Singer-songwriter Greg Trooper often introduces this song by saying, “This is my thank you note to Muhammad Ali for being the greatest.” The song originally appeared on Trooper’s 2003 release Floating. That album featured liner notes by Trooper fan Steve Earle, who wrote, “I taped a TV show with Troop and some other songwriters sitting […]
Robert Rex Waller, Jr – Fancy Free
The snow swirls around the lamp posts and even the bars have been closed for hours.  It’s too cold to kill time, but killing time is all you have left.  Painting that picture of desolation and near despair, Robert Rex Waller, Jr., opens his upcoming album with a version of Utah Phillips’ Walking Through the Snow In […]
Mayer’s Playlist for May 2016, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Poor Man’s Bible by Mike June Mike June doesn’t pull his punches. At all. His latest release is filled with biting commentary about society, politics and religion. He approaches it with a working-man’s perspective, certainly jaded but with a spirit that flirts between combative and cautiously optimistic. “Big corporations too big […]
Monday Morning Video – Town Mountain Cover Bruce Springsteen
North Carolina’s Town Mountain give Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire” a bluegrass make-over. Sounds mighty fine to me.
Mayer’s Playlist for May 2016, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Between the Moon and the Midwest by Austin Lucas Austin Lucas wears his heart on his sleeve. He writes from a personal place, revealing – if not quite reveling in – tales of his adventures in love and music. “I look around and at 35 all I’ve got are songs,” he […]
Lloyd Cole On Why Deadlines are Helpful and How To Survive a Tour Van Breakdown (Hint: Really Good Tequila)
Lloyd Cole talks about splurging on a Michelin 3 star restaurant while touring in France and celebrating his 50th birthday by playing heavy rock songs with his kids (songs like “Back in Black” and “Ace of Spaces”).
Monday Morning Video – A Double Dose of Beach Slang
Beach Slang, a Philadelphia rock band (apparently with some Rhode Island roots), passed through Boston last week and put on one hell of a show. The quartet unleashed a fury of guitars and attitude, much to the crowds delight. The set list was a moving target in the best way. Plenty of band originals, along […]
Shamrock Shakes and Oxycontin – A Special Boston Playlist, Part 2
The musical ground in Boston and New England has been especially fertile this year. We’ve already seen some outstanding releases by artists that run the gamut from long-time favorites to incredibly talented newcomers. To that end, here is the latest installment in our periodic series highlighting Boston and New England artists. (View the complete series […]
Guy Clark, 1941 – 2016
An already rough year for music just got a bit tougher. Legendary country and folk singer Guy Clark passed away earlier today. He was an inspiration to both music fans and artists alike. Whether singing songs happy or sad, there was a tremendous warmth to his music and a wonderful vibrancy to his lyrical storytelling. […]
Got You Covered – A Random Spring Playlist
It’s one thing to simply cover another artist’s song; it’s quite another to re-imagine it in a meaningful way. In that vein we’ve been treated to some mighty fine covers this year. Here are a few of my favorites plus a brilliant selection from the archives . Stop in the Name of Love, Bob Woodruff […]