Strings make pretty much any song better. Here’s proof to the point: Justin Currie of Del Amitri performing his classic “Be My Downfall” with the Royal Conservatoire Scotland Symphony Orchestra as part of the 2024 Celtic Connections Festival.
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2021
Foregone Conclusion, Zach Schmidt (from the Boss Dawg Records release Raise a Banner) Zach Schmidt has been waiting awhile for the release of his sophomore full length album. Not Chinese Democracy long, but long enough. Schmidt recorded the album, backed by producer Sadler Vadan and the 400 Unit (yes, that one), then saw the album […]
Justin Currie of Del Amitri on the Difference Between the Possible and the Probable
Justin Currie of Del Amitri talks about train ticket vouchers, working as a poisoner, and buffing guitar strings.
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2017
Here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2017. New MistakesTerra Lightfoot Letters Never ReadDori Freeman Other Love SongsFront Country Boy Crazy and Single(s)Lydia Loveless Transient LullabyThe Mastersons The World We BuiltThe Wild Reeds Youth DetentionLee Bains III and the Glory Fires Tomorrow ForeverMatthew Sweet Life Is FinePaul Kelly This Is My […]
Monday Morning Video – Justin Currie
Justin Currie continues to quietly — really too quietly — put out exceptional albums. He could teach a masterclass in how to write a song with blunt honesty and emotional punch. Here is a favorite from This Is My Kingdom Now, released earlier this year.
Monday Morning Video: Justin Currie
Glasgow artist Justin Currie has long been one of my favorite songwriters. It’s a crime that he’s not more widely known. His songs bristle with intelligence, whether he’s crooning a moving love song or spitting out a scathing tale of love gone wrong. Hopefully there’s some new music on the horizon, but in the meantime […]
Monday Morning Video: Justin Currie
In at least one way, the United States is finally catching up with Europe. Singer-songwriter released the brilliant Lower Reaches in Europe last year. Now music fans in the US are getting their chance. Currie has long excelled at writing alluring pop songs. His sense of melody will suck you in while the intelligence and […]
Mayer’s Picks: More Favorites from 2013
I had a tough time narrowing down my list of favorite albums to just ten. So here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2013. Blunderstone RookeryStephen Kellogg Close to the FloorPatrick Sweany Stay RecklessAustin Lucas StudebakerMando Saenz The MooringsAndrew Duhon Truth Be SoldLeeroy Stagger ElectricRichard Thompson American RideWillie Nile Small Town […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2013, Part 3
ALBUMS OF THE SEASON Stay Reckless, by Austin Lucas Some may disagree with my classification, but this is my kind of country. It starts with Lucas’s voice, which has just the right amount of relaxed drawl. When he sings, “I don’t want to be alone in Memphis, I don’t want to be alone in New […]
Kiss Off: A Special Twangville Playlist, Part 5
A few years back I put together a series of special playlists featuring my favorite kiss off songs. Despite what my family may think, I’m really not that cynical. Rather, I just appreciate how some songwriters can tackle the topic with humor and bite. Over the past year I’ve come across a few more to […]