I know some readers/listeners may (or will) be put off by the Christianity, The Hip-Hop or by C.S. Lewis being remixed, but I am making a strong suggestion that you suspend which ever of those elements are off-putting and give this a listen.
“Hold My Life” by The Replacements from Tim (1985)
“Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, drone, time for this one to come home”
“I Wanna Be Sedated” by Ramones from Road to Ruin (1978)
“I can’t control my fingers I can’t control my brain Oh no no no no no”
One of our very first Bands of the Week – way, way back in mid 2011 was Nashville-based The Redding Brothers. This is the band that back in the day, wrote, recorded, and released a song every Saturday Night at Midnight. More recently, we have posted some tracks from the solo debut by Gabriel Redding which was called Untethered. Well, Gabriel is in the midst of something pretty remarkable. Here’s the details from his website.
GABRIEL is following up his bicycle ride across America by running across America to benefit those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and specifically his grandfather, who has developed both. The run will start on June 7th in Santa Monica, CA and end on July 19th in St. Simons, GA, covering 2,413 miles in a world record breaking 43 days. Please support him in any way you can! If you would like to donate supplies such as energy bars, energy drinks, protein shakes, bottled water, or anything else, please contact gabrielredding@gmail.com If you would like to sponsor the event monetarily, please click on the button below, or send a check made payable to Gabriel Redding to:
Gabriel Redding Alzheimer’s Run 4007 Wisdom Way Smyrna, TN 37167
Gabriel is half way through his run. If you are able, please show some love for this remarkable feat and the great cause. Here’s video released yesterday…
Set list from Royal Court of China Reunion Show 6/21/2013
So a longer than usual morning commute in three parts instead of the usual two, and tons of great music. As usual, the Video Playlist at the end attempts to represent the songs in the mix – actual song when possible, alternate song or video if not possible. Only one artist/song is not in the Playlist but more on that later.
Pre-Pre-Shuffle:
“The Turning Quiet” by Joshua Worden (Soulful Pop)
“Two Weeks on the Ocean” by James the Giant (not represented on playlist ’cause I couldn’t find any videos – debut self-titled EP and this song is the first “single” – Album due out next month – a song about his brother who was killed in Afghanistan. This one gave me goosebumps)
“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk feat. Pharell (Yeah!)
“Justice’nt Right” by Wheelchair Sports Camp (Yes! Very yes!)
“Stuck” by Canopy Climbers (from their latest – Miles)
“Forget It” by Royal Court of China (they did this one in the show Saturday night. A favorite from the self-titled record)
“The Ballad of Billy Polk” by The End Men (Hell yeah – The End Men back in the shuffle with a favorite from their latest, Play With Your Toys (ah who am I kidding their all favorites)
“Alex Chilton” by The Replacements (if this was all The Replacements had done, it would be enough to immortalize them… “I never go far, without a little Big Star”)
“The Walking Dead” by Bella’s Bartok (Um… Oh, yeah!)
End of Pre-Pre-Shuffle
Pre-Shuffle
“Coming On a Black Day” by Stomacher (One of our favorites from the early days of this blog. This song – hell this whole album and their subsequent release are brilliant. This may still be my favorite Stomacher song)
“You’ve Got Yr. Cherry Bomb” Mr. Kind and Picture Atlantic (collab. featuring our friend Brian Bergeron’s band Mr. Kind joining forces with San Jose band Picture Atlantic, to take on a Spoon song)
“Psycho Therapy” by Ramones (First you try Psycho Therapy – from 1983s Subterranean Jungle)
End of Pre-Shuffle
SHUFFLE NEXT
“On My Way” by Ivan and Alyosha from All the Times We Had (2013)
They are from Seatlle, their name comes from characters from The Brothers Karanazov. Great songs.
“Lost Connection” by Colt Cleveland from Colt Cleveland EP (2013)
Some awesome new Pop. My friend Hayden Coleman does some beats on Colt Cleveland’s new songs – maybe this one???
“Teenage Lobotomy” and “Rockaway Beach” by the Ramones from Rocket to Russia (1977)
If Psycho Therapy doesn’t work… ah let’s just hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach….
“Here Comes a Regular” by The Replacements from Tim (1985)
“First the lights, and the collar goes up,and the wind begins to blow You turn our back on a pay-you-back last call First the plants, the leaves, the grass and here comes the snow There ain’t much to rake here anyway in the fall”
Time is short, and we have some nifty tunes to bring you…
Pre-Shuffle:
We started with an early morning wake up call from our new friend The Gabriel Construct. Yesterday, we featured the first track on his brand new Interior City album. Today, we heard “Curing Somatization” the last track on the album. A blistering, challenging 10 plus minute powerhouse filled with some glorious and amazing noise.
