The benefits of landing a tune on a prime-time drama can obviously be plentiful, and make no mistake, The Civil Wars, a duo out of Nashville have certainly been reaping those riches in the form of monumental buzz and sold out club shows all over the country. Of course, the side of that which isnt […]
Monday Morning Video: Peter Wolf and Session Americana
“Now we’re gonna just kinda roll with it,†said Peter Wolf as he joined extraordinary Boston musicians Session Americana for a surprise set last week. Imagine Wolf playing a house party in your living room, sitting around a table with a group of extremely talented and relaxed musicians, and you’ll get a sense of this […]
Mayer’s Playlist for February 2011, a Video Companion
We’ll book-end this edition with two clips from the Low Anthem. “Boeing 737,” the opener, features clips of the band recording in the abandoned pasta sauce factory while “Apothecary Love,” the closer, was recorded live in Grand Central Station. In-between you get Lucinda William’s acoustic take on “Buttercup,” the David Wax Museum performing “The Least […]
Mayer’s Playlist from February 2011
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Blessed, by Lucinda Williams Ah, Lucinda, you lost me a bit with your last couple of releases. Not that I can hold it against you. Car Wheels and some of the earlier works set the bar so high that it would be hard to imagine being able to sustain that momentum. […]
Win Big: Unbelievable Johnny Cash Prize Package
An original demo of “I Walk the Line.†Early recordings with Sam Phillips. A solo acoustic version of Leadbelly’s “Goodnight Irene.†If one every wanted to understand why Johnny Cash is a legend, this collection of 57 tracks from speaks volumes. Cash had a voice that commanded authority. The demos captured here – more than […]
Monday Morning Video: Justin Townes Earle covers Springsteen
Here’s a recent performance of Bruce Springsteen’s “Racing In the Street” by Justin Townes Earle to start your week. Happy Monday.
Mayer’s Playlist from January 2011
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Heart of a Dog, by Kasey Anderson and the Honkies If last year’s Nowhere Nights stood out for the down-tempo songs, this time it’s all about the rockers. “Kasey Anderson’s Dream” and “Revisionist History Blues” are driven by heavy classic blues rock guitar riffs while “My Baby’s a Wrecking Ball” and […]
Listen Up: Joey’s Song
I’ve always taken a mixed view of benefit compilations. Yet there’s something special about this one. On first listen I was immediately struck by the consistent feel of the song selection. Every track is heartfelt and uplifting, undoubtedly reflecting the spirit of Joey Gomoll, the young boy who inspired this collection. Among my favorite tracks […]
Olin & The Moon – Footsteps
It’s been said by many, including myself, that tons of alt-country records sound the same, and those are the records that give weight to the arguments that alt-country, roots-rock or whatever it’s called, is a dying art-form. Here’s the thing: Sadly, that is the case for the bad, bland records that suffer from a lack […]
Coming Soon: 2011 Release Preview, Part 3
We’ll wrap up this go-around with a few more promising releases scheduled for early 2011. This is shaping up to be a mighty fine year for music. EDDIE SPAGHETTI, Sundowner (Release date 15 February 2011) This is a record that overflows with personality. Not that anyone should be surprised given the reputation Spaghetti has established […]