Pokey LaFarge is a musical iconoclast. Â Watch him on stage or listen superficially to his music, in particular his new release, Manic Revelations, and you get a throwback to a musical era when most songs were intended to be happy dance songs. Â Music was an escape, not a medium for a message. Â Listen more closely, […]
SXSW 2017 – The Sounds, Part 1
LANGHORNE SLIM This was the best of the best, my favorite musical moment of the week. Langhorne Slim sitting in a chair on the floor, the audience arrayed cross-legged on the floor around him. A campfire festival without the campfire. His late-night performance was a freewheeling gem that included a few impromptu requests, all delivered […]
Rhiannon Giddens – Freedom Highway
Freedom Highway may be the album that followers of the Carolina Chocolate Drops have been waiting for in the fledgling solo career of Rhiannon Giddens. The second of Giddens’ solo efforts, Freedom Highway showcases her songwriting talents in a tour de force demonstrating her ability to move nimbly between roots genres from the primitive, folky jug-band and […]
Monday Morning Video – Al Green
What’s better than some Al Green to start the week? How about Al Green covering Sam Cooke. It doesn’t get much better.
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2016
Here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2016. Midnight MotelJack Ingram Rangers & ValentinesTrapper Schoepp Teens of DenialCar Seat Headrest Burn Something BeautifulAlejandro Escovedo Kicked Out of EdenJavier Escovedo My Way HomeEli ‘Paperboy’ Reed Cold SnapAnthony D’Amato LakesideEric Ambel Eric BachmannEric Bachmann The RevealerJesse Dayton BlindfallerMandolin Orange RockinghamBJ Barham American BandDrive-By […]
Monday Morning Video – Celebrating the Boston Music Awards
For nearly 30 years, the Boston Music Awards have celebrated all the great music that emanates from, well, Boston. This year’s event was held last week and a number of Twangville faves walked out as winners. The Silks were selected blues artist of the year while Julie Rhodes took the best new artist crown. Old […]
Monday Morning Video – A Tough Music Year Keeps Getting Tougher
It’s been a tough year for music fans as we continue to lose a generation of greats. Here are a quartet of videos from three that we’ve lost in the past two weeks. We’re gonna miss the spirit and songs of Leon Russell, Leonard Cohen and Sharon Jones.
I Will Remember Massachusetts – A Special Boston Playlist
Monroe, Ian Fitzgerald (from the self-released You Won’t Even Know I’m Gone) For many a year Fitzgerald has plied his trade as a folk singer, a troubadour with an acoustic guitar. Over that time he has earned the respect of fellow musicians, always a good indicator that an artist warrants attention. Let’s give credit where […]
Daro Behroozi of Lucky Chops Dishes on Cooking on a Tour Bus and Why the Band Rehearses in Front of Mirrors
Daro Behroozi, saxophonist for Lucky Chops, recalls the band’s early tours via the NYC subway, discusses the connection between nourishment of appetite and soul and a day, or rather night, job guarding against fires in empty buildings.
Americana 2016: The Sounds, Part 1
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. SHANE NICHOLSON I caught Australian singer-songwriter Shane Nicholson three times over […]