I can’t say I ever thought about going to a smoky jazz lounge and hearing something twangy. Â After listening to Ali Holder’s solo debut, In Preparation For Saturn’s Return, I can now picture that happening. Â There are certainly artists fusing jazz and country or bluegrass. Â See our coverage of Phoebe Hunt’s latest for an example, […]
MonkeyJunk – All Frequencies
In those odd moments when you’re craving funk, I mean, the lost art of funk seventies style, with the rhythm and beat that make you want to groove, MonkeyJunk can fill that prescription. The Ottawa, Canada-based trio of Steve Marriner, Tony D and Matt Sobb are called blues rockers, but their latest release, All Frequencies, […]
Music with a Purpose: Songs for the World’s Bravest Kids
This post continues our series of posts about music that serves a higher purpose. This music reaches beyond pure listening enjoyment, raising awareness about important issues that affects countless people in their day-to-day lives. Alastair Moock had built a successful career as a folk musician when cancer struck. It didn’t strike him, but rather his […]
Monday Morning Video: The Ponderosa Stomp!
Hot on the heels of our celebration of Muscle Shoals, we’ll turn our attention to another legendary music city: New Orleans. The Ponderosa Stomp music festival, to be held in New Orleans from October 3-5, bills itself as “celebrating the unsung heroes of American music.” It is an appropriate way to describe a weekend celebration […]
The Band Of Heathens – Sunday Morning Record
Sunday Morning Record. Â The title of the latest from The Band Of Heathens does as good a job of describing the recording as just about anything anyone writes. Â Those early morning hours when the night before is still ringing in your ears and the warm morning sun commands something a little less energetic and little […]
North Mississippi Allstars – World Boogie Is Coming
North Mississippi Allstars has been tearing it up for 17 years. From their studio recordings, with their unique blend of traditional roots and edgy rock, to their thundering live performances, featuring drumlines and bizarre instrumentation from electric washboards to cigar box guitars and a stringed instrument made from a coffee can on a stick, the […]
Amy Black at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals
FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals is where it all began. It is also where the music continues today as artists regularly make the pilgrimage to find inspiration within the studio’s walls. Singer-songwriter Amy Black recently spent a day at FAME, recording several songs for a forthcoming ep release. She was kind enough to share the […]
Monday Morning Video: Muscle Shoals, the Movie
Many would say that the “Muscle Shoals sound†began with the founding of FAME Studios. From humble beginnings above a drug store, the studio became an institution that spawned countless legendary recordings. A mind-blowing array of artists made the pilgrimage to Muscle Shoals to record at FAME and nearby Muscle Shoals Sounds. In the early […]
The Muscle Shoals Music Guide, Part 3
Twangville has teamed up with Muscle Shoals musician Jimbo Hart, known to many for his work with Jason Isbell and others, to highlight the many great artists that call Muscle Shoals home. PINE HILL HAINTS Twangville Says: Accordion laden drinking tunes, Johnny Cash covers, rockabilly/hillbilly…the Pine Hill Haints seem to do a little bit of […]
The Muscle Shoals Music Guide, Part 2
Twangville has teamed up with Muscle Shoals musician Jimbo Hart, known to many for his work with Jason Isbell and others, to highlight the many great artists that call Muscle Shoals home. THE POLLIESTwangville Says: With fuzzed out guitars, a touch of twang, and an unmistakable R&B swing, The Pollies sound like this generation’s great […]