Meet the new year. Same as the old? Not so much on the music front with a great batch of new music on the horizon. Here are some releases eagerly anticipated by the Twangville posse. Hell on Church Street by Punch Brothers (14 January) The virtuoso string quintet remind us yet again why they are […]
Todd’s Tops of 2021
1. James McMurtry/The Horses and theHounds2. Jose Gonzalez/Local Valley 3. Isla, Josh Rouse/The Mediterranean Gardner4. The War on Drugs/I Don’t Live Here Anymore5. Charley Crockett/10 For Slim6. Todd Snider/First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder7. The Hold Steady/Open Door Policy 8. Neil Young and Crazy Horse/Barn9. The Felice Brothers/From Dreams to Dust10. Nell Smith, The […]
Monday Morning Video – Brian Wilson
As we head into another year, this song seems particularly timely given the state of our world. I was lyin’ in my room and the news came on t.v.A lotta people out there hurtin’ and it really scares me Love and mercy that’s what you need tonightSo, love and mercy to you and your friends […]
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2021
Here, in no particular order, are more favorites from 2021.
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2021, Part 2
I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2021 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. What’s The Matter/Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call, James McMurtry (from the New West Records release […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2021, Boston/Dallas Edition
I’m fortunate to be able to explore and enjoy the music scenes of two cities – Boston and Dallas. Artists from both metropolitan areas have released some exceptional music this year. Here are a few favorites. Love it local. DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS Sunset Diner by Brandon Callies Callies chronicles a painful break-up […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best of 2021, the Albums
10. Obviously by Lake Street Dive Glorious smooth and silken pop, a mix of songs earnest and spirited – Obviously is another gem from Lake Street Dive. Key Tracks: Hypotheticals, Hush Money, Same Old News, Nobody’s Stopping You Now, Anymore 9. Vessel by The Accidentals Sav Buist and Katie Larson shift away from their folk […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Winter 2021
One Step Ahead of the Law, Stash (from the self-released Walk the Walk) Stash – the trio of Ted Russell Kamp, Joey Peters, and Rich McCulley – announce themselves with one hell of a rock album. Well, country rock in all its glory. While I lean towards the rockers like the fiery “Catch Me If You […]
Monday Morning Video – Michael Nesmith
Generations of kids, me included, grew up with The Monkees. Although the show only ran for two seasons in the mid-1960’s, it’s reruns endure to this day. Michael Nesmith and his wool cap were an anchor for the show, both as an actor and a musician. Nesmith passed away on Friday, shortly after completing a […]
Monday Morning Video – Butch Walker Honors Adam Schlesinger
Butch Walker is a bad-ass in his own right but he takes it to another level in this tribute to the late Adam Schlesinger. Schlesinger was a tragic early Covid casualty but his legacy lives on in an incredible catalog of power pop songs. Walker performed the Schlesinger composition “Guitar Center” at an online tribute […]