Archive: 2015

There is a moment in the recently released DVD, Jeff Beck: Live In Tokyo, when it really hits home that Beck is indeed a genius. It’s not when he’s driving through a rocker like “Big Block” or rockabilly jazzing in “Rollin’ & Tumblin’” or even when he’s giving homage to John Lennon on “A Day […]

The fourth episode of ‘Better Call Saul’ ruins some classic Saul-as-master-manipulator moments with awkward side characters and a particularly weird bit involving the Space Blanket.

Following a whirlwind weekend including a surprise intimate Valentine’s Day gig at New York’s Irving Plaza and a performance on Saturday Night Live’s 40th Anniversary prime time special (not to mention a massive all-star jam at the SNL40 after party), Paul McCartney now lays the rumors to rest and has announced his first U.S. date […]

Wilco, Band of Horses, Ryan Adams, Hozier, Flaming Lips, Paramore, Lenny Kravitz, Ed Sheeran, Pixies, John Fogerty, Wale are among the acts that will appear at the 2015 Beale Street Music Festival. The 38th edition of fest runs from May 1-3 at Tom Lee Park in Memphis. Others who were also confirmed include singer-songwriters St. […]

Last month, Ryley Walker announced his Dead Oceans’ debut, Primrose Green (out March 31st), and shared the excellent title track, “Primrose Green,” Today, he’s back with another of the many Primrose Green standouts, “Sweet Satisfaction,” which presents some of his most intricate and ecstatic fingerpicking. It’s hard not to recall John Martyn’s early 1970s work, […]

The lineup for the 2015 Gathering of the Vibes has been revealed and its one of the most diverse lineups in its history, with the addition of Wilco, Gaslight Anthem and Weezer to its Dead influenced past. This years festival takes place July 30th through August 2nd in Bridgeport, CT. Grammy-winner Ben Harper & The […]

Malcolm “Papa Mali” Welbourne has long been a musician’s musician. Having grown up in Louisiana where he soaked up the music being made around him like the rich soil of the state, Welbourne caught the bug at a young age. Before long he became entrenched in playing guitar, developing a special talent for blues, funk, […]

[rating=9.00] Ol’ Glory provides vigorous affirmation—as if any was needed—of the level  of sophistication to which JJ Grey and Mofro have progressed from their days as an earthy little swamp blues band. Collaboration with long-time producer Dan Prothero, a road-honed band with real muscle and some contributions from kindred spirits in the form of Luther […]

[rating=8.00] There’s timelessness in the music of Appalachia: the haunting sonnets of lost love, the revenge-fueled murder ballads that resonate across the ages. From the English maritime shanties that birthed them, through the 20st century collections of Harry Smith and Alan Lomax and into the present day, these songs have remained relevant. On Seasonal Hire, […]

Ben Folds has announced details of a landmark new album slated for digital release in the spring with a vinyl release to follow in the late summer. The upcoming album will showcase new pop songs by the multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter/producer recorded and arranged in collaboration with yMusic – a critically-acclaimed NYC-based sextet, along with the debut […]

Built to Spill will release their eighth studio album, entitled Untethered Moon, on April 21st. Vinyl enthusiasts will be the first to hear the album, as it will be available exclusively on April 18th in honor of Record Store Day at all good Independent Records Stores. To make a bit more interesting, a very limited […]

[rating=9.00] The bombastic new record from The King Khan and BBQ Show is a thrilling blast, and will definitely make you realize how much you missed this whacky, dynamic duo. Canadian punk rockers with a deep appreciation for vintage soul, garage rock and doo-wop, King Khan and BBQ (Mark Sultan) have been making music together […]

Karl Denson is on a major roll. Having just returned from an epic Australian tour with the Rolling Stones, the saxophonist extraordinaire has rejoined his usual musical crew of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe to tour the country playing their unique style of boogaloo funk and soul, and taking a set to honor the self proclaimed kings […]

[rating=7.00] It has been seven years since Swedish songwriter Jose Gonzalez’s last solo album, though he has been far from idle in the meantime. Recording two albums with Junip – his duo with Tobias Winterkorn – and touring with both acts, Gonzalez has continued to hone his craft.  Vestiges & Claws, Gonzalez’s third solo album, […]

Yonder Mountain String Band nationally releases its sixth full-length studio album, Black Sheep, on its own Frog Pad Records at the 42nd Telluride Bluegrass Festival on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. On Black Sheep, Yonder Mountain continues to redefine bluegrass music, expanding the traditional acoustic genre beyond its previously established boundaries by pushing the envelope into […]

[rating=9.00] If you’re familiar with Water Liars, than you know the sheer power of their gorgeous vocal harmonies. And one of those voices is the supremely talented songwriter and musician Andrew Bryant. Bryant’s planted his roots in Mississippi, where the landscape and lifestyle clearly influence his sound. As the drummer for Water Liars, he is […]

Shane Tutmarc was born in Seattle, but as soon as he could get to Nashville he began crafting a sound entrenched in Americana and alt. country. What sets Tutmarc apart from the herd is his background fronting the indie pop band Dolour. With his solo work he applies pop and garage rock to a twangier […]

Tedeschi Trucks Band’s “Wheels of Soul” tour bring the 11-piece blues-rock dynamo together with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, and acclaimed guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, for 20 not-to-be-missed appearances.  Performing at some of the finest outdoor venues in the country, and incorporating family-friendly ticket pricing wherever possible, the first of the tour’s two legs kicks […]

Damien Rice has added further European and U.S. dates to his extensive worldwide tour. Kicking off March 31 at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Rice will make stops at the Beacon Theater in New York City, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, with summer stops at Primavera Festival in Barcelona, Celebrate […]