I waited 24 years for The Who (my favorite band) to release a new album, and it didn’t make my 10-best list! What a drag. Oh well, maybe they’ll get it right in 2030. Not to worry, there were plenty of discs to celebrate in 2006. Drum roll… #1 John Gorka Writing in the Margins […]
Best of ’06: Shaken, a Playlist
This is the second of three playlists featuring some of my favorite songs of the year. I’m calling this one Shaken. It features songs that have an Alt-Country or Americana orientation or otherwise twanged up. They are ordered to flow (not by rank) and limited to 19 in order to fit on a single CD. […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2006, part 1
Although I’ve been rather quiet on the posting front, I haven’t stopped listening to music. Here are some selections from the Fall for your consideration. Stuck Between Stations, The Hold Steady (from the album Boys and Girls in America this song combines all that is great about the Hold Steady: Tad Kubler’s in-your-face guitar, Franz […]
The New, Weird America: The Harry Smith Project Revisited
“My dream came true. I saw America changed through music.” As a Grammy Awards audience acknowledged his genius, a frail Harry Smith, months before his death, basked in the recognition that had eluded him for a half century. The importance of his landmark Anthology of American Folk Music cannot be overstated: it is often credited […]
Loomer’s “Sunday Driver Down”, a Download
File under this year’s Best Band You’ve Never Heard Of. For a deeper dive read Mike’s review, check out the Loomer web site and buy the album at Miles of Music. No flash, no pretense, Songs from the Wild West Island is just a solid batch of songs that pierce deep into the heart of […]
Willie Nelson & More, Album Previews
THIS WEEK’S ELITE: Willie Nelson, Songbird (Lost Highway) Backed by Ryan Adams’ band, The Cardinals, the country legend spits out yet another album this time with a youthful (yet classic Willie) touch. Adams acted as producer of the album. Check out tracks “Rainy Day Blues”, “We Don’t Run” and “Songbird”. You’ll also find a cover […]
Loomer – Songs of the Wild West Island
When asked about remaking his favorite songs, Scott Loomer remarked, “You don’t cover ‘Crazy’ unless you’re Patsy Cline, which we’re not.” That’s a taste of the wit and wisdom that makes Loomer (the band) so appealing. No flash, no pretense, Songs from the Wild West Island is just a solid batch of songs that pierce […]
San Saba County’s “Medicine”, a Download
Here’s a link to download my favorite track from San Saba County’s latest album Its Not the Fall that Hurts. Enjoy! “Medicine” (M3U) Also, here’s a short review of the album posted earlier this week.
San Saba County’s “Its Not the Fall that Hurts”, At a Glance
SXSW darlings, San Saba County, take us on an around-the-world bar hop from the saloon to the cantina then back to the saloon with their latest album, Its Not the Fall That Hurts. The beechwood-aged twangers’ second full-length album is thematically heavy on heartbreak and audibly represents a diversity of Texicano influences giving it a […]
Check Out Sam Mellon and the Skylarks
Check out LA-based Alt-Country/ Americana/ Roots-Rock outfit Sam Mellon and the Skylarks. They recently put out a self-produced 3-song EP in preparation for a full-length record already in production. The band is fronted by Sam Mellon (vocals, acoustic guitar) and joined by Julie Wolf (accordian, piano, vocals), David Serby (electric bass guitar), Carl Urbinati (electric […]