I’ve no doubt that many a sports fan has dreamed about breaking into their local arena and standing in the center of the room looking up at the seats arrayed around it. Pittsburgh-based The Commonheart live out that fantasy in their latest video, sneaking into their hometown PPG Paints Arena to perform their latest single […]
The California Honeydrops – Soft Spot
From about the time of World War 2 up through the 70’s, Oakland, CA, was as much a music hotbed as Chicago or Memphis. The West Coast style of blues and jazz featured velvety vocals, and horns instead of harmonica or slide guitar. That whole scene in West Oakland, particularly around 7th Street, is long […]
Americana 2022: Mayer’s Picks (Part 2)
The Americana Music Association Conference and Awards made a welcome return from the virtual world this year. The annual event showcased several hundred artists who collectively illustrate the breadth of the Americana umbrella. Here are some of my highlights from Americana 2022. WILLIAM PRINCE A couple of songs at the Yellowstone round wasn’t enough so […]
Americana 2022: Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
The Americana Music Association Conference and Awards made a welcome return from the virtual world this year. The annual event showcased several hundred artists who collectively illustrate the breadth of the Americana umbrella. Here are some of my highlights from Americana 2022. CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM Ingram is now in the category of “when you can […]
Monday Morning Video – Stevie Wonder
I’m kinda in the mood for something funky to start the week. And who better to provide it than Stevie Wonder. Here’s “Living For the City” performed live back in 1974.
Blue Moon Marquee – Scream, Holler & Howl
The unique Canadian duo Blue Moon Marquee is at it again with Scream, Holler & Howl, a release that proves that the duo owns the recipe to a fun, fantastic, genre-bending stew of their own design. The duo, which features A.W. Cardinal on vocals and guitar and Jasmine Colette on vocals and upright bass, captures […]
Monday Morning Video – Candi Staton
Technically summer isn’t over yet, right? So let’s kick off the week with a fun summer jam from the soulful Candi Staton. This version of “Heart on a String” is from the 2011 Americana Music Awards and features an all-star band led by the one and only Buddy Miller.
Monday Morning Video – Sam and Dave
Let’s have a soulful start of the week courtesy of R&B legends Sam and Dave.
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2022
Clean Getaway, Caroline Spence (from the Rounder Records release True North) Caroline Spence looks at relationships from a myriad of perspectives on her wonderous new True North. “Blue Sky Rain” and “Clean Getaway” focus on their failure with a thoughtful clarity. “You never see it coming, only see it pass,” she sings on “Blue Sky […]
Monday Morning Video – Don Covay
The video quality may be less than stellar but the performance is spectacular. Here’s legendary R&B singer Don Covay, with Ron Wood on guitar, performing “Somebody”.