Elephant and Super 8, Jason Isbell (from the Southeastern Records release Southeastern) This list wouldn’t ordinarily include two tracks from the same artist but I’m gonna make an exception. These two tracks exemplify the range of Isbell’s songwriting talent, from the somber beauty of “Elephant” to the boisterous rock of “Super 8.” Alphabet City, Todd […]
Monday Morning Video: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott on the Johnny Cash Show
Last week’s Ramblin’ Jack Elliott video was so much fun that we’re going to bring him back again this week. This time it is a 1969 performance of “If I Was a Carpenter” from the Johnny Cash Show. You gotta love Johnny’s intro, “He’s got a song and friend for every mile behind him.”
Mayer’s Picks: The Best of 2013, So Far (the Albums)
This has been a great musical year and we’ve still got several months — and some highly anticipated releases — to go before it ends. Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2013. You’ll see that I’ve listed my favorite Boston releases as a group. Each […]
Monday Morning Video: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Friends Perform Woody Guthrie
Here’s a great one from the archives. Legendary folk singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is joined by Marty Stuart, Joe Henry, Kelly Hogan and Billy Bragg to perform a cover of Woody Guthrie’s “The Ballad of Pretty Boy Floyd” from SXSW back in 2006.
Jonas Friddle & the Majority – Use Your Voice
I once heard a comment, that I agree with, at a Calexico concert that anytime there’s both a trumpet and a slide guitar on the same stage it’s going to be a good show. Â Having listened now to the latest from Jonas Friddle & the Majority, Use Your Voice, I’m going to say that the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2013, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH American Kid, by Patty Griffin It’s hard, if not impossible, to avoid being mesmerized by Patty Griffin’s new release. Long revered for both her passionate songwriting and enchanting voice, both are in exceptional form on American Kid. Just one listen to album opener “Go Wherever You Want to Go” and you […]
Monday Morning Video: Dan Blakeslee
Wow, what a great incredible time at the Twangville Music Festival in Cambridge, MA this past weekend. We will be back with some coverage once we catch our breathe. In the meantime, here’s Boston musician Dan Blakeslee serenading Harvard Square in Cambridge while riding through the streets in a pedicab.
Josh Halverson – One Shot
One Shot, the latest album from Josh Halverson is full of love songs. Â The thing is, there’s a time machine aspect to them. Â Some of them are about love that’s gone. Â Some are about love that’s here and now. Â And some are about love that’s going to be, or more specifically, going to be again. […]
Rory Block – Avalon
Rory Block’s acoustic blues guitar picking has reserved her a special page in blues history.  Since the 1960s, the Manhattan-raised prodigy has pursued delta blues styles with the passion of a pilgrim.  Since the mid-1970s she has built a body of work that demonstrates her deep understanding and mastery of acoustic blues. Avalon, the fourth in Block’s “Mentor Series,” pays […]
Josh Ritter is Boston Strong
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band House of Blues Boston, May 18 2013 It’s clear that Josh Ritter has a special place in his heart for Boston. This was a hometown show for band members Zack Hickman, Austin Nevins, and Sam Kassirer. Ritter brought his A-game and gave the Boston fans a lot to […]