I woke up June 28th and all the signs were there. My ears were ringing. My voice was gone, and my head hurt. It wasn’t the flu. I had been to see the Drive-By Truckers the night before. Track 29 is a converted skating rink behind the ubiquitous Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel. When the Truckers took […]
Monday Morning Video: Sittin’ Around the Kitchen Singin’ George Jones
There’s a cool house concert series in Boston called the Kitchen Sessions. Well, Ward Hayden of Girls Guns & Glory, Amy Black and Sarah Borges stake their claim on that particular room with this killer cover of George Jones’ “Why Baby Why.” The trio, rehearsing for an upcoming set of shows that they are doing […]
The Boston & New England Festival Circuit
It’s a good time to be a music lover in New England. The region is awash with great music festivals, both long-standing and new. Not surprisingly, my list starts with the recent Twangville Music Festival and the famed Newport Folk Festival. Here, however, are a host of new festivals bringing great music to New England. […]
Steve Earle: The Warner Bros Years
I ‘m usually not a fan of re-releases. My general view is that if I bought the album once, why should I buy it again? Well, I’d make an exception for Shout Factory’s new collection The Warner Bros. Years, which brings together Steve Earle’s first three releases for Warner Brothers Records. This trio of albums […]
Twangville Music Fest – Night 2
After the more familiar performances from night one, I was all the more excited to see three new-to-me acts. And given the intimate Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, I knew I was in for an up close opportunity to see each of the performers. The three acts managed to feature distinct shades of Americana music today: […]
Twangville Music Fest! Night 1
A couple of weekends ago 7 of our 9 contributors from this little site we call Twangville met in Boston for the second showcase we’ve put together boasting the Twangville moniker. And when I say “we”ut it together, I’m really just saying “Mayer” put together. I volunteered to post a few words about Friday […]
Monday Morning Video: Paul Pena “Jet Airliner”
No doubt everyone knows Steve Miller’s take on this song. How many know songwriter Paul Pena’s original version?
Phoebe Hunt – Live at the Cactus Cafe
I’m pretty sure Phoebe Hunt could sing a used car commercial and make it mesmerizing. Â The former lead singer and fiddle player for the Belleville Outfit just released her first full length solo collection, Live at the Cactus Cafe, and it does a great job showing off her musical and vocal range. Several of the […]
Shooter Jennings on the Fourth of July
Shooter Jennings passed through Boston last night and played one heck of a show. Pretty cool to usher in the Independence Day holiday with this one…
Mayer’s Playlist for May/June 2013, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH American Kid, by Patty Griffin It’s hard, if not impossible, to avoid being mesmerized by Patty Griffin’s new release. Long revered for both her passionate songwriting and enchanting voice, both are in exceptional form on American Kid. Just one listen to album opener “Go Wherever You Want to Go” and you […]