Rory Block’s acoustic blues guitar picking has reserved her a special page in blues history.  Since the 1960s, the Manhattan-raised prodigy has pursued delta blues styles with the passion of a pilgrim.  Since the mid-1970s she has built a body of work that demonstrates her deep understanding and mastery of acoustic blues. Avalon, the fourth in Block’s “Mentor Series,” pays […]
Kevin Gordon on the way to Gloryland
After ten years in the business, Kevin Gordon has had time to hone his craft. Each of his four records shows his attention to detail and background in writing. He graduated from the elite Iowa Writer’s Workshop in poetry. His songs are highly literature and story centered. At times they devolve into straight up stories. […]
Twangville Presents …. Sarah Borges
On her last record with longtime backing band the Broken Singles, Sarah Borges recorded covers ranging from X to Smokey Robinson to the Lemonheads. As incongruous as it may look written down, Borges has made it sound damn near perfect over the first decade of her music career. Wowing audiences across the country and recording […]
Hem – Up Close & Personal
\ To listen to Hem, the label “countrypolitan” or “classical country” makes a lot of sense. The band consists of folk country elements and classical strings in the studio. But in person, Dan Messe’s piano and Sally Ellison’s vocals make this band stand out. They sound classical in every sense of the word. The keystrokes, […]
Marshall Chapman – Blaze Of Glory
Love In the Wind, the opening cut from Marshall Chapman’s latest release, Blaze Of Glory, might be one of the best rock and roll songs ever written. Â I know, that’s pretty extreme hyperbole. Â Maybe I’m just under the influence of a sunny, summer afternoon. Â But damn, it’s got great garage surf rock guitar licks. Â It’s […]
Stephen Kellogg – Blunderstone Rookery
Stephen Kellogg’s new album “Blunderstone Rookery†is being released at turning point in his career and life. Within the last year he has lost his Grandmother and Mother-in-law. In addition, his band (Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers) has decided to take a break. It is fitting that the album takes its name from a character […]
Jason Isbell’s “Southeastern” — the Twangville Team Take
Every once in awhile, there is an artist whose album is so anticipated by everyone in the Twangville Posse that we all pile on for a team review. Put Jason Isbell’s Southeastern in that category. SUZANNE’S TAKE Sobriety looks good on Jason Isbell. Sounds good, too. I remember watching him in May of 2011, chugging […]
Twangville Festival Artist – Joe Fletcher
As announced yesterday, Twangville’s posse is gathering in Boston on the 28th and 29th of June to celebrate the fact we all still get along, and to listen to some awesome live music. Â Think of it sort of like a family reunion, except there’s more fun than dysfunction. Â We’re taking over the Lizard Lounge for […]
Josh Ritter is Boston Strong
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band House of Blues Boston, May 18 2013 It’s clear that Josh Ritter has a special place in his heart for Boston. This was a hometown show for band members Zack Hickman, Austin Nevins, and Sam Kassirer. Ritter brought his A-game and gave the Boston fans a lot to […]
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell- Old Yellow Moon
“We’ve both grown tired/ Of running from each other/ Here we are/ Darling, here we are”- Rodney Crowell Old Yellow Moon feels lived in. The record feels instantly comfortable, like an old pair of shoes that align perfectly with the arches of your feet. Harris and Crowell’s musical partnership dates back a quarter of century […]