Normally a reissue of an old record isn’t such a big deal, but the December 2012 reissue of John Hartford’s Aereo Plain/Morning Bugle CD was a big deal for bluegrass fans because Aereo Plain, one of the most important records of the bluegrass – or “New Grass” – revival in the 1970s, had been almost impossible […]
Monday Morning Video: Guy Clark
This One’s For Him , the all-star tribute to Guy Clark, continues to garner recognition. Fresh from its Album of the Year award at the Americana Music Awards, the collection has just been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Folk Album category. Here’s Clark performing the strikingly beautiful “My Favorite Picture of You.” The […]
Mayer’s Playlist for December 2012
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Love and Dirt, by Session Americana A cocktail table provides the key to understanding Session Americana. It is so much a part of the band’s experience that they typically travel with it when they tour. The table is a centerpiece, of sorts, around which the musicians gather. Sitting there, they often […]
Elephant Revival – It’s Alive
At some point in just about everyone’s life you meet someone, usually of the opposite sex, who you realize is just so sophisticated and charismatic that you have to readjust your scale for those qualities. Â At that point the cold hard truth hits you that no matter how much you practice and work at your […]
Monday Morning Video: Matthew Ryan and Jon Dee Graham
Have you ever wondered what happens when two musicians play “rock, paper, scissors?” Well wonder no more.
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2012, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Little Victories, by Chris Knight This has been the season for political commentary and focused exploration of the American spirit. Lots of people will attempt to describe it, but few will come as close as Chris Knight. His songs ring out with an unparalleled authenticity, with music as well worn as […]
Eric Bibb & Habib Koite – Brothers in Bamako
Bluesman Eric Bibb is the latest in a succession of American musicians to get his passport stamped in Mali since Ry Cooder and the late Ali Farka Toure won the Grammy for Best World Music Recording in 1994. Bibb’s fine collaboration with Malian Habib Koite, Brothers in Bamako, stands up well next to Cooder and Toure’s Talking Timbuktu; […]
Monday Morning Video: Joe Pug and Jason Isbell
I usually try to stick with amateur-recorded videos for our Monday Morning Video, but we’ll make a worthwhile exception this week. Two Twangville favorites — Joe Pug and Jason Isbell — both released new videos this past week. Joe’s video is for “Hymn #76,” a fine track from his most recent album titled Great Despiser. […]
Monday Morning Video: 2012 Americana Music Conference Highlights
As we wrap up our 2012 AMA coverage, here is a playlist highlighting some of the official showcases. We kick things off with a special treat — Richard Thompson telling an amusing story about Robert Plant. We move quickly into the tunes with Hayes Carll, Jason Isbell and Patterson Hood paying tribute to Levon Helm […]
Tift Merritt – Travelling Alone
Tift Merritt has outdone herself. She just released the best CD of her career. I am not kidding. Bramble Rose was her ground breaking first release. Another Country equaled Bramble Rose, but it didn’t best it. With the release of Travelling Alone, she has set a new standard for herself. The album is truly a […]