Blog

4-6-06
What's news: I've launched a new-look photos page that allows for a lot more images of each show. So if you liked pics from shows I've posted in the past, you should check it out again because I uploaded many more from shows by Josh Ritter, Erin McKeown and the Boston Folk Festival.
What's new on my Ipod: Rosanne Cash's "Black Cadillac." Great stuff.

3-23-06
What's news: Wow. It's been a long time since I last posted here. A lot has happened, including another new issue, No. 9, which is up on the home page now, a wicked trip to Ireland, and a bunch of new albums that are worth a listen. No. 9 reviews four that I really like: Jenny Lewis' "Rabbit Fur Coat," Neko Case's "Fox Confessor," Hem's album of reissues and rarities, and Sarah Harmer's "I'm a Mountain."
What's new on my Ipod: Peter Mulvey's "Knuckleball Suite," which comes out soon. If you liked Redbird, you'll like this album too. Peter's got a great voice.

1-27-06
What's news: Issue No. 8 is up and ready for download. It features a trip back through '05 at the great moments and some not so great ones too. Also, a review of Josh Ritter's upcoming CD, "The Animal Years," which is great. To download the new issue go to Home page and click on pdf. Hope you enjoy it.
What's new on my Ipod: Jenny Lewis' new CD, "Rabbit Fur Coat," which will be out real soon. Many people know her as the voice of Rilo Kiley. Here, she teams with the country music's Watson Twins for a nice country-folk album.

1-10-06
What's news: Saw Erin McKeown for the second time just over a month at Passim. This time she was testing out '40s jazz and Tin Pan Alley standards for an upcoming album. It was a terrifically loose show with the audience treating her performance more like a jazz show than her standard rock shows, clapping for individual solos, etc. This style fits her so well. Pics are up on My Photos page.
What's new on my Ipod: Winterpills. My brother turned me on to this group. It's very nice "winter" music.

12-2-05
What's news: It's been a while since I've written and for that I'm sorry. But there has been a ton going on and it's all been pretty exciting. First, Issue No. 7 is now up for viewing and Modern Acoustic has just been named December Site of the Month by Americana-Uk.com (www.americana-uk.com)! Check it out by going to their Links page. We've also seen some great shows recently. Josh Ritter and the Frames at Somerville Theatre and Sarah Borges and Erin McKeown, both at Club Passim. Just fabulous music from some of our favorite artists. Check out the pics on My Photos page.
What's new on my Ipod: Townes Van Zandt's "Rear View Mirror, Vol. 2." I fell in love with the song "Loretta" that was covered by Gillian Welch and Norah Jones on the latter's DVD. Townes was a pretty cool dude. Worth a listen.

10-6-05
What's news: The September issue is finally out, and I'm already to work on November's. Looking forward to Josh Ritter at the Somerville Theatre on Oct. 17. Got a sneak listen to Josh's new album, which looks like it won't hit US stores till April '06. It is great. Fans are gonna love it. You can get a one-song preview on Josh's website, www.joshritter.com. The song "Thin Blue Flame" is posted for download.
What's new on my Ipod: Have heard one song from the Calexico-Iron & Wine collaboration, "In the Reigns." It sounds real good. Waiting to receive the album. More to come on this.

9-26-05
What's news: Just got back from the Boston Folk Festival. Wow! What fun. We caught the second day: Redbird, Ollabelle, Lori McKenna and Patty Griffin. Spectacular women's voices (and a few men too!). The skies were a little dark but no rain. I'll post pics shortly.
What's new on my Ipod: "Howl" from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The band name suggests screamin' rock, but on this album they rock on acoustic guitars. Cool.

9-4-05
What's news: Please give generously to help relief efforts of Hurricane Katrina victims.

8-7-05
What's news: Newport was a blast. Lots of sun and great music. Patty Griffin was amazing, even though her set was too short. Richard Thompson and Bela Fleck were very cool. The Pixies were, well, loud and tad out of place. But if it brings in people and keeps the folk festival alive... Check out my fest photos on My Photos page.
What's new on my Ipod: The only bummer of the day is that we arrived too late to hear Ray Lamontagne. Just too much traffic. Anyway, I've been spending some time with his CD, "Trouble."

7-26-05
What's news: Heading to Newport Folk Festival in a couple weeks. Can't wait to see Patty Griffin and get my first listen to Ray Lamontague, who is getting a lot of attention of late.
What's new on my Ipod: B.B. King's "Live at the Cook County Jail." I wrote about this album in my latest issue. If you like classic B.B., you should check this one out.

