Last night, I made my first visit to Little Harpeth Brewery (I love their beer) which located just about five minutes from where I park for work. It was a fun night of good beer, cheap friends, and music (to paraphrase an obscure Darrin Bradbury song lyric). Speaking of which, the music for the evening was provided by the aforementioned Bradbury and Hushabye Baby (who I saw for the first time and really liked).
It is Friday! Time for some Featured music… via the shuffle function…
“Too Close to Home” by My Life in Black and White
My Life in Black and White are from Portland, Oregon. Their latest album is called Columbia. I can’t remember how or where I came across this, but I’m glad I did. I happened to notice that they are playing a show tomorrow night in Hood River, Oregon with The Harmed Brothers (with whom Darrin Bradbury toured in December). Always with the connections at E2TG.
“Glassy Eyed” by Brian Keenan
Another nice one from Fits and Starts. Brian Keenan is from Brooklyn.
“The Dangerous Kind” by Aaron Lee Tasjan
It’s hard to go anywhere in East Nashville these days and not see or hear Aaron Lee Tasjan. He is on the cover of the current issue of The East Nashvillian – with a great article and last night they were playing his music over the PA at Little Harpeth. Believe me, this is not a complaint, and I am happy to jump on that bandwagon. Today’s song is a stand out from In the Blazes.
“Conversation at the Funeral” by Jon Latham
After our conversation last night, Darrin Bradbury is going to think I purposely posted a Jon Latham song today, but I swear it’s all random. I think if you read this blog, you know how I feel about Jon Latham. This song is the closing track from Jon’s debut, Real Bad News. Inspired by his late grandfather. It is filled with the kind of emotionally honest truth-telling that make me feel like I do about Jon’s music.
“Settle the Score” by Freaks for Geeks
Freaks for Geeks are a Chicago band whose music combines rock and hip hop in a very effective way. They recently released their third EP, TIN.
“Schadenfreude” by Mellor
Schadenfreude is a German word. Mellor is a band from Reading, UK. Their EP Damage/Joy is out now. This song is on it. They refer to their genre as Pop Smack. I dig it. Up beat, power pop music.
“The Test of Time” by Some Kind of Illness
The lead track from the self-titled album by UK band Some Kind of Illness. A kind of atmospheric indie rock track. Like it.
“Jubilee (Land of The Free)” by Andrew Adkins
We close out the week with another song from Glass Castles by Andrew Adkins. Andrew organized Wednesday night’s amazing round at The Country. Andrew is joining the throngs (including many of my musician friends) who are heading down to Austin for SXSW.
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There was fog this morning, and for once, it was not all in my head…
Let’s shuffle, shall we?
“Judee Was a Punk” by Aaron Lee Tasjan
E2TG is and has long been all about connections. I try not to overstate it, but rather let the connections express themselves in a variety of ways. Sometimes, something I post – a song or an artist or an album or my reflection about a one of those – will lead me to a deeper connection with someone I know – through a shared experience or emotion. I have made some wonderful connections due to writing this blog. Big picture, I believe that we are all connected, and that life’s big illusion is one of separation, and that our primary purpose in life is to work on breaking through that illusion to find the real. Unexpected reminders of our collective connectedness are the source of some of my greatest joys,
All this to say, the first time I was made aware of Judee Sill and her tortured life and her beautiful music was through my friends in Valued Customer. Very shortly after reading about Sill on Patrick and Justus’ Peacefork blog, I heard Aaron Lee Tasjan singing this song in Nashville at The 5 Spot. The song and the unexpected connection brought me great joy. It is an awesome song, and I am glad ALT included it on his latest album, In the Blazes – which is a much buy album – by the way.
“Inertia Fire” by Calming River
We move on with another track from The Ones That We Left Behind by this singer/songwriter from Denmark by way of the UK.
“Central Park” by Brian Wright and The Waco Tragedies
Man oh man, any shuffle that has Aaron Lee Tasjan AND Brian Wright is alright in my book. From Brian’s album Bluebird with the Waco Tragedies. I love this song. Brian Wright’s songs speak truth – like all the best music does.
“Bought and Sold” by The Graveyard Kids
The Graveyard Kids were a Brooklyn band and part of the Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen family (which I dig so much). They released their swansong, It’s Been a Wonderful Evening, and then called it quits. This is an awesome song, and I hope some people will look them up and follow rabbit holes to stay up with what the band members and the rest of MCFK are up to in the Big Apple.
“Waiting for the Sun” (Live) by The Jayhawks
Another thing I dig – also related to connectedness – are happy coincidences. Just like I trust in the power of randomness, I also believe in coincidence. Anyway, just yesterday someone posted something about The Jayhawks, and today this song shows up in the shuffle. This is from that live recording that I grabbed off Noisetrade. A solo Gary Louris live version of this was included on the Bonus CD of Rainy Day Music – called More Rain.
“Bluebird” by Don Gallardo
ALT, Brian Wright, and Don Gallardo! A good day for Nashville music. Another coincidence, this song shares a title with the Brian Wright album from which today’s posted song was taken. Don Gallardo has jumped into my consciousness over the past several months, and I cannot wait to her is brand new album. This is from his 2012 album, The Art of Troublesome Times and features Jill Andrews.
