Frank Turner passed through Boston last week, playing three shows in 24 hours. Turner was spectacular, an artist clearly getting stronger in both his songwriting and live performances. Here are two clips from show #2, a private mid-day acoustic affair at a small Boston club: “Peggy Sang the Blues” and, one of my favorites, “I […]
Music With a Purpose: Grooving Forward, Vol. 1
Musicians have a long tradition of giving. Sure, they give to all of us with the music that they share. Yet they also have a penchant for supporting meaningful causes. Over the next few weeks we will highlight several releases that demonstrate this giving spirit. Grooving Forward, Volume One is the brainchild of Jake Bush […]
Monday Morning Video: Jimmy Ryan’s “John Brown”
This song has quietly become a staple of the Boston music scene. It is no surprise, really, with the song’s achingly beautiful melody and emotionally charged lyrics. Judge for yourself by watching a performance by Ryan and friends from a few years back.
Monday Morning Video: Kevn Kinney
This is a classic song in its own right, made even better by Kinney’s mid-song story-telling. It’s been a long hot year you know….I spent it all out on the road Downtown, chasing a dream…till it came chasing me. But in the end the whole thing turns around…you find some spirit and you find the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for August 2012
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Radiant Land, by Leeroy Stagger British Columbia singer-songwriter Stagger is a bit of a dichotomy. One minute he is singing an uplifting ode to love, the next minute a seething indictment of economic injustice. He reminds one of Steve Earle in many ways, possessing a restless fervor channeled through no bullshit […]
SHEL – SHEL
It’s been my experience that bands who do a Led Zeppelin cover in an album are walking a dangerous line. Â As Yoda says, “do or do not, there is no try”. Â Tackling an interpretation of Plant and Page requires not just sharp musical insight, but a lot of skill to then pull off the execution. […]
Monday Morning Video: Joe Ely
Here’s a guy who just doesn’t get enough recognition for his talent and contribution to American music. Whether performing folk and country with the Flatlanders or rocking alongside the Clash or performing classic Mexican folk with Joel Guzman, Ely has proven himself a masterful musician. Here’s a randomly selected trio of Ely classics: Ely’s take […]
Monday Morning Video: Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers
Chances are that you’ve seen Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers cover of Hall & Oates “I Can’t Go For That.” It has gone viral and has nearly 1.5 million views on YouTube. The cover is part of their Van Session series, recorded with an iPhone in their van as they tour (the video descriptions include […]
Monday Morning Video: Newport Folk Festival
Here’s a great video from this past weekend’s Newport Folk Festival. Torrential rain threatened to cancel the backstage bbq event but the musicians took it upon themselves to make it happen. Here’s Jim James, Ben Sollee, Joe Fletcher and others with an acoustic take on the INXS classic “Never Tear Us Apart.” Pretty special.
Bill Evans – In Good Company
Sometimes a record has such a clear vision and superior execution that a review just writes itself. That’s pretty much the case with Bill Evans newest project, In Good Company. Â Long before he, literally, wrote the book on how to play the banjo, Evans was studying with the likes of J.D. Crowe and teaching music […]