Steve Earle is back. He may have never really left, but “So You Wannabe An Outlaw” stands beside his best albums (and there are many). It sounds like his classic period from the 80s up through his classic Transcendental Blues in 2000 (without the early 90s records during his descent into drug addiction). Earle has […]
Newport Folk Festival – Friday
Ryan Adams really summed up the 2014 Newport Folk Fest experience well when he said, “”Like ten years ago I was depressed and now I’m playing music with *&$%ing sailboats in the background.” The setting at the legendary festival is literally one of the most beautiful spots as it juts far out into Narragansett Bay. […]
Carolina Chocolate Drops – Leaving Eden
The Carolina Chocolate Drops, whose informal folksy jug band approach belies a talent pool that is seemingly bottomless, have added another gem to their already stellar catalogue with Leaving Eden.  The Drops, who in their live shows recreate the look and feel of a turn-of-the 20th century string band but with the anachronistic addition of human “beatbox” vocal percussionist […]
Mason Jennings – Minnesota
Mason Jennings’ latest effort, Minnesota, is a lyrical romp with Jennings’ characteristic musical hooks that teeter on the edge of sappy but that work for him. Every song on Minnesota is worth the listen. The multi-instrumental Jennings opens with the subdued piano-based ballad “Bitter Heart” followed immediately with “Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor,” a retro […]
Anthony DaCosta-Abbie Gardner “Better Nights-Better Days”
Ryan Adams. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Conor Oberst. Cory Branan. These are names that are thrown around a lot when you are talking about modern day singer-songwriters. What if I told you there may be someone not just like them, but better? Anthony DaCosta might just be. About 3 hours ago, my brother handed […]
Mayer’s Playlist for October 2007
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: What Is Love For, by Justin Currie Justin Currie sets the tone for his long-awaited solo debut with his opening line, “What is love for?” Over twelve intense tracks, Currie explores broken relationships with a studied but captivating eye. Lyrics filled with tinges of regret and resignation abound, often with an […]
Win Mindy Smith’s “My Holiday”, CD Giveaway
**NOTE: Contest is now closed. You can still participate but will no longer be eligible for the giveaway.** You could say that Mindy Smith was born to sing Christmas songs. The adopted daughter of a pastor and his wife who raised her in Long Island, NY. No doubt her Christian upbringing played into her interest […]
Beth Whitney + More, Album Previews
Beth Whitney, Leave Your Shoes (Partial CD) [MySpace] At this point in the year there’s less new music to talk about. Its that time for the record companies to start releasing the records that they know we’ll buy for the holiday season like our beloved Christmas albums and “best of” records for our friends and […]
Last Train Home Live at IOTA DVD release
Its been 10 years since Last Train Home first started playing at IOTA in Arlington, Virginia. They’ve since moved on to good ole East Nashville but they still haven’t forgotten the little club that gave them their start. Available now is their DVD release from a show they did back in April of this year […]
Reader’s Pick: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, “Raising Sand”
With 33% of the votes, you chose the Robert Plant & Alison Krauss‘s The Raising Sand as your favorite new album in a recent Twangville poll. Help us celebrate by enjoying these Robert Plant and Alison Krauss videos. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll!