Best of mvyradio's Uncharted Waters 2009

"Townes" is Steve Earle's tribute to the great and troubled songwriter Townes Van Zandt who Earle met in 1972 at The Old Quarter in Houston, TX. Van Zandt became Earle's friend and mentor, and even though Earle has recorded and performed Van Zandt songs throughout his career, with this album, Earle gives himself the opportunity to comprehensively demonstrate Van Zandt's skill and heart by applying his own. Earle's wife, singer Alison Moorer, and his son Justin Townes Earle (named after Van Zandt) contribute to the record, as does Darrell Scott and Tom Morello. The result is an intimate and deeply personal record, an insiders view on this great American songwriter.

Best of mvyradio's Uncharted Waters 2009

I featured Part 2 of mvyradio's Best of Uncharted Waters 2009 last Friday 12/18 (repeated on Sunday 12/20, and now streamed in our program Archves at www.mvyradio.com). What was going to be a 2-parter has become a 3-parter --too many great songs and albums to reprise.

Scroll down and read what I wrote about back in June about one 2009 UW Discovery, and listen to her music...

Listen for Part 3 on 1/1 (repeated on 1/3).

BTW, mvy would like to know YOUR favorites of 2009! Click here to vote.

Check out the Part 2 song list:

mvyradio's Uncharted Waters playlists

Friday/Sunday December 18/December 20 2009

"Fire Escape" Diane Birch Bible Belt S-Curve Records
"Move Along Train" Levon Helm Electric Dirt Dirt Farmer Music
"Sweet Rose" Eilen Jewel Sea Of Tears Signature Sounds
"California Zephyr"" Benjamin Gibbard/Jay Farrar One False Move And I'm Gone Music from Kerouac's Big Sur Atlantic Records
"Great Mistake" Brookville Broken Lights Unfiltered Records
"All The Pretty Girls" Fun Aim and Ignite Nettwerk Records
"It's Gonna Be" Norah Jones The Fall Blue Note Records
"Mrs. Cold" Kings Of Convenience Declaration Of Dependence Mawla Records
"Drops In The River" Fleet Foxes Sun Giant Sub Pop
"I Really Love You" Ruthie Foster The Truth According To Ruthie Foster Blue Corn Records
"Love That Conquers" The Swell Season Strict Joy Anti
"To Live Is To Fly" Steve Earle Townes New West
"Hiram Hubbard" Among The Oak And Ash Among The Oak and Ash Verve Forecast
"Your Gonna Miss Me" The Band Of Heathens One Foot In The Ether Band Of Heathens
"Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth" Neko Case Middle Cyclone Anti

Diane Birch's "Fire Escape" started the hour. I loved her from the start in June, recognizing her connection to the songwriting genius and performance of Laura Nyro and Carole King, and now that the year is almost done, I still feel excited when I listen to her music and stand by what I wrote here:

Famous Blue Blog post from June 29th

Diane Birch | "She's Got The Juice"

Soul and R&B legend Betty Wright, one of the producers of Diane Birch's debut album Bible Belt, is the one who's talking about "the juice" here as she describes the young singer from New York City. This is the best album to be released so far this year! And lot's of people are going to jump right on right on in because of Birch's superb songwriting and musical vision. Effortlessly drawing from doo-wop, singer-songwriter, blues, r&b and a life lived all over the world, Birch wants to connect and she does so, instantly, like an old friend.

Listen to Diane's music:

Best Of Uncharted Waters 2009

As I look back over the year in music at mvy, I'm thinking about all the years of album releases that have provided the radio station with it's currency and it's basic structure. There are songs and artists that come along that are a natural fit for mvy, some that are obvious from the start and some that are wonderful surprises. Actually, Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini's 2009 CD "Sunny Side Up" falls into both categories.

We got to know Paolo's music in with the release of his 2006 debut "These Streets". We couldn't get enough of the song "New Shoes", and when the new record arrived in May of this year, we couldn't wait to hear it. I kept returning to the CD and every time I did, I liked it more and more. There's a maturity to the songs and his delivery, and an old soul sweetness that is impossible to resist.

