Archive for May, 2010
Miranda Lambert: Old-Fashioned Evolution
Just before noon on the opening day of her “Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour,” Miranda Lambert takes a few minutes to talk about albums, why they matter and whether they’ll still be around. “I’m interested in these things,” she says, as her dogs, Delilah and Delta, yip. She doesn’t have the answer as to [...]
“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”
It’s getting to the point Where I’m no fun anymore I am sorry Sometimes it hurts so badly I must cry out loud I am lonely I am yours, you are mine You are what you are And you make it hard. Remember what we’ve said and done and felt About each other Oh babe, [...]
The Rolling Stones: Exile On Main Street (Deluxe Edition)
The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street (Deluxe Edition) Universal Rating: What’s the best track on Exile On Main Street? Is it a raucous rocker, a la “Tumbling Dice” or “Soul Survivor?” Or do you prefer the tender country honk of “Sweet Virginia” and “Sweet Black Angel?” Whatever your pleasure, Exile has long been considered [...]
CSI’s Robert David Hall Readies Debut Album
After a successful run as “Dr. Al Robbins” on the CBS crime drama, CSI, actor Robert David Hall is ready to show the world he can do more than act. Although best known for his acting, Hall is also a gifted songwriter, singer and guitarist. Things They Don’t Teach You in School, Hall’s debut album, [...]
News Roundup: Bob Dylan’s Birthday, R.E.M.’s Reconstruction, Austin City Limits
Bob Dylan turns 69 this year. To celebrate his birthday, the popular and offbeat online radio show Atomic Cocktail will present It Ain’t Him, Babe, “an hour’s worth of the best tracks from four decades of Dylan clones and sound-alikes. Alongside cuts by artists you know like Simon & Garfunkel, Sonny Bono, Michael Nesmith, Barry McGuire and [...]
Jamie Lidell Finds New Direction With Compass
“If you’re feeling something, go with it.” Jamie Lidell, a soft-spoken, bespectacled British singer-songwriter paving the way for modern blue-eyed soul, is talking about the idea behind his latest record, Warp’s Compass. The title comes from a phrase– “trust your compass”– he wrote on his portable hard drive, which served as a small bit of [...]
The Jayhawks: The Bunkhouse Album
The Jayhawks The Jayhawks (aka The Bunkhouse Album) Lost Highway Rating: Any band worth its salt that stays together for at least six months will evolve into a different, and perhaps even better, band than it was to start with. The Jayhawks surely did. And few but the 2000 fortunate individuals who snagged a copy [...]
“Sweet Thing”
And I will stroll the merry way, and jump the hedges first And I will drink the clear clean water for to quench my thirst And I shall watch the ferry-boats and they’ll get high On a bluer ocean against tomorrow’s sky And I will never grow so old again And I will walk and [...]
Reminder: Our Amateur Lyric Contest Closes Tonight
Hey, you! Just a friendly reminder that American Songwriter’s Amateur Lyric Contest for the upcoming July/August issue closes tonight, May 18, at 11:59 pm. That means you’ll need to submit your song before then. First prize winners recieve aMartin DCX1E acoustic-electric cutaway guitar, a Shure SM58 Microphone, four sets of Elixir® strings, and one Elixir® [...]
Berkleemusic’s Pat Pattison Takes Songwriters To School
When Pat Pattison, author of “Writing Better Lyrics” and founder of Berkleemusic’s songwriting program gives a talk about songwriting, we listen. In this engaging series of videos, Pattison drops some wisdom on the finer aspects of the craft, suggesting ideas that writers of any skill level could appreciate. “You have to throw away your fear,” [...]
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