Here, in no particular order, are my favorite songs from 2005. Washed by the Water, Will Hoge (available for download at Hoge’s web site) In a song as inspiring as it is inspired, Will Hoge leads a gospel revival for New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. “Down here we are washed by the water, the […]
Mayer’s 2005 Picks: The Albums (pt. 2)
The countdown to the #1 album of 2005 continues… 7. Mr. Hollywood, Jr., 1947, Michael Penn It’s hard to decide which is more impressive, Michael Penn’s intelligent lyrics or his pop music sensibilities. On his first album in five years, Penn leaves little doubt that both are in peak form and that the combination is […]
Mayer’s 2005 Picks: The Albums (pt. 1)
With another year behind us, we at Twangville poured through our cd players and iPods to pick our favorites of 2005. Over the next week I’ll be highlighting my favorite albums and songs from 2005, culminating with a preview of some highly anticipated 2006 releases. 14. Den of Thieves , The Trews This was a […]
“Fresh” Picks for ’06
“They call me the seeker…” because I search low and high for great music. If your New Year’s resolution is to find that elusive gem — the undiscovered album that you won’t know how you lived without — the Discman’s Top 100 Albums can help. It has plenty of Twang, a little bang, and k.d. […]
Best Songs of 2005 (Tom’s Picks)
Here they are, my twenty favorite twang induced songs of the year. They are in no particular order of greatness, simply numbered in the order I burned them to disc. Enjoy! Playlist also available on iTunes. Wicked Twisted Road, Reckless Kelly (from the album Wicked Twisted Road) Texas country at its best from the Austin […]
Notable Release: Alejandro Escovedo
To tide his fans over until his next studio release, Austin legend Alejandro Escovedo released Room of Songs this past Tuesday. The album, recorded live in Austin earlier this year, features Escovedo on guitar backed by a string quartet. For fans, its a reminder of Escovedo’s musical diversity. For non-fans, its a welcome introduction to […]
Tom’s Playlist for December 2005
This is perhaps my favorite playlist this year. I added two bonus tracks for the holidays. Songs with thumbnails indicate albums new to my playlists. Enjoy! Playlist also available on iTunes. These Tears, Reckless Kelly (from the album Wicked Twisted Road) Mustang, Mike McClure (from the album Camelot Falling) Former Great Divide front man rockin’ […]
Album Review: Big Sweet Life: The Songs of Jon Dee Graham
“Then Scrappy said, well, we’ll have a benefit. And I said no. I said a bunch of stuff about self-sufficiency and those-more-in-need and so on. Scrappy said, okay, then asked how many benefits did I think I had played in the last 25 years.†If you buy one album this year, consider Big Sweet Life […]
More Notable Releases: 15 November 2005
Townes Van Zandt, A Private Concert (Varese) Says Steve Earle, “TOWNES VAN ZANDT is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I’ll stand on Bob Dylan’s coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.” Who am I to argue? Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run: 30th Anniversary Edition (Sony) It would have been enough […]