Listen to clips of the album here:

2009 Discoveries | Best Of mvyradio's Uncharted Waters

I started a two-part Uncharted Waters 2009 Retrospective last Friday 12/11, and will continue this coming Friday 12/18. I'm featuring songs from albums that stood out as I went through the music week after week over the course of this year. It has been a very interesting process, looking and listening back, a wonderful return to the initial feelings I had as I listened to these albums for the first time. I have a deeper recognition of the qualities that make these records so NOTE-worthy!! Scroll down and read what I wrote about back in August about one 2009 Discovery, and listen to his music...

BTW, mvy would like to know YOUR favorites of 2009! Click here to vote.

Here's the UW Best list from last week. If you haven't checked out these albums, consider giving them a listen!

mvyradio's Uncharted Waters playlists

Friday/Sunday December 11/December 13 2009

"Two Grains Of Sand" Piers Faccini Two Grains Of Sand Tot Ou Tard
"Wish You Well" Katie Herzig Apple Tree (05557)
"Sweet Inspiration" Derek Trucks Already Free Sony Music
"Fee Da Da Dee" Guggenheim Grotto Happy The Man United For Opportunity
"Baby I'm A Fool" Melody Gardot My One and Only Thrill Verve Records
"Letter From A Flying Machine" Peter Mulvey Letter From A Flying Machine Signature Sounds
"Windshield" Peter Mulvey Letter From A Flying Machine Signature Sounds
"Darkness" Robert Francis One False Move and I'm Gone Atlantic
"My Love" The Bird and the Bee Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future Blue Note
"Master Macqui" Rodrigo y Gabriela 11:11 ATO Records
"Cuckoo's Nest" Lee Harvey Osmond A Quiet Evil Latent Recordings
"The Killer In Me" Amy Speace The Killer In Me Wildflower Records
"High Hopes" Paolo Nutini Sunny Side Up Atlantic Records
"Dead End Driving" Ari Hest Twelve Mondays Project 4

Famous Blue Blog post August 13, 2009:

A New Friend-Peter Mulvey

I have a new friend and his name is Uncle Peter. I never expected to make such an acquaintance on a record but that's exactly what happened. I met Uncle Peter while listening to Peter Mulvey's most enjoyable and engaging new CD "Letters from A Flying Machine". Uncle Peter is Peter Mulvey himself, appearing on the record as a character, a narrator of sorts, offering his worldly wisdom and stories to his actual (I think) nieces and nephews. He does this from his seat on an airplane in the form of several spoken word pieces that serve as the connective tissue between songs on the album. Mulvey's done this in his performances for years, but it's the first time he has presented such pieces on record. The effect is progressive; step by step you are granted wider entrance into a very personal and rich world made all the more substantive and compelling by Mulvey's folksy delivery and language. The songs are fantastic, too, and you forget just how good they are because of the strength of the spoken segments.

A good friend is hard to find --thanks Peter.

Listen to clips of Peter Mulvey's Letter From A Flying Machine:

Daphne Willis | New Music on mvy

I just played "Bluff", a new song from Daphne Willis, on What's New For Lunch. The CD came in earlier this week, and I happily put it in the player to check it out. Things pretty much come to a grinding halt as far as new releases go at this time of year, so any action is welcome. I always thought it was a smart move to get a song to radio this week or next 'cause it's much easier to get our attention when things are so slow!

Daphne is a 21 year old singer-guitarist and songwriter from Chicago and Vanguard Records has signed her to a record deal for the album "What To Say". She and her band mates have been together for only two years, playing lots of gigs in the Midwest, and it was after one of these shows that Nashville based A&R rep Gary Paczosa, who has worked with Alison Krauss and others, lent his talents to recording an EP with Daphne.

Listen to "Bluff" and other tracks on Daphne's MySpace page.

Jay Farrar, Ben Gibbard and Jack Kerouac

It's when you can't tell the difference between art and life that you know you're in good shape, in good company. Jack Kerouac merged his life and art in ways far beyond most similar mergers, and the writing that came of it is uniquely musical and transcendent, and to this day absolutely resonant, touching and important.

Benjamin Gibbard and Jay Farrar are among the many that admire Kerouac and they seized the opportunity to apply their singular talents to providing music for Curt Worden's documentary "One False Move and I'm Gone: Kerouac's Bid Sur". Tom Waits, Patti Smith, Dar Williams and Sam Shepard are also fans and it's great to hear their take in the movie. Gibbard and Farrar stayed with it and went on to make an album of songs inspired by Kerouac's book. The insightful documentary and this wonderful musical by-product are proof of Kerouac's continued and brilliant relevance.

