Wonderin’ Where, Joe Ely (from the Rack ‘Em Records release Panhandle Rambler) Joe Ely is a one of the great American musical storytellers. His latest album finds him in a rather reflective mood, casting a thoughtful eye on the characters and landscape of his beloved Texas. Whether he is painting a picture of the lonesome […]
The Nouveaux Honkies – Blues For Country
Somewhere around the middle of the Natchez Trace Parkway, halfway between the (in)famous crossroads of Clarksdale, MS, and Nashville, home of The Grand Old Opry and the Ryman, lays the spiritual home of The Nouveaux Honkies. Â That’s where you’re halfway between blues and country. Â Those two genres aren’t always too related, but Hank Williams, for […]
Charlie Musselwhite – I Ain’t Lyin’ …
Charlie Musselwhite is one of those guys who has been around so long it’s difficult to picture a blues scene without him. Once among the first American white musicians to embrace the blues, Musselwhite now stands among the top living blues musicians of any color, and, along with James Cotton, one of the most accomplished blues harp […]
Mayer’s Playlist for October 2015, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Didn’t He Ramble, by Glen Hansard Hansard’s latest album is a journey. Across the album’s ten tracks, Hansard takes the listener on a quest for happiness and contentment. Not surprisingly the journey is a meandering one, filled with hopes both realized and dashed. The album begins with a rather defiant tone […]
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
The best songs transport you instantly to another time or place.  Sometimes it’s because it was that tune that triggers a memory.  Other times, the music just so perfectly sets the ambience in your mind. That’s what happened to me on the self-titled release from Denver-based Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats.  I just see friends gathered […]
Shawn Mullins – My Stupid Heart
On his first album in five years, Shaw Mullins releases what is perhaps his best album. “My Stupid Heart†is a virtual dead heat with 2006’s “Ninth Ward Pickin’ Parlor†as his career best. “My Stupid Heart†exhibits a diversity of styles. The core of the album, as always, is Mullins melodic songwriting. There is […]
Josh Ritter- Sermon on the Rocks
Jeff and I were both arguing over who got to review this album so we decided to do a “his” and “her” take. Josh Ritter is a household favorite and Sermon on the Rocks has been playing on repeat. Here are our thoughts. HER TAKE Phew, happy Josh is back. 2013’s post-divorce album The Beast […]
Mayer’s Playlist for October 2015, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH All a Man Should Do, by Lucero There’s something to be said for aging gracefully, especially when you’ve got a well-earned reputation for raucous and whiskey-fueled rock and roll. Memphis-based Lucero demonstrate how to do it right on the 12th album of their nearly 18 year career. Singer-songwriter Nichols has long […]
Corb Lund – Things That Can’t Be Undone
One of the best bar-concert surprises I’ve ever had was seeing Corb Lund open for Hayes Carll a few years ago at the Doug Fir in Portland.  I’d heard a couple of his songs, but hadn’t given them much thought.  Lund and his band, the Hurtin’ Albertans, came out and proceeded to not just get the […]
Cold and Bitter Tears – The Songs of Ted Hawkins
Sometimes it’s the unexpected show that becomes one of the most memorable. Such was the case when I saw Ted Hawkins shortly before he passed away in 1995. Hawkins was booked to play Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall, a seemingly odd choice for an artist who was touring to promote a new album. For those who […]