Rich KassirerJun 1, 20152 minIssue 39: The bus came by...First, let me just say that I have never had so much fun putting together an issue of Modern Acoustic! I want to offer a huge thanks to...
Rich KassirerDec 10, 20144 minFavorites of 2014FAVORITE ALBUMS “Numbered Doors,” by Lori McKenna and “Milltowns,” by Mark Erelli These two locally produced albums are as authentic and...
Rich KassirerDec 10, 20148 minLook out Nashville, Lori McKenna has arrived… (But she still belongs to Boston!)A recording session is stopped abruptly, and a new-to-town songwriter is introduced, brought in to “fix” the projected hit song for Miss...
Rich KassirerDec 9, 20143 minIssue 38: Boston's Queen of FolkI have a plot idea for the TV show “Nashville” to save it from cancellation. But before we go there, I have admit something that may make...
Rich KassirerJul 30, 20144 minGetting to Know… Brendan Hogan, WUMB-FM DJIf you live in the Boston area and like folk, blues and singer-songwriters – both current and classic – there’s a good chance you already...
Rich KassirerJul 30, 20147 minAn ode to songs with dates in themA video was posted of Bobbie Gentry’s classic “Ode to Billie Joe” on June 3rd, the date prominently mentioned in the song. It got us...
Rich KassirerJul 30, 20145 minWhat happens when a band on the rise finds out its name is an obscure racial stereotype?Meet Parsonsfield (formerly Poor Old Shine) For Poor Old Shine, it started with a song… a traditional prison work song of the American...
Rich KassirerJul 29, 20143 minIssue 37: What's in a Name?When I started Modern Acoustic, way back in 2004, one of my main objectives was not to be like every other music magazine, which fills...
Rich KassirerDec 17, 20132 minThe Lone CureThe Lone Bellow made quite an impression in 2013 – even winning over the guy with a bad case of Americana Exhaustion I complained a lot...
Rich KassirerDec 17, 20133 minIssue 36: Dynamic TrioThis year, Hanukkah came early. My musical inspiration came very late, but I’m very excited about this gift. All year, I had been looking...
Rich KassirerDec 13, 20135 minFavorites of 2013Favorite Album: Patty Griffin, “American Kid’’ Anyone who follows Modern Acoustic knows just where I stand on Patty. Two words: voice...
Rich KassirerJan 5, 20134 minThe long and winding road: Albums that changed my lifeThe road to where I am now musically is one that took many twists and turns. I can pinpoint 1976, the bicentennial year, and all I can...
Rich KassirerDec 7, 20114 minFavorites of 2011FAVORITE ALBUMS / SURPRISE ALBUMS “The King Is Dead,” the Decemberists and “The Harrow & the Harvest,” Gillian Welch In a surprising...
Rich KassirerDec 7, 20113 minAn open letter to ‘fans’ who talk incessantly through concertsDear Biggest Fan Ever of the Band Onstage, SHUT UP! Why is it you who claims to be the biggest fan never stops talking while your band is...
Rich KassirerDec 6, 20112 minIssue 35: Breakouts of 2011It seems like ages ago, but it was actually only 11 or so months when the year began – with a bang. January and February exploded with...
Rich KassirerSep 9, 20114 min'Brunch by the River': A Feast for the EarsDJ LISA GARVEY’S ‘BRUNCH BY THE RIVER’ SERVES UP A MIX OF HAND-PICKED JAZZ, BLUES, ROCK AND, YES, SOUL MUSIC LIKE NO OTHER COMMERCIAL...
Rich KassirerSep 8, 20112 minIssue 34: Feeding the SoulIt’s easy to knock commercial radio stations. Most are owned by corporations out to keep profit margins high and risk-taking low. This...
Rich KassirerJul 2, 20115 minBest Seat in My House: Q&A with Concert Window co-founderCan’t make it to Bonnaroo or Coachella? Live streaming technology finally makes it worthwhile to bring the festivals – and even local...
Rich KassirerJul 2, 20114 minCD Reviews: Gillian Welch, ‘The Harrow & the Harvest’; Eilen Jewell, ‘Queen of the Minor Key’Gillian Welch, “The Harrow & the Harvest” (out now) As soon as the first few notes of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings’ guitars ring out...
Rich KassirerJul 2, 20112 minIssue 33: Back in TimeIt’s been a crazy roller-coaster ride this year at the home offices of Modern Acoustic. The early months of the year were all about music...