Bulletproof Man, The Bluest Sky (from the self-released The Bluest Sky) Chuck Melchin first appeared on our radar a number of years ago as the Bean Picker’s Union. Essentially a solo artist surrounding himself with a loose collective of acoustic players, he wrote songs that oozed melancholy and were tied to quiet and captivating melodies. […]
Monday Morning Video – Dr. John
The Last Waltz, the all-star farewell concert by The Band on Thanksgiving night back in 1976 is the stuff of legend. As we wrap up the holiday weekend, here’s one of my favorite performances from that show – “Such a Night” by the late Dr. John.
Barrence Whitfield and Peter Greenberg of Barrence Whitfield & the Savages on Record Stores and Performance Royalties
Barrence Whitfield and Peter Greenberg of Barrence Whitfield & the Savages talk about finding rehearsal spaces and tour meals in Europe, how the band got its start, and the benefit of not having expectations.
Honey Island Swamp Band – Custom Deluxe
Back in the 60’s Stax Records famously plowed the fertile ground of the overlap between early rock & roll and rhythm & blues. That sound became identified with Memphis, but like the stone thrown in still water, its effects spread across the south from Muscle Shoals all the way to the Atlantic seaboard. Along the […]
Robert Finley – Black Bayou
Robert Finley is releasing his fourth album “Black Bayou”, but still there are a lot of people unfamiliar with him and his unusual backstory. In fact, Finley didn’t even take up music full time until he was in his sixties. This on the face of it doesn’t seem like the most opportune time in his […]
Monday Morning Video – Julie Rhodes
New England singer-songwriter Julie Rhodes is a powerhouse performer. Don’t believe me? Check out this performance.
Monday Morning Video – Otis Redding
If I could go back in time, Otis Redding is one of the performers that I’d most like to see. Here he is in 1966 performing a cover of The Temptations’ “My Girl” (written by Smokey Robinson and fellow Miracle Ronald White) followed by Redding’s own “Respect” (most notably covered by Aretha Franklin). One great […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2023
Alameda, Anna Rose (from the White Pony/Electric Child Music release Last Girl of the Rodeo) Anna Rose doesn’t pull any punches – lyrically or musically – on Last Girl of the Rodeo. The LP cycles through the collapse of a relationship, bleeding raw emotion as it does. The deeply brooding “Whatever Gets You Through the […]
Monday Morning Video – Marvin Gaye
In addition to being one of soul music’s most dynamic performers, Marvin Gaye was also one of its most prodigious musical artists. In honor of its 50th anniversary, Gaye’s iconic album Let’s Get It On is being reissued in a special deluxe edition. The collection includes a treasure trove of bonus material, from demos and […]
Devon Gilfillian on Diversity, Eating Clean, and Charlie Treat’s Basement
Nashville-based soul singer Devon Gilfillian talks about getting hit by a drunk driver, how his first band got its name, and the importance of putting together the right team.