Summer has nearly come to an end and I can’t think of a better way to acknowledge it than with a song by one of the masters. Here are two versions of John Prine’s “Summer’s End”, from 2018’s The Tree of Forgiveness, to close out the season. First is a solo acoustic performance, shot backstage […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2024, Part 2
The Money or the Time, Goodnight Texas (from the 2 Cent Bank Check Records release Signals) Goodnight Texas have built a career around storytelling. Their early albums were thematic period pieces, snapshots of time vividly captured in song. Later albums, including the recently released Signals, may lack an overarching narrative but are no less compelling […]
Monday Morning Video – The Ballad of El Goodo
Let’s go back to 2010. Alex Chilton was scheduled to appear at SXSW that year to celebrate the legacy of indie rock legends Big Star. Chilton tragically passed away from a heart attack just days prior to the appearance. So the planned celebration suddenly became a bittersweet tribute to a band that inspired so many […]
“Dead Flowers” – A Premiere From Afton Wolfe and Jaimee Harris
Sometimes you just have to run with the moment. A random conversation between Nashville residents Afton Wolfe and Jaimee Harris about cult movie hit “Big Lebowski” was the spark behind this impressive collaboration. Those familiar with the movie will recall that Townes Van Zandt’s cover of The Rolling Stones’ composition closes out the movie. Harris […]
Monday Morning Video – Rockpile
I’m in the mood to start the week with some good ol’ rock and roll. And who better to Rockpile, part of the English pub rock movement of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Rockpile – Dave Edmunds (vocals, guitar), Nick Lowe (vocals, bass guitar), Billy Bremner (vocals, guitar) and Terry Williams (drums) – only […]
Freak Show – a Premiere from Jack Barksdale
Credit Alex Marcenaro It may seem odd to describe 17 year-old as a music veteran but, given that Jack Barksdale started his professional career at age 9, the term rings true. More to the point, it’s hard to escape the impressive maturity of his musicianship and songwriting. Case in point is “Freak Show”, the latest […]
Barbed Wire Kisses – a Premiere from Michelle Malone
Monday Morning Video – Brittney Spencer
Brittney Spencer’s story is one of perseverance and commitment to craft. The Baltimore native made her way to Nashville in 2013 and, just over ten years later, celebrated the release of her debut full-length album this past January. Here’s “If You Say So”, a fave from the impressive My Stupid Life.
Holy Ghost Blues – a Premiere from Silas Nello
“Holy Ghost Blues”, the lead single from Silas Nello’s forthcoming From West Hollywood EP is a bit of a paradox. The song originally appeared on his 2018 debut full-length album, recorded in Dallas where he was living at the time. That version had a decidedly LA flair with its Sunset Strip swagger and snarl. Nello […]
Monday Morning Video – Clarence Carter
Muscle Shoals Alabama has turned out so many incredible hits over the years. Here is one of my favorites. Clarence Carter recorded “the song”Drift Away” back in 1967, backed by legendary Muscle Shoals musicians like Spooner Oldham on keyboards and a young Duane Allman on guitar. Here’s Carter performing the song at a festival in […]