Right On Time, Kevin Gordon (from the Crowville Media release Tilt And Shine) Kevin Gordon has long been one of contemporary music’s most compelling storytellers. He fills his songs with colorful characters and literary tales, all set to music that has more than a few gloriously jagged edges. Tilt And Shine steps beyond the more […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2018 (So Far), the Songs
Here are some of my favorite songs this year. An eclectic lot to be sure. The Fold, Brent Cowles (from the Dine Alone Records release How To Be OK Alone) Easily my favorite song so far this year. Cowles confronts anxiety and self-doubt with a determined and uplifting anthem. Tough Folks, American Aquarium (from the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 3
Easy Ways, Andrew Duhon (from the self-released False River) Andrew Duhon is an old soul. One can hear it both in the warmth of his voice and the captivating charm of his songs. The New Orleans singer-songwriter bridges pop, folk and a touch of jazz into a sound that is gloriously captivating. Some of his […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 2
Heartbreak Man, Sam Morrow (from the Forty Below Records release Concrete and Mud) Concrete and Mud is the sound of an artist hitting stride. Sam Morrow’s previous two albums were solid outings but there was a certain restraint, a tentativeness of an artist in the process of finding his voice. One can actually see that […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 1
The Fold, Brent Cowles (from the Dine Alone Records release How To Be OK Alone) One doesn’t need to tell Brent Cowles that life is a struggle. The Denver singer-songwriter isn’t afraid to bare his soul, a fact that is evident from the fervent opening moments of “The Fold” to the quiet closing moments of […]
The Berkshires Seemed Dreamlike – A Special Boston Playlist (Part 2)
Barefoot Sailors, Session Americana (from the self-released Live at the Haybarn) Session Americana in concert is more than a show, it’s an experience. The group takes their musicianship seriously yet are equally focused on delivering a relaxed, freewheeling and entertaining performance. Live at the Haybarn, recorded in Dec 2016, is a perfect snapshot for both […]
The Berkshires Seemed Dreamlike – A Special Boston Playlist (Part 1)
All Be Gone, Buffalo Tom (from the Schoolkids Records release Quiet and Peace) One of rock and roll’s great debates is whether to burn out or fade away. There’s a third option, though. Buffalo Tom make the point that it is possible for rock and roll to mature gracefully while still maintaining an edge. In […]
Deep Ellum Blues – A Special Dallas Playlist
Good Luck, Garrett Owen (from the self-released Sad Eyed-Son) To call Fort Worth’s Garrett Owen a captivating performer just doesn’t do him justice. Even as he sings songs about heartbreak and loss, he somehow pulls in listeners with an enthralling allure. There’s a melancholy that hangs over his music – he sings achingly of heartache, […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Winter 2018, Part 2
Simple Scenes, Marie/Lepanto (from the Big Legal Mess Records release Tenkiller) It perhaps shouldn’t come as a surprise that Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster (Water Liars) and Will Johnson (Centro-Matic et al) named their new project after a rural road sign that marks an intersection near two Arkansas towns (Marie and Lepanto). Tenkiller exudes a sense of […]
Tuesday’s Blend, a Playlist
Tuesday’s Blend is a Twangville-inspired Folk & Blues playlist blending newer releases with timeless classics and familiar covers. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.