R&B master Eli Paperboy Reed and his band cram themselves onto a small stage and set fire to the folk gospel classic “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”.
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 […]
Paul Hunton of Dust City Opera On The Group’s “Band Mom” and Taking Online Courses
Paul Hunton from Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Dust City Opera talks about rehearsing in an old dance hall, Halloween cover band gigs, and a very memorable day job.
Monday Morning Video – World Party Put the Message in the Box
Karl Wallinger shares a timeless message in this pop classic. The world saysGive a little bitGive a little bit of your love to me‘Cause I’m waiting right here with my open arms
The Sully Band – Let’s Straighten It Out
I hit play on the new record from San Diego’s The Sully Band and it was like stepping into the way back machine. It must have been about 1975 or 1976, and I discovered KAAY in Little Rock and its after-midnight programming. Sitting on a tailgate on a sweltering summer night, pulling surreptitiously from a […]
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 […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Feb/Mar 2022, Part 2
Not Ready Yet, Jamie McDell (from the ABC Music release Jamie McDell) I’ve been not so patiently awaiting the latest release from New Zealand’s Jamie McDell. Her 2019 EP was a tremendous introduction to her songwriting talent, especially the pull no punches “Botox” and the raw emotion of “Worst Crime”. Both songs are featured, alongside […]
The Weeping Willows on Voltaire, Tropical Cyclones, and “Coolio Iglesius”
Australian duo The Weeping Willows talk about their DIY rehearsal space and the day jobs that they envy.
Monday Morning Video – The Load-Out with Jackson Browne
Let’s start the week with a classic – Jackson Browne’s “The Load-Out” with a segue into Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs’ wonderful 1960 chart-topper “Stay”. People you’ve got the power over what we doYou can sit there and waitOr you can pull us throughCome along, sing the song
Cactus Blossoms – One Day
They call it blood harmony. It is that special coherent blend that siblings can attain when they harmonize. In the case of The Cactus Blossoms, comparisons are abundant to the Everly Brothers. However, sometimes the obvious is the most apropos. The blend of their vocals seems effortless and gives each song a comfortable, smooth vibe […]