Not Ready Yet, Jamie McDell (from the ABC Music release Jamie McDell) I’ve been not so patiently awaiting the latest release from New Zealand’s Jamie McDell. Her 2019 EP was a tremendous introduction to her songwriting talent, especially the pull no punches “Botox” and the raw emotion of “Worst Crime”. Both songs are featured, alongside […]
Monday Morning Video – The Load-Out with Jackson Browne
Let’s start the week with a classic – Jackson Browne’s “The Load-Out” with a segue into Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs’ wonderful 1960 chart-topper “Stay”. People you’ve got the power over what we doYou can sit there and waitOr you can pull us throughCome along, sing the song
Cactus Blossoms – One Day
They call it blood harmony. It is that special coherent blend that siblings can attain when they harmonize. In the case of The Cactus Blossoms, comparisons are abundant to the Everly Brothers. However, sometimes the obvious is the most apropos. The blend of their vocals seems effortless and gives each song a comfortable, smooth vibe […]
Monday Morning Video – Keepsake House “From Story to Song”
A chance encounter at the Americana Conference in Nashville last September led to me to the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center in NYC in October. The occasion was an event called “From Story to Song“, produced by NYC-based Keepsake House. The premise of the event was to pair a storyteller with a musical artist and […]
Monday Morning Video – Mando Saenz
Here are acoustic versions of two songs from All My Shame, one of my top ten favorite 2021 releases, courtesy of Nashville by way of Texas songwriter Mando Saenz.
Mayer’s Playlist for Feb/Mar 2022, Part 1
The Ballad of Sissy & Porter, The Whitmore Sisters (from the Red House Records release Ghost Stories) There’s a throwback quality to the Whitmore Sisters’ Ghost Stories. Sure, sisters Eleanor and Bonnie have magical familial harmonies that recall The Everly Brothers. It’s the songs and arrangements, however, that hearken back to a bygone era when […]
Monday Morning Video – The Sadies
We lost another great talent this past week with the passing of Dallas Good, co-founder of Canada’s treasured The Sadies. In addition to the group’s own prodigious output, they have collaborated with countless friends and admirers, including Neko Case, John Doe, Justin Townes Earle, Gord Downie, and countless others. Good’s passing is another tragic loss […]
The Sound of the Sea – A Premiere from Mary Lee’s Corvette
I’ve never attended the Outlaw Country Cruise but I’ve no doubt it’s an amazing experience. The line-up is always filled with an incredible array of artists – a who’s who of Twangville faves. Among those appearing this year is Brooklyn-based Mary Lee’s Corvette. Mary Lee Kortes is apparently so excited about the cruise that she […]
Monday Morning Video – Kasey Chambers
Let’s kick off the week with an intense musical performance, courtesy of Kasey Chambers. In 2018 she was inducted into the ARIA (Australia Recording Industry Association) Hall of Fame. Amy Sheppard, Kate Miller-Heidke & Missy Higgins pay tribute with a moving take on Chambers’ “Not Pretty Enough” before Chambers electrifies with the intense emotion of […]
Monday Morning Video – Trey Johnson
Dallas lost one of the cornerstones of its music scene last week with the passing of Trey Johnson. Sorta, the band Johnson co-founded in 2000, quickly established themselves as local favorites and achieved some national recognition before disbanding in 2008. Johnson went on to co-found State Fair Records, the Dallas label that launched the careers […]