The bar has been set high! I’m astounded by the number of great albums that have already surfaced this year. Will Hoge shunned traditional record promotions by leaning heavily on juggernauts MySpace and Purevolume all the way to offering up a free download from the album once every week. Josh Rouse travelled to Spain offering […]
Let the Music Play: The 2006 SXSW Recap
Another SXSW has come and gone. This year’s event brought over 1,000 bands to Austin for five days of music, cheap beer and great barbeque. Sounds pretty good to me. Although this year’s event was light on new discoveries, it was filled with old favorites. And now for the highlights: The New Orleans Social Club: […]
Tom’s Pick of the Week, Bruce Robison
There are several interesting releases this week. I’m intrigued by releases from just about all these artists. Though, the only one that I’ve been able to preview that I feel comfortable recommending is Texas-based, Americana singer-songwriter, Bruce Robison’s Eleven Stories. Check out track #2 “Virginia”: [audio:http://www.sustainrecords.com/audio/Bruce%20Robison%20-%20Virginia.mp3] Notable releases for week of April 4, 2006 from: […]
The Dylan/Cash Sessions
Two unbelievable artists working together is always a good thing. People finding that work after a number of years and making it available on the Internet is even better. Here are Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash performing “Ring of Fire.” [audio:http://www.ezarchive.com/satisfied75/AlbumSpace/6Q5XOQVM0P/10+-+Track10.mp3] If you want more (as you doubtlessly will), head over here, to An Aquarium […]
Tom’s Pick of the Week, Josh Rouse
I just returned from vacation and I didn’t want to let the week pass without mentioning new releases from Ben Harper and Josh Rouse. Though Harper’s 2-disc release Both Sides of the Gun simply cannot be ignored, I like Rouse’s Subtitulo. He departs slightly from last year’s smash Nashville by adding some Spanish influences which […]
Mayer’s Playlist for February & March 2006
Sure, I know that March is nearly over. Between my day job and my preparations for SXSW, however, time got away from me. Stay tuned for the complete SXSW recap… Feb. 14, Drive-By Truckers (from the forthcoming A Blessing and a Curse) A fine preview that proves the band’s legendary triple guitar attack remains intact. […]
Rosanne Cash’s “Black Cadillac” Reviewed
If you are remotely familiar with the Cash family, you are aware of what they have been through in the past couple of years. Rosanne Cash started writting songs for this album back in Spring of 2003. Over a two-year period where she suffered the loss of her stepmother June Carter Cash, her father Johnny […]
Tom’s Pick of the Week, Jackie Greene
I’ve been waiting for Jackie Greene‘s next release since I first heard Verve‘s re-release of Sweet Somewhere Bound. I’m happy to say American Myth is here and it is fantastic. This is the fourth album for Sacramento-based Greene. Many early critics labeled him a blues artist after seeing some of his live acts. He pleases […]
Adrienne Young & Little Sadie at SXSW
I was lucky enough to attend the University of Florida at same time as Adrienne Young. Back then she was the lead singer of one of the best bands on campus known as the Big White Undies. She’s got her own thing going on now backed up by band Little Sadie and doing unbelievably well. […]
Tom’s Pick of the Week, The Little Willies
With high expectations, I was all prepared to make Neko Case my pick of the week until I listened to the album. While Case’s artistry and voice remain top notch, it seems the album must have been recorded at the bottom of a well or in a deep dark cave. I’m guessing this is an […]