North Mississippi Allstars has been tearing it up for 17 years. From their studio recordings, with their unique blend of traditional roots and edgy rock, to their thundering live performances, featuring drumlines and bizarre instrumentation from electric washboards to cigar box guitars and a stringed instrument made from a coffee can on a stick, the […]
Monday Morning Video: Muscle Shoals, the Movie
Many would say that the “Muscle Shoals sound†began with the founding of FAME Studios. From humble beginnings above a drug store, the studio became an institution that spawned countless legendary recordings. A mind-blowing array of artists made the pilgrimage to Muscle Shoals to record at FAME and nearby Muscle Shoals Sounds. In the early […]
The Muscle Shoals Music Guide, Part 2
Twangville has teamed up with Muscle Shoals musician Jimbo Hart, known to many for his work with Jason Isbell and others, to highlight the many great artists that call Muscle Shoals home. THE POLLIESTwangville Says: With fuzzed out guitars, a touch of twang, and an unmistakable R&B swing, The Pollies sound like this generation’s great […]
The Muscle Shoals Music Guide, Part 1
Twangville has teamed up with Muscle Shoals musician Jimbo Hart, known to many for his work with Jason Isbell and others, to highlight the many great artists that call Muscle Shoals home. DOC DAILEY AND MAGNOLIA DEVILTwangville Says: If you haven’t heard Doc Dailey and Magnolia Devil, you might think they were recording in the […]
Patricia Vonne – Rattle My Cage
Patricia Vonne is dangerous, in a good way. Â Like some kind of artistic superhero, she excels in whatever she decides to focus her efforts on. Â Modeling in New York. Â Acting in movies. Â (Check her out as Zorro Girl in Sin City, her brother Robert Rodriguez’ movie.) Songwriting with Rosie Flores, Doyle Bramhall, Alejandro Escovedo and […]
Mayer’s Playlist for July and August 2013, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Close to the Floor, by Patrick Sweany They say that great art is often the result of pain and adversity. It is a blessing and a curse. A blessing that we get to share in the work that results, a curse that the artist’s suffering lies at the root of the […]
Monday Morning Video: The Black Crowes with Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks
How about a bit of Southern rhythm and blues to start the week? Here’s The Black Crowes with Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks taking on the Joe Tex classic, “Show Me.” Look for more soulful goodness on the latest Tedeschi Trucks Band release, available tomorrow. Check it out here.
Mayer’s Playlist for July and August 2013, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH American Ride, by Willie Nile Willie Nile is on a roll. After playing the major label game twice in his nearly 35-year career, Nile quietly self-released 1999’s outstanding Beautiful Wreck of the World. Since then he has delivered three more compelling albums filled with high energy rock songs and touching ballads. […]
Mayer’s Picks: The Best of 2013, So Far (the Songs)
Elephant and Super 8, Jason Isbell (from the Southeastern Records release Southeastern) This list wouldn’t ordinarily include two tracks from the same artist but I’m gonna make an exception. These two tracks exemplify the range of Isbell’s songwriting talent, from the somber beauty of “Elephant” to the boisterous rock of “Super 8.” Alphabet City, Todd […]
Mayer’s Picks: The Best of 2013, So Far (the Albums)
This has been a great musical year and we’ve still got several months — and some highly anticipated releases — to go before it ends. Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2013. You’ll see that I’ve listed my favorite Boston releases as a group. Each […]