“I feel a podium under my feet†says Keri Latimer on “Scarecrow†from the new album Key Principles by the Winnipeg based Americana quartet Nathan. With a voice as enthralling and Charming as hers, she can stand on the podium and say whatever she has to say. The album starts with “John Paul’s Deliveries†about […]
The Avett Brothers/Emotionalism
 A few years back, when I was the editor of my very own zine, I stumbled across a charming little band from North Carolina thanks to a review by one of my contributors. That band was the Avett Brothers and I ended up contacting them and getting permission to include one of their songs […]
Richard Thompson – Sweet Warrior
The cover of Richard Thompson’s latest CD is no accident — each song on Sweet Warrior is a battle of sorts, and the vintage French photo (no, it’s not from RT’s baby book) illustrates its stark subject matter. Sweet Warrior navigates territory as dark and familiar as RT’s trademark beret: Unrequited love (“Needle and Thread,” […]
The Avett Brothers & More, Album Previews
The Avett Brothers, ‘Emotionalism’ Before you get too excited, the truth is that I haven’t been able to locate a full album stream of The Avett Brothers’ new album Emotionalism. However, if it is anything as good as their recent Four Thieves Gone EP, you’ll want to get your hands on it. All is not […]
George… Giving It Up for Neil Young
In words far greater than anything I could come up with, my father-in-law (George) had this to say about Neil Young’s recent retrospective: Please tell Tom that the Starbuck’s edition of Neil Young’s live retrospective in Canada is a spectacular tour de force of a writer and player who’s ear hears melody lines and chord […]
Mayer’s Playlist for April 2007
THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: The Swell Season, by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova Although it was originally released in late 2006, this album has finally taken hold of me with its quiet beauty. Glen Hansard, singer-songwriter from Ireland’s The Frames, and Marketa Irglova, a classically trained Czech musician, collaborated to create a song cycle […]
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club/Baby 81
It’s been a while since I’ve got an album that has beckoned to be cranked to 11, but the release of Baby 81 has ended that drought. After a brief stint grabbing Americana-type reviews and features with their last album, Howl, the Black Rebel boys come back rocking. From the opening track, “Took Out a […]
Ana Miura/Tenacious Heart
“Oh Canda! Our home and native land!” Ok, sorry, I just had to get that in there, as Ms. Miura hails from Canada. Ottawa to be exact…or is it Ontario? Oh well, both are listed on her website and it looks like she spends a fair amount of time in each place while occasionally jaunting […]
Adam Hood/6th Street EP
Adam Hood’s 4 song EP starts off promising with the semi-rocking “Tuesday Night” in which he proclaims, “I’m always hoping for a good time/It never happens on a Tuesday night.” It’s the standout track of the disc which features mostly Edwin McCain-style vocals, acoustic guitar, bass and drums. (And if anyone would know where to […]
Warren Zevon – Stand in the Fire
The best album not on CD…is finally on CD. Rhino Records rescued Warren Zevon’s classic live album from Asylum’s vaults and released an expanded and remastered version in late March. This album isn’t just live; it’s ALIVE — a vicious assault on songs taken (mostly) from Zevon’s first (and best) two albums. Almost without exception, […]