If the saying “variety is the spice of life” is true, The Acoustic Burgoo is the equivalent of my grandmother’s cooking drawer. Â There was a lot of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and other baking flavors for a comforting dish. Â There were plenty of herbs for savory dishes, and some pepper for bite. Â And a couple of […]
Sons of Bill- Sirens
“I heard those sirens singing on FM radio, and darlin’ they won’t let me goâ€- James Wilson “Siren Songâ€. Amen brother. I can only assume that one of those sirens on FM radio were The Replacements, as they seem to be the biggest new influence on Sons of Bill. Whether it’s the production of David […]
Lucero- Women & Work
Ok. Full disclosure, I am a huge Lucero fan. They are, to put it simply, my favorite band on the whole damn planet. I celebrate their entire catalog, from the lo-fi hiss of The Attic Tapes to the boisterous horns of their 2009 major label debut. So no, you probably won’t be shocked to find […]
Photos that ROCK! Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA: March 2010 Post by Suzanne D. McMahon (Suzanne Davis Photography) One thing I can say about Justin Townes Earle: the man knows how to dress. I’ve seen him play quite a few times now and his outfits are always impeccable, which makes him even more fun to […]
Todd Snider – Live at the Paradise / Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables
When I first heard Todd Snider’s tongue-in-cheek brand of roots/blues/rock, I wasn’t quite sure how he’d come out as a live act. Turns out that Todd’s sitcom music entrance is a pretty good way to explain his persona. In his rough-edged bluesy vocals, Todd regaled the audience with humorous anecdotes between witty tunes. As a […]
Mayer’s Playlist from February 2012, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Go Fly a Kite, by Ben Kweller Kweller’s last outing was a more moody affair, however that comment can’t be made of his latest release.While there are some acoustic moments, Kweller has brought the rock. And damn it sounds good. “Time Will Save the Day” is the song Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo […]
The Honeydogs – What Comes After
The Twin Cities based Honeydogs, who were tantalizingly close to stardom in the late 1990s, have kept their day jobs, survived and now have released a new album that should please their enthusiastic followers. What Comes After follows the recipe of the band’s superb 1997 and 2001 releases, Seen a Ghost and Here’s Luck, with simple, straight forward lyrics and exceptional musicianship. The […]
Mayer’s Playlist From February 2012, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Inspiration, by Shurman One of the things that I have always appreciated about Shurman is the ragged edge of their music. And man do they serve it up by the bucket on their latest release. Album opener and title track “Inspiration” starts things out on a positive note, both musically and […]
I See Hawks In L.A. – New Kind Of Lonely
Driving east out of Bakersfield you see it long before you get there, the heat shimmer distorting lines and colors, and yet somehow it kind of sneaks up on you. Â One minute you’re in civilization, the next…nowhere. Â California’s high desert has inspired musicians from Gram Parsons and the Eagles to Ted Nugent and Queens of […]
American Aquarium – Live in Raleigh
North Carolina’s American Aquarium has certainly made the most of their tenacious touring and effective self-promotion over the past few years. With their last two studio albums, Dances for the Lonely and Small Town Hymns possessing an irresistibly comfortable blend of country and rock, and the band’s live shows having gained a reputation for being […]