“Laurel Canyon” by The Church
Yet another coincidence! Yesterday, I heard that The Church will be making a rare Nashville appearance in April at the Mercy Lounge. I have been a fan of The Church since the early 80s – when I heard “Electric Lash” on a compilation that was released on cassette inside a field rations can. Laurel Canyon has a storied musical history dating back to the sixties and seventies. I once wrote a short story with a character named Laurel who another character called “Laurel Canyon”, but I’m not sure if that counts as coincidence or is just evidence of my weirdness. Anyway, the recording I listened to, came from one of those many World Café Sessions that I downloaded some time ago. The song was on the band’s 24th and most recent Studio Album Further/Deeper.
“Down So Low” by Mother Earth
And we close things out with an iconic song with connects with my recent interest in late 60s/early 70s Nashville. Mother Earth formed in San Francisco, but later moved to a farm just outside of Nashville and became an integral part of the burgeoning scene around the West End area. This song is from the band’s debut album Living with Animals and is easily one of the band’s best known songs. I got to see Tracy Nelson perform twice last year.
I will close out this post, by encouraging each of you to be open for unexpected moments of connection. They – like the truth – are out there.
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It’s been a rough day. I have a very late and very short shuffle.
First of all, I had the very wonderful opportunity last night to attend an early round at the legendary Bluebird Cafe which featured David G. Smith (who I have featured here on E2TG), a couple of wonderful singer-songwriters named Anne E. DeChant and Nathan Bell, and a very rare and delightful appearance by my friend Karen Leipzinger (backed by Andy Ellis on guitar).
Now to the short shuffle,,,,
“At Least I Loved” by The Silent War
The duo of Garrison Starr and AG (Adrianne Gonzalez) make some wonderful music. This track is from a sampler they put out of Noisetrade some time back.
“A Thousand Miles of Bad Road” by Aaron Lee Tasjan
Perhaps a rare ALT song. This one comes from a benefit album called We Make Peace. The song references Billy Joe Shaver and the debut album by Drivin’ n Cryin’. Plus, it gave me the opportunity feature Aaron Lee’s new video for his song Don’t Walk Away in the video playlist. And that video is bad ass.
“Find the Beauty” by James Tomberlin
I am absolutely wild about this song. It is so filled with joy and wonderful word play. From the record called, Still Life with Orange, which was produced by Josh Morris.
“Blackstar” by David Bowie
What can I possibly say about this song. Bowie was so far ahead of the rest of the world even in his final days on this planet. Blackstar is weird and complex and challenging and wonderful.
“Independence Day” (live) by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Springsteen’s song about fathers and sons from his album The River – takes from the January 19, 2016 show in Chicago. A poignantly fitting closing song for today’s shuffle.
The 1st Annual E2TG Awards (The Earies) continues… Today’s award ended in a tie (expect several to end up this way). Today’s award is “The Better Late Than Never Award” (aka “The Anti-Hipster Award”.
About the Award: As a respected music blogger (ahem!) and journalist (ahem!), I do pride myself on “discovering” new artists early on in their careers. However, I also recognize that there is (and has been) a ton of great music out there, and that I went through periods where life and all kept me from being on the cutting edge like I am today (ahem!). I also remember the days of trying to outdo people by claiming to have been a fan of (some band or artist) since before they had even played their first show or whatever. So, these days, when I “discover” music that is new to me or that I have been aware of but not really checked out thoroughly, I just proudly admit that fact and move on.
The two winners of this award are both Nashville artists who released albums prior to 2015, but that I did not get my grubby little hands on until this year. Do I wish I had heard the heard the music sooner? Sure, it’s good stuff, which is why I am handing out the awards (again, no actual trophies will be exchanged).
Winner #1: Paul Zografi – Bright (Released 10/2014)
I met Paul at Bobby’s Idle Hour through Tim Carroll which is when I copy a copy of this album which I fell in love with. Found out he shares at least one band member with Joe Nolan who was also playing at Bobby’s that night. Zografi’s music has clarity and understatement and really good songs.
Winner #2: Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau – Tennessee (Released May 2014)
There was a even longer interval between the release of this album and my getting hold of it, and in this case, I really don’t have a good excuse. I first saw Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau late in 2014 at Rocking Roots Guitar Showcase during Americana week. (I have been a fan of Richie’s music for over 30 years). I have been fortunate to see them live on a number of occasions since then, but I didn’t get a hold of the album until a chance encounter with Farm Bureau bassist John Reed downtown over the summer. The album offers a rootsy, rocking history of the Volunteer State through familial and public stories that span the state. Owen’s besides being an amazing instrumentalist and songwriter, is able to provide an authentic and honest voice to the stories. Plus, he has more first hand stories of the beginnings of Nashville’s independent music “scene” than just about anybody I know.
