Buddy Guy performs “Skin Deep” the title track of his new LP. BUDDY GUY, Skin Deep (Silvertone) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) Living blues legend Buddy Guy cuts a record with a little help from some other big hitters including Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. A warm welcome in […]
The New New Soul
The past few years have seen a resurgence of soul and R&B. We’ve seen bands good (Sharon Jones & the Dap-Tones), bad (the Pipettes) and even confused (Amy Winehouse). We’ve even had the reemergence of a couple of legends – Al Green & Solomon Burke – to remind us how it’s done right. Just when […]
Hold Steady + More, Releases 7/15
The Hold Steady performs “Sequestered in Memphis” on Letterman. HOLD STEADY, Stay Positive (Vagrant) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) A highly anticipated follow up to 2006’s ‘Boys and Girls in America’. Craig Finn and crew continue to deliver madly brilliant songs and lyrics building on the style the E Street Band made so […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, A Video Companion #2
Part two of this video companion features live performances from Hayes Carll, Paddy Casey, Reckless Kelly, Todd Thibaud and John Hiatt plus a powerhouse cover of AC/DC’s “Back in Black” by Danielia Cotton. We wrap up this installment with a video from Jabe and Baltimore’s Splitsville with our pick from the archives.
Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2008, A Video Companion #1
There was so much good stuff this go-around that the video companion will arrive in two parts. Up first is live footage from Chris Mills, James McMurtry, Bob Walkenhorst, Joe Pug and Hifi Handgrenades. Plus we’ve got videos from Paddy Casey and KaiserCartel. Rounding things out is Reckless Kelly with a special live cover of […]
Albert Hammond Jr. + More, Releases 7/8
Albert Hammond, “101” from previous release ‘Yours to Keep’. ALBERT HAMMOND JR., Como Te Llama (RCA/RED) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) Better known as the rhythm guitarist of The Strokes, Albert Hammond, Jr. didn’t get nearly enough notice for his stellar 2006 release ‘Yours to Keep’ featuring a slammin’ single called ‘101’. Both […]
Los Lonely Boys + More, Releases 7/1
Los Lonely Boys performing “My Way” (acoustic) on VH1. LOS LONELY BOYS, Forgiven (Epic) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) San Angelo’s own giants of Texican rock n’ roll, the Los Lonely Boys, release their third album consistent with the big sound that has helped make them famous. The Steve Jordan (John Mayer) produced […]
Josh Ritter Pops
Last week was a great one for shows here in Boston. Among the best was Josh Ritter and his band performing with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall, the legendary home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Ritter has always been a gracious performer but he was clearly moved by the moment. “This is such an […]
The Hold Steady Rockin’ the House!
The gauntlet has been thrown, my friends. I’m just back from seeing the Hold Steady kick off their global domination 2008 tour in support of their forthcoming album Stay Positive. What does it say when the title track – a song that isn’t even the lead single – whips the crowd into an unbridled frenzy? […]
Reckless Kelly + More, Releases 6/24
Reckless Kelly performing Alejandro Escovedo’s “Castanets”. RECKLESS KELLY, Bulletproof (Yep Roc) Official Site | MySpace | Samples (Amazon) Believe me, passing over Alejandro Escovedo to feature Reckless Kelly this week was not easy. But that’s just how much I dig this Texas band. They took some time to get ‘Bulletproof’ out but early signs show […]