Next, “I Wanna Live” by the Ramones
“Leave it All Behind” by Nikki Sue and the Bad News
“Don’t Wanna Die Anymore” by Ivan and Alyosha
“Are You Hung Up?” by Wheelchair Sports Camp
and “Little Mascara” by The Replacements
SHUFFLE NEXT:
“Bless You (For the Good That’s In You) by Delta Rae from Gangster Squad: Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture (2013)
The Peggy Lee original is also on this soundtrack.
“Travelin’ Light” by Peter Case from The Man with the Blue Post-Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar (1989)
Just one of my all-time favorite songs, and a huge influence on my great unpublished American Novel, The Drift. Puts a gleeful bounce in my step every time!
“Do You Feel the Same” by Royal Court of China from Royal Court of China (1987)
(Top) Royal Court of China Album Cover
(Bottom) Cover model Yumi with Joe Blanton in 2013
Ears are still ringing from Royal Court of China’s Saturday night set at Foobar. Nashville. Another track from the self-titled album.
“Tell Me About the Sea” by James the Giant from James the Giant (2013)
We just received a sneak peak of this EP yesterday. Here’s The Story
The Story
Born after the death of his younger brother in Afghanistan, the dissolution of his band, and the end of a long-term romantic relationship, James the Giant is a resurrection – a recommitment to life, to music, and to love. These songs embody the spirit that James himself carries into his everyday life: a commitment to honesty and an unwillingness to shrink from pain or fear.
The EP was recorded and John Vanderslice’s studio and is due out in mid July. We will have much more later.
“The Ocean Stole My Love Away” by Christopher Paul Stelling from Songs of Praise and Scorn (2012)
Okay so we’ve been featuring songs from Stelling’s last album, but please check out his latest False Cities and check the Tour Dates below for a show near you…
Christopher Paul Stelling on tour.
UPCOMING SHOWS: 6/27/13: Dennis, MA - Harvest Gallery Wine Bar 7/06/13: Washington, DC – The Sunshine District 7/09/13: Charlotte, NC – The Evening Muse 7/10/13: Atlanta, GA - Eddies Attic – TICKET 7/11/13: Nashville, TN - Bluebird Cafe 7/13/13: Cincinnati, OH – Bunbury Festival 7/16/13: Rock Island, IL – Rozz Tox 7/17/13: Spring Green, WI - Shitty Barn 7/18/13: Rochester, MN – Thursdays on First and Third 7/19/13: Minneapolis, MN – Live Letters 7/20/13: Chicago, IL - Wise Fool’s Pub 7/21/13: Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Opry 7/23/13: Columbus, OH – Rumba Cafe TICKET 7/25/13: Newport, RI – Newport Blues Cafe – TICKET 7/26/13: Floyd, VA - Floyd Fest – INFO 7/27/13: Floyd, VA – Floyd Fest – INFO 8/16/12: Kingston, NY – BSP Lounge
I am very excited and pleased with today’s mix of music. I know, I know, I’m always pleased with the mix of music, but today especially we have a great mix of new and old music that darts across the vast field of genre and styles. PRE-SHUFFLE:
We begin with another direct from my e-mail inbox to my ear-hole. Liquid Casing is a four-piece progressive/rock band from Houston, Texas. Their brand new album A Separat|Divide is out today and takes on the subject of borders and illegal immigration. Today, we got our first listen via an instrumental track called “Non-Linear Solution”, and I have to say I was very impressed. Combining elements of hard progressive rock and at times dissonant. I hope you will check this band out, and I know I can’t wait to hear more.
Next up some awesome Americana from William Pilgrim and The All Grows Up with “About a Girl” which is on their debut EP The Great Recession which was released last September.
How about some music from the legendary jazz artist Charles Mingus. This live recording of “Mingus Blues” comes from an album called Charles Mingus and Friends in Concert which was released on Columbia in 1972.
Periodically, I check out Noisetrade and read descriptions of some of the selections to see what catches my fancy. When I read the description of The Weight of Glory by Heath McNease which stated that it was a hip hop remix of the works of C.S. Lewis, I was skeptical but intrigued. They had one track available to preview and I listened and was pleasantly surprised enough to download. Today, the track “Surprised by Joy” came up, and I have to say I really dig it.
We next have another great track from the new album, Miles, by Canopy Climbers. This one is called “Melody”.
How about the new one from The Civil Wars. “The One That Got Away” is our first taste of the band’s follow-up to the break-through Barton Hollow. My first impression is that it is a strong song that moves things forward nicely.
We close out the Pre-Shuffle with another track from Christopher Paul Stelling’s Songs of Praise and Scorn. “Solar Flares” is flat out an amazing song.