I feature tracks from the album on this week's Uncharted Waters (Fridays and Sundays at 9 ET, and next week in the Archives at www.mvyradio.com)

Listen to clips from the CD here:

New Marc Knopfler | Get Lucky

The years have been kind to Marc Knopfler. The title of his new CD "Get Lucky", his fifth solo album of this decade, is a reference to the good fortune he has had in his career as a musician . This set of eleven songs is full of observation, insight and heart. "Monteleone", a triumph of a song, inspired by New York guitar maker John Monteleone is a brilliant, romantic homage to art and artistry. No surprise here. The author of "Private Dancer" "Romeo and Juliet", "Sailing To Philadelphia" and so many other great songs that fill his albums knows how to get a story across. And he loves the work of making records, just wants to get to it. His good luck is ours.

Listen to some clips of "Get Lucky" here:

Chad Stokes visits mvyradio

A couple of months ago, Chad Stokes stopped by mvy to say hi and drop off a copy of the new cd by his band State Radio. It was one of those great small town radio moments when you feel the power of the personal connection that is still possible in this world. The friendly hello and sharing/presenting of music one on one. Chad and I made a plan that evening to get together around the mic in the studio and have him play some of the music from "Let It Go". That's what we did, with Sybil and Lefty hanging out (pictured here outside the station).

Go to http://www.stateradio.com/music to listen to and buy the new album.

Parkington Sisters

I'm on the air, playing Parkington Sisters on What's New For Lunch, and I have to write a few words about this amazing band RIGHT NOW. Man oh man, what a sound!!! So pure, so clear, so heartfelt. Sisters Lydia, Rose, Norah, Sarah and Ariel are from Wellfleet, MA and they have delicately mastered a unique sound influenced by musicians as diverse as Joni Mitchell, The Pixies and Stravinsky. Absolutely unforgettable! Their harmonies are so beautiful that I find it hard to keep my excitement contained!! No need to.

They are playing tonight at Narrows Center with King Wilkie. We'll stream the show live starting at 7:45 at www.mvyradio.com . They are also playing at The Jailhouse Tavern in Orleans on November 27th. Go see them!

Here's a link to their myspace page www.myspace.com/parkingtonsisters

King Wilkie | Sweet and Low

Great listening here! I'm in the sweet and low King Wilkie flow of newly fashioned, old-fashioned sounding songs of soaring lap steel guitar, reverb laden electric guitar, honky-tonk piano and rich vocals. "King Wilkie (Presents) The Wilkie Family Singers" is a conceptual album and finds founding member Reid Burgess leading the New York based band through songs about the fictional world of mostly adult musical siblings who live in house together. Unique concept!! Peter Rowan, David Bromberg, Robyn Hitchcock and Abagail Washburn make appearances. Old time jazz, doo-wop, bluegrass, folk influences combine for a softly compelling record.

We're going to stream (and record for the Archives) their performance at Narrows Center this Thursday November 12th. Welfleet's talented Parkington Sisters open the show. Listen in at 7:45 p.m. www.mvyradio.com.

Listen to samples of the new CD!

The Swell Season | Giving Thanks

I heard Marketa Irglova, an Irish lilt permeating her Czech accent, speaking in a radio interview, saying that she is as equally thankful to those who have caused her pain as to those who have given her joy. The songs by Irglova and her partner Glen Hansard on The Swell Season's new album "Strict Joy"are testament to this sentiment. There's a new kind of vulnerability on this, their second record together; it's muscular, strongly infused with the experience of loving and losing and carrying on. The James Stephens poem that gives the record it's title reveals a purpose,

For, as he mediated misery
And cared it into song - Strict Care, Strict Joy!
Caring for grief he cared his grief away:
And those sad songs, tho' woe be all the theme,
Don't make us grieve who read them now -
Because the poet makes grief beautiful

By becoming familiar with grief, one transforms it.

See the white space behind these words? For me, listening to this record is like being held in such a place, open yet defined, secured by Hansard and Irglova's absolute commitment to life and music. Some of Hansard's band mates from The Frames play on the CD, which was recorded in producer Peter Katis' home studio in Bridgeport, CT. Every song has a purpose, and like all great albums, the effect grows with each listen.

