Prolific Welles Delivers 63-Song Manifesto
He’s Dylan and Kurt, Tom T. Hall and Fogerty. He is John Prine and Mick. Check out his covers as he breathes new life for a new generation into many of these artists’ classics.
Isbell Begins Again on New Solo Album
The songs on ‘Foxes’ could be interpreted with different muses as the focus. But that’s the beauty of Isbell’s songwriting—like all great artists, he leaves space for listeners to find their own meaning and emotional responses in the gaps.
Patterson Hood is the Songwriter We Need
The rockness of “The Van Pelt Parties,” backed by Asheville’s own Wednesday (Hood’s current favorite band), is immediately evident. His history with DBT has caused fans to attempt a label. Not that easy, as they veer from rock, into country, folk, Americana, and more.
Drive-By Truckers and the Duality of the Southern Thing
Just four days on from the 2024 general election, Hood is holding up that mirror to our society again, as he did back in 2001. It stings even more today than it did then.
Pertinent Playlist #15: VOTE.
Two songs specifically included for each candidate are “KAMALA (it’s not a matter of if)” by Big Freedia and the Living Colour classic “Cult of Personality.” A couple of dead ringers.
X Push Conspiracy of Punk
X’s punk rockabilly (punkabilly?) identity was on full display, sounding as tight as ever. It’s hard to believe its been 44 years since their debut. Each musician better than you think on stage, it seems that they’ve improved with age.
Sting 3.0 Tour Echoes Early Days
I know what you’re thinking, “Hey, weren’t The Police a trio?” Why, yes, they were. And true fans picked up on several Andy Summersesque guitar licks by Miller and even more Stewart Copelandesque drum fills by Maas.
Isbell and His Mighty 400 Unit Worship at The Ryman
A crowd favorite was the Drive-By Truckers track “Danko/Manuel,” Isbell’s song when he was with that band. It’s a sad tale written about the end of The Band as depicted in ‘The Last Waltz.’
The Handcuffs Set Rock Ablaze
The sound of the ‘Cuffs has matured and evolved since the first release some 16 years ago. On Rails, their fourth studio album, the band visits a glam/indie 70s universe, creating a fresh edge on each track.
The Spirit Power of Johnny Marr
Marr kicked off the show with “Armatopia,” a climate change warning for the world, “So let’s dance to the sound of our time running out / And watch the smoke on the breeze of rising seas.”
NO EARPLUGS 