SHUFFLE NEXT
SHUFFLE SONG 1:
“Arrival in a Distant Land” by The Gabriel Construct from Interior City (2013)
The Gabriel Construct is a solo project by Gabriel Lucas Riccio. This is another straight from my inbox and my first impressions…. We begin appropriately enough with the opening track which begins with a minimalist piano and takes it’s time migrating into some amazing Avant-garde, almost classical sounding free-jazz. The vocals are starkly beautiful.
Pulled aside and asked to wait If I leave, they take me right back “You’re staying here for many years And you will not leave.”
And I can’t get out.
“Welcome home This is your home now.”
The description I received includes metal influences which are not present in this track. It definitely left me wanting more. I think this one will get a complete listen very soon.
SHUFFLE SONG 2:
“Down There” by Bronze Radio Return from Shake! Shake! Shake! ( 2011)
Another cool track from this Connecticut Roots Rock band.
SHUFFLE SONG 3:
“Lightning Bolt” by Jake Bugg from Jake Bugg (2013)
Okay, I really like this song, and from the little bit I’ve read, it sounds like this young man has a great attitude and a willingness to learn. Meanwhile, this is just one of those songs that makes me smile.
SHUFFLE SONG 4:
“Broken Glass” by Beijing from Night (2013)
Our newest Connecticut friends close out the morning mix with another great track from their Night album. I’ve been listening to this album quite a bit, and I’m really enjoying the powerful yet catchy songs. I love the album cover, too.
PLAYLIST
(Several of the songs were not available in video form, but all are represented below)
Warner E. Hodges from this past Saturday’s Royal Court of China Reunion at Foobar. Nashville.
Had a blast this past Saturday witnessing a reunion show by Nashville Rock legends Royal Court of China with special guest Warner E. Hodges on guitar. As an added bonus, the band was introduced by the cover model from their self-titled debut album (she was actually Japanese). Onward and upward, we have another great collection of music this morning, and as usual, the accompanying Playlist includes the songs from the Mix or if the actual song was not available (or locatable) in video form, another song by the same artist. Pre-Shuffle (songs from my morning drive): “The Moon Dead in the River” by Wendy James “Bad Feeling” by The Beat Up (formerly known as The Beatings) “Who Are You” by Ivan and Alyosha ” This Time Around” by Royal Court of China “Vanity” by Monks of Mellonwah (from their excellent new EP Ghost Story) “Blood of the Saints” by Dave Hogan (who I got to see at the Nashville Songwriter Festival a few weeks ago with a h/t to Jason from Grimm Generation) “Trip” by Canopy Climbers (from their awesom album Miles) Shuffle commences right after the JUMP
“The Ledge” by The Replacements from Pleased to Meet Me (1987)
A stand out track from a great album, and a highlight of one of the best damn rock shows I ever saw (‘Mats at the Armory in Nashville on the Pleased to Meet Me Tour).
“Flawless Executioner” by Christopher Paul Stelling from Songs of Praise and Scorn (2012)
new album False Cities
I am a big Christopher Paul Stelling fan. This Brooklyn based singer-songwriter seems to be getting the attention he deserves. He just released his latest album False Cities which is amazing and is out on an East of the Mississippi tour which will bring him to Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe in July. We dug up Flawless Executioner from his previous album Songs of Praise and Scorn.
“You Make Me Rock and Roll (The Penelopes Remix) by Tom Tom Club original version on Downtown Rockers (2012)
Tom Tom Club is just beginning a huge European Tour which included a performance this past weekend at the All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival. In honor of the band’s appearance in Paris, France. The Penelopes’ have done up a pretty cool remix of the Downtown Rockers’ track “You Make Me Rock and Roll” It had me dancing into the office this morning…
A very special Shuffle just ’cause I am so stoked about the Royal Court of China reunion show tomorrow night at FooBar. The show is a benefit for RCC bassist Robert Logue’s Black Raven Emporium and their efforts to add a patio space. The legendary Nashville band will be assisted by Warner E. Hodges (Jason and the Scorchers, The Bluefields, and Dan Baird’s Homemade Sin). For today’s shuffle, I stirred up my Royal Court of China digital library and the results are after the JUMP
Not in order here are the songs from the morning shuffle:
“So, Yer Love Is True” “Dragon Park” “Geared and Primed” “Take Me Down” and “Half the Truth” from the band’s second album Geared and Primed.
“Last Day” “Trapped in Waikiki” “Hope” “Man in Black” “Tye” and “My Babylon” from their full-length self-titled debut. For good measure, we threw in “Jesus Rides a UFO” by the predecessor band, The Enemy.
I am so very short on time. My Pre-Shuffle and Shuffle were pushed back due to an appointment. Still I heard some great music, and I will share it with you here via a YouTube Playlist.
First, our old friends from Vancouver – Pigeon Park are back. They have an EP coming soon called Black Widow. Here we offer up a video of the song Come Down Slow from that album.
Let’s get going… We have a most excellent Pre-Shuffle today featuring old friends, new friends and a special guest appearance….
