New from Bruce Cockburn: ‘O Sun O Moon’
In 53 years of writing and recording, there’s been an undercurrent of spirituality in the music of Canadian Bruce Cockburn. He’s always had a knack for painting a picture of his Christian faith in a way that doesn’t hit you…
Bruce Cockburn’s cover of Ribbon of Darkness
This song has been percolating happily in my headspace for a good month or two now. From a 2003 tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, here’s the great Bruce Cockburn with a sublime take on Gord’s “Ribbon of Darkness.”
Katie Queen of Tennessee
The song is sweet, catchy, and mesmerizing. It got me right from the moment I saw this video on Palladia. I’d never heard of the Apache Relay. They’re from Nashville, and they took their name from a scene in the…
Required Viewing: Fred Eaglesmith
I experienced my first Fred Eaglesmith show Wednesday night as Fred’s ‘Traveling Steam Show” rolled through Arizona. How to even begin? The great music, the between-song monologues that are a show unto itself, the kickass backing band (including the talented…
Delta Spirit on Austin City Limits / “Vivian”
Austin City Limits is amazing week in and week out as it is, but when one of my favorites hits the stage for the 30 minute showcase, it always seems to capture something special that gives me a brand new…
Recap: Band of Horses at the Marquee Theater in Tempe
It was starting to feel like Band of Horses may never actually make it back to Phoenix. Last year, they were scheduled to open for Kings of Leon at Ashley Home Store Pavilion, but that got axed. Then this year,…
Fred Eaglesmith – “Shoulder to the Plow”
Fred Eaglesmith continues to wind his way into my musical psyche. His 2008 album, Tinderbox, is getting repeated spins in my corner of the world. Here’s a standout track, “Shoulder to the Plow.”
Recap: Los Lobos at Ovations LIVE! Showroom, June 15th
Have I ever mentioned that I love Los Lobos? I have? Well, I’ll say it again: I love Los Lobos. Last night, they stopped into town at the Wild Horse Pass Casino outside Phoenix, playing the relatively new and impressive Ovations…
Recap: Deer Tick at the Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix
The great thing about Deer Tick live is the no frills, no bullshit, “it’s only rock n’ roll” attitude. Lead singer/guitarist John McCauley is the embodiment of it all. He’s clearly in it for the music, and doesn’t much care…
Triple D Playlist (more Deer Tick, Dawes and Delta Spirit)
To make sure I leave no stone unturned in my music geekitude, I’m now a premium subscriber to both Spotify and Rdio. You’d think I’d have all the bases covered for any song or album I’d like to hear, and…