I was singing the praises of Ian Hunter to a friend a few weekends ago. This song is from his outstanding 2009 release Man Overboard and was one of my favorites from that year. The anger and indignation of the lyrics is somehow inspiring — it is a song so good that I had to […]
Win Big: The V-Roys!
There are some bands that were destined for greatness but somehow got derailed along the way. Unfortunately for all of us, Knoxville, Tennessee’s V-Roys fall into that category. Formed in 1994, the band released a scant three albums before bidding farewell in epic fashion with a show on New Year’s Eve, 1999. Fast forward twelve […]
Monday Morning Video: Los Lobos
So the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees were announced last week. Lots of interesting artists were on the list, but not the one artist that I was looking to see. That band? Los Lobos. I have to imagine that there will be a line of artists volunteering to induct the band when the […]
Monday Morning Video (and Download): Jabe
The Boston Americana scene took a hit when singer-songwriter Jabe Beyer relocated to Nashville. Whether leading his own band, performing with roots-bluegrass outfit The Benders, or bending his guitar strings for artists ranging from Todd Thibaud to Bow Thayer, Beyer had firmly established himself as a rising talent. While Beyer hasn’t released any new music […]
Win Big: Paul Kelly
What is it about Australia and New Zealand? Per capita, they’ve got some of the most talented and enjoyable musicians in the world. Neil Finn and Tim Finn (from Splitz Enz to Crowded House and the solo stuff in between) to Kasey Chambers to You Am I. And then there’s Paul Kelly. Kelly himself best […]
Monday Morning Video: The Peacemakers
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers have a well-earned reputation are one of the most fun live bands touring today. In a moment of indecision, I couldn’t decide which of these videos to post. So, what the heck, I’ll post ’em both. The first is “Fonder and Blonder,” a tune from Clyne and drummer P.H. Naffah’s […]
Do It Again: Reuniting the Kinks
Public television in Boston showed an edited version of Do It Again, a movie about the Kinks, last night. The story revolves around Geoff Edgers, a Boston Globe reporter who sets out on a quest to reunite the legendary British band. Along the way, Edgers interviews artists ranging from Sting to Peter Buck to Robyn […]
Win Big: Lydia Loveless & Eilen Jewell
This year has seen a number of impressive releases from women artists. At the top of the list stand Eilen Jewell and Lydia Loveless. Each, in their own way, recalls the musical spirit and individuality of Loretta Lynn. Jewell is the more traditional of the two, breathing fresh air into a classic country sound, while […]
Monday Morning Video: Neil Young, Hurricane Edition
Those of us on the East Coast of the US spent the weekend preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Irene. She has now come and gone, but not without leaving her mark. Here’s to you, Irene.
Monday Morning Video: The Bottle Rockets!
The Bottle Rockets’ newly released acoustic album sent me scurrying to the band’s killer catalog. Here’s “Gravity Fails”, one of my favorites, recorded live in Chicago from last year. This ain’t no acoustic performance — check out the dual guitar solo at the end of the song. Now how about a Boston show, boys? (Looking […]