Justin Currie, ‘What is Love For’ (Full CD) [MySpace.com] It’s a bit of a quiet week for new music releases, but one that’s got us here at Twangville buzzing is the new Justin Currie (of Del Amitri) album titled What is Love For. Its his solo debut as well as his first record with Rykodisc. […]
Will Hoge + More, Album Previews
Will Hoge, ‘Draw the Curtains’ (Full CD) [MySpace.com] It’s that time of year again when we here at Twangville go Hogin’. With a new 10 song LP titled Draw the Curtains, Will Hoge packages live show favorites such as “Dirty Little War” and “Washed By The Water” as well as new songs “These Were The […]
Bruce Springsteen + More, Album Previews
Bruce Springsteen, ‘Magic’ (Full CD) Not even a Bob Dylan release can distract me from the mounted anticipation of Bruce Springsteen‘s new release Magic. He’s back with the E Street Band for this record which means the hootenanny is over at least temporarily. I’ve learned to like anything that Springsteen has made over the years, […]
Steve Earle + More, Album Previews
Steve Earle, ‘Washington Square Serenade’ (Partial CD) There’s plenty of new music to listen to this week, but the one that’s got me amped is the new Steve Earle record, Washington Square Serenade. Influenced by recent life changes including his marriage to fellow musician Allison Moorer and a residential move to New York City the […]
Mark Knopfler + More, Album Previews
Mark Knopfler, ‘Kill To Get Crimson’ (Partial CD) Proving to be anything but dire, Mark Knopfler releases Kill to Get Crimson a solo effort on the heels of 2006’s smash album All The Roadrunning with Emmylou Harris. With his signature acoustic swagger Knopfler is as good as he’s ever been. Be sure and check out […]
Joe Henry + More, Album Previews
Joe Henry, ‘Civilians’ (Full CD) Joe Henry has produced records for Ani DiFranco, Aimee Mann, Bettye LaVette, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint and the forthcoming Mary Gauthier album. His production credits also include a Grammy for producing Solomon Burke’s “Don’t Give Up On Meâ€. Civilians marks his tenth album and second with Anti Records. File […]
Mark Knopfler: A Twangville Contest!
The legendary Mark Knopfler, one of rock and roll’s most distinctive guitarists, is releasing a new album on September 18th. Titled Kill to Get Crimson, it hearkens back to classic songwriting of the early Dire Straits releases. I’ve been particularly taken with “Punish the Monkey,” and its catchy chorus “punish the monkey, let the organ […]
Patti Scialfa + More, Album Previews
Patti Scialfa, ‘Play It As It Lays’ (Full CD) The truth is that I don’t know much about Patti Scialfa other than the fact that she’s Bruce Springsteens better half as if there can be such a thing. My ignorance aside, Play It As It Lays appears to be worth some attention. Chalk another one […]
Live Shots: Josh Ritter @ The Box
Josh Ritter has always come across as a polished live performer, but his enthusiasm couldn’t be contained within the theater walls at a low profile cd release performance on August 22nd in New York. “It is amazing to be here, awesome, awesome,” he exclaimed a few songs into the show. Much of the set focused […]
Ben Harper + More, Album Previews
Ben Harper, ‘Lifeline’ (Full CD) Part of me wants to call this a return to form. But I know better. Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals are always on fire. Lifeline, their latest, appears to highlight what I love best about this band, a brilliant blend of folk rock, twang and soul. Upon my first […]