THE PLAYLIST That Wasn’t Me, Brandi Carlile (from the Columbia Records release Bear Creek) Any Carlile discussion begins and ends with her voice, an instrument of power and beauty. While her latest is more relaxed than her earlier efforts, it retains the inspirational tone that is a hallmark of her songwriting. Many of the songs […]
Monday Morning Video: Alejandro Escovedo with Los Lobos
Wow, this is a find. Here are two clips showing Alejandro Escovedo performing with Los Lobos earlier this year. The first shows the musicians rehearsing Escovedo’s “Rosalie” in a Los Angeles studio; the second shows them performing it the next night at LA’s Greek Theater.
Ruby Jane – Celebrity (Empire of Emptiness)
One of the great things about creative people is they don’t appreciate boundaries the same way we ordinary sods do. Â I think you see this a lot with musicians, especially the younger ones. Â There’s nothing wrong with combining Tim O’Brien inspired licks with a Radiohead song, for instance. Â The latest example of this I’ve heard […]
Peter Karp & Sue Foley – Beyond the Crossroads
Peter Karp and Sue Foley have developed a unique sound that seems to be a cross between country and blues – bluntry – but with a healthy dose of R&B thrown in. Both veteran blues-roots musicians, Karp and Foley joined forces for a second combined effort, Beyond the Crossroads, reprising the teamwork that made 2010’s […]
Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls – Packed for Exile
LA based Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls release their new album Packed for Exile on July third. It is an impressive release with a blend of Americana roots and 70’s Album Rock. Interestingly, the band’s keyboardist is Jason Federici, who is the son of the late E Street Band member Danny Federici. The band may be from […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2012, Part 3
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH The Lumineers, by The Lumineers I discovered the Lumineers thanks to, of all things, an airline who shall remain nameless. When they botched my return to Boston from a day gig work trip to LA, I found myself stranded in Denver. Others might have been upset, but I relished the chance […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2012, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Women & Work, by Lucero Lucero jumped on the major label train for their last release, 2009’s stellar 1372 Overton Park. Things didn’t go quite as planned but Lucero are a band that just won’t give up. Good thing, too, as the band are in peak form with a sound that […]
Dr. John – Locked Down
Dr. John is an institution. With his characteristic mystical groovy-gumbo-voodoo schtick and funky keyboard playing, he has been a force in American music since his groundbreaking Gris-Gris in 1968. His early 1970s work, including Dr. John’s Gumbo and In the Right Place were instant classics.   A gifted piano (and occasional guitar) player, Mac Rebennack, or Dr. John, […]
Monday Morning Video: Missing Levon
It was just shy of a month ago that we lost Levon Helm, a true legend of rock and roll. The outpouring from the music community was immediate and immense. Here are but a few of the musical tributes (see below for the playlist details). Levon, you will be missed. Simone Felice performs “Radio Song†[…]
Old Settlers Music Festival 2012
I’ve been fortunate enough to have attended quite a number of multi-day music festivals over the years, from the Veiled Prophet Fair to the Monterey Jazz Festival and Telluride to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.  For my money, though, it’s really hard to beat the Old Settler’s Music Festival.  Held 20 miles or so outside of Austin […]