I’m very sad by the passing of John Prine, a wordsmith who managed the hardest of all lyricist obligations: to be plain-spoken, colloquial, and unafraid. His best songs have an authentic, unaffected quality, that of someone talking about some odd thing that happened to them, recent or in the past, setting a scene, establishing an […]
First things first: if there were such a thing as “justice” in our current cultural clime, Robyn Hitchcock would be a household name to you. Of course, the main hurdle within that disparity is the idea that whoever is popular and/or infamous among our celebrity spawn is somehow synonymous with originality or excellence, however which […]
Whether you call it the “good” book, Torah, Five Books of Moses, or just the Old Testament, the text, poetry, and stories of the Bible have given comfort to millions of people for over two millennia. One group of people that found solace and strength from the Old Testament’s text were the African-American slaves. Slavery […]
Southern Pacific Sessions has announced upcoming concerts in early 2020 in North Park, including a unique opportunity in January for attendees to square dance with a veteran caller and live music—no experience required. In February, they will feature an appearance by the St Louis Steady Grinders, an old-style piano and vocal band specializing in barrelhouse […]
John Jorgenson belongs to that rare breed of artist whose musicality transcends genres. While primarily known as a guitarist, his mastery also extends to the piano, mandolin, mandocello, dobro, pedal steel, upright bass, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone. Given the many facets of his musical abilities, he is highly sought-after as a collaborator and accompanist for […]
Sitting in a Clairemont hotel’s outdoor patio, it’s quickly evident that there are few pleasures in the world as great as humor. In the company of musician, writer, actor and comedian Neil Innes and his tour manager Gus Douglas. The witty remarks, jokes, and drinks are flying, with two other friends also joining in the […]
Virtually everyone in San Diego had their Stephen Bishop story in the late 1970s. I had mine! At the time I was a self-styled rock musician at Grossmont High School. I played some guitar and sang a set of Dylanesque songs with the five flat notes I could hit. Yet, there were enough polite, fellow […]
Being raised in Great Forks, North Dakota was a challenge for young Tom Brosseau. Built at the forks of the Red River and the Red River Lake, the region is known for snow-bound winters, hot humid summers, and seasonal floods that have left the city devastated as recently as 1997. But, Brosseau’s roots run deep […]
Lou Curtiss interviews Merle Travis, Part 2 There was that fateful day at a certain Tex Ritter recording session when Merle Travis and Cliffie Stone (real name Clifford Snyder) met. Merle was waiting his probation time (three months) while he transferred his membership in the American Federation of Musicians from Local 1 in Cincinnati to […]