Robert Francis | Before The Nightfall

There's a black and white photograph of Robert Francis on the cover of his new record "Before The Nightfall", showing him sleeping in bed with his hands folded across his heart, as if in prayer, but it's probably just the way they ended up. It captures the innocence of a private moment and it seems completely natural to be privy to it. His songs are just the same, an open invitation into a well-lived and deeply considered life, laid bare and delivered in a sometimes quivering, sometimes booming baritone. Francis is 21 and has been playing in bands in his native Los Angeles since he was in third grade. He lost interest in guitar playing at one point, only to be coaxed back with some guitar lessons from Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante. I love this record, have listened once straight through, and I'm going to cue it up again.

Kristina Train | A New Voice from the American South

From the very first note on "Spilt Milk", Kristina Train's debut album on Blue Note Records, you know that you're in the presence of a strong and confident singer with a vulnerability that keeps the ears and heart open. The similarity in style and tone to Dusty Springfield, one of her idols, is uncanny. The old school arrangements with strings and well placed back up vocals recall a sound that few employ. Kristina is from Savannah, Georgia, and in a Dusty-story-in-reverse, she went to London to record with British producers/songwriters Jimmy Hogarth and Eg White who have worked with Adele, Duffy and Corinne Bailey Rae.

Uncharted Waters | New Music from Devandra Banhart

When Devandra Banhart started recording about a decade ago, the material was loose and the songs were half-finished. He worked on hand-me-down machines and never intended to do anything with the demos. He briefly attended the San Francisco Art Institute but left to wander and busk and traveled to Paris and eventually back to L.A. where he performed regularly. In 2002, his material was publicly released and was immediately critically recognized. Devandra was signed to Warner Brothers this year and the album What Will Be will be released October 27th. We got the song "Baby" in this week and it found it's way right into the cd player and onto the air on What's New For Lunch and Uncharted Waters.

Listen to Devandra's music here: http://www.myspace.com/devendrabanhart

Carol Brown Goldberg and Andy Chase | The Artistic Tradition

When I went to artist Carol Brown Goldberg's website and heard the music of her son Andy Chase's band Brookville play as the website loaded, I was struck by how sweet the gesture was AND how wonderfully the music complimented Carol's work. I knew that Carol painted to music, and mostly to Andy's various bands, Ivy, Paco, and Brookville, so it made sense that the music would be perfect. But hearing it in this way made me curious about Carol and Andy's relationtionship as mother and son, their individual and combined artistic processes, and how the artistic tradition is passed on in families. Both Andy and Carol spend considerable time on the Vineyard and I invited them to come in for a visit this past August. I wanted to share the conversation, which includes some of Andy's music, with you.

Listen to my interview with Carol and Andy

visit Carol's website www.carolbrowngoldberg.com
and Andy's www.andychase.com

Rodrigo y Gabriela | A Brilliant Journey

11:11 is the new album from this Mexican born guitar duo and there is not a false note to be found, only an absolutely brillant journey to be had in the listening of this record. The CD's eleven tracks are a tribute to musicians that they have either been inspired by or deeply respect. Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Michel Camilo, Paco de Lucia are among those chosen and Rodrigo and Gabriela not only express their gratitude and reverance by the composition and recording of these pieces, but also their desire that their fans be exposed to these legendary musicians.

They are very serious about their music making, with a big emphasis on technique, practice and creativity. They built a studio in Ixtapa, Mexico so they could record at home without the added stress of being on the road during the recording process. They will be out on tour supporting this new record and their live shows are quite stunning, with just the two of them on the stage with a screen behind them showing their intricate and exciting playing. The reason that they started doing this was so that their fans who play guitar could see what they were doing so they could try it themselves. Not so easy, but maybe with some practice...


Listen to "Hanuman" Rodrigo y Gabriela's tribute to Santana

Mary Steenburgen and Mike Benjamin| Just Say "Yes"

When Mike Benjamin told me a couple of years ago that he had been working with actress Mary Steenburgen on some songs that she had written, I was very curious to say the least, and couldn't wait to hear the music. Mike brought over a CD, and on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we played Mary's song "New Orleans, An Unbroken Heart" about post Katrina New Orleans. I hoped that one day Mike and Mary would come on the air to talk about their collaboration and that's exactly what happened a few weeks ago. It was the first time that Mary had publicly talked about her songwriting.

