We lost a legend when Joe Cocker passed away on 22 December. Cocker possessed one of the quintessential voices in rock and roll, a singer who quite literally took ownership of every song he sang. Dave Mason wrote a wonderful piece about Cocker on his Facebook page: When I wrote Feelin’ Alright, it had a […]
Celebrate the New Year with Slaid Cleaves and Matthew Grimm
Let’s ring in the new year with Slaid Cleaves’ classic “One Good Year,” plus a bonus rocker from Matthew Grimm that highlight’s Woody Guthrie’s list of New Year’s resolutions from 1942.
Mayer’s Playlist for December 2014
THE PLAYLIST I Can’t Do Crazy (Anymore), Willie Nile (from the River House Records release If I Was a River) Nile has been letting his guitar do the talking for the past several years, throwing down rock records that should be the envy of musicians a fraction of his age. This one is a little […]
Reckless Serenade Talk Their Rehearsal Space and Driving to New Hampshire
Reckless Serenade talk the keys to a great rehearsal space and paying the bills.
Monday Morning Video – A Little Big Star
December boy’s got it bad…
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2014
I posted a best songs list for the first half of 2014 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this the continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. An Anthem for the Broken and A Song to Learn and Sing (Until Kingdom […]
Jim White On Never Working a Day Job and a Musician’s Eternal Struggle
Musician, producer and writer White shares tour stories, talks super glue and reflects on why he can’t write a pop song.
Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2014, Boston Edition
This has been a great year for music in and around Boston. I hesitate to break these out into a separate regional list as they would all feature prominently on my overall Best of 2014. That said, taken together they make a great statement on the vibrancy of the Boston music scene. GIRLS GUNS AND […]
Lydia Loveless on a Memorable Hotel Dinner and a Few Tips for Finding Success as an Artist
Lydia Loveless talks about the struggle to eat well while touring, day jobs (good and bad) and being patient on the road to success.
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2014
Here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2014. And the War CameShakey Graves The Shipwreck From the ShoreAnthony D’Amato HealStrand of Oaks Parker MillsapParker Millsap All or Nothin’Nikki Lane Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill BroonzyDave Alvin and Phil Alvin Eli Paperboy […]