Twangville

A music blog featuring Alt-Country, Americana, Indie, Rock, Folk & Blues. Est. 2005.

In Memoriam – John Prine

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For me, it was Bruised Orange. The album had come out about the time I’d started a stint as a radio DJ, and everyone at the station had their favorite cut (mine was Fish And Whistle). As music fans did back then, we dug into the liner notes, and soon discovered an entire new world […]

Western Centuries – Call the Captain

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You could probably write a book about how bands are formed. Some are born as school friends playing in a forgiving parent’s garage. Other have a process-based beginning, with formal recruitment and auditions. I think I’d take a bet that many of the most successful started with a mutual love of something that became foundational […]

Rory Block – Prove It On Me

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Rory Block has had her own little corner of the blues world since she broke out as a solo artist in the 1970s. Known for her thoughtful interpretations of acoustic country blues, the New York City native has long been recognized as a master, netting six Blues Music Awards over the years, including “Acoustic Artist […]

Saints Eleven Premiere – The Crown

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Saints Eleven is garnering a lot of attention in the Texas country music scene, especially since they won the Texas Country Music Association’s Band of the Year award last year. Their last record, Coming Back Around, really showcased the band’s red dirt, almost rock and roll, but country in the end, sound. They have a […]

Andrew Alli – Hard Workin’ Man

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If you’re someone who enjoys really good blues harmonica in the tradition of Little Walter, Andrew Alli is your guy. A relative newcomer from Richmond, Virginia, when Alli blows the harp he can capture the blues vibe of the Mississippi Delta, Memphis, Chicago and points in between. In his early thirties, Alli is part of […]

Avi Kaplan – I’ll Get By

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Sometimes a voice comes along that has the potential to carry an entire album. No instrumentation needed. Avi Kaplan has such a voice. This probably shouldn’t be a surprise given his background in the uber-popular acapella group Pentatonix. I must admit to not being much of a fan of them or acapella groups in general. […]

Pi Jacobs – Two Truths And A Lie

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“Divorce…whiskey…legal problems…cheaters…lies. I’m a pro at what not to do.” Whatever story comes next, it’s going to be a good one. That line comes from Broken Cup, the opening cut on Pi Jacobs’ latest release, and what comes next is indeed good. Two Truths And A Lie is collage of stories about female characters that […]

Sonny Landreth – Blacktop Run

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Louisiana slide guitarist Sonny Landreth is a great musician who doesn’t get nearly enough attention. Blacktop Run is a great addition to Landreth’s prolific output. Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Landreth got his first gig in the 1970s as a sideman to zydeco king Clifton Chenier. It was that job that prepared him for a lifetime […]