“Heaven is right here, if you’re doing it right.” Â Those words lead the chorus of Black Grace, a song that won Melody Walker the songwriting contest last year at Merlefest. Â She and partner Jacob Groopman have just released We Made It Home that includes Black Grace and number of other treasures. Â Produced by bluegrass virtuoso […]
Monday Morning Video: Eilen Jewell
Here’s one of my favorites from Eilen Jewell, “Rain Roll In” from 2009’s Sea of Tears.
Samantha Fish – Black Wind Howlin’
Samantha Fish is a precocious young guitarist and singer with the wind – the howlin’ black wind – at her back. At 24, the Kansas City native already has a Blues Music Award under her belt for Best New Artist Debut for her 2011 album Runaway. Along with British blues-rocker Dani Wilde and Otis Taylor’s […]
Amy Black — The Muscle Shoals Session
Remember a few weeks ago when Amy Black wrote about her experience recording at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals? Well, now you can hear the results for yourself. Even better, Black is sharing the ep — for free — via her web site. Black recorded four songs in Muscle Shoals. The tracks span […]
Dudesmash
Pawtucket, RI. Truth be told, I’d never been. But Providence’s Americana breakthrough artist Deer Tick was throwing a party and I figured I would have to stop by. When the 20 somethings of Toy Soldiers, an up-and-coming band from Philly, walked on stage I immediately thought of a poor mans Panic at the Disco! But […]
The Wood Brothers – The Muse
The first words you hear on The Muse, the latest release from The Wood Brothers, are, “wastin’ my mind on you.” Â That lyrical slap in the face sets the stage for the next 45 minutes. Â You can listen to this album and appreciate the pretty face and swagger as it walks down the street. Â But […]
Monday Morning Video: An Encore from John Hiatt
We’re going to stick with John Hiatt again this week. This humorous ditty is taken from a 1989 songwriters showcase that also featured John Prine, Guy Clark and Joe Ely. Hiatt’s introduction about the pressures of writing a hit song is classic. It is almost as memorable as the song that follows.
Wicked Saints – Don’t Kill the Blackbird
One of my favorite recent discoveries from the random music that finds it’s way to me is an EP from earlier this year of the Wicked Saints, Don’t Kill the Blackbird. Â So I was happy when Paul McCarty, leader and bedrock of the band, sent me a note the full length version was due out […]
Music with a Purpose: A Compilation for Nuci’s Space
This post continues our series about music that serves a higher purpose. Beyond pure listening enjoyment, these releases raise awareness about important issues that impact countless people in their day-to-day lives. Our friends at Country Fried Rock have just released an awesome new compilation. The release supports Nuci’s Space, a not-for-profit that provides mental health […]
Shawn Holt and the Teardrops – Daddy Told Me
Keeping it in the family, Shawn Holt, son of the late blues icon Magic Slim, is the latest of a number of sons of famous fathers to try to break into the music industry. Holt took over as front man for his father’s band earlier this year when Magic Slim was hospitalized hours before opening […]