Dallas-Fort Worth Entertainment Columnist Mario Tarradell | News for Dallas, Texas

02/22/2010

CD review: Johnny Cash's 'American VI: Ain't No Grave'

AP Photo

Johnny Cash

Music critic Mario Tarradell's column keeps you up to date on new music releases and must-see concerts. This week he discusses new albums from Johnny Cash, Joanna Newsom, The Rocket Summer and Alkaline Trio.
More: Mario Tarradell's archive
More: CD reviews
Blog: Playlist

02/16/2010

CD review: Story of the Year writes new chapter with latest CD

Epitaph Records

Story of the Year's The Constant

Music critic Mario Tarradell's column keeps you up to date on new music releases and must-see concerts. This week he discusses new albums from Story of the Year, Jamie Cullum, Lightspeed Champion and Adam Green.
More: Mario Tarradell's archive
More: CD reviews
Blog: Playlist

Variety of influences present in Vedera's graceful pop

02/13/2010

Alicia Keys, Shakira, Usher and Gretchen Wilson to entertain NBA All-Star fans
Sure, the 59th NBA All-Star Game on Sunday in Arlington is a high-profile basketball event. But you could also call it a mini-concert. Music, of course, blends beautifully with big sporting events. The yearly Super Bowl halftime show gets almost as much publicity as the football game.

02/10/2010

Must-see shows by Texas artists for Feb. 12 - 18

AP Photo

Miranda Lambert

It took her three albums, but Lindale's Miranda Lambert has finally landed her biggest country radio hit with the spunky "White Liar," the centerpiece track from her current Revolution CD.

Quoted: What they're saying about Miranda Lambert
Event: Miranda Lambert at Billy Bob's

Jazz guitarist Al Di Meola finds the right mix
As a teenager, at the tail end of his high school tenure, jazz guitarist Al Di Meola spent at least eight hours a day glued to his six-string. Although influenced by Elvis Presley and the Beatles, he was busy trying to find his musical voice.

02/06/2010

Josh Turner's beliefs are at the forefront of his music
The voice is immediately distinguishable. Think classic country Randy Travis merged with bedroom soulful Barry White. Josh Turner is flattered by the comparisons. And they fit, since he grew up on traditional country music but then gravitated to old-school R&B.

02/04/2010

Advertising executive Brice Beaird reconnects with his musical past
How does a 20-year veteran of the advertising world morph into a folk singer-songwriter with a penchant for humanitarian causes? Dallas native Brice Beaird can tell you.

02/03/2010

Must-see shows by Texas artists for Feb. 5 - 10

Todd Wolfson

Texas singer-songwriter Elizabeth Wills

Fort Worth-born Elizabeth Wills has a lifetime's worth of musical integrity, passion and experience. She has much more than her mere five albums would display.

Event: Elizabeth Wills at Fifth Street Coffeehouse
Blog: Playlist

02/01/2010

CD review: Eleven Hundred Springs sounds fresh on new honky-tonk release

Courtesy

Eleven Hundred Springs

Music critic Mario Tarradell's column keeps you up to date on new music releases and must-see concerts. This week he discusses new albums from Eleven Hundred Springs, Nick Jonas and the Administration, Lil Wayne and Rob Zombie.
More: Mario Tarradell's archive
More: CD reviews
Blog: Playlist

Taylor Swift and Beyoncé grab the attention and the awards at the Grammys

AP Photo

Beyonce Knowles, left, and Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift took home the evening's biggest award Sunday, album of the year for Fearless, while Beyoncé broke a record for the most Grammy wins in one night by a female artist.
Shopping Blog: Fashion writers' views of the Sunday red carpet
Recap: Read our chat from Sunday
Official site: Grammys.com
Latest news: Awards shows | Grammys | Photos
List: Grammy winners

01/29/2010

UNT's One O'Clock Lab Band celebrates Grammy nominations
The student musicians' jazz ensemble is basking in the glow of a Grammy Award nomination for the accomplished CD Lab 2009, which competes Sunday in the best large jazz ensemble album category. Its director, Steve Wiest, is also up for an individual Grammy in the best instrumental composition division for "Ice-Nine," probably the disc's centerpiece track.

Analysis: Who will win Album of Year Grammy honors?

AP Photo

Clockwise: The Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.

The Grammy pièce de résistance is the Album of the Year. It's the night's final and most important award. The victorious disc should define the last 12 months.