She started "hearing" music and said yes to a new phase, a new direction in her life and began writing lyrics and melodies. Mary was encouraged by her friends and family, and things accelerated when she met Mike at the party she hosted for President Bill Clinton's 60th birthday, and they started working together. The two are in the middle of pursuing this wonderful collaboration, both complimenting each others considerable talents.


Listen to the interview with Mary and Mike

The Band of Heathens | The Real Deal

The new album from this band from Austin, TX has found it's way onto the Uncharted Waters and What's New For Lunch playlist several times over the last month. "One Foot In The Ether" is a roots rock record with r&b, gospel, country, swamp influences mixing in, and the result is a very listenable CD that kept me interested all the way through. The band formed in the spring of 2006 after a long-time sharing of the Wednesday night bill at Austin's Momo's by the the three principle songwriters, Colin Brooks, Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist. They just started an extensive tour that takes them throughout the US and Europe. Maybe they'll come to your neighborhood!

Listen to "Shine a Light" by The Band Of Heathens

Rhythm & Roots | Music History in the Making

As one act followed the other at Rhythm & Roots '09, the talk in the trailer was about how completely unique this festival is. Chuck Wentworth, long-time Rhythm & Roots Chief, outdid himself again, booking artists and scheduling them in such a way that complimented each act, and each day became a journey through today's rich, vibrant and diverse roots music world. It felt like a music history lesson every time an artist took the stage; my mind started spinning like a dancer in the crowded dance tent and my heart filled with gratitude for the music. Check out all the performances, pictures and blog at www.mvyradio.com

Rhythm & Roots 2009 | mvyradio On The Road

We have traveled to Charlestown, RI for one of the best roots festivals in the country, and as Saturday morning turns into afternoon, we are enjoying the sunshine and a set from Southern Florida's Nouveaux Honkies. We have been on site recording and streaming performances for the last few years, and every year there are bands that we hear for the first time and many that we happily meet up with again. Rebecca Dawkins from Nouveaux Honkies and Tania Elizabeth from the Duhks, both great fiddle players in their respective bands, were chatting backstage and they gave us a smile.

There is a full slate of performances today and tomorrow and we are here to capture the music. Tonight (Saturday) we'll feature Asleep At The Wheel and Hot Tuna live! Listen at 7:30 for the live performances and all weekend long at www.mvyradio.com and 92.7 and 96.5 mvyradio.

It Might Get Loud | A New Power Trio

The Edge uttered the words that became the title of director Davis Guggenheim's new documentary "It Might Get Loud". U2's guitar player was about to demonstrate an element of his technique when he gave the warning, and this subsequent demonstration was just one of the many that revealed the unique artisty of three of rock's most legendary guitar players.

Guggenheim, the Oscar wining director of "An Inconvenient Truth" arranged a summit, where the guitarists would come together on a sound stage without ever meeting each other. When asked what he expected of the meeting, Jack White of The White Stripes and Raconteurs says "There will probably be a fist fight." The fact that the players not only didn't know each other but, also, had all in their own way and time rebelled against each other's music, provides a compelling story line that unfolds over the course of the movie. In the end they do come together, still at somewhat of a distance, and along the way we are all treated to insights into the music that these three created that will now, forever, be part of the experience of listening to their music.

Davis, a longtime Vineyard visitor and fan of mvyradio stopped by the station this week to talk about the film.

Hear my interview with Davis Guggenheim

Kate Taylor | Home On The Vineyard

In the new documentary about her life and music, Kate Taylor says that of all the places that she and her family have lived in, the Vineyard is "home". The Vineyard fits Kate like a glove and many of the songs on her new album "Fair Time" are about her experience as an Island girl. Kate is in fine voice and this is a total band record --a wonderful collaboration with guitarist, songwriter, producer and engineer Billy Derby, plus drummer Sam Zucchini and bass player Dave Anderson. The connectivity between all the players is ultimately what makes this album so sweet and vibrant. Check out information on Liz Witham and Ken Wentworth's documentary about Kate at www.docutunes.com

Hear Kate Taylor "Soap Opera Life"

