Best Album of 2020: Chris Stapleton – Starting Over If you’d have told me a year ago that I’d be selecting Chris Stapleton as my choice for album of the year, I’d have told you that you were crazy. Past efforts had been a tad too countrified for my taste, but somehow Starting Over hit […]
Chip’s Best Americana Albums of 2020
There were so many good albums this year I am breaking my list into two posts. I will start with the best Americana albums. In the next couple of weeks I will post my Best Indie/Rock albums list. Though the latter will be less comprehensive than this one. While picking the best albums was an […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2020, Boston/Dallas Edition
I’m fortunate to be able to explore and enjoy the music scenes of two cities – Boston and Dallas. Artists from both metropolitan areas have released some exceptional music this year. Here are a few favorites. Love it local. DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS Quiet Lives by Garrett Owen Gorgeous and entrancing are the […]
Jules Shear on Tired Guitar Strings and the First Song That He Wrote
Singer-songwriter talks about why he he shops at local health food stores while on tour and time spent making tall rhinestone shoes by hand.
Bonus Monday Video – Tom Waits
Tom Waits presents two holiday classics – one an original and one a cover.
Monday Morning Video – A Holiday Tradition
One of these years, I’d love to make it to Dublin for Glen Hansard’s annual Christmas eve busking session on Grafton Street. The event raises funds for The Simon Community, an organization that raises funds and runs programs to assist the homeless. This year, global pandemic and all, the event became a live broadcast on […]
Readers’ Pick: 2020 Nominations
Our Readers’ Pick poll for Best New Album of 2020 is live. This list of 50 consists of your Top 25 picks from Winter & Spring, and Summer & Fall. As always, thanks for your votes. Top picks in this poll will factor into our Authors’ picks at the end of the year. Vote away!
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2020
Here, in no particular order, are more favorites from 2020.
Old Californio – Songs From the Sea Of Cortez
There’s a very California sound you get by taking the twangy guitar and rock solid rhythm line associated with Bakersfield and overlaying it with the acoustic guitar and multi-part harmonies that sprang from the hills and canyons northwest of LA in the 60’s. You could probably argue Graham Parsons first touched that nerve with Sweetheart […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best of 2020, the Albums
What a year it has been! Thankfully there’s been some great music to help sustain us. Here are my picks for the best albums of 2020. 11. Consider the Speed by Terra Lightfoot Another rock and roll tour de force from Terra Lightfoot. Consider the Speed is brimming with fervent guitars and musical bravado, not […]