“Die Traurige Grammel” by Balu and Die Surfgrammeln
So, I was thinking to myself… Joe, I asked myself, “have we ever had Viennese Surf Music is the shuffle?” And, not knowing the answer or having any willingness to comb the archives to be sure, I decided to play some just to be sure. So, now we have! This is from that Continental Magazine sampler of Surf and Instrumental Rock music. For some reason the name of the band was misspelled in my music play which made it a challenge to find the video, but I did.
“Burning Fires” by Nellie Clay
Nellie Clay is a part of the loose collective known as Campfire Propaganda. She came to Nashville by way of Alaska, but at her heart she is a red dirt girl from Oklahoma. This is real deal Country Music with authentic drawl and twang. The song tells a heart breaking tale so beautifully that it actually warms your heart like the burning fires.
“Florida Man” by Aaron Lee Tasjan
I don’t know if ALT is an official member of Campfire Propaganda (or if there is such a thing), but I would think he is at least an honorary member, and one of the brightest spots on the East Nashville music scene. Besides his obvious talents as a guitarist and songwriter, he is also a tireless champion of other artists and really a very nice guy. His new album, In the Blazes is rightfully getting some amazing coverage. “Florida Man” received a nice write up from Rolling Stone. The song offers a bit of comfort to the state which has received much negative attention due to the actions of some of its residents, but which has made some amazing contributions, too.
“Tailspin” (Live) by The Jayhawks
Noisetrade recently released a live album by alt-country pioneers The Jayhawks. This is a track from the band’s 2003 album Rainy Day Music.
“Skalle” by Smokey the Firebear
Another very brief track from Smokey the Firebear. (“Remember kids, only you can start forest fires!” ????) Skalle (according to my haphazard internet search can either mean “headbutt”, “roach”, “peel, flake”, or “skull”). This 30 second track is included on the BNGFKR which was released back in May. The album is a collage of sounds and noises and stuff. By the way, a limited edition CD version of the album is available on Bandcamp (only six remain!) for $420.00. I ended up posting video of the defunct band, Circus Propaganda of which Cade Williams (Smokey the Firebear was a member).
“Don’t Own the Right” by Uncle Lucius
During the middle of a very crazy American Week this year, I got to hang out for a few hours in a small Artist Co-op building in East Nashville (the “Purple Building”), and I saw and heard some incredibly great music including a performance by Uncle Lucius from Austin, Texas. Really like this song a bunch. The song is from the band’s most recent album, The Light.
“Fiat 500” by Discount Ravioli
From the late night July 4 (early morning July 5) outdoor tent session recordings… the opening track from the album, Robin Schultz and the 21 Prayers. Unfortunately, I could not find a Discount Ravioli videos on You Tube, so I posted instead a Neutral Milk Hotel cover by at least one or so of the people involved here. Appropriate because this track name drops, Jeff Mangrum.
“Hittin’ Where It Hurts” by Webb Wilder
The opening track of Webb Wilder’s Hybrid Vigor. The video performance is from the short lived Pat Sajak show. Sajak got his start in Nashville television and Wilder is a long time fixture on the Nashville music scene. Coincidently, Facebook showed me that a year ago or so, I saw Webb- solo in the round with David Olney and Kevin Gordon – that was quite a lineup!
“We Have No Problems” by The Unravelling
Another track from the experimental Metal band from Canada – from their record, Tear a Hole in the Collective Vision.
“Smile” (Live) by The Jayhawks
And we close out today’s shuffle with another track from that Jayhawks’ Live album (via Noisetrade). This song was the title track from the band’s 2000 album.
Rolling on toward Thanksgiving. Keep an eye out for the 1st Annual E2TG Awards – 2015 – which I calling “The Earies”. (Tagline: “The Earies, it sounds strange but it’s really not”).
About “The Earies”: I will begin announcing the awards around the first of December and continue on and off throughout the month. There will not be nominees – because no matter how much people say that it was an honor to be nominated… well, you know. Also, we will have recipients and not “winners”. This is for two reasons, 1. Calling someone a winner may imply that others are “losers”. 2. The recipients may think there is some sort of cash reward, which there is not. Nor are there actual awards. It is an honorary honor.
The awards will culminate with the naming of the 5th Annual Ear to the Ground Artist of the Year.
There will not be fan voting, sorry. Although we had fun in 2011 and 2012 running Readers Polls, I decided at the end of 2012 to suspend the practice.
Bribes will be accepted and the awards will probably go to the highest bidder.
Anyone caught taking the awards too seriously, will be severely teased.
All the awards are not all that serious, what I am serious about is taking another opportunity to recognize some of the great music that came my way in 2015.
In other news, after Thanksgiving, pending my getting in a bunch of seasonal music, I am thinking of having a once-a-week shuffle from a playlist filled with such songs. I am debating what to call the playlist. Christmas is too specific as their may be songs that have nothing to do with Christ’s birth. Holiday Playlist will probably piss off people – since apparently Holiday is a nasty word or something. I may just call it the Red Cup Playlist. We shall see.
We have another featured music shuffle today – featuring some favorites (old and new) and some artists hitting the shuffle for the first time.
“Coolin’ Out” by Rich Robbