I’ve been smitten with this song lately. John Calvin Abney pays homage to his Oklahoma roots in this tale of a traveling troubadour longing for home. Hauntingly beautiful. Plenty more to love on Coyote, his latest release.
Readers’ Pick: Austin Lucas – Immortal Americans
You picked Immortal Americans by singer-songwriter, Austin Lucas, as your favorite new release for the week of August 17, 2018. AUSTIN LUCAS, Immortal Americans Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Summer & […]
Opposites – Dan Johnson, Prairie Wildfire
A couple of CD’s have been sitting atop my pile for a few weeks–demanding attention, but not in my usual review write-up kind-of-way.  I finally realized, like chicken and waffles, they complement each other as sensory bookends. The first is Hemingway, by Texas songwriter and author Dan Johnson.  This is not an album to be handled […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2018, Part 1
Right On Time, Kevin Gordon (from the Crowville Media release Tilt And Shine) Kevin Gordon has long been one of contemporary music’s most compelling storytellers. He fills his songs with colorful characters and literary tales, all set to music that has more than a few gloriously jagged edges. Tilt And Shine steps beyond the more […]
Photos that ROCK! Newport Folk Fest 2018
Third time’s a charm! I was lucky enough to photograph the Newport Folk Festival in 2014, 2016 and again this year. It was full of crowds, sweat, dust, and INCREDIBLE music. Here are some of my favorite shots! All photos by Suzanne Davis McMahon
Monday Morning Video – Aretha
We lost one of the greats last week. Here are two vintage Aretha moments. The first, her movie-stealing appearance in “The Blues Brothers”. The second a 1968 performance of “I Never Loved a Man.” Her impact on music and performance will live on forever.
Readers’ Pick: Walter Salas-Humara – Walterio
You picked Walterio by singer-songwriter, Walter Salas-Humara, as your favorite new release for the week of August 10, 2018. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Summer & Fall 2018 WILLIE NILE, Children […]
Bonus Monday Video – Ted Hawkins
I previously wrote about my experience seeing Hawkins when he made a rare visit to Boston’s Faneuil Hall. There was nothing, however, like seeing him on his home turf – entertaining crowds on Venice Beach, California. Here’s a short but wonderful taste of what it was like.
Monday Morning Video – Ted Hawkins
The Ted Hawkins story is among the most unique in American music. The Biloxi Mississippi native spent years as a street busker, most notably serenading passers-by on Venice Beach, CA while perched on a milk crate. He was “discovered” several times but never found significant success. His graveled voice and insistent guitar were his calling […]
Readers’ Pick: Lucero – Among the Ghosts
You picked Among the Ghosts by alt-country band, Lucero, as your favorite new release for the week of August 3, 2018. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Summer & Fall 2018 WILLIE […]