MUSCLE SHOALS TRIBUTE SHOW Detroit may have by Motown and the Funk Brothers, but Alabama had Muscle Shoals. Side-stepping which was the better musical factory, it is impossible to ignore the impact that Muscle Shoals has had on American music. This performance provided irrefutable evidence to the greatness of this legacy. The set was loose […]
Americana 2011: The Awards
The hands-down highlight of the Conference was the annual Americana Music Awards. In this instance, the words for such a magical evening are hard to come by. Set aside any the speeches and performances, the event was held in the legendary Ryman Auditorium. Originally built for religious revivalist meetings, it achieved great fame as the […]
Americana 2011: The Scene
This year, Twangville made it’s first trek to Nashville for the annual Americana Music Conference and the 10th Annual Americana Music Awards. Over the next week I’ll be highlighting some the moments, musical and otherwise, from this year’s event. WHAT’S IN A NAME? The running joke all week was how to define Americana. The context […]
The Jayhawks – Mockingbird Time
It is time for another collaborative review here at Twangville. So here are a few perspectives on the Jayhawks new release Mockingbird Time: Eli – I am surprised by how much I like Mockingbird Time. Now you may be asking yourself “surprised? really? what’s wrong with this sap—it’s the Jayhawks—the original line-up with Louris and […]
Mark W. Lennon – Home of the Wheel
Listening to Mark W. Lennon’s new release Home of the Wheel, I felt as if I was transported back to depression era America without leaving 2011. At times it is the music that takes you there, and other times it is the lyrics. Lennon draws the parallels between the Modern and the past with a […]
Tom’s Picks: Best of Summer 2011
Here are some of my favorites from the Summer. Best of Summer 2011 OLD 97S, The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2 [★★★★/4.308] This is side two of last year’s full length originally conceived of as a double album. The band says that releasing with time in between afforded them time to adjust the songs and add […]
Win Big: The V-Roys!
There are some bands that were destined for greatness but somehow got derailed along the way. Unfortunately for all of us, Knoxville, Tennessee’s V-Roys fall into that category. Formed in 1994, the band released a scant three albums before bidding farewell in epic fashion with a show on New Year’s Eve, 1999. Fast forward twelve […]
Win Big: Paul Kelly
What is it about Australia and New Zealand? Per capita, they’ve got some of the most talented and enjoyable musicians in the world. Neil Finn and Tim Finn (from Splitz Enz to Crowded House and the solo stuff in between) to Kasey Chambers to You Am I. And then there’s Paul Kelly. Kelly himself best […]
Win Big: Lydia Loveless & Eilen Jewell
This year has seen a number of impressive releases from women artists. At the top of the list stand Eilen Jewell and Lydia Loveless. Each, in their own way, recalls the musical spirit and individuality of Loretta Lynn. Jewell is the more traditional of the two, breathing fresh air into a classic country sound, while […]
Q & A – Maps & Atlases
Chicago-based four-piece Maps & Atlases aren’t a math-rock band. O.K., good, we’ve got that out of the way now. Sure, there are some rather math-y elements to the band’s indie-folk informed sound, but not to the extent where those intricacies define their overall sonic contributions in the way that many would have one believe. While […]