This is the second of three playlists featuring some of my favorite songs of the year. I’m calling this one Shaken. It features songs that have an Alt-Country or Americana orientation or otherwise twanged up. They are ordered to flow (not by rank) and limited to 19 in order to fit on a single CD. […]
Best of ’06: Chilled, a Playlist
This is the first of three playlists featuring some of my favorite songs of the year. I’m calling this one Chilled. It features songs that have a Folk orientation or are otherwise mellow. They are ordered to flow (not by rank) and limited to 20 in order to fit on a single CD. For song […]
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 […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2006, part 1
Although I’ve been rather quiet on the posting front, I haven’t stopped listening to music. Here are some selections from the Fall for your consideration. Stuck Between Stations, The Hold Steady (from the album Boys and Girls in America this song combines all that is great about the Hold Steady: Tad Kubler’s in-your-face guitar, Franz […]
Tom Waits & More, Album Previews
THIS WEEK’S ELITE: Tom Waits, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards (Disc 1) (Anti) If the name of the album alone doesn’t sell you, how about 3 discs, 54 songs including 30 new songs and 24 “lost” tracks. Personally, I find it difficult to digest Waits’ songs in large quantities but isolated they expose their brillance. […]
Neil Young & More, Album Previews
THIS WEEK’S ELITE: Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Live at the Fillmore East 1970 (Reprise) How great to hear this concert footage come back to life after 36 years. I wasn’t even an embryo yet. You gotta love the marquis Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Miles Davis, John Mayall, Moody Blues, Joe Cocker and Brian […]
Josh Ritter – In The Dark, Live At Vicar Street
I’ve learned all too well that the Holiday Shopping season has commenced. Borders has been packed with people buying gifts left and right, and in that spirit, I wanted to make sure you all got the heads up on Josh Ritter’s new live CD/DVD combo, “In The Dark”. It won’t be released until November 24th […]
J.J. Cale with Eric Clapton & More, Album Previews
THIS WEEK’S ELITE: J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton, The Road to Escondido (Reprise) J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton offer a nice surprise to an otherwise ho hum week for releases. roots WORTH MENTION: Foo Fighters, Skin and Bones (RCA) Dave Matthews Band, The Best of What’s Around (Disc 1) (RCA) Dave Matthews Band, The Best […]
Best of Summer 2006, a Playlist
Here are some of my favorites songs from Summer ’06 releases (playlist also available on iTunes). “No Backbone”, The Lemonheads “Maybe I’m Right”, Pete Yorn “Unhinged”, The Drams “Love You In the Fall”, Paul Westerberg “You Don’t Have to Like Me to Love Me (Tonight)”, The Damnwells “Penny On the Train Track”, Ben Kweller “Sister”, […]
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 […]