Few cities have as rich a musical heritage as New Orleans, Louisiana. Even fewer have a modest building the mere mention of which conjures up vivid images, both visual and aural. Such is the legacy of Preservation Hall. The building itself is strikingly humble. No running water. No air conditioning. Six spare benches and a […]
Rich McCulley – Starting All Over Again
Rich McCulley’s (Official / Myspace) 4th album, Starting All Over Again wastes no time in establishing its identity as a catchy pop-rock record that twangs in just the right spots and even reflects without moping. “Tell Me, I’m Listening”, “Dreams Tonight” and “The Last Song” open the album with a steady tempo that rocks along […]
Mayer’s Playlist from January 2010
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: The Day After Everything Changed, by Ellis Paul New England folk musician Ellis Paul headed south to Nashville to record his latest album and returned with a more polished sound. Despite the change of locale, however, the vividness of his songwriting remains the same. Paul’s songs are filled with rich imagery […]
Austin Collins – Wrong Control
Austin Collins is an artist on the rise. His previous release Roses are Black received a lot of critical praise. With the release of Wrong Control on March 2nd, music fans will no doubt take notice. Along with his band the Rainbirds, Collins is delivering a more rocking twist to accompany his excellent songwriting. The […]
The Honey Dewdrops – If the Sun Will Shine
When did Gillian last do an album, 2003? Â Sure, David Rawlings had a great release last year, but it was a Dave Rawlings album that Gillian sang on, not a Gillian album. Â Well, if you have a hankering for something new in that vein, I suggest you check out the latest release from The Honey […]
The .357 String Band – Lightning From The North
Musical fads are a double-edged sword…or are they a blessing and a curse? Either way, with each new “movement”, whether it be Texas/Red Dirt or Freak-Folk or whatever, we see an influx of artists that, thanks to the artists who initially drew the attention of the masses to a certain trendy style, get to bask […]
Singin’ Happy Tunes with the Truckers, Justin Townes Earle and Dawn Landes
Need some extra juice to get you through the week? Two Twangville faves recently released mp3s for your listening pleasure. Drive-By Truckers, “This Fucking Job” [audio:http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/5/28/2459127/Drive-By%20Truckers%20-%20This%20Fucking%20Job.mp3] Justin Townes Earle and Dawn Landes, “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind” [audio:http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/5/28/2459127/Justin%20Townes%20Earle%20and%20Dawn%20Landes%20-%20Do%20I%20Ever%20Cross%20Your%20Mind.mp3]
I See Hawks In L.A. – Shoulda Been Gold
Imagine if Graham Parsons had hooked up with Grace Slick instead of Emmylou, and one of their offspring had moved out to Joshua Tree for a decade or so, then formed a band with a couple of his friends. Â The real story of how I See Hawks In L.A. came into being is less, well, […]
New Texas Tornados!
I can’t think of a better way to end this week than to help spread the news on a new release from none other than the Texas Tornados. You will be hard pressed to come up with a band that is more representative of what many consider to be true “Texas Music”. Esta Bueno (Bismeaux […]
The Texas Sapphires – As He Wanders
For a guy from Dallas, I will admit to feeling pretty lucky about the great music I have available to me throughout the Dallas, Ft. Worth and Denton area, no doubt. I will also admit that I sometimes get twinges of jealousy of the music lovers in my state’s capitol. Austin is obviously home to […]