Stumbled across this great acoustic performance by Chris Stapleton, playing one of the stand-out tracks from his long overdue debut release. The show took place at Musician’s Corner in Nashville, a special venue in a public park that offers free shows by an impressive roster of artists each year.
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2015
Here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2015. All A Man Should DoLucero Maudlin DaysOcean Carolina Adventures in Real TimeDylan Gardner The Firewatcher’s DaughterBrandi Carlile Positive Songs For Negative PeopleFrank Turner The Spirit MovesLanghorne Slim and the Law Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night SweatsNathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats High On […]
Monday Morning Video – Jeffrey Foucault Sings About “That Night in Des Moines”
Jeffrey Foucault played a marvelous show in Boston a few weeks back. The singer-songwriter left the crowd in awe with an inspired set that highlighted songs from Salt As Wolves, his latest release. Foucault excels at painting wistful musical landscapes, as this favorite from the new album attests.
Three Additional Gems
Sometimes I get records I really enjoy, but I can’t quite seem to get a full length review out of them, or there are just too many things in my queue.  Frequently that happens with some really good EP’s, but also sometimes with full length releases.  With releases slowing down this time of hear, I thought […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2015
Another year is winding down, leading us to the moment where we look back at all our favorite releases from 2015. Without further ado, here are my choices for the best albums of the year. #10. (tie) ANDERSON EAST, Delilah The Nashville by way of Alabama singer-songwriter is a welcome new talent whose songs are […]
Monday Morning Video – Glen Hansard’s Surprise Serenade
People prepare for Thanksgiving in different ways. Me? I prepared for turkey and stuffing by catching Glen Hansard in Atlanta last week. What better way to ease into the holiday, right? Hansard started the show solo and sans mike, silencing the crowd with “Grace Beneath the Pines,†the opening track from his latest release Didn’t […]
Mayer’s Playlist for November 2015, Part 2
Life’s a Bell, Langhorne Slim (from the Dualtone Records release The Spirit Moves) The pride (at least I think) of Langhorne, PA is back with his best album yet. He still has one foot planted in the Americana realm – a banjo plays subtly yet persistently across many of songs here – yet his sound […]
Mayer’s Playlist for November 2015, Part 1
Wonderin’ Where, Joe Ely (from the Rack ‘Em Records release Panhandle Rambler) Joe Ely is a one of the great American musical storytellers. His latest album finds him in a rather reflective mood, casting a thoughtful eye on the characters and landscape of his beloved Texas. Whether he is painting a picture of the lonesome […]
The Nouveaux Honkies – Blues For Country
Somewhere around the middle of the Natchez Trace Parkway, halfway between the (in)famous crossroads of Clarksdale, MS, and Nashville, home of The Grand Old Opry and the Ryman, lays the spiritual home of The Nouveaux Honkies. Â That’s where you’re halfway between blues and country. Â Those two genres aren’t always too related, but Hank Williams, for […]
Monday Morning Video – A Premiere from Ronnie Fauss
Built to Break, the 2014 release from Dallas-based artist Ronnie Fauss, is an under-appreciated gem. The album careens across eleven mostly rockin’ tracks that are all burnished with Texas red dirt. Fauss sings about characters who strive for success in love and life but who often miss the mark. He stops short of drawing conclusions; […]