Folk trio Lula Wiles put out an exceptional album earlier this year. What Will We Do, their sophomore release, showcases for the breadth of their songwriting. In true folk fashion they shift effortlessly from pointed social commentary to candid personal reflection, surrounding catchy melodies with stellar musicianship and harmonies. Here are three favorites from the […]
Video Premiere – Leroy From the North
A few weeks back I got a chance to hear and review the new EP from LA-based Leroy From the North. Health & Fitness delivers a big dollop of southern rock vibe, with influences from Muscle Shoals to Macon. While the guitar hammers the classic power chords, the lyrics come from current cultural phenomenon. They […]
Bonus Monday Video – Remembering Neal Casal and Donnie Fritts
Last week was another tough one in the music world with the passing of both Donnie Fritts and Neal Casal. Fritts Fritz was the longtime keyboardist for Kris Kristofferson and a renowned Alabama songwriter while Casal was the guitarist in groups ranging from the Chris Robinson Brotherhood to Ryan Adams & the Cardinals to the […]
Monday Morning Video – Runnin’ Solo with Ken Stringfellow
Ken Stringfellow has quite a musical resume. After firmly establishing his power pop credentials as co-founder of The Posies, he has gone on to perform with everyone from R.E.M. to the re-formed Big Star. In between these and several other collaborations, he’s released a couple of stellar solo albums. Stringfellow is about to launch a […]
Paul Cauthen – Room 41
On the second song of his new album, “Room 41â€, Paul Cauthen eponymously references his nickname “Big Velvetâ€. There may not be a singer who ever had a more appropriate moniker. With a voice perfectly balancing a tightrope between Waylon Jennings and Roy Orbison, Cauthen delivers a collection that has elements of Country, 70s R&B […]
Monday Morning Video – Vincent Neil Emerson
Country singer Vincent Neil Emerson’s debut was a long time in the making. For several years the East Texas native has been honing his craft the old school way, playing honky-tonks across Texas and beyond. One can hear the miles, not to mention the honky-tonk dance floor dust, pulsing through the songs that make up […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2019, Part 2
Have You Seen My Girl, Todd May (from the self-released Let’s Go Get Lost) There are certain albums that were meant to be heard on vinyl. While the latest from Todd May isn’t available in that format, one can hear both its inherent warmth and insistent crackle in every song – even when streamed or […]
Bonus Monday Video – Ottoman Turks vs The 40 Acre Mule
The folks at State Fair Records have a good thing going. I’ve been in Dallas a few years now and have had some time to explore the local music scene. Chief among my discoveries is that there has been a steady flow of great music State Fair. The label wraps up its summer with not […]
Monday Morning Video – Austin Lucas and Garrett Owen
As one might imagine (and some actually know), I see a lot of shows. And by that I mean a lot. In that realm there are some artists who I get to see a lot. Then there are others who, unfortunately for various reasons, I don’t get to see often enough. Austin Lucas fits in […]
Monday Morning Video – Costello and Springsteen Take on Radio
This clip comes from the late, lamented show “Spectacle” that paired Elvis Costello with an impressive array of artists for conversation and song. Bruce Springsteen joined for an episode and the pair offered up this great mash-up of Springsteen’s “Radio Nowhere” and Costello’s “Radio Radio”.