Rocky Votolato, The Brag & Cuss (Full CD) The fifth album from Seattle based Rocky Votolato. Many of the songs were conceived while on the road touring with Lucero and William Elliott Whitmore. This is a solid record though I’d love to see Votolato rock a little harder. I get the sense he’s got it […]
Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles + More, Album Previews
Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles, Diamonds in the Dark (Full CD) Now here’s a record to get excited about. I’ve had high anticipations for this record ever since catching Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles live last summer at the Old Dominion Beer Festival. Since then they’ve signed with Sugar Hill Records which can […]
Adam Hood, a Twangville Favorite
With 60% of the votes, Twangville readers chose Alabama native Adam Hood‘s Different Groove as the favorite new album in last week’s poll. Here’s a playlist of videos both old and new to commemorate the honor.
Grace Potter, David Serby & The Wells, via Tom’s Mailbox
One of the perks of being involved with Twangville is that some really great artists send me music to sample. The unfortunate thing is that more often than not, much of what is sent to me never sees the light of day. I’ve been burdening myself with the idea that I have to do an […]
Mike’s Best Albums of 2006
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 […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2006, part 2
What Else Would You Have Me Be, Lucero (from the album Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers The opening track of the band’s great new Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers, shows a band reaching new creative heights. The addition of piano to this track gives the song a new-found grandeur while singer Ben Nichols’ whiskey-soaked voice […]
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 […]
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 […]
Me First and The Gimme Gimmes & More, Album Previews
THIS WEEK’S ELITE: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Love Their Country (Fat Wreck Chords) country, pop These guys could be the best cover band around. This time around the album theme is classic country hits played as always with the bands signature punk-pop delivery. K.T. Tunstall, K.T. Tunstall’s Acoustic Extravaganza (EMI) acoustic, folk Tunstall […]