Allen Toussaint is an American institution. The amazingly talented musician has played a part in the careers of so many musicians. Whether arranging horns for the Band’s legendary concert The Last Waltz or producing Labelle’s classic “Lady Marmalade,” Toussaint has a magical touch. As if that weren’t enough, his songs has been performed by just […]
Macy Blackman & The Mighty Fines – I Didn’t Want To Do It
Macy Blackman’s piano playing is a treat for those who enjoy swampy, down home boogie-woogie. His new album, I Didn’t Want To Do It, takes a page from Dr. John’s playbook, featuring spirited New Orleans style boogie-woogie piano – but without the trippier side of the Dr. John experience. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Blackman did […]
Stephen Kellogg’s Song of Thanksgiving
I’m sure many are familiar with “Alice’s Restaurant,” Arlo Guthrie’s legendary Thanksgiving opus. Clocking in at nearly twenty minutes, it is a touchstone in the folk story-telling canon. Well, it is time to start a new tradition. Stephen Kellogg’s “Thanksgiving,” from his recent Blunderstone Rookery, is an uplifting reflection on life and its blessings. Acknowledging […]
Monday Morning Video: Stevie Ray Vaughan
‘Cause sometimes you need a little Stevie Ray Vaughan to start your week off right. Here’s a vintage Vaughan mini-set from 1989, featuring classics like “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “Couldn’t Stand the Weather” and “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return).”
The Deadfields – Often Wrong, Never In Doubt
Although by no means a required characteristic, it seems bands that have some sly humor in their songs manage to collect a fan base that sustains them over generations. Â The Austin Lounge Lizards come to mind, as does Southern Culture On the Skids. Â The legendary Little Feat even managed to soldier through the loss of […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2013, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE SEASON Joy of Nothing, by Foy Vance Irish singer-songwriter Foy Vance spent his childhood years traveling the American Midwest and South with his preacher father. He soaked in the rich American musical traditions that he encountered during these travels, which later infused his music upon his return to Ireland. This rich musical […]
Eric Bibb – Jericho Road
Eric Bibb is one of the elite handful of African-American blues musicians who have built on the legacy of the great post-World War II generation of bluesmen who brought the music form from the back woods of the Mississippi Delta to the streets of Chicago and beyond. About a decade younger than Taj Mahal, who […]
Monday Morning Video: Charlie Chesterman
The Boston music scene recently lost one of our favorite sons. Charlie Chesterman earned his stripes in Scruffy the Cat back in the 1980’s before settling in as a solo artist, ably backed by a band known as the Legendary Motorbikes. His songs always had a classic 1950’s vintage rock sensibility, compact three minute pop […]
Scott Law – Black Mountain
I don’t really recall when I first heard bluegrass music, but I’m certain it didn’t make much of an impression on me until the first time I saw a live show (John Hartford and The Dillards, for what it’s worth). Â At that moment, the speed/death/punk/heavy metal-head in me realized that intensity and unbounded energy in […]
Win Big: Shonna Tucker Sends You Vinyl and a Case of Old Milwaukee
This ranks high on the list of the coolest give-aways that we’ve done. To celebrate the release of A Tell All, Shonna Tucker and Eye Candy are offering one lucky Twangville resident a special test pressing of the album on vinyl. Even better, the vinyl is packaged in an (empty) case of Old Milwaukee that […]