When I heard about a one-off Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires show, three hours of driving on a Friday night didn’t seem that bad. There’s something different about a rock artist who slows down to let the songs shine through. Isbell has done the rock gig with the Drive-by Truckers, the solo gig, and the […]
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Trampled by Turtles in String Band Paradise
Trad bluegrass they ain’t. But don’t let that turn you off. The boys of Trampled by Turtles can pick a banjo and make a fiddle whine with the best of em. In person, they were just as lively and rocking as bluegrass instruments can be. Dave Simonette’s impassioned vocals and three-part harmonies bring every bit […]
SXSW 2012: The Sounds, Part 1
Bahamas Former Feist guitarist Afie Jurvanen, who performs as Bahamas, caught my ear with his second release earlier this year. Live he takes it to another level, creating an ambiance that makes his already strong songs even stronger. Part of the reason is the distinctive make-up of his band: electric guitar, drums and two back-up […]
SXSW 2012: Springsteen
Now did you really think that I could talk about SXSW and not mention Bruce Springsteen? Springsteen delivered the conference keynote and then joined the E Street Band and guests that evening for an unforgettable performance. The keynote speech was clearly geared towards the musicians in attendance. Springsteen delivered a rollicking history of rock and […]
Todd Snider – Live at the Paradise / Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables
When I first heard Todd Snider’s tongue-in-cheek brand of roots/blues/rock, I wasn’t quite sure how he’d come out as a live act. Turns out that Todd’s sitcom music entrance is a pretty good way to explain his persona. In his rough-edged bluesy vocals, Todd regaled the audience with humorous anecdotes between witty tunes. As a […]
Best Shows of 2011
Top Live Shows of 2011 Gillian Welch at Strathmore, Bethesda, MD As a music fan, I am always looking for the beautiful sonic combination of melody, harmony and that lonesome sound. As a live show, the sonic perfection of the symphony hall at Strathmore with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings was a stunning experience. […]
80s Love Fest
As a twangville writer, I rarely listen to the 80s stations. I can’t stand the production and electronic drums. It’s tough to hear songs by the Boss and Lucinda Williams choked by the little knobs behind the glass. But still, some of those songs are irresistibly fun. They have an undeniable upbeat nature to them […]
Gillian Welch – Back Porch Music Hall
When Gillian Welch & David Rawlings took the stage at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Gill began her first song “I am an orphan on God’s highway,” I had a vision. I thought of A.P. Carter and his hopes for country music. How if he walked in at that very moment, the […]
Ryan Adams Playlist: Part 1
Let me start out by saying that I’m a HUGE Ryan Adams Fan: 8 shows, 5 t-shirts, 1,255 songs in iTunes when I type in his name. There’s no way to classify Ryan’s music; rock, folk, punk, country- he does it all. I can find songs that are perfect for every mood that I’m ever […]
Mayer’s Picks: The Best of 2011, So Far (The Songs)
Stacy C’Mon, Maxim Ludwig & the Santa Fe Seven This song has held a permanent place on my music rotation since I first saw Ludwig and crew light up an afternoon crowd with it at SXSW. It’s simply impossible to not get caught up in the sheer enthusiasm of the “na na na” chorus. Audio […]