This has been a great year for music in Boston and throughout New England. Here, in no particular order, are some favorites 2015 releases from area artists. SESSION AMERICANA, Pack Up the Circus What started as an informal gathering of friends playing primarily cover songs has blossomed into a remarkable musical collective. The group’s latest […]
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Mayer’s Playlist for March/April 2015, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Down To Believing, by Allison Moorer Real life is often the best inspiration for art, notably when it is created in response to heartache and sorrow. Such is the case for Allison Moorer, who channels her emotions into a collection of songs that is by turns sad, angry, regretful and defiant. […]
Mayer’s Playlist for August 2012
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Radiant Land, by Leeroy Stagger British Columbia singer-songwriter Stagger is a bit of a dichotomy. One minute he is singing an uplifting ode to love, the next minute a seething indictment of economic injustice. He reminds one of Steve Earle in many ways, possessing a restless fervor channeled through no bullshit […]
Mayer’s Playlist From February 2012, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Inspiration, by Shurman One of the things that I have always appreciated about Shurman is the ragged edge of their music. And man do they serve it up by the bucket on their latest release. Album opener and title track “Inspiration” starts things out on a positive note, both musically and […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Oct/Nov 2011, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Beauty, Wit & Speed, by Nathan Hamilton “Give me the mad ones, the sad ones, the ones who’ve got nothing to lose,” sings Hamilton in “Through Ether and Time” from his latest release. It is a telling comment and a great introduction to an album that deftly explores the search for […]
Monday Morning Video: Ellis Paul
I had the opportunity to see Ellis Paul play the legendary Club Passim a few weeks back. The show was billed as his “20th Anniversary Career Retrospective in Song” and featured a set list comprised of fan requested favorites. Alas, Paul didn’t play this track, which was featured in my “Kiss Off” playlist from a […]
Freedy Johnston – Rain on the City / Live Review
Freedy Johnston – Rain on the City/Live Review With a title like “Rain on the City,†Freedy Johnston has chosen a problematic yet perfect title. It nods to his recent albums (“Blue Days Black Nightsâ€) in such an obvious way as to perhaps shove off the tired motif. Freedy, with a few exceptions, is back […]