Music history is full of legendary performers, but the places that shaped them often go unrecognized. Sure, some venues are celebrated for their physical beauty or acoustics—think Red Rocks—but the true lifeblood of music is in the clubs. These are the rooms where artists learn their craft, fail and recover, and refine their sound in […]
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country – Horizons
Daniel Dontato’s Cosmic Country is releasing a new album Horizons tomorrow. This is one I have been looking forward to. Although, before I jump into Daniel Donato’s new project, a little etymology on the term Cosmic Country is in order. Before you can appreciate what Donato refers to as Cosmic Country you need to understand […]
Monday Morning Video – Vincent Neil Emerson
Fort Worth’s Vincent Neil Emerson brought his country stylings to New York City over the weekend. The show featured some Emerson classics alongside some great covers of songs by Willie Nelson and The Band, among others. Even better, he showcased some great new songs destined for a new album planned for release in early 2026. […]
Monday Morning Video – Del Amitri and the BBC Concert Orchestra
How about a throwback to the cursed Covid years to start the week. These performances are made all the more special thanks to the BBC Concert Orchestra. Set aside the technical wonder of stitching all these home-bound instruments together, they give these already spectacular Del Amitri songs a regal air. First up is “It’s Feelings” […]
Monday Morning Video – Flaco Jiménez
Another legend gone. Chances are you’ve heard Flaco Jiménez—even if you didn’t know his name. For more than seven decades, his unmistakable accordion sound helped define and popularize Tejano music, bridging Mexican folk traditions with American country, rock, and blues. Flaco’s influence ran deep—whether leading his own conjunto, anchoring the Texas Tornados alongside Doug Sahm, […]
Monday Morning Video – Willie, Leon, and Ray
How about three legends – Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, and Ray Charles – to help kick off the week. Here they are in 2003 performing a song that all three have recorded: Russell’s classic “A Song For You”. This performance took place back in 2003 at Willie’s 70th birthday party in NYC.
Monday Morning Video – The Pretenders
How about we kick off the week with a rock icon. Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders embody the spirit of the rock and roll, radiating rock attitude with every guitar riff. Here’s a pair: rocking a version of “Middle of the Road” and a stripped down version “Back on the Chain Gang”.
Monday Morning Video – Tina Turner
Tina Turner had a way of making songs her own. The obvious example is her take on Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary” but I particularly enjoy her rocking take on Bob Seger’s “Hollywood Nights”.
Monday Morning Video – Mark Erelli
Here’s Mark Erelli performing “Her Town Now”, a fave from his 2020 gem Blindsided. Long time readers know that I love a good kiss-off song. Sure, this one doesn’t go full scorched-earth like those on my kiss-off playlist, but this sly, sarcastic verse more than makes up for it.: A little bad TVWould’ve helped me […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2025 (So Far), the Songs
Wrong End & Black Snake, Mojave Blues, Balto (from the self-released No Hard Feeling) These two songs represent the scope of Balto’s musical power – the unbridled rock and roll fury of “Black Snake, Mojave Blues” and the powerful emotion of “Wrong End”, the band’s seeming farewell to music: I don’t believe in songs no moreIn the long dead horse […]