Patricia Vonne is dangerous, in a good way. Â Like some kind of artistic superhero, she excels in whatever she decides to focus her efforts on. Â Modeling in New York. Â Acting in movies. Â (Check her out as Zorro Girl in Sin City, her brother Robert Rodriguez’ movie.) Songwriting with Rosie Flores, Doyle Bramhall, Alejandro Escovedo and […]
David Bromberg – Only Slightly Mad
Music enthusiasts at the 2013 Philadelphia Folk Festival got to see some great moments. They got to see Fairport Convention folker Richard Thompson rock out as if making a statement that he can shred with the most aggressive electric guitar slingers in the land. They also got to see a young ukelele virtuoso from Hawaii, Jake […]
The Greencards – Sweetheart Of the Sun
Listening to the latest release from The Greencards, Sweetheart Of the Sun, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that one of the band leaders, Kym Warner or Carol Young, must have inherited the reincarnated musical spirit of Nick Drake. Â Maybe another way to explain it is if Gillian and Dave borrowed some production techniques from […]
Mayer’s Playlist for July and August 2013, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Close to the Floor, by Patrick Sweany They say that great art is often the result of pain and adversity. It is a blessing and a curse. A blessing that we get to share in the work that results, a curse that the artist’s suffering lies at the root of the […]
Isbell, Shires & Fletcher at the Sinclair
Even after leaving the Drive-by Truckers, Jason Isbell has continued to wow and amaze. Â His literary songs and rockin” guitar licks accentuate catchy and heartbreaking melodies. I saw Isbell and Shires a year ago in Hartford in an acoustic setting. It fit so perfectly in the at the Wadsworth Atheneum Art Gallery that I wasn”t […]
I See Hawks In L.A. – Mystery Drug
The bright orange celestial flame that starts out in Santa Monica, so clear and defining of Southern California, becomes a dull rust, glaring off the mix of smog and sooty bumpers by the time you get to San Bernardino. Â While the lucky few stroll with the kids and dog through the manicured streets of Pali, […]
Mayer’s Playlist for July and August 2013, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH American Ride, by Willie Nile Willie Nile is on a roll. After playing the major label game twice in his nearly 35-year career, Nile quietly self-released 1999’s outstanding Beautiful Wreck of the World. Since then he has delivered three more compelling albums filled with high energy rock songs and touching ballads. […]
Ghosts Along the Brazos – When It Rains It Pours
Some songs, and albums, take you to a particular time in your life, junior year in high school maybe, or the first summer of backyard barbecues in your first home. Â Others take you to an era, the 30’s of NY with early Duke Ellington, or Bakersfield in the early 60’s with Buck Owens. Â And some […]
Monday Morning Video: John Murry “Little Colored Balloons”
Here’s a wonderful live version of a song that I featured on my Best of 2013, So Far (The Songs) list: the emotionally charged “Little Colored Balloons” from Oakland by way of Mississippi songwriter John Murry.
Mayer’s Picks: The Best of 2013, So Far (the Songs)
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 […]