“Willin’,” by the late Lowell George, is one of those songs that many may not know by title but is immediately recognizable when it’s heard. It’s also a song to which many artists have gravitated over the years. Here is a video playlist of wonderful cover performances, starting with Uncle Tupelo and working through Tom […]
Monday Morning Video – Revisiting Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land”
Inspired, or more rather provoked, as a populist response to Irving Berlin’s “America the Beautiful,” Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” has become an American institution in its own right. In celebration of Independence Day, here is a video playlist that includes some engaging covers of the Guthrie classic from the likes of the […]
Readers’ Pick: Colvin & Earle by Shawn Colvin & Steve Earle
SHAWN COLVIN & STEVE EARLE, Colvin & Earle beats out ALLEN TOUSSAINT, American Tunes as your favorite for the week of June 10, 2016. Poll Results 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’ Top 25 Spring 2016 WILLIE […]
Monday Morning Video – Greg Trooper’s Ode to Muhammad Ali
Singer-songwriter Greg Trooper often introduces this song by saying, “This is my thank you note to Muhammad Ali for being the greatest.” The song originally appeared on Trooper’s 2003 release Floating. That album featured liner notes by Trooper fan Steve Earle, who wrote, “I taped a TV show with Troop and some other songwriters sitting […]
Bill’s Blues-Based Best – 2015
There’s no way we can claim to track all the new music that comes out in a year. But we’re wired to find what we like. While I certainly enjoy the alt. country artists so popular on Twangville (caught Jason Isbell’s show at the Electric Factory last summer – fantastic!) I tend to write more […]
Mayer’s Playlist for February 2015
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Complicated Game, by James McMurtry Six years. That’s how long it has been since we last heard new music from McMurtry. While he hasn’t been missing during this time – he could always be found on the touring circuit – many of us were anxiously awaiting some new music. Well, that […]
Readers’ Pick: Terraplane by Steve Earle & The Dukes
STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES, Terraplane beats out THE REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND, So Delicious as your favorite for the week of February 17, 2015. Poll Results Readers’ Top 25 – Winter 2015 STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES, Terraplane (18) JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE, Absent Fathers (17) THE DECEMBERISTS, What a Terrible World, What […]
The Twangville 2015 Release Preview
There is already an impressive collection of releases on the docket for 2015, with plenty more sure to follow. Here are a handful that the Twangville crew are eagerly anticipating. What albums, whether on this list or not, are you most excited to hear? ABSENT FATHERS by JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE(13 January on Vagrant Records) Earle […]
Monday Morning Video: Steve Earle and John Prine cover Townes Van Zandt
Plenty to love here. Steve Earle and John Prine teaming up to cover Townes Van Zandt’s “Loretta.” Recorded live at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Mayer’s Picks: Best Albums of 2013
This has been a great year in music, a feast for the ears but a challenge when it comes to picking my favorite albums for the year. A good problem to have, I suppose. Without further ado…. #1. JASON ISBELL, Southeastern The demons in these songs are no match for a songwriter of Isbell’s talent. […]