A New Friend- Peter Mulvey

I have a new friend and his name is Uncle Peter. I never expected to make such an acquaintance on a record but that's exactly what happened. I met Uncle Peter while listening to Peter Mulvey's most enjoyable and engaging new CD "Letters from A Flying Machine". Uncle Peter is Peter Mulvey himself, appearing on the record as a character, a narrator of sorts, offering his worldly wisdom and stories to his actual (I think) nieces and nephews. He does this from his seat on an airplane in the form of several spoken word pieces that serve as the connective tissue between songs on the album. Mulvey's done this in his performances for years, but it's the first time he has presented such pieces on record. The effect is progressive; step by step you are granted wider entrance into a very personal and rich world made all the more substantive and compelling by Mulvey's folksy delivery and language. The songs are fantastic, too, and you forget just how good they are because of the strength of the spoken segments.

A good friend is hard to find --thanks Peter.

Hear Peter Mulvey "Letter From A Flying Machine" & "Windshield"

New Music Today and Tonight on mvyradio

The new music is flowing in and I'll be sending it out today during mvyradio's The Lunch Hour (12:20-12:50 pm) and Uncharted Waters (9-10 pm). Fridays have been new-music centric for awhile now and it's a chance for you to get a strong hit of the newest music on our radar. I'll be playing Bob Schneider, These United States, Imogen Heap, and Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers. Vineyarder Nancy Jephcote will be in for a chat about her new cd "Garland Of Rain" at 12:20. Stop on by for lunch and/or take a ride on the water with me tonight!

Bettye LaVette | Uncharted Waters

Any of Bettye LaVette's talents would be enough for one entertainer -her soulful, smoldering vocals, her all-at-once commanding AND playful on-stage presence, her honesty about her hard luck past -but as it is all together in one extraordinary singer, it's a mighty powerful experience to be on the receiving end of one of her performances, whether it's live or on record. For the last nine years of her over-50- year career, she has been working her way into the lives of many who never knew her and some who had forgotten about her, with outstanding recent albums like I've Got My Own Hell To Raise and The Scene Of the Crime. Now, the A Change Is Gonna Come EP has been released exclusively on iTunes, and she re-visits her 1970's stage and nightclub repetoire for a 6-song run through some soul and jazz classics. Check out a few of her songs, plus new tunes by Delbert McClinton, Kate Taylor and David Gray on the latest mvyradio Uncharted Waters.

Remembering Maynard Silva

I can still hear Maynard's voice, his raspy, booming speaking voice in my head --"Baaahhrbra, how r' ya?" I can still feel his presence. He sat in this very room, the production room at mvy many times and we talked about his music, other people's music, his life, Buddhism, art, the Vineyard, whatever. He was never at a loss for words. Maynard passed away on July 16th, 2008, and all who knew him are thinking back over the moments that we shared with him.

Maynard introduced me to the I Ching, the classic Chinese text used over the centuries for divination. One of his many gifts to me. That would have been about 1992. At the same time, I was in a band with Maynard for a short while and we had some fun.

One cold day in December of 2007 I was in Boston to do some Christmas shopping and called Maynard on my cell phone because we hadn't talked in a while. I was parked on Newbury St. and he and I spoke for a couple of hours, me on my cell phone in the car and Maynard back home on the Vineyard, comparing notes about our bouts with cancer.

Laurel Redington and I went out for dinner in March of 2008, just four months before Maynard would succumb to cancer, and with tears in her eyes, Laurel told me that Maynard was not doing well. We were both so sad and tried to cheer each other up. After dinner, I went home and did the only thing that I thought I could do to help Maynard, and wrote a song, which included three Buddhist mantras that I hoped would eventually reach his ears and stay with him when the time came for him to leave this world. I wanted to ease and somehow bless the passage in whatever small way that I could. I recorded the song in April in Florida and Maynard heard it in June. A gift to a friend who we all love so much. Here's Maynard's song.

Laurel did a wonderful tribute to Maynard with Maynard's wife Basia on the air today and shares it and her love for Maynard on her blog Positive Underground.

Uncharted Waters | Piers Faccini

From the very first sounds of gentle guitar finger picking, the tone is set and the heart is won. Peaceful, folky, bluesy soul is the answer. Piers Faccini stole away in Cevennes in the south of France to make Two Grains of Sand, his third solo album. The quiet and determined pace of this record is so easy to step to. The sound washes over you and takes you to a place that sounds old and new at the same time. Listen to Peirs, Moby, The Avett Brothers and more new music on the latest mvyradio Uncharted Waters .

