Reunions by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit The Twangville pick for Best New Album of 2020 is Reunions by Alabama rock outfit, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit. This list combines best of year picks from our Twangville critics plus the Readers’ Tops which you helped us create. Congrats to all the finalists. Bring […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2020, Part 2
I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2019 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. I Remember Everything, John Prine I Don’t Want This (Job Interview), Jackson Emmer (from […]
Monday Morning Video – John Prine and Marty Stuart
A little John Prine makes any week better. Here’s Prine, accompanied by Marty Stuart, singing and sharing a story about “Souvenirs” at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2020, Part 1
Remember It, The Northern Belle (from the Die With Your Boots On Records release We Wither, We Bloom) You’d never know from their music that The Northern Belle hails from Norway. Their brand of Americana is bathed in Southern California sunshine in more ways than one. This is music warm and lavish, not to mention […]
Monday Morning Video – A John Prine and Steve Goodman Classic
Let’s kick off the week with another John Prine classic. “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” was written by Prine and his good friend Steve Goodman. It later became a hit single for David Allan Coe, no doubt earning Prine and Goodman some fine mailbox money. It is humorously referred to as the […]
Monday Morning Video – A Long Monday Without John Prine
Gonna be a long MondaySittin’ all alone on a mountain by a river that has no endIt’s gonna be a long MondayStuck like the tick of a clock that’s come unwound again and again As we mourn the loss of the wit, wisdom, and humanity of John Prine, here’s a collection of artists paying tribute […]
In Memoriam – John Prine
For me, it was Bruised Orange. The album had come out about the time I’d started a stint as a radio DJ, and everyone at the station had their favorite cut (mine was Fish And Whistle). As music fans did back then, we dug into the liner notes, and soon discovered an entire new world […]
Monday Morning Video – John Prine Duets
John Prine’s family shared the news yesterday that John is in critical condition battling the Covid-19. I’m certain that all here join Twangville in sending him best wishes for a speedy recovery. Here’s Prine singing with some friends, including “Angel From Montgomery” with Bonnie Raitt, “In Spite of Ourselves” with Iris DeMent, and “The Speed […]
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2018
Here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2018. Tenkiller Marie/Lepanto Out From Under
Americana 2018: Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through several days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. Here are but a few of my favorite performers and performances […]