There’s a saying most of you are familiar with, “like catching lightning in a bottle.” Â In the music business it’s not unusual to hear that applied to the idea of catching a band’s live performance energy & style in the studio. Â Hence the reason most jam bands, and many others frankly, never have much of […]
Ben Sollee and Kentucky Native
The dictionary defines polyglot as someone who speaks many different languages. Â As evidenced by his latest album, Ben Sollee is a musical polyglot. Â Featuring his latest band, Kentucky Native, Ben covers many of the cultural music influences that became the folk music of Appalachia, and eventually bluegrass. Â He then overlaid that with the jazz influences […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2017 (So Far), the Songs
I thought that I’d do something different this year and, with one exception, focus this list on songs that aren’t from my list of favorite 2017 albums (so far). Each of those releases, of course, could contribute songs to this list but let’s highlight some other faves of the year. Hope the High Road, Jason […]
Back in the Saddle Again – a Special Twangville Playlist, Part 3
Battle Born, Matthew Ryan (from the self-released Hustle Up Starling) I tend to judge the quality of a year in part based on the caliber of new music unleashed within them. In that light, any year that we get a new album from Matthew Ryan is well on its way to being a good one. […]
Yonder Mountain String Band – Love. Ain’t Love
Lazy, sunny days in a natural amphitheater in the mountains. Â A warm night with the sounds of crickets and cicadas. Â A bluegrass band with its joyful mandolin and happy banjo. Â These are all elements of summer in my experience, and require some of that bluegrass in my playlist. Â One of the best things I heard […]
The Steel Wheels – Wild As We Came Here
A really good stew is hard to describe. Â I mean, on the surface, it’s easy. Â Some meat, some vegetables, in a broth, cooked for a while. Â But it is so much more than that. Â Think of the difference between a Louisiana gumbo, a California cioppino, and a New England chowder. Â They all have seafood, and […]
Jayme Stone – Folklife
Of all the musicians I’ve assumed are safe in their positions of number one in the world at what they do, Bela Fleck is perhaps the one I thought was the most secure.  Until now, there has been little competition in the eclectic, versatile, jazz but also world, folk and bluegrass banjo virtuoso category. But Canadian […]
Front Country – Other Love Songs
Joe Strummer once said, “Rock and roll ain’t about playing all the right notes.” Â I’m pretty sure he was referring to the passion that elevates something good to be something great. Â I happen to think you can be both passionate and really good at what you do. Â Because I’m also pretty sure the Edge never […]
Quiles & Cloud – Shake Me Now
Quiles and Cloud originally formed as a duo. Maria Quiles (Vocals and Guitar) and Rory Cloud (Vocals and Guitar) began playing together in the Bay Area in 2011. Since then they have added Upright Bass player Oscar Westesson. Their new album “Shake Me Now†is being released this week and will hopefully be the launching […]
John Craigie – No Rain, No Rose
There will never be another John Prine. Â But like the jam bands that came after the Grateful Dead, if you’re open to the sprouts that come up in the field they plowed, you can experience some delicious flavors that may not be the original, but they’re tasty nonetheless. Â John Craigie is one such Prine varietal. […]