There’s been something of a resurgence of 1970’s rock of late. The three bands highlighted below are among the finest purveyors, each adding their own distinctive stamp to the classic sound. TOY SOLDIERS When I first saw this Philadelphia-based quintet live I was tempted to put them in the indie rock category. The Maybe Boys, […]
Dr. Gasp Heralds Halloween
Still working on that creative costume for Halloween this week? To get you in the spirit, here is the mysterious Dr. Gasp performing the seasonal “Wax Museum” in the middle of The Old Burying Ground in Fall River, MA. For more tricks and treats, visit Dr. Gasp or his alter ego, Dan Blakeslee.
Monday Morning Video: Lou Reed
We lost a legend over the weekend. Lou Reed passed away on Sunday at the age of 71. From his early years with the Velvet Underground to his later solo career, Reed has inspired countless musicians and left a treasure trove of influential recordings. Here is a complete Reed performance from New York’s Bottom Line […]
Monday Morning Video: Eilen Jewell
Here’s one of my favorites from Eilen Jewell, “Rain Roll In” from 2009’s Sea of Tears.
Amy Black — The Muscle Shoals Session
Remember a few weeks ago when Amy Black wrote about her experience recording at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals? Well, now you can hear the results for yourself. Even better, Black is sharing the ep — for free — via her web site. Black recorded four songs in Muscle Shoals. The tracks span […]
Monday Morning Video: An Encore from John Hiatt
We’re going to stick with John Hiatt again this week. This humorous ditty is taken from a 1989 songwriters showcase that also featured John Prine, Guy Clark and Joe Ely. Hiatt’s introduction about the pressures of writing a hit song is classic. It is almost as memorable as the song that follows.
The Muscle Shoals Music Guide, Part 4
Twangville has teamed up with Muscle Shoals musician Jimbo Hart, known to many for his work with Jason Isbell and others, to highlight the many great artists that call Muscle Shoals home. THE FIDDLEWORMS Twangville Says: Just to let the reader know, I have heard about Muscle Shoals all of my life. I was born […]
Monday Morning Video: The V-Roys
This week we’re gonna go back a few years to enjoy a classic Farm Aid performance from 1997. The V-Roys were a rocking quartet from Knoxville, Tennessee who married a rootsy sensibility with plenty of rock and roll guitars. They were briefly signed to Steve Earle’s E-Squared label. Look closely and you’ll see Earle make […]
Monday Morning Video: John Hiatt
We’ll start this week with a gem from the John Hiatt catalog. The song tells the tale of a guy who “borrows” one of Elvis Presley’s Cadillacs and the consequences thereof. And, yes, that is the amazing Sonny Landreth on guitar.
Monday Morning Video: The Ponderosa Stomp!
Hot on the heels of our celebration of Muscle Shoals, we’ll turn our attention to another legendary music city: New Orleans. The Ponderosa Stomp music festival, to be held in New Orleans from October 3-5, bills itself as “celebrating the unsung heroes of American music.” It is an appropriate way to describe a weekend celebration […]