I find myself getting into music ruts sometimes. I listen to records I know I like, and even the new music that comes my way somehow reinforces what’s already in my collection. Then out of the blue something will come along that’s like a breath of fresh air after being trapped inside. Such was the […]
Melissa Carper – Ramblin’ Soul
One of the best sets I saw at this year’s AmericanaFest was the trio of Brennan Leigh, Kelly Willis, and Melissa Carper. As they told stories of their travels together in between the songs it was clear they were having as much fun off stage as on. That newfound, or perhaps refound, appreciation for touring […]
James Houlahan – Beyond the Borders
James Houlahan is a self-admitted late bloomer. He didn’t play in a band until he was 25 and didn’t make a record until he was 31. In this day and age of 13-year-old YouTube stars, I’m pretty sure that makes him an outlier. What he gained, though, was a life experience and sense of self-awareness […]
Ogden Heart – Ogden Heart
Throughout much of America, regional styles of music and the church are deeply intertwined. Whether it’s the sheer number of bluegrass interpretations of spiritual songs, or the influence of gospel music in the blues, spirit and soul are wound like a double helix. That relationship is displayed grandly in the new, self-titled album from rural […]
Rory Block – Ain’t Nobody Worried
Rory Block’s acoustic guitar chops are unmatched. Her recent series of tribute albums to country blues greats continues with Ain’t Nobody Worried, but this time with a twist. Instead of dedicating the whole album to a single blues artist, she mixes it up, covering iconic songs by iconic women. And the usually faithful blues master […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2022, Part 2
Breaking Slow, Anthony D’Amato (from the Blue Rose Music release At First There Was Nothing) Anthony D’Amato is on a creative tear. Fresh from the this summer’s debut of Fantastic Cat, the songwriter collective of which he is a founding member, D’Amato has released an album that ranks among the finest of his on-going career. […]
Monday Morning Video – Wilco and Friends
Last week we shared an Alejandro Escovedo performance from the 2021 Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Awards. This week we’ve got his fellow inductees Wilco, who invited a host of guests to join them on their Woody Guthrie co-write “California Stars”. Said guests included: Rosanne Cash, Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Sheila E., Terry Allen, […]
Nels Johnson – Ios
In this day and age, when the concept of escaping the rat race is sometimes just not looking at social media for a couple of days, Oregonian Nels Johnson did it old school and went to the Greek island of Ios. The time he spent examining what he wanted from life, far away from the […]
Joselyn And Don – Seeds & Bones
After being raised in Montana, Joselyn Wilkinson and Don Barrozo moved to Los Angeles to immerse themselves in the music scene. She’s involved with several bands in the area, while he’s an in-demand producer (and film editor for The Simpsons). They’re also doing their own thing as duo Joselyn And Don, and have released their […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2022
Roll Away (Like a Stone), Butch Walker (from the Ruby Red Recordings release Butch Walker as… Glenn) Butch Walker’s latest is something of a concept album, but not in the traditional sense. It portrays an artist playing a club show, complete with an emcee introduction, a simulated bar fight, and calls for an encore. Yet […]