Elephant and Super 8, Jason Isbell (from the Southeastern Records release Southeastern) This list wouldn’t ordinarily include two tracks from the same artist but I’m gonna make an exception. These two tracks exemplify the range of Isbell’s songwriting talent, from the somber beauty of “Elephant” to the boisterous rock of “Super 8.” Alphabet City, Todd […]
Monday Morning Video: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott on the Johnny Cash Show
Last week’s Ramblin’ Jack Elliott video was so much fun that we’re going to bring him back again this week. This time it is a 1969 performance of “If I Was a Carpenter” from the Johnny Cash Show. You gotta love Johnny’s intro, “He’s got a song and friend for every mile behind him.”
Mayer’s Picks: The Best of 2013, So Far (the Albums)
This has been a great musical year and we’ve still got several months — and some highly anticipated releases — to go before it ends. Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2013. You’ll see that I’ve listed my favorite Boston releases as a group. Each […]
Monday Morning Video: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Friends Perform Woody Guthrie
Here’s a great one from the archives. Legendary folk singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is joined by Marty Stuart, Joe Henry, Kelly Hogan and Billy Bragg to perform a cover of Woody Guthrie’s “The Ballad of Pretty Boy Floyd” from SXSW back in 2006.
Monday Morning Video: Sittin’ Around the Kitchen Singin’ George Jones
There’s a cool house concert series in Boston called the Kitchen Sessions. Well, Ward Hayden of Girls Guns & Glory, Amy Black and Sarah Borges stake their claim on that particular room with this killer cover of George Jones’ “Why Baby Why.” The trio, rehearsing for an upcoming set of shows that they are doing […]
Twangville Music Fest! Night 1
A couple of weekends ago 7 of our 9 contributors from this little site we call Twangville met in Boston for the second showcase we’ve put together boasting the Twangville moniker. And when I say “we”ut it together, I’m really just saying “Mayer” put together. I volunteered to post a few words about Friday […]
Phoebe Hunt – Live at the Cactus Cafe
I’m pretty sure Phoebe Hunt could sing a used car commercial and make it mesmerizing. Â The former lead singer and fiddle player for the Belleville Outfit just released her first full length solo collection, Live at the Cactus Cafe, and it does a great job showing off her musical and vocal range. Several of the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2013, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH American Kid, by Patty Griffin It’s hard, if not impossible, to avoid being mesmerized by Patty Griffin’s new release. Long revered for both her passionate songwriting and enchanting voice, both are in exceptional form on American Kid. Just one listen to album opener “Go Wherever You Want to Go” and you […]
Monday Morning Video: Dan Blakeslee
Wow, what a great incredible time at the Twangville Music Festival in Cambridge, MA this past weekend. We will be back with some coverage once we catch our breathe. In the meantime, here’s Boston musician Dan Blakeslee serenading Harvard Square in Cambridge while riding through the streets in a pedicab.
Mayer's Playlist for May/June 2013, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH The Low Highway, by Steve Earle The burden of Steve Earle’s legacy is mighty awesome. Since he emerged in the mid-1980’s he has established — and maintained — an incredible standard with his songwriting. His latest release continues the trend. Earle passed through Boston recently and talked about how this album […]