Matthew Sweet emerged in the era of grunge and broke through by combining the intensity of that genre with the melodic grandeur of power pop. The results were potent. Sweet recently suffered a massive stroke while on tour in Canada. Like many independent musicians, Sweet doesn’t have adequate insurance coverage. He now faces a long […]
Monday Morning Video – John Hiatt “Slow Turning”
Sharing this performance not because John Hiatt is a masterful songwriter (although he is) but rather for a particular lyrical reference. Now I’m in my carI got the radio downAn’ I’m a’yellin’ at the kids in the back‘Cause they’re bangin’ like’a Charlie Watts This performance, featuring Sonny Landreth (tucked away in the back on slide […]
Readers’ Pick: John Hiatt with The Jerry Douglas Band – Leftover Feelings
You picked John Hiatt with The Jerry Douglas Band – Leftover Feelings as your favorite new release for the week of May 21, 2020. New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Winter & Spring 2021 […]
Monday Morning Video – Celebrating Levon Helm at the Ryman
Levon Helm is an Americana, hell, an all-around music legend who we lost nine years ago today. Here are two celebrations of the man at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The first is a Levon Helm’s Ramble show from 2009 and features the man himself, as well as John Hiatt, Sheryl Crow, Buddy Miller, Sam […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2018, Part 2
I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2018 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this a continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. Right On Time, Kevin Gordon (from the Crowville Media release Tilt and Shine) A […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2018, Part 2
Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues, Larkin Poe (from the Tricki-Woo Records release Venom & Faith) Although The Lovell Sisters hail from Georgia and now live in Nashville, their latest album is mostly steeped in Mississippi blues. And by that I mean some down-home, dirty blues. They make an immediate – and powerful – musical statement with […]
Monday Morning Video – John Hiatt and the Goners
With one notable exception, my live concert year is off to a phenomenal start. The most recent addition to the list was John Hiatt, joined by Sonny Landreth and the Goners. The foursome revisited Hiatt’s seminal album Slow Turning in its entirety, every musical nook and cranny resounding with an infectious energy. Landreth, in particular, […]
Lilly Hiatt – Royal Blue
The skeptics tend to come out of the woodwork when the progeny of a well-known musician launches a career. To be true, their caution is often warranted. One listen to Lilly Hiatt’s new release “Royal Blue†silences all doubt. This is her second album; and it firmly establishes Hiatt as a gifted artist who is […]
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 Picks – More Favorites from 2014
Here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2014. And the War CameShakey Graves The Shipwreck From the ShoreAnthony D’Amato HealStrand of Oaks Parker MillsapParker Millsap All or Nothin’Nikki Lane Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill BroonzyDave Alvin and Phil Alvin Eli Paperboy […]