“Planet of Women” by Sonny and the Sunsets
“Her Changes” by Frank Ryan
“Shooting the Moon” by Ben Shive
“Fox in the Hen House” by The Quaker City Night Hawks
“Get Over” by The Dead Exs (Note: since I couldn’t find a video for “Get Over” we included the video for the title track for their latest album Relovolution. The fan sourced video includes a very special Cameo appearance by the one and only Popa Tunes who’ve excellent blog recently celebrated its Fourth Birthday!)
“Spittin’ Lies” by Nikki Sue and the Bad News (Note: since I couldn’t find a video for “Spittin’ Lies”, I included a video of Nikki Sue covering one of my all-time favorite songs, Folsom Prison Blues)
“Beware the Grackle” by The Peculiar Pretzelmen
SHUFFLE UP NEXT
“My Sympathy” by Human Face from The Waiting Game (Part One) (2012/2013)
Human Face were kind enough to Tweet some nice words about us the other day. It was most appreciated, but what got them back in the Shuffle was (well besides the random shuffle mode) their amazingly catchy tunes and light, fun spirit. Check them out if you haven’t. Go!
“Strawberry Hill” by Bronze Radio Return from Old Time Speaker (2009)
Bronze Radio Return are an Indie Roots band from Hartford, Connecticut. We grabbed this track and others from their new Noisetrade Sampler. This one comes from their debut album Old Time Speaker. Great song.
“Green” by Canopy Climbers from Miles (2013)
Our shuffle of really strong pop-oriented songs continues with another song from the brand new Canopy Climbers album Miles. I am thoroughly enjoying this album.
“Screws Get Loose (Extended Studio Version) by Those Darlins Single (2011) (Original version from Screws Get Loose (2011)
We close out today’s Shuffle with one of my favorites. An extended version of the title track from the most recent Those Darlins album (a new album from the Nashville band is due in the Fall). I dare you to listen and not sing along. I double dog dare you.
No “Shuffle” because I got a ride from the car dealership to my office, but we did have a “Pre-Shuffle” which I guess makes the “Pre-Shuffle” just a “Shuffle”… or maybe I’m over-thinking… again.
Legendary Los Angeles band X announced this morning that they are going on tour with legendary New York band Blondie. The tour includes a stop at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville… I wonder if my Facebook “friendship” with DJ Bonebrake will help me score tickets?
Today’s Shuffle includes a delightful mix of Pop and Punk but no necessarily Pop-Punk plus some that may or may not be considered Pop or Punk, but I’ll leave that for you to decide.
The (Pre?) Shuffles commences in THREE, TWO, ONE… JUMP!
Old World Romance is the name of the latest album from L.A. Indie Folk band Sea Wolf, however, our first song of today’s mix “Old World Romance” by Sea Wolf is not found on that album. Rather it is available on a sampler with Outtakes via Noisetrade.com.
This gorgeous melody was a great start to the day, and the loveliness continued with the second song.
“To Dust” is from the Always This album by Joshua Worden. We’ve been playing the hell out of this smooth soulful album. “To Dust” highlights Worden sound nicely.
After a couple of beautiful smooth songs, I was ready for a change of pace. Fortunately, my good friend (the Shuffle mode) was ready with a track from the Ramone’s self-titled album. “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” is one of the slower songs on that record and a nifty slice of classic Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Toronto-based, Dublin-born Frank Ryan delivers some serious smack with the title track from his latest release, “Dirty Little Liar” – a very good funky rock track.
We head back into our Ramones collection but jump ahead about a decade with the title track from the band’s ninth studio album, “Animal Boy” which was released in 1986. The song is 1:50 of hyped-up and harder edged punk. Time is funny because where as now-a-days ten years doesn’t seem so long ago, at the time, it seemed as if the Ramones had been around forever.
We first caught up with the Indie Pop band Canopy Climbers who are from three different cities in Tennessee and Arkansas (based upon my interpretation of their Facebook Page), when we downloaded the song, “Stuck” off of the Brite Revolution site. This past weekend, we downloaded a Noisetrade Sampler from the band’s then forthcoming album Miles. The band caught up with me and was generous enough to offer up an advanced copy of the whole album. Well, we can report a couple of things. This is a strong album with some very good songs, and Miles is no longer forthcoming as of today. We heard the title track which serves as a good way to introduce the brand, spanking new album to you.
The E2TG pendulum swings back in the Punk Rock direction with our next song, “Hooray for Me” is from the eighth studio album by LA punk rock band Bad Religion. Released in 1994, Stranger Than Fiction proved to be a break-through for the band.
We close out this singular Shuffle of the day with some emotional Philly Country music. “Bittersweet” is on the recent album by Couch by Couchwest alum, Jeanette Lynne called You’ve Got Me. A delightful change of pace and a great way to close out this shuffle.
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 