Amy Speace Speaks

With just seconds to spare, singer-songwriter Amy Speace and guitarist and producer Jim Mastro made the boat from Woods Hole to the Vineyard and found their way to mvyradio to sit in with me during The Lunch Hour on Tuesday. It takes lots of effort to journey to this island, and good luck to make the boat you're aiming for, but as Jim said "Riding the boat sure beats sitting in a taxi going to a radio interview in New York!" Amy's new album "The Killer in Me" has been playing in my car cd player for the past few weeks and it was great to hear first hand about the making of the album. With a great storytelling gift and a clear-as-a-bell voice that can quickly become husky-as-a-big-summer-wind, Amy Speace speaks to the music lover in me. Listen to Amy's mvyradio inteview/performance!

Sierra Leone's Refugee Allstars at Nectars

Martha's Vineyard loves music and loves to dance! And for over 30 years we have all done a lot of listening and shakin' inside a building with a tin roof at the airport in Edgartown. On Monday, the club (originally The Hot Tin Roof, then Outerland) officially opened, this time around as Nectars, with the absolutely mesmerizing Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars and the dance floor was alive once again! Their music is the "positive response" to horrific civil war that took place from 1991-2002 and forced them from their homes in Sierra Leone to live as refugees in The Republic of Guinea. Knowing the story of their struggle makes the experience of their music one for the heart as well as the ears and the feet. Watch the documentary trailer:

Carly Simon | A new album, a new fashion statement and a happy birthday

Carly celebrated her birthday on the air with us at mvy last Thursday. Dressed to the nines and thrilled about her new recording project, the stop at the station was her only planned activity for the day. Carly is wrapping up the recording of some of her classic songs, all in new settings and arrangements. Ben Taylor - "my son!"- she said as if still suprised at the fact, is the producer. She had three watches on her wrist, down from the seven she wore the night before, and thus introduced the world to the latest fashion statement. Listen to Carly, a new song, and a "Happy Birthday" duet with Carly and me in the mvyradio Archives.

Diane Birch | "She's Got The Juice"

Soul and R&B legend Betty Wright, one of the producers of Diane Birch's debut album Bible Belt, is the one who's talking about "the juice" here as she describes the young singer from New York City. This is the best album to be released so far this year! And lot's of people are going to jump right on right on in because of Birch's superb songwriting and musical vision. Effortlessly drawing from doo-wop, singer-songwriter, blues, r&b and a life lived all over the world, Birch wants to connect and she does so, instantly, like an old friend. Hear Diane Birch's new music on our latest Uncharted Waters!

Uncharted Waters | New Music Musing

When I first met Ingrid Michaelson, she loaded into our hotel room-turned recording studio at The Brown Hotel in May 2007 in Louisville, KY to chat and play some of the music from her newly released cd Girls and Boys. Just that day she was on the cover of The Wall Street Journal and seemed pleased, amused and perplexed all at the same time. She was on her way and she was trying to make sense of it all. Her new album entitled Everybody is due out in July and "Maybe" came to us this week. Engaging as ever, and the sound, at least on this song, is bigger, bolder, really hooky - love it! Ingrid's music is featured in our latest Uncharted Waters.

Among The Oak and Ash is the new project from Garrison Starr and Josh Joplin. Man! How long has this been going on? It sounds like they have been playing together forever. They seem united in a singular purpose to get these traditional songs out there and let them tell their story. "Peggy-O", Shady Grove", "The Housewife's Lament". Delivered true to form, but with a long leash, the songs open up and go beyond themselves, just like all songs with lasting influence naturally do. Garrison & Josh's music can be heard in our latest Uncharted Waters.

Uncharted Waters| New Music Musing

Levon Helm has gathered family and friends around him once again to journey through a set of eleven songs - old and new songs, gospel, folk and blues songs - all utterly lifted up by his experienced touch. Larry Campbell returns to produce and play on "Electric Dirt", Levon's follow-up to 2007's "Dirt Farmer" and the ground is indeed charged. Levon's voice is tender, gritty, plaintive and completely confident. He takes the lead, but also follows, serving his joyful calling.

Listen to Levon and more new music on the latest mvyradio Uncharted Waters.