Here’s one of those bands that shoulda been huge. Lone Justice released two great album’s of country-tinged rock that included tracks contributed by Tom Petty and Steve Van Zandt. Here are two favorites for your listening enjoyment.
Long Time . . . Seldom Scene
Isn’t it funny how a set of covers can sound so revolutionary. The Seldom Scene certainly began their career in the early 70s looking at bluegrass a bit differently. Way back when, their style was one of the first of the “progressive” style of bluegrass. Yet now, the band is on Smithsonian records and is […]
Mayer’s Playlist for April 2014, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTHS Till Midnight, by Chuck Ragan There seems to be a symbiotic relationship between punk and Americana. While punk has its raw intensity and Americana its musical sincerity, both styles are rooted in emotion and authenticity. The latest to prove the point is Chuck Ragan who takes the rock intensity that he […]
The Holmes Brothers – Brotherhood
The Holmes Brothers have spread their special brand of joy for years. Brothers Sherman and Wendell, along with drummer Popsy Dixon, have established a special kind of soul-blues that is part gospel, part soul. Although the Holmes Brothers had performed together throughout the 1980s, it wasn’t until the 1990s that they started getting widespread recognition […]
Readers’ Pick: RODNEY CROWELL, Tarpaper Sky
You picked RODNEY CROWELL, Tarpaper Sky as your favorite for the week of April 15, 2014. Readers’ Top Picks (last 4 weeks) RODNEY CROWELL, Tarpaper Sky (16) JOHNNY CASH, Out Among The Stars (9) JOAN OSBORNE, Love & Hate (8) VARIOUS ARTISTS, Looking Into You: A Tribute To Jackson Browne (8) HOLMES BROTHERS, Brotherhood (7) […]
Monday Morning Video: Sturgill Simpson
We’ll start this week off right with a bit of classic country from new traditionalist Sturgill Simpson. The song is “Could You Love Me One More Time” and it was recorded at the Pickathon Music Festival in Portland, Oregon last year.
Mikey Junior – Traveling South
Philadelphia, known more for its rhytm & blues than traditional blues, is nevertheless the home to some outstanding blues musicians including harmonica virtuoso Steve Guyger, the sultry young singer Gina Sicilia, and the up-and-coming, hardworking blues harp standout Mikey Junior. Mikey Junior, who often homesteads at the Twisted Tail in Philly’s South Street area, has embraced a musical style […]
Old Settler’s Music Fest – 2014 Edition
Every spring, a couple of weeks after the madhouse of SXSW, the music festival season kicks off with Old Settler’s Music Festival, about a half hour outside of Austin. Â Started as a bluegrass festival, Old Settler’s now embraces a broad spectrum of Americana. Â Organizer Jean Spivey has a magic touch for consistently mixing old with […]
DBT Slays Boston
50 years old. At that age, you’d think that most people would be settling into their career. Yet Patterson Hood still seems like he’s got lots new to say. He and Mike Cooley may be a little bit older, but they’ve definitely still got a hard-edged guitar attack and a heck of a lot of […]
Readers’ Pick: JOAN OSBORNE, Love & Hate
You picked JOAN OSBORNE, Love & Hate as your favorite for the week of April 8, 2014. Readers’ Top Picks (last 4 weeks) LUTHER DICKINSON, Rock ‘n Roll Blues (11) JOHNNY CASH, Out Among The Stars (9) JOAN OSBORNE, Love & Hate (8) VARIOUS ARTISTS, Looking Into You: A Tribute To Jackson Browne (8) HOLMES […]