Joel Plaskett is well known to Canadian music fans; his father probably less so, but a defining character of the eastern Canada folk scene nonetheless. Â So when they decided to do an album together, the odds were stacked in their favor. Â What was targeted as a musical project they could unite on, hence the title, […]
SXSW 2017 – The Sounds, Part 2
AUSTIN LUCAS Lucas snuck into Austin to play a single afternoon solo acoustic show. To say that he attacked his guitar wouldn’t be an overstatement. He alternated between channeling Johnny Cash in his fiery moments and Blaze Foley’s mellow stylings. It was a powerful performance from start to finish. RON GALLO Gallo was a contender […]
Monday Morning Video – Drive-By Truckers “Gimme Some Truth”
I caught the Drive-By Truckers over the weekend and, true to form, they delivered an epic guitar-driven onslaught. The setlist leaned heavily on their most recent album, the politically charged American Band, alongside more than a few fan favorites. Among the highlights was this searing take on John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth.”
Readers’ Pick: Close Ties by Rodney Crowell
You picked “Close Ties” from Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Rodney Crowell, as your favorite new release for the week of March 31, 2017. 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 Winter 2017 BRIGITTE DEMEYER AND WILL […]
SXSW 2017 – The Sounds, Part 1
LANGHORNE SLIM This was the best of the best, my favorite musical moment of the week. Langhorne Slim sitting in a chair on the floor, the audience arrayed cross-legged on the floor around him. A campfire festival without the campfire. His late-night performance was a freewheeling gem that included a few impromptu requests, all delivered […]
Eric Bibb – Migration Blues
The plight of troubled people on the move seeking a new, safe home is the theme of Eric Bibb’s heartfelt Migration Blues. It tells the tale of various peoples – refugees and migrants – who have hit the road to escape violence or grinding hardship. With the album, Bibb says he hopes to “encourage us all […]
SXSW 2017 – The Scene
For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for SXSW. With upwards of 2,200 bands and more than 20,000 attendees from around the world, SXSW is the world’s premiere music conference. Even […]
Monday Morning Video – Play Ball!
Forget the groundhog, the surest sign of spring is the arrival of a new baseball season. Sure, you may be tempted to say Spring Training is the milestone moment, but the weather will often step in to say otherwise. (Heck, there’s a reason Spring Training takes place in Florida and Arizona.) Many of you will […]
Readers’ Pick: Joy Comes Back by Ruthie Foster
You picked “Joy Comes Back” from Texas-born blues singer-songwriter, RUTHIE FOSTER, as your favorite new release for the week of March 24, 2016. Poll Results New Releases FRONT COUNTRY, Other Love Songs DERRICK ANDERSON, A World of My Own THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS, Whiteout Conditions ANDREW COMBS, Canyons of My Mind FATHER JOHN MISTY, Pure Comedy […]
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers/Sidelong
When I first encountered Sarah Shook & The Disarmers it was by way of their video for “Dwight Yoakam,†the single from Sidelong. I watched it, thought it was pretty funny, and forgot about the band. When Sidelong landed in my inbox, and eventually my iPod classic, (I’m old school) I decided I liked Sarah […]