Thirty years ago, in a park in a suburb north of Austin, a group of music lovers who gathered to play fiddle every Sunday, put on a small bluegrass festival. Â It was named after the park and sponsored by the town. Â Attendance that first year was about 600 people. Â Now, 30 years later, it’s held […]
Jayme Stone – Folklife
Of all the musicians I’ve assumed are safe in their positions of number one in the world at what they do, Bela Fleck is perhaps the one I thought was the most secure.  Until now, there has been little competition in the eclectic, versatile, jazz but also world, folk and bluegrass banjo virtuoso category. But Canadian […]
The Waifs – Ironbark
Soul is the incorporeal essence of a living being, by one definition. In the case of Ironbark, the latest from Australian music stars The Waifs, it’s the incorporeal essence of 3 living beings; sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson, plus long time musical partner Josh Cunningham. The Waifs have been together 25 years now, and […]
Future Twangville Residents
Later this week I’m headed to Austin for the 30th edition of Old Settler’s Music Festival. Â In addition to the normal, stellar list of established and up-and-coming acts, there will be a hidden gem late morning on Saturday, the Youth Talent Competition. Â Most major Americana festivals these days have a talent competition, so why do […]
SXSW 2017 – The Sounds, Part 1
LANGHORNE SLIM This was the best of the best, my favorite musical moment of the week. Langhorne Slim sitting in a chair on the floor, the audience arrayed cross-legged on the floor around him. A campfire festival without the campfire. His late-night performance was a freewheeling gem that included a few impromptu requests, all delivered […]
Eric Bibb – Migration Blues
The plight of troubled people on the move seeking a new, safe home is the theme of Eric Bibb’s heartfelt Migration Blues. It tells the tale of various peoples – refugees and migrants – who have hit the road to escape violence or grinding hardship. With the album, Bibb says he hopes to “encourage us all […]
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers/Sidelong
When I first encountered Sarah Shook & The Disarmers it was by way of their video for “Dwight Yoakam,†the single from Sidelong. I watched it, thought it was pretty funny, and forgot about the band. When Sidelong landed in my inbox, and eventually my iPod classic, (I’m old school) I decided I liked Sarah […]
Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi – Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train
Guy Davis and Fabrizio Poggi’s Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train takes a stroll through the past, with an homage to the traditional country blues of Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry that Davis refers to as “a love letter to Brownie and Sonny signed by both of us.” Harmonica virtuoso Terry (1911-1986) and acoustic guitarist McGhee (1915-1996) […]
Front Country – Other Love Songs
Joe Strummer once said, “Rock and roll ain’t about playing all the right notes.” Â I’m pretty sure he was referring to the passion that elevates something good to be something great. Â I happen to think you can be both passionate and really good at what you do. Â Because I’m also pretty sure the Edge never […]
Beth Bombara – Map & No Direction
What is it about electricity that so irritates the traditional folk music crowd? Â Dylan practically caused a riot back in 1965 when he plugged in at Newport. Â The acoustic crowd wanted nothing to do with Fairport Convention or It’s A Beautiful Day when they displayed some rock and roll showmanship and musical direction. Â As late […]