The sun was in my eyes. Or maybe more appropriately, the banjo was in my ear. Like many people I’m sure, my first exposure to North Carolina’s Steep Canyon Rangers was the first record they did with Steve Martin. It established them in my mind as a bluegrass band, and then they proceeded to build […]
The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio – The Long Haul
I think most people would agree music is a visceral experience. It’s more than that, though. Sometimes the music moves you, and other times it makes you move. Los Angeles’ Mike Jacoby mostly writes and records in the latter style, and sticks to those strengths in his new album, The Long Haul. His previous three […]
The Waymores – Greener Pastures
Back in the late 60’s and early 70’s, many of the top country artists were female/male duos. You know them all; Dolly and Porter, Tammy and George, Loretta and Conway, June and Johnny. The typical recording process at the time was the producer would assemble a team of crack instrumentalists in the studio, and then […]
Marina Rocks – Texcentric
Marina Rocks calls Texas home. She embraces its whole self, warts and all, and takes you on a musical journey through it on her latest record, Texcentric. Starting as a child in the state capital, her mother encouraged her musical exploration at an early age, with not just the gift of a guitar but also […]
Ryan Curtis – Ain’t Ever Easy
Even if you’re not an NPR fan, you’ve no doubt heard of Lake Wobegon, where all the kids are above average. I used to snicker at the mathematical inference of that statement. Then I listened to the new album from Idahoan Ryan Curtis, Ain’t Never Easy, and realized that’s where the other half went. It’s […]
William Lee Ellis – Ghost Hymns
William Lee Ellis plays roots music in its purest form. An acoustic master named after his godfather, legendary bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe, Ellis plays bluegrass, folk and blues in a straightforward, intimate way. His music is a throwback to the days before computers, before television, even before radio, when music was always live and personal. […]
Brennen Leigh – Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet
“What kind of music do you usually have here? Oh, we have both kinds, country and western.” That line set the stage for arguably the best scene Hollywood ever did about honky tonk bars. Like all good parodies, there were some underlying truths that rang true even when injected with comedy. Brennen Leigh has taken […]
Joanna Connor – Best of Me
When I saw Joanna Connor tear it up at a blues festival awhile back I swore I would never neglect work her again. She’s great. Go see her and buy her music, including her new release, Best of Me. Connor is known for her commanding vocals and brazen guitar licks. Her mastery of the guitar […]
Taj Mahal – Savoy
At 80, Taj Mahal is more than an elder statesman for the blues. Like his namesake is to India, he is a national treasure. With the old-timey Savoy, Mahal revisits his youth while continuing his lifelong habit of never being pigeonholed in a particular style. After a run with Ry Cooder in an underrated band […]
Old Settler’s Music Fest 2023 – The Music
Yesterday I wrote about the history and vibe of Old Settler’s Music Festival. But the driving reason most Twangvillians would go to this event is the music. OSMF has a rich tradition of using a broad definition of Americana music when booking their acts, and 2023 was no exception. A new format allowed festival goers […]