One never gets enough zydeco and country blues. If you’re looking for a fix, I recommend New Orleans-based Sean Riley and his band, The Water. Though Riley is a familiar face in the New Orleans blues scene, Stone Cold Hands is the first full-length release from his promising outfit. Riley shows off his chops as […]
The Twangville Early 2024 Preview
Halfsies by Lizzie No (19 Jan) Brooklyn’s Lizzie No showcases the breadth of her talent on her forthcoming album. From folk to rock to pop – there’s a little bit of everything, all with an engaging indie vibe. Letting the Lions In by Dinty Child (19 Jan) Dinty Child is a mainstay of the Boston […]
Monday Morning Video – Dr. John
The Last Waltz, the all-star farewell concert by The Band on Thanksgiving night back in 1976 is the stuff of legend. As we wrap up the holiday weekend, here’s one of my favorite performances from that show – “Such a Night” by the late Dr. John.
Willie D & the Hip Pockets – Rock, Rhythm & Jazz
For the last decade Willie D, aka William Martin Daniel, Jr., has been injecting his jazz-influenced, soulful saxophone sound into a variety of Austin musical venues and styles. He apparently came by at least some of his artistry via heritage–his dad played sax in several 40’s and 50’s style jazzy dance bands. The culmination of […]
Ben Balmer Song Premiere – Girl With the Dirty Hair
Last fall I wrote about Ben Balmer’s latest record, Honky-Tonk Macbeth. There were a couple of very good, but dark, numbers including the title track. It has the best summary of the Shakespeare classic that I’ve ever heard, “just words that sound pretty, then there’s mostly death.” Most of the album, however, was more in […]
Monday Morning Video – Neville Brothers
The world is simply a better place when it’s accompanied by a Neville Brothers soundtrack.
Western Centuries – Call the Captain
You could probably write a book about how bands are formed. Some are born as school friends playing in a forgiving parent’s garage. Other have a process-based beginning, with formal recruitment and auditions. I think I’d take a bet that many of the most successful started with a mutual love of something that became foundational […]
Monday Morning Video – Lost Bayou Ramblers
Want to start the new year off right? How ’bout some of Louisiana’s finest – The Lost Bayou Ramblers – taking over the legendary Preservation Hall in New Orleans to perform the song “Granny Smith”. And in case you missed it, group founders Louis and Andre Michot recently talked with us about Ramblers life past, […]
Lost Bayou Ramblers on a Troublesome Flat Tire and Their Approach to Rehearsals
Andre and Louis Michot of the Lost Bayou Ramblers share their tip for making tours more tolerable and discuss why a musician’s personality, outlook and musicianship matter.
Monday Morning Video – Dr. John
It’s been a rough spring in the music world. This past week brought the news that Mac Rebennack – Dr. John – had passed. The New Orleans native captured all of the energy, flamboyance and mystery of his hometown and instilling it in his music. Here’s a trifecta from the good Doctor. The righteous funk […]