Here’s one of the best covers that I’ve heard in awhile. Kansas City musicians Madisen Ward and his mother Ruth, otherwise known as the Mama Bear, turn Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” into a soulful ballad.
Americana 2015: The Sounds, Part 2
JOSH RITTER Ritter and his Royal City Band always put on energetic performances but they seemed particularly excitable as they celebrated the impending release of their new album. They won over the crowd right out of the gate by opening their set with the longtime fan favorite “Me and Jiggs.†DONNIE FRITTS Muscle Shoals legend […]
Americana 2015: The Sounds, Part 1
GLEN HANSARD Hansard delivered what was easily the best set of the week. He brought a full band, including strings and horns, to showcase songs both new and old. Josh Ritter joined for a couple of choice covers, including songs by Jason Molina (Magnolia Electric Company), Bruce Springsteen and Leonard Cohen. THE BOTTLE ROCKETS At […]
The Acoustic Blues & Roots of Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard has pretty much reached a point in his career when he knows he doesn’t have to try to impress anyone. He can play what he wants, and if you want to come along for the ride, so much the better. With the Acoustic Blues & Roots of Duke Robillard, which releases Friday, Robillard […]
Monday Morning Video – Frank Turner “Get Better”
For those in denial that summer is coming to a close (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), here’s Frank Turner to the rescue with a late summer anthem. The song, from the just released Positive Songs For Negative People, is both boisterous and inspirational: So try and get better and don’t ever accept less Take […]
Monday Morning Video – Kevin Gordon Rocks in a Car
Does anyone else find it amusing to see Kevin Gordon singing about a GTO while sitting in a Fiat? Here’s a fave from Long Gone Time, Gordon’s new album. See the Twangville take on Gordon’s new release here.
Mea Culpa! A Special Summer Playlist, Part 3
Hard Work, Christopher Paul Stelling (from the Anti Records release Labor Against Waste) Count Labor Against Waste among the most powerful albums that you’ll hear this year. Wandering troubadour Stelling uses his songs to offer taut social commentary, peering into human intentions and sharing pointed perspectives on life’s opportunities and challenges. The mesmerizing ballad “Scarecrow” […]
Mea Culpa! A Special Summer Playlist, Part 2
Devil in Me, Anderson East (from the Low Country Sound/Elektra Records release Delilah) There’s something special about that old-school soul sound. It’s all the more impressive when it is created by a young whippersnapper like Anderson East. The Nashville by way of Alabama singer-songwriter serves up an exhilarating debut album that is steeped in Muscle […]
Peace, Love and Twang at the Philadelphia Folk Festival
The Philadelphia Folk Festival, which has been around for 54 years, isn’t your grandfather’s folk festival. While there is still a smattering of venerable acoustic solo folksingers on its program like Arlo Guthrie, Bruce Cockburn and Tom Paxton, the festival has become a great platform for Americana artists of all flavors as well as for […]
Mea Culpa! A Special Summer Playlist, Part 1
Mea culpa! So last year I made a commitment to myself to write a monthly playlist and publish it within the month for which it was named. I gave myself a hearty pat on the back when I met that goal. Thankfully, I didn’t set the same goal this year as I would have failed […]