One of my favorite discoveries from SXSW last year was Canadian powerhouse Terra Lightfoot. She’s a triple threat – her voice, guitar and songs come together with a fiery intensity. Lightfoot has just announced a new album, entitled New Mistakes, due on 13 October. Given how much I enjoyed her previous Every Time My Mind […]
Monday Morning Video – A Premiere from Paul Kelly
I’ve written about Paul Kelly on many occasions and with good reason – he is quite simply one of the greatest songwriters of his generation. Given that he has been releasing albums for more than 35 years, that puts him in some rarified air. Over the past several years, he has been on a particularly […]
Monday Morning Video – Ben Kweller’s Penny on a Train Track
When I’m not surveying potential review material, I tend to hit the shuffle button and see what happens. I’m occasionally rewarded with a forgotten gem, such as this one from Texas wunderkind Ben Kweller. Kweller has been on a self-imposed hiatus but his website hints that there may be some new music in the works. […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2017 (So Far), the Songs
I thought that I’d do something different this year and, with one exception, focus this list on songs that aren’t from my list of favorite 2017 albums (so far). Each of those releases, of course, could contribute songs to this list but let’s highlight some other faves of the year. Hope the High Road, Jason […]
Monday Morning Video – A Lesson for the Week
This video, from a 2013 performance in Germany, is making the rounds again. For the young bands out there, this is how it’s done. For everyone else, ain’t this the joy of music? And a bit more from the Bruce Springsteen glory of rock and roll file. ’cause once you get started, it’s hard to […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2017 (So Far), the Albums
It’s been a good year for music so far this year (and the rest of the year is looking quite nice, too). Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2017. BIG BAD LUV by JOHN MORELAND It’s not too late to get on the Moreland train […]
Back in the Saddle Again – a Special Twangville Playlist, Part 4
Sallisaw Blue, John Moreland (from the 4AD release Big Bad Luv) It speaks volumes when some of Americana’s leading lights are, pardon the pun, singing an artist’s praises. Such is the case with Oklahoma boy Moreland. Perhaps they are captivated with his profound storytelling, simple tales that overflow with emotion and meaning. Or maybe it’s […]
Monday Morning Video – K Phillips
There’s something about sitting outside listening to music on a hot summer night. All the better when the performer is someone like K Phillips. Dirty Wonder, his latest release, veers from straight-on rock to Texas red dirt country to hook-heavy pop, all with the soulful swagger that has become the singer-songwriter’s hallmark. Here’s a tasty […]
Back in the Saddle Again – a Special Twangville Playlist, Part 3
Battle Born, Matthew Ryan (from the self-released Hustle Up Starling) I tend to judge the quality of a year in part based on the caliber of new music unleashed within them. In that light, any year that we get a new album from Matthew Ryan is well on its way to being a good one. […]
Steve Earle – So You Wannabe An Outlaw
Steve Earle is back. He may have never really left, but “So You Wannabe An Outlaw” stands beside his best albums (and there are many). It sounds like his classic period from the 80s up through his classic Transcendental Blues in 2000 (without the early 90s records during his descent into drug addiction). Earle has […]