If I limited selections from my favorite albums of the year to as many as I could fit on a CD it would look something like this. The journey starts with the always energetic Eli “Paperboy” Reed. Somewhere in the middle you hear the genius songwriting by Caleb Stine and Justin Townes Earle. All to […]
Shawn’s Picks: Best Music Of 2010
It’s been a good year of music. At this point I’m just piling on, but here’s what I heard this year that was the best of the best. Top Ten Albums of 2010 Justin Townes Earle – Harlem River Blues. Â Somehow managing to combine the spirit of Woody Guthrie with the soul of Memphis, it […]
Tom’s Picks: Best EPs of 2010
My nod for EP of the year goes to Eric Brace & Last Train Home‘s simply named ‘Six Songs’ which pulls together a six-fingered handful of songs they’ve been playing live for some time now. Brace sings in near perfect French with a couple of the tracks (“Autumn Leaves”, “Et Maintenant / What Now My […]
Mayer’s Picks: Best Albums of 2010
#1. JOE PUG, Messenger (Lightning Rod) Pug may only be in his mid 20’s, but his songs reflect a timeless musical wisdom. A folk troubadour in the truest sense, he is equally skilled tackling social and political topics as he is at exploring the politics of romance. A powerful new musical voice has emerged. (Twangville […]
Tom’s Picks: Best Compilations of 2010
It must be John Prine‘s year. I recently claimed ‘John Prine: On Stage & In Person’ to be the best live album of the year and now I’m telling you that ‘Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine’ is the best compilation album of the year. Just look at the artists who contributed […]
Tom’s Picks: Best Live Album of 2010
There’s no question about it. ‘John Prine: In Person & On Stage’ is my pick for live album of the year. Featuring special performances by Emmylou Harris, Josh Ritter, and Iris Dement among others. Personal favorites include “Long Monday”, “She Is My Everything”, and “Mexican Home (featuring Josh Ritter)”. The stories that Prine tells leading […]
Tom’s Picks: Best Reissues of 2010
Twenty-five years ago, John Fogerty tapped into America’s favorite pastime and hit a home run with ‘Centerfield’. This year, Geffen Records released a digitally remastered version of the record with two bonus covers “My Toot Toot” and “I Confess.” Between the two reissues I listened to this year, the timeless classic “Centerfield” was the clear […]
Tom’s Picks: Best of 2010’s “Greatest Hits” Albums
I’m bending the rules a little by claiming that The Black Crowes, ‘Croweology’ double album is the best “greatest hits” record of the year. In fact, there was only one true “greatest hits” album that I listened to this whole year so nearly all of the four in my list stay true to adhere to […]
Win Big: Old 97’s Visit The Grand Theatre
So Old 97s are back with another alt country gem (see Kelly’s take here). To celebrate the new release, we are giving away a copy of The Grand Theatre, Volume One. Here’s how to win: Earlier this year, the band released a 4-song ep of cover tunes called Mimeograph (see the Twangville review here). It […]
Solomon Burke, 1940-2010
The music world lost one of the great ones today with the passing of Solomon Burke. Here are two classic Burke performances to celebrate the life of the man referred to as the King of Rock and Soul. The first, a duet with Patty Griffin on her moving — and fitting — song “Up On […]