THIS WEEK’S ELITE: Ray Charles & Count Basie Orchestra, Ray Sings, Basie Swings, (Concord) soul I can’t believe Ray Charles is still making albums from the grave, how remarkable! To me, he’s up there with Elvis in terms of musical genious. Interesting album facts: This GROUND BREAKING CD marks the FIRST-TIME an entire album has […]
Pogues Reissues
Rhino does it again! Remastered, repackaged and revived editions of the first five Pogues albums were released in America last week (their entire catalog was reissued in the UK in 2005). Supervised by the band, the remastered sound is sterling, and the 29 bonus tracks should satisfy any completist — they include the entire Poguetry […]
The Interface With Britt Daniel, a Podcast
I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Austin-based Spoon open for Guided by Voices back in 2001 at the Paradise in Boston. This turned out to be one of the best small venue live shows I’ve ever seen and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. Here’s an interview with lead singer, Britt Daniel including […]
Lucero’s “She’s Just That Kind of Girl”, a Video
This video takes me back to when videos used to be simple, creative and good. From Lucero’s latest release Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers, check out: Lucero – She’s Just That Kind Of Girl Get this video and more at MySpace.com Video for our song She’s Just That Kind Of Girl. Directed by Matt Bradley. […]
The Lemonheads & More, Album Previews
THIS WEEK’S ELITE: The Lemonheads, The Lemonheads (Vagrant) alternative, rock Alt rock master Evan Dando and The Lemonheads are back after a 10-year hiatus this time with new members. Thankfully, they picked right back up where they left off. Just rockin’. Start with track #7, “No Backbone”. Here’s a download for you courtesy of the […]
Ben Kweller’s “One Minute Pop Song (Episode 9)”, a Video
This is the last of a series of video shorts leading up to the release of Ben Kweller’s new self-titled album. The song is called “Run” and the video is witness to the brilliance of young Kweller. Enjoy! One Minute Pop Song With Ben Kweller EPISODE 9 For a deeper dig, check out all of […]
Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Down Home Girl [EP]”, a Contest
We’re proud to bring you a Twangville first by offering 3 signed copies of Old Crow Medicine Show’s Down Home Girl EP through our friends at Nettwerk Records. Be the first of three to e-mail contest [at] twangville.com and name your favorite track off the new OCMS full-length album Big Iron World. We’ll contact you […]
Ben Kweller
I come bearing gifts! While, like Tom, I wasn’t able to track down a full-album stream of Ben Kweller’s new self-titled CD, I did manage to dig up a few tracks, and trust me when I say that they are outstanding. I’m not even going to try to tell you how enchanted I am, just […]
Jonny Lang & More, Album Previews
THIS WEEK’S ELITE: Jonny Lang, Turn Around (A&M) Blues-rocker, Lang, tears it up again. Chew on song “Anything’s Possible” for a taste. WORTH MENTION: Diana Krall, From This Moment On (Verve) Elton John, The Captain & The Kid (Interscope) MISSED OPPORTUNITIES (high anticipation, no apparent album stream): Here we go, another week with a ton […]
Twangville Recommends: Bob Walkenhorst
Bob Walkenhorst is among the most impressive songwriters that I’ve heard, a vibrant and literate lyricist who packs his songs with social commentary. As the lead singer and songwriter for Missouri’s Rainmakers in the late 1980’s, he matched intelligent lyrics with the force of classic rock and roll. Although I didn’t share his political views […]