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 […]
South Carolina Roundup
At least once a year I like to do a little roundup of some of the Americana releases here in South Carolina that I think the readers would enjoy. The three that have caught my attention of late are as follows: Elonzo Wesley – To Be True, is the newest from Jeremy Davis who borrows […]
Mike & the Moonpies – Mockingbird
If you’re over a certain age, and grew up in flyover country, you undoubtedly spent a lot of time in a local establishment with pool tables, smoke-stained ceilings, mighty fine cheeseburgers, and a jukebox in the corner. Â The Blue Moon and the Downtowner were my particular favorites. Â Besides an appreciation for fresh ground, corn-fed chuck […]
Colin Linden – Rich In Love
Canadian roots rocker Colin Linden is one of those musicians’ musicians who has seemingly played with everyone during his long career, including Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Cockburn and several members of The Band. His latest album, Rich In Love, demonstrates why he is in demand as a guest musician in his adopted home of Nashville. […]
Americana 2015: The Sounds, Part 3
Mayer has given us his thoughts on favorite performances at the AMA conference and festival; time for me to weigh in with mine. The Traveling Minstrel Show – One of my two favorite surprises from the festival was central Wisconsin-based Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. They were the first band I saw outside the awards show […]
Americana 2015: The AMA Awards
The Americana Music Association officially kicks off with its annual awards show at the inspiring and beautiful Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Â The show ran a bit long this year, clocking in at over 3 hours. Â On the other hand, if you’re going to go to the church, you may as well get the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for September 2015
Into the Deep, Galactic (from the Provogue release Into the Deep) There’s a lesson to be learned across the eleven tracks that make up Galactic’s latest release. I can’t recall a record in recent memory that is so musically diverse yet sounds so cohesive. It is a testament to the New Orleans-based quintet’s immense musical […]
The Acoustic Blues & Roots of Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard has pretty much reached a point in his career when he knows he doesn’t have to try to impress anyone. He can play what he wants, and if you want to come along for the ride, so much the better. With the Acoustic Blues & Roots of Duke Robillard, which releases Friday, Robillard […]