This has already been quite a year for songs. Here are just a few of my favorites from the first half of 2016. Unbroken Hearts and Call the Doctor, Austin Lucas (from the Last Chance Records release Between the Moon and the Midwest) Lucas tells his tale of life in the music business, set to […]
Ralph Stanley Remembered
There’s a quote frequently used to describe how old blues musicians managed to get the sound they did despite having no formal training, “it’s in him, and it got to get out.” Â That came to mind last weekend as I heard of the passing of Dr. Ralph Stanley. Â Anyone who heard Stanley perform O Death, […]
Tommy Womack on Playing a Go-Go’s Cover at a Frat House and How to Create an Orgy of Noise
Nashville singer-songwriter Tommy Womack explains why tractor trailer trucks beat Nissan Sentras and describes a day job that was “couldn’t have been more boring if it were a Prince’s Trust Concert.”
Hittin’ the Road with Marcus Blacke
Going on tour is daunting enough. Hours on the road getting to the next gig, trying to keep up with life via cell phone and typically trying eat healthy, cheaply or some combination of the two. Oh, and occasionally you get to the fun part – playing the show. Now imagine traveling halfway around the […]
Monday Morning Video – Escondido Take on an Everly Brothers Classic
We’re going to continue our string of covers for another week. Escondido passed through Boston two weeks ago and delivered a mighty fine performance. They rocked through most of the set but slowed things down for a jaw-dropping take on the Everly Brothers “When Will I Be Loved.” In Boston they gave the song a […]
Readers’ Pick: Willow Springs by Michael McDermott
MICHAEL MCDERMOTT, Willow Springs beats out NEKO CASE, K.D. LANG and LAURA VEIRS, case/lang/veirs as your favorite for the week of June 17, 2016. 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’ Top 25 Spring 2016 WILLIE […]
Elizabeth Wills – Every Little Star
Somewhere along the way, we seem to have lost an important component of American music. Â In the 70’s, as solo artists, Joni Mitchell and Carol King defined popular music every bit as much as Zeppelin or the Stones. Â Fast forward a couple of decades and Sarah McLachlan and Jewel were the flag-bearers. Â Nowadays, Shawn Colvin […]
Sam Bush – Storyman
It is fitting that Sam Bush is releasing his new album on the heels of The Telluride Bluegrass Festival. After all he has ruled the festival for most of its existence. Seeing him there was an experience that allowed me to cross at least one item off my bucket list. His new release, “Storymanâ€, has […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2016 (So Far), the Albums
It’s been a good year for music so far this year (and the rest of the year is shaping up quite nicely, too). Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2016. WILLOW SPRINGS by MICHAEL MCDERMOTT Michael McDermott channels life’s hardships, both his own and those […]
Nick Loss-Eaton of Leland Sundries On Borrowing His Grandma’s Sedan and the Secret to Ordering at Taco Bell
Leland Sundrie’ Nick Loss-Eaton compares NYC rehearsal spaces and offers a tip for more easily memorizing song lyrics.