How about we start off the week with a classic. Jimmy Cliff is a towering voice, both as a singer and a songwriter, and “Many Rivers to Cross” is among his finest creations. Don’t believe me? Look at this list of artists who have covered the song: Bruce Springsteen, Annie Lennox, Jimmy Barnes & Crowded […]
Monday Morning Video – A Lesson for the Week
This video, from a 2013 performance in Germany, is making the rounds again. For the young bands out there, this is how it’s done. For everyone else, ain’t this the joy of music? And a bit more from the Bruce Springsteen glory of rock and roll file. ’cause once you get started, it’s hard to […]
Monday Morning Video – Revisiting Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land”
Inspired, or more rather provoked, as a populist response to Irving Berlin’s “America the Beautiful,” Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” has become an American institution in its own right. In celebration of Independence Day, here is a video playlist that includes some engaging covers of the Guthrie classic from the likes of the […]
Monday Morning Video – Town Mountain Cover Bruce Springsteen
North Carolina’s Town Mountain give Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire” a bluegrass make-over. Sounds mighty fine to me.
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2014
I posted a best songs list for the first half of 2014 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this the continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. An Anthem for the Broken and A Song to Learn and Sing (Until Kingdom […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Sept 2014, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH You’ve Got the Wrong Man, by Joe Fletcher Singer-songwriter Joe Fletcher drew inspiration for You’ve Got the Wrong Man from the field recordings of the early 20th century. The process, most notably used by John Lomax during his musical exploration of the Southern US, places particular emphasis on the raw emotion […]
Robin Williams, 1951-2014
Monday Morning Video: Warren Zevon
Sometimes you just want to kick it old school. Here’s one of my favorite Warren Zevon songs, with the band tossing in a bit of Bruce Springsteen’s “Cadillac Ranch” for good measure.
Monday Morning Video: Whitehorse cover “I’m On Fire”
Whitehorse, the duo of Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet, lay claim to the Springsteen tune with this stark performance.
Music With a Purpose: A Tribute to Springsteen’s Nebraska
Musicians have a long tradition of giving. Sure, they give to all of us with the music that they share. Yet they also have a penchant for supporting meaningful causes. Over the next few weeks we will highlight several releases that demonstrate this giving spirit. Bruce Springsteen has long supported food banks and hunger charities […]