A few more for your consideration… Free Life by Dan Wilson Intelligent lyrics and extraordinary pop sensibilities make Wilson an in-demand songwriter and collaborator. Left to his own devices he delivers an impeccably produced pop gem. Cigarettes and Gasoline by Emerson Hart The former Tonic front-man serves up some of the most mesmerizing melodies this […]
Mayer’s Picks from 2007: The Albums
With the passing of one year and the start of another, we at Twangville relish the opportunity to reflect on our favorite music of the past year. Over the next week I’ll be highlighting my favorite albums and songs from 2007, culminating with a preview of some highly anticipated 2008 releases. We start with the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for November/December (part 2), a Video Companion
The second party of our November/December video companion is chock full of live performances. Bettye Lavette kicks us off, Jason Anderson kicks it up a notch and Ben Arnold just kicks it. Other performances include Band of Horses, Brother Ali, the Redwalls, Joe Purdy, Mark Ronson and Chris Mills.
Mayer’s Playlist for November/December, part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: The Scene of the Crime, by Bettye Lavette Detroit’s Bettye LaVette wastes no time in making a statement on her latest release. “I’ve been this way too long to change now,” she declares with a voice that leaves no room for negotiation, “you’re going to have to take me like I […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Nov/Dec (part 1), a Video Companion
The first of a two-parter kicks off with minimalist performances from Gary Lightbody and Lisa Hannigan (The Cake Sale) and Dan Wilson. Chuck Prophet kicks it up a notch before ceding the floor to Marc Cohn, Levon Helm, The Avett Brothers, Sharon Jones and the Daptones and House & Parish. We finish up with additional […]
Mayer’s Playlist for November/December, part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: The Cake Sale, by The Cake Sale When Brian Crosby and Paul Noonan of Ireland’s Bell X1 were inspired to create a benefit album for Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign, they formed the collective known as The Cake Sale. Friends ranging from Nick Seymour (Crowded House) and Nina Persson (The Cardigans) […]
Mayer’s Playlist for October 2007, A Video Companion
My, my, my, where has the time gone. Here it is nearly mid-December and I’m just posting the October Video Companion. Was it worth the wait? You be the judge. We open and close this month with Justin Currie, first a special profile then a recent live performance of “If I Ever Loved You,” a […]
Mayer’s Playlist for October 2007
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: What Is Love For, by Justin Currie Justin Currie sets the tone for his long-awaited solo debut with his opening line, “What is love for?” Over twelve intense tracks, Currie explores broken relationships with a studied but captivating eye. Lyrics filled with tinges of regret and resignation abound, often with an […]
Deadstring Brothers – Live @ Zydeco Birmingham, AL
I always thought how inspiring it must be for a musician to walk on stage in fromt of 12,000 screaming fans. But what about when it is 12 fans? How inspiring is that? Pretty damn inspiring if the Deadstring Brothers are any example. In reality there were more than 12 people at Zydeco two nights […]
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss + More, Album Previews
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, ‘Raising Sand’ (Full CD) Ever since Robert Plant formed the Honeydrippers and sang the cover “Sea of Love”, I’ve forgiven him for ever being anything but Led Zeppelin. Now with the help of T-Bone Burnett, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have teamed up to produce the best collaboration since last […]