With the passing of one year and the start of another, we at Twangville relish the opportunity to reflect on our favorite music of the past year. Over the next week I’ll be highlighting my favorite albums and songs from 2007, culminating with a preview of some highly anticipated 2008 releases. We start with the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for November/December (part 2), a Video Companion
The second party of our November/December video companion is chock full of live performances. Bettye Lavette kicks us off, Jason Anderson kicks it up a notch and Ben Arnold just kicks it. Other performances include Band of Horses, Brother Ali, the Redwalls, Joe Purdy, Mark Ronson and Chris Mills.
Mayer’s Playlist for November/December, part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: The Scene of the Crime, by Bettye Lavette Detroit’s Bettye LaVette wastes no time in making a statement on her latest release. “I’ve been this way too long to change now,” she declares with a voice that leaves no room for negotiation, “you’re going to have to take me like I […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Nov/Dec (part 1), a Video Companion
The first of a two-parter kicks off with minimalist performances from Gary Lightbody and Lisa Hannigan (The Cake Sale) and Dan Wilson. Chuck Prophet kicks it up a notch before ceding the floor to Marc Cohn, Levon Helm, The Avett Brothers, Sharon Jones and the Daptones and House & Parish. We finish up with additional […]
Deadstring Brothers – Live @ Zydeco Birmingham, AL
I always thought how inspiring it must be for a musician to walk on stage in fromt of 12,000 screaming fans. But what about when it is 12 fans? How inspiring is that? Pretty damn inspiring if the Deadstring Brothers are any example. In reality there were more than 12 people at Zydeco two nights […]
Mayer’s Playlist for September 2007, A Video Companion
Lots of great videos this month including a bunch of two-fers that showcase artists in traditional videos as well as performing live. We’ve got pairs from Jeremy Fisher, Mike Viola (Candy Butchers), Rilo Kiley and Watershed, plus single shots from Emerson Hart, the Office, Mark Knopfler, The Go! Team, Admiral Freebee, and Gomez. And be […]
Mayer’s Playlist for September 2007
THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Goodbye Blue Monday, by Jeremy Fisher Canada’s Fisher is a fresh voice on the scene with a sound that falls somewhere between folk and acoustic pop. The opening track “Scar That Never Heals” recalls Simon & Garfunkel’s “Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard” and Simon-esque songwriting percolates throughout the […]
Readers’ Pick: Josh Ritter, “The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter”
With 58% of the votes, you chose the Josh Ritter‘s The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter as your favorite new album in a recent Twangville poll. Help us celebrate by enjoying these Josh Ritter videos. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll!
Mayer’s Playlist for July 2007, A Video Companion
“My name is Jason Isbell. This is my fabulous rock and roll band The 400 Unit. And we need more whiskey as soon as anybody can get it up to the stage.” Quite the fitting kick-off to the July video companion… This month’s video companion bears a certain similarity to a full bottle of Jack […]
Mayer’s Playlist for July 2007
THE ALBUM OF THE MONTH: It was another great month for new albums. I’m calling it a draw in the album of the month category. Sirens of the Ditch, by Jason Isbell At long last, Isbell unleashes his solo debut and shows the breadth of his talents. Sure, there are rock songs like the opening […]