Ever since Ray Charles earned the wrath of the righteous back in the 50’s with his corruption of “church music”, musicians have been stealing that mix of old fashioned gospel, rhythm and blues, and soul. Â Rarely, though, has it come together as well as on the latest Ruthie Foster project, Let It Burn. Â Listening to […]
Mayer’s Playlist for January 2012
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Live At Lincoln Hall, by Joe Pug Since arriving on the singer-songwriter scene in 2008, it didn’t take long for Joe Pug to establish himself as a rising star. This live album, recorded in Chicago last spring and comprising songs from his one full-length album and two eps, is a spectacular […]
Monday Morning Video: Etta James
Rock and roll lost a legend on Friday with the passing of Etta James. An oft-troubled life didn’t prevent James from a remarkable career that inspired several generations of artists. And how many artists can lay claim to having been inducted into the Rock and Roll and Rockabilly Halls of Fame, not to mention a […]
Carolann Ames – Laurel Canyon Road
Everybody”s Someone In A Honky Tonk. Â Anyone who”s reading this blog probably knows the David Allen Coe song, You Never Even Called Me By My Name (written by Steve Goodman), about the perfect country western song. Â This tune, from the latest Carolann Ames release, may not be the perfect country song, but it has the […]
The Little Willies – For the Good Times
If you are looking for hot, fun country music by folks who are playing it because they love it, The Little Willies’ newest release, For the Good Times, should be your destination.  A side project by several artists on separate musical paths, the best known of whom is the enchanting Norah Jones, this second album by The […]
Win Big: Elvis!
Is there anyone out there who doesn’t know Elvis? From the early Sun Studio years to the Vegas spectacles, he blazed a distinctive trail. Dig beneath the out-sized legacy, however, and you’ll find the heart of a musician. Over the course of his career, Elvis wrapped his voice around everything from gospel to country to […]
Monday Morning Video: New Lucero
I can’t think of many better ways to usher in the new year than to spend it rockin’ with Lucero. Hence I was thrilled when the band scheduled a New Year’s Eve show in Boston. ’round midnight the band played a song from their forthcoming release.
Monday Morning Video: NRBQ
Rock and roll lost a friend and a brother on Friday when Tommy Ardolino of NRBQ passed away. Our video this morning is a tribute to Tom and his musical legacy. As Terry Adams says in the video below, “Gimme a beat! Gimme what I love, that beat baby!”
Shawn’s Favorite Live Sets Of 2011
By now you’ve seen what most of us were listening to on our MP3 or CD players last year. Â So I thought I’d add my favorite live sets from last year. Â 1) Roger Waters: I got a chance to see The Wall at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Â Holy cow. Â As far as I’m […]