Al Basile is steady. A founding member in the 1970s of the enduring New England-based jump blues outfit Roomful of Blues, Basile stays busy churning out really good music, including Woke Up in Memphis in 2013, B’s Expression in 2015, Mid-Century Modern in 2016 and last year’s outstanding Quiet Money. But what is surprising about cornet player and […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2018 (So Far), the Songs
Here are some of my favorite songs this year. An eclectic lot to be sure. The Fold, Brent Cowles (from the Dine Alone Records release How To Be OK Alone) Easily my favorite song so far this year. Cowles confronts anxiety and self-doubt with a determined and uplifting anthem. Tough Folks, American Aquarium (from the […]
Monday Morning Video – A.J. LeGrand
This certainly isn’t the most uplifting song by which to start the week. Nonetheless it is a wonderful introduction to Texas singer-songwriter A.J. LeGrand. LeGrand is a masterful storyteller, filling his songs with colorful rural characters who try to balance big dreams with arduous realities. There are many more poignant tales to be found on […]
Readers’ Pick: Kinky Friedman – Circus of Life
You picked Circus of Life by country singer/songwriter, Kinky Friedman, as your favorite new release for the week of July 6, 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 […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2018 (So Far), the Albums
It’s been a good year for music so far this year (and the rest of the year is looking quite nice, too). Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2018. HOW TO BE OK ALONE by BRENT COWLES Cowles shares a debut solo full-length that is […]
Speedbuggy USA – Kick Out the Twang
A friend and I were talking the other day about the irony of punk music being 30+ years old. Although I can’t claim to have been a punk rocker back in the day, I did like the country influence that some LA bands were putting on it, notably X, under the nom de plume of cowpunk. […]
Monday Morning Video – The Soulful Side of Langhorne Slim
Langhorne Slim has firmly established himself as one of the leading, albeit criminally lesser-known, lights of roots Americana. The beauty and honesty in his songwriting is captivating; the passion of his live performances, whether solo or full band, is exhilarating. Part of what sets him apart is the soulfulness that infuses his music. Here are […]
Readers’ Pick: The Milk Carton Kids – All the Things…
You picked All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do by folk duo, The Milk Carton Kids, as your favorite new release for the week of June 29, 2018. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, […]
Blue Yonder – Rough And Ready Heart
In the middle part of the last century, most of rural America centered their social lives around their church and the local Grange Hall.  The Grange became the logical choice for Saturday night dances, which weren’t appropriate for a church.  Here, a variety of local and regional touring bands played country waltzes, western swing songs, and […]
E.Z. Shakes / The Wolf
I have to admit when Zach Seibert (singer/songwriter for E.Z. Shakes) told me his newest project was going to record at Mitch Easter’s Fidelitorium I was pretty excited. I’ve always considered Zach one of the best songwriters in South Carolina (and beyond) and I couldn’t wait to hear his first proper full-length since 2009’s excellent […]