7-18-05
What's news: Shelby Lynne rocked last night! Great show at the Paradise. Her songs sounded great and she did covers of Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line'' and the Stones' "Dead Flowers." Pictures are now up at My Photos page.
What's new on my Ipod: Grey Delisle's "Iron Flowers." She's got an interesting voice. I definitely need a few more listens. Her cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" (on autoharp!) is getting a lot of attention.

6-30-05
What's news: Vacation plans have caused me to miss Erin McKeown and work will make it a problem to see the upcoming Waifs show. I will be checking out Shelby Lynne in mid July. A new issue of Modern Acoustic should be available in early July. Stay tuned.
What's new on my Ipod: Shelby Lynne's "Suit Yourself." Lynne's reputation is to make a straightforward country album followed by a more commercially slick album and then back to her more country stuff again. Well, "Suit Yourself" is that countryish album and it's quite good.

6-07-05
What's news: Word out of the Josh Ritter camp is that the band is totally psyched about their upcoming album and they believe it will blow away fans. They also say the album is finished, but the release date has been pushed back to early winter.
What's new on my Ipod: Mary Gauthier's "Mercy Now." I like her sound, very swampy New Orleans-esque.

5-29-05
What's news: Working on Issue No. 5. Got another photographer, Jordan Reed from Western Mass., who is willing to lend his work. Live pics, I love it.
What's new on my Ipod: Elliott Smith's "From A Basement on the Hill." I had always heard a lot about Elliott Smith but never got the opportunity to hear him until I found a copy of this album at the local library. It's more rock than I expected, and of course very dark. I like it.

5-17-05
What's news: Kris Delmhorst was everything I hoped. Absolutely beautiful voice, down-to-earth personality and wonderful songs. Passim is a great place to see a show; it's incredibly intimate.
What's new on my Ipod: Clem Snide's "End of Love." A friend recommended I check them out. They are sort of a cross of Elvis Costello-type songs and alt.country-type sound.

5-10-05
What's news: Getting psyched for Kris Delmhorst tomorrow night at Passim. Also, album covers for the three Michelle Shocked albums have finally surfaced.
What's new on my Ipod: Sarah Borges' debut "Silver City." The young woman from Taunton, Mass., is
getting some attention. A lot of people are comparing her to Neko Case and Lucinda Williams. Maybe. But
she's got a sound that definitely stands out and doesn't seem overly derivative to me. It rocks too.

4-13-05
What's news: Getting psyched for new albums from Michelle Shocked (June 14) and Erin McKeown (June 28). Erin's album is called "We Will Become Like Birds." Michelle will release 3 albums all at once: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a rock album; "Mexican Standoff," Latin and Texas-style tunes; and "Got No Strings," Disney songs with a Western Twist. Weird, huh? Can't wait to hear them all.
What's new on my Ipod: Andrew Bird's "The Mysterious Production of Eggs." I first saw this guy opening for Josh Ritter. I remember thinking "Who is this weird guy?" Well, this album is eclectic, but pretty darn interesting. Check it out.

3-28-05
What's news: It's a rare treat to get insight into a band's studio session
as they cut a new CD. But Doug Rice's Josh Ritter fansite offers
that opportunity. Check out http://www.dougrice.net/joshritter_studiojournal.html
for the band's diary as they record at Bear Creek Studios in Washington state.
What's new on my Ipod: Joseph Arthur's ''Our Shadows Will Remain.''
This guy is one heavy dude. The music is dark and dense. May be an
acquired taste, but worth hearing.

3-15-05:
What's news: Gillian Welch's site (www.gillianwelch.com) now offers
downloads of her albums and/or individual songs, plus some exclusive
tracks. Very cool way to buy her music.
What's new on my Ipod: Redbird – Kris Delmhorst, Jeffery Foucault
and Peter Mulvey. An album of folk covers from Dylan to REM to
Greg Brown, plus some originals from the trio. Check it out.

3-4-05:
What's news: Josh Ritter and the band are heading to Seattle to begin 6 weeks
of recording a new album. If anyone talks to the boys, tell them the Girl Scout
cookies are on the way!
What's new on my Ipod: Jazz and bluesman Olu Dara's album
"In the World From Natchez to New York." Olu Dara is the father of Naz,
the rapper, and an amazing musician. Check it out if you have a chance.