The bar has been set high! I’m astounded by the number of great albums that have already surfaced this year. Will Hoge shunned traditional record promotions by leaning heavily on juggernauts MySpace and Purevolume all the way to offering up a free download from the album once every week. Josh Rouse travelled to Spain offering […]
Tom’s Pick of the Week, Josh Ritter
The Animal Years has been highly anticipated for some time now. You’ll find this album reminiscent of the folkier side of Bruce Springsteen and more recently Ryan Adams but with better vocals, at least in my opinion. So far this year, this is the best Folk album I’ve listened to. A full album stream is […]
The Dylan/Cash Sessions
Two unbelievable artists working together is always a good thing. People finding that work after a number of years and making it available on the Internet is even better. Here are Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash performing “Ring of Fire.” [audio:http://www.ezarchive.com/satisfied75/AlbumSpace/6Q5XOQVM0P/10+-+Track10.mp3] If you want more (as you doubtlessly will), head over here, to An Aquarium […]
Tom’s Pick of the Week, Matt Costa
What’s the deal with surfer-turned-musicians lately? There’s Jack Johnson, Tristan Prettyman and now Matt Costa. Well, diverging slightly, Costa is skateboarder-turned-musician. Regardless of the subtle difference, it seems that he is closely associated with the aformentioned Johnson. You’ll find him on Brushfire Records home of Johnson and pal G. Love. Costa’s “Songs We Sing” mostly […]
The Wood Brothers – Ways Not To Lose
The Wood Brothers released their first official album recently. Until now all that had been available were bootlegs of live shows that were only attainable through generous friends. Their new album is titled “Ways Not To Lose” and was released by Blue Note records, the same label that has claim over bassist Chris Wood’s other […]
Party Like It’s 1899
In the 200 years since Irish-Scots settlers crossed the broad Atlantic, their instruments, tunes and stories have dramatically affected the music of the Appalachian region, an antecedent of many of the rootsy styles we lovingly call “Twang.” Irish Folk and traditional Celtic music is a proud living tradition, rich in history, poetic, entertaining, and intensely […]
Tom’s Pick of the Week, Jackie Greene
I’ve been waiting for Jackie Greene‘s next release since I first heard Verve‘s re-release of Sweet Somewhere Bound. I’m happy to say American Myth is here and it is fantastic. This is the fourth album for Sacramento-based Greene. Many early critics labeled him a blues artist after seeing some of his live acts. He pleases […]
Adrienne Young & Little Sadie at SXSW
I was lucky enough to attend the University of Florida at same time as Adrienne Young. Back then she was the lead singer of one of the best bands on campus known as the Big White Undies. She’s got her own thing going on now backed up by band Little Sadie and doing unbelievably well. […]
Notable Releases: March 7, 2006
Its a big week for releases and here are a few top picks… Centro-matic, Fort Recovery Will Johnson could be rock’s most prolific songwriter. He has consistently put out several albums each year under his own name and with the bands South San Gabriel and Centro-Matic. Its the last incarnation that is behind this new […]
Listen to KT Tunstall’s “Eye to the Telescope”
Check out up and coming folk pop star KT Tunstall’s full release “Eye to the Telescope” on ARTISTdirect.com. Its so refreshing to see someone new to the pop scene that carries some solid songwriting, outstanding acoustic guitar and bluesy vocals. For her, I’m going to start an early campaign for Best New Artist of 2006. […]