It doesn’t get much better than this – Aretha Franklin and Solomon Burke lead the choir in a rousing version of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”.
Monday Morning Video – Steve Earle
We lost a tremendous talent with the tragic passing of Justin Townes Earle last year. To raise funds for the late artist’s wife and 3-year-old daughter, Steve Earle and his band The Dukes recorded a collection of Justin Townes Earle compositions. J.T., the resulting album, was released last Monday on what would have been Justin […]
Monday Morning Video – What’s So Funny…
This song seems appropriate as we put 2020 in the rear view and look towards better days in 2021. Here’s Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets performing the Lowe classic “(What’s So Funny ’bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding”.
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2020, Part 2
I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2020 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this a continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. I Remember Everything, John Prine I Don’t Want This (Job Interview), Jackson Emmer (from […]
Monday Morning Video – Dennis Brennan
I really miss live music. In fact, it’s something of a tradition for me to ring in the new year at a live musical performance. Alas, it ain’t gonna happen this year. But I’m hopeful that sometime in 2021 you’ll be able to find me again at a show. Ideally lots of ’em. In that […]
Bonus Monday Video – Tom Waits
Tom Waits presents two holiday classics – one an original and one a cover.
Monday Morning Video – A Holiday Tradition
One of these years, I’d love to make it to Dublin for Glen Hansard’s annual Christmas eve busking session on Grafton Street. The event raises funds for The Simon Community, an organization that raises funds and runs programs to assist the homeless. This year, global pandemic and all, the event became a live broadcast on […]
Monday Morning Video – Charley Pride
Another legend lost. Here are two Charley Pride classics to celebrate his life and contributions to country music.
A Holiday Video from Emily Zuzik and Ted Russell Kamp – The Christmas Star
If you have read much of what I have written this ear you know that I have been high on Emily Zuzik’s album “Torch and Troubleâ€. (certain to appear in my year end Top 10.) The producer of that album was Ted Russell Kamp, a linchpin in the West Coast Americana scene. In the sprit […]
Monday Morning Video – Devil’s Sooty Brother
Dallas musicians Joshua Ray Walker and Nathan Mongol Wells – aka Devil’s Sooty Brother – sure do like to perform. The two originally joined forces as part of Ottoman Turks, a loud and rowdy quartet. When that wasn’t enough, they started a monthly residency as Devil’s Sooty Brother, mixing originals into sets filled with classic […]