If you listen hard enough, you may hear some “en vogue†or trendy nature in bringing back Hank Williams’ country style. I mean hell JT Earle’s is in GQ’s next issue with top as one of the top 25 most stylish in the world! While the giants begin with a straight out of the opry […]
Chip Robinson- Mylow
The late 1990’s may have been the golden era of alt. country. We had Son Volt’s Trace and Lucinda Williams’ Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. Steve Earle was having a post prison career renaissance, the Old 97’s were signing with a major label, and Wilco was teaming up with Billy Bragg on unrecorded Woody […]
I See Hawks In L.A. – Shoulda Been Gold
Imagine if Graham Parsons had hooked up with Grace Slick instead of Emmylou, and one of their offspring had moved out to Joshua Tree for a decade or so, then formed a band with a couple of his friends. Â The real story of how I See Hawks In L.A. came into being is less, well, […]
Adam Carroll & Michael O’Connor- Hard Times
Hard Times was released on January 1, 2010 by Texas singer-songwriters Adam Carroll and Michael O’Connor. I’m pretty well acquainted with the former as the laconic, yet sharp witted songwriter who writes the funniest folk songs this side of Todd Snider. And while I haven’t heard of O’Connor before, his contributions to this record are […]
Paul Masson – Paul Masson EP
Paul Masson – Paul Masson EP Judging by the cover of his record, Masson seems to be proud of his individuality. The cover shows Masson’s name in a rather generic looking backyard. The rest of the artwork shows Masson, a guitar and a dog in the same nameless field. Although Masson’s music certainly is individual, […]
The Texas Sapphires – As He Wanders
For a guy from Dallas, I will admit to feeling pretty lucky about the great music I have available to me throughout the Dallas, Ft. Worth and Denton area, no doubt. I will also admit that I sometimes get twinges of jealousy of the music lovers in my state’s capitol. Austin is obviously home to […]
Quiet Life – California Vacation
I came across a few tracks from Quiet Life (Myspace) a while back. I really enjoyed them and looked forward to hearing more sometime. Well, that time has come with the release of their newest EP, California Vacation. As with the last batch of songs I listened to, the tracks here are a fun and […]
Freedy Johnston – Rain on the City / Live Review
Freedy Johnston – Rain on the City/Live Review With a title like “Rain on the City,†Freedy Johnston has chosen a problematic yet perfect title. It nods to his recent albums (“Blue Days Black Nightsâ€) in such an obvious way as to perhaps shove off the tired motif. Freedy, with a few exceptions, is back […]
Ten for Oh-Ten
2010 is shaping up quite nicely, thank you. Here are ten upcoming releases whose arrival is eagerly anticipated at the Twangville general store. FREEDY JOHNSTON, Rain on the City (Release date January 12th) Has it really been eight years since Johnston’s last album of originals? Johnston’s instrument of choice is an acoustic guitar, all the […]
Mayer’s Best of 2009 (the songs), Part 2
Arms & Legs and Flowers, Ian Hunter (from the New West Records release Man Overboard) It’s no accident that Ian Hunter gets two mentions on this list. The legendary singer-songwriter is a true rock and roll poet, writing magnificent songs that combine simplicity with depth. “Arms & Legs” is an inspirational tribute to love built […]