UNT's One O' Clock Lab Band celebrates Grammy nominations
Poll results: Taylor Swift an early favorite to win
Blog: Join the Grammys discussion at 7 p.m. Sunday
List: Nominees

01/27/2010

Must-see shows by Texas artists for Jan. 29 - Feb. 4

Jeremy Brown

Jokersdeck

In less than a year, Dallas band Jokersdeck revamped its personnel lineup, recorded seven new songs and made the rounds of national labels. So let's catch up with the young five-man group.
Event: Jokersdeck at LaGrange
Blog: Playlist

01/20/2010

Must-see shows by Texas artists for Jan. 21 - 23

Trevor Paulus

The Slack

Take plenty of inspiration from the Beatles, add generous helpings of psychedelic synthesizers, write anguished yet sardonic lyrics and fuse in a stinging guitar, bass and drums combo. The results: Dallas' four-man band, the Slack.
Performer details: The Slack
Blog: Playlist

01/18/2010

CD review: Motion City Soundtrack delivers nonstop pandemonium

Tom Wallace/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT

Motion City Soundtrack

Music critic Mario Tarradell's column keeps you up to date on new music releases and must-see concerts. This week he discusses new albums from Motion City Soundtrack, Eels and Spoon.
More: Mario Tarradell's archive
More: CD reviews
Blog: Playlist

01/17/2010

The unforgettable voice of Teddy Pendergrass was the essence of romance
Teddy Pendergrass didn't make a lot of demands.

01/16/2010

Reginald Gray, economics teacher; Reggie G, rapper
Reginald Gray won't conform to stereotypes. Especially when he's rapper Reggie G.

01/14/2010

Best in DFW: Music Venues

Lisa Veigel

Bass Hall in Fort Worth

Bass Hall, House of Blues, Nokia Theatre and others make our list of the best music venues in DFW.
Other venues: Sports... and a little music
Map: Music venues
Blog: Tell us your favorite venues

01/11/2010

CD review: OK Go's new CD evokes the rhythms of Prince

Sabina McGrew

From left: Andy Ross, Tim Nordwind, Dan Kanopka and Damian Kulash of OK Go

Music critic Mario Tarradell's column keeps you up to date on new music releases and must-see concerts. This week he discusses new albums from OK Go, Ringo Starr and Jason Boesel.
More: Mario Tarradell's archive
More: CD reviews
Blog: Playlist

01/10/2010

Willie Mitchell: The soul behind Memphis sound
The next time you hear Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," think of Willie Mitchell. Listen to Ann Peebles' "I Can't Stand the Rain," not to mention the many cover versions of the song, and think of Willie Mitchell.

01/06/2010

Must-see shows by Texas artists for Jan. 8 - 14

McCurry Music

Dallas band Scott McCurry & The Mercenaries

That jubilant noise that Dallas' Scott McCurry makes doesn't neatly fit into any marketing categories. McCurry and his band of Mercenaries take the rhythmic groove of R&B, the muscular power of rock and the full-throttle passion of the blues to create a sonic pie that's fork-licking good.
Event: Scott McCurry and the Mercenaries with The Killdares
Blog: Playlist

01/04/2010

CD review: Fort Worth's Phil Pritchett is a record man for all seasons

John F. Rhodes/DMN Staff

Phil Pritchett

Music critic Mario Tarradell's column keeps you up to date on new music releases and must-see concerts. This week he discusses new albums from Phil Pritchett, Kanye West and Katharine McPhee.
More: Mario Tarradell's archive
More: CD reviews
Blog: Playlist

Concert review: B.B. King at Nokia Theatre

DMN Staff

B.B. King

That B.B. King, bless his heart. At 84 he should probably be retired at home with his dog, Duke. He's worked enough. And he'll quickly tell you that he's had diabetes for three decades, has two bad knees and a bad back. He typically performs sitting on a chair center stage.
Quoted: What they're saying about B.B. King
Blog: Playlist

01/02/2010

Avett Brothers build a following
Bob Crawford, bassist for North Carolina trio the Avett Brothers, calls from his cellphone while on his way home east of Charlotte. There's a winter storm fast approaching, he says, and he's trying to arrive before snowfall.

12/31/2009

Concert review: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at American Airlines Center
There were moments during Wednesday's matinee performance of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at American Airlines Center when sensory overload made for pure excitement. Laser lights were firing, pyrotechnics were shooting, lighting panels were displaying and hydraulic risers were lifting.

12/30/2009

Must-see shows by Texas artists for Jan. 1 - 3

DMN Staff

Jack Ingram

We all knew Austin's Jack Ingram had the gift of gab. He even has the Guinness World Records certificate to prove it. Last August, during an innovative promotional stunt to spread the word about his new CD, Big Dreams & High Hopes, the native Texan talked his way through 215 radio interviews in the span of 24 hours.
Plan ahead: Upcoming Jack Ingram shows
Blog: Playlist