For me, and perhaps for all of us, 2017 was a year of challenges and changes. But through the challenges we’re facing, it’s reassuring to fall back on great music that expresses our frustrations and hopes. The following are my inexpert highlights of the best of blues-based (not strictly blues) music of 2017.  North Mississippi Allstars – Prayer […]
Monday Morning Video – The Accidentals Look “Across the Universe”
In a turbulent world it’s sometimes nice to get lost in music. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more uplifting moment of escape than this version of the Beatles “Across the Universe.” Talented folk trio the Accidentals are joined by members of the Decemberists for this mesmerizing performance.
Monday Morning Video – One Good Year
Happy New Year to all. Let’s start with a holiday classic from Slaid Cleaves and a gem from Josh Ritter. Ritter has a way of making even melancholy sound uplifting, all the better via a regal arrangement courtesy of the Boston Pops.
Benyaro – “Pimp Wife” Video Premiere
Back in September, Benyaro released their latest album, One Step Ahead Of Your Past. Â As the musical vehicle for Jackson Hole’s Ben Musser and Leif Routman, Benyaro excels in the rougher, funkier edges of Americana. Â One Step Ahead Of Your Past exemplifies that with some cowpunk, some post-Seattle grunge, and even what I’d call “front […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2017, Part 3
I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2017 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this a continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. Stone Age, David Ramirez (from the Thirty Tigers release We’re Not Going Anywhere) “Well […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2017, Part 2
I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2017 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this a continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. No Heart Left Behind, Hannah Aldridge (from the Rootsy Music release Gold Rush) I […]
Monday Morning Video – Christmas From the Drunk Tank
I always love when holidays fall on Mondays as it gives me license to share holiday-themed videos. On this day how about partaking of two of the best holiday songs ever written. Two songs which happen to share a common theme of spending the holiday in jail. Go figure. Enjoy the Pogues (with Kirsty MacColl) […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2017, Boston/Dallas Edition
I’ve had the pleasure to explore the music scenes of two cities this year – Boston and Dallas. Both have exceptionally vibrant music scenes. The albums below were my favorites from each city. Love it local. DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS Ronnie Fauss, Last of the True Fauss takes the listener on a short […]
Monday Morning Video – Isaac Hoskins
I saw Denton, TX-based singer-songwriter Isaac Hoskins at a holiday show last week. He previewed several new songs from a work-in-progress album, each filled with vivid details that brought to life the engaging stories that he sung. While we wait on that release, here’s a song that he quietly released online last year.
Fall Music Clean Up
Here it is the end of the year and I was going back through all the great music I’ve heard this year and found 3 CDs that never worked their way up to a full review, but for one reason or another they hung around in my playlist. Â So as you sit there turkey-drunk and […]