Bruce Springsteen delivered a humorous monologue about his life and career during his acoustic performance of the classic “Rosalita.” Below is the full piece, courtesy of Live Daily. In addition to the monologue, I’ve also posted some video clips from the show. In the first video, the finale version of “Rosalita,” watch Badly Drawn Boy’s […]
SXSW 2007: The Sounds, Part 1
The Apples in Stereo – The gauntlet has been thrown down, my friends. I challenge any band to top the energy of an Apples performance. First during the afternoon CMJ Texas Tea Party and then at their official showcase, the band blew through one high energy rock song after the next. If fact, band and […]
Grant-Lee Phillips & More, Album Previews
Grant Lee Phillips “Soft Asylum (No Way Out)” Grant-Lee Phillips, Strangelet (Zoe/Rounder) Out with his fifth solo recording titled “Strangelet”, Grant-Lee Phillips looks to cosmic abnormalities to inspire a “record for strange times”. Check out the Grant-Lee Phillips’ MySpace profile for song previews. File under: Rock, Acoustic, Alternative. ALSO LOOK FOR: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, […]
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, The SXSW Encore
Here’s a short clip of the encore Grace Potter and Scott Tournet belted out as described on my SXSW Recap. I must have been standing just to the left of the cameraman. Great to see someone captured this. I can’t tell you how much better it sounded live. Also, note the glass of scotch Potter […]
Low Stars, On the Radar
Harmony, harmony, harmony. Apparently, its back in style and it sounds great. Witness foursome Low Stars with their debut album. I know what you are thinking… these guys are a CSN ripoff. You’d be right, but they don’t hide from this. In fact, they embrace it. “We wanted to make an authentic-sounding record that was […]
Looking Back at SXSW 2007
My first SXSW experience ended abruptly on Friday, but that doesn’t mean that a good time was not had. Chaperoned by some of the foremost Southby experts around, Mayer Danzig and John Anderson, my week starting on Saturday the 10th and ending on Friday the 16th was absolutely incredible. Highlights included Tuesday Night at the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for February: A Video Companion
This companion to the February Playlist includes videos from: the Apples in Stereo, the Teenage Prayers, the Cat Empire, the Resentments, the Low Stars, the Silos, JJ Grey & Mofro, the Good the Bad and The Queen, and Will Hoge. I believe that this month may set the Twangville record for the number of band […]
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals “Mystery Train”, a Video
One act I’m really going to try to see this year at SXSW is Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. They’re playing at 1am on Thursday night at the Cedar Street Courtyard. Check ’em out. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – “Mystery Train” Thanks, John!
Randy Newman in Defense of our Country
When he’s not composing movie soundtracks and collecting Oscar nominations, Randy Newman writes pop songs filled with biting social and political commentary. So it should come as no surprise to see Newman offer his perspectives on today’s highly charged global political environment. “A Few Words In Defense of Our Country”, by Randy Newman A president […]
Josh Rouse, EP Available
A personal favorite artist of mine ever since my cousin Ken mentioned him to me back in 2003, Josh Rouse released a new EP this week. This time as a duo. He’s partnered up with Spanish native, Paz Suay, who’s smooth vocals you might recognize from his last album, Subtitulo. The new EP is aptly […]