The Mavericks - Celebrating 20 Years - In Time

Raul Malo and The Mavericks will be celebrating the new year with a new album, In Time, scheduled for a January 29th release. This date also coincides with the band’s 20^th anniversary of their first major label album release. I'm getting old - but not these guys. Check out their performance at the 2012 Americana Music Festival:



The Mavericks "Come Unto Me" at the 2012 Americana Music Festival from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.

Garden & Gun Magazine's Back Porch Sessions

JJ Grey courtesy of
Garden & Gun Magazine

Today we received our weekly email from Garden & Gun Magazine and noticed a link to their Back Porch Sessions.  The current session is a solo acoustic set from JJ Grey sans Mofro, which includes Hide & Seek as well as some new tunes.Previous sessions include The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile and The Avett Brothers. Pretty cool.

Album Review: The Highballers - Soft Music and Hard Liquor

Do you like songs about drinkin' and then apologizing afterwards. Does that happen to you often? Well, our favorite local old school country band, The Highballers, are sitting on a brand spankin' new album of original songs that pretty much reflect that lifestyle. Soft Music and Hard Liquor is a collection of classic honky tonk, rippin' guitar, and subtle harmonies that work as much today as in the past. No need to go past the opening track, Juneen, to hear what I mean. Sean Lally (Lead Guitar), Drake Sorey (Drums), and Michael Barrientos (Bass) provide the framework to frontman Kendall Jackson and backing vocalist Victoria Patchen country vocals.  Lally takes charge in I Didn't Mean to Get Drunk Last Night, Doing Time in Pennsylvania, and I Take Pride in My Drinkin' - notice a trend? Live to Let You Down is a classic country duet - showcasing the chemistry between Jackson and Patchen. But my favorite tracks are those with the more laid back melodies: The Price You Pay, Virginia, and Better Man. These are songs where the band's cohesiveness really shines with no one member overshadowing the others. The album will be officially released January 12, 2013 at IOTA Club & Cafe in Arlington, so make sure you put that date on your calendar.

Decisions, Decisions for Saturday Night - November 10th

I wanted to get out this Saturday to see some live music and now I'm completely torn; there are so many good shows that evening. Closest to home, jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter is performing at Jammin' Java. But then Ani DiFranco and Stephanie Mills are playing at the area's two most popular larger venues, the Nightclub 9:30 and The Birchmere respectively.  But I love the blues and the The Smokin Polecats are set to play The Zoo Bar. Then again, some rock n' roll might be nice with Justin Jones at the Rock & Roll Hotel.  And finally, our friends, William Walter & Co. return to town for their monthly gig at Whitlow's On Wilson. Any suggestion?

Update: And how could I forget the fiery Tinsley Ellis at The State Theatre.

PodOmatic: The Ongoing History Of The Blues

Any blues lovers out there? Then check out The Ongoing History Of The Blues hosted by Dave Reynolds and available via PodOmatic. The series starts with the Roots, then moves on to Chicago, Memphis, Texas, and the latest episode, British Blues. Each episode is fairly long, at least an hour, so give yourself a large listening window. Here's the summary of what to expect:

Though the blues is an American music form, its origins are most assuredly African. Come with me as we journey through the music's roots in West Africa, where slaves were loaded onto ships bound for America through the cotton fields and the Mississippi delta to Chicago and Detroit and all stops in between.