twangville for some Gina Villalobos, Mic Harrison, Brandi Carlile and Leeroy Stagger. Throw in some Ike Reilly, Patty Hurst Shifter and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and we’ve got […]
Josh Rouse/Country Mouse, City House
Due July 31st on Bedroom Classics, Country Mouse, City House is Josh Rouse’s seventh proper full-length album. According to his press release it was recorded over a six day session in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain with overdubs done later in Nashville. Speaking of Nashville, that’s the title of the first Rouse album I accquired, […]