Listening to Mark W. Lennon’s new release Home of the Wheel, I felt as if I was transported back to depression era America without leaving 2011. At times it is the music that takes you there, and other times it is the lyrics. Lennon draws the parallels between the Modern and the past with a […]
Steve Earle- Tarrytown Music Hall (08.11.11)
I’ve been attempting to write this review of the Steve Earle/Dukes and Duchesses tour for going on 3 months now. Partly this was because I am an irredeemable procrastinator. Partly it was due to my utter inability to decide what I wanted to write about. It would have been easy enough to give you the […]
Stockbridge to Boston: A Special Playlist
Here’s the latest installment of my playlist series highlighting the latest and greatest in New England music. FEATURED ALBUM C’Mon by Barnstar! There’s a lot to be said for just getting in the studio for a few days and just having fun. Now while I can’t confirm that this was the case with Barnstar, it […]
Tom’s Picks: Best of Summer 2011
Here are some of my favorites from the Summer. Best of Summer 2011 OLD 97S, The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2 [★★★★/4.308] This is side two of last year’s full length originally conceived of as a double album. The band says that releasing with time in between afforded them time to adjust the songs and add […]
Photos that ROCK! Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit With Special Guest Amanda Shires Rock & Roll Hotel in Washington, DC: May 20, 2011 Post by Suzanne D. McMahon (Suzanne Davis Photography) It was a balmy evening in Washington, DC when I headed out to see my current favorite band, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit. Since I […]
Day 2 – Sunday Life is Good Festival
Day 2 – Sunday Life is Good Festival After a full day of food, fun and fantastic tunes, I got up only to do it again. But this time, the big names were coming out to play. When it comes to virtuoso guitarists these days, you’d be hard pressed to find a more […]
Day 1 – Saturday Life is Good Festival
I walked into the Life is Good festival and noticed that it really is good there. Even on a humid September day in New England, the sprawling Prowse Farm was the perfect venue for music, food and activities galore. And by activities, I mean the fun stuff. Whiffle ball, cornhole, football toss, and watermelon seed […]
Grace Potter Sharpie(s) It Pink
Grace Potter has been everywhere recently. Besides singing in the commercial for the new network TV show Pan AM, she’s even making me like Kenny Chesney. But more importantly, Potter and her Nocturnals are continuing their already impressive track record in supporting some pretty worthy charities. Potter has announced that she’s collaborating with City of […]
Mayer’s Playlist for September 2011
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Old Mad Joy, by The Gourds The Gourds latest is a bit deceiving. The band has built a reputation as a bluegrass and backporch country band, but things aren’t always what they seem. The album open as one would expect. “I Want You So Bad” is built around an accordion and […]
Readers’ Pick: John Hiatt, “Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymnsâ€
READERS PICK: AUGUST 2011 Twangville readers picked Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns by the John Hiatt as their favorite album of July 2011. Two things ring true about John Hiatt’s 20th solo album, Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns… 1) he makes a less than perfect world lovable and 2) he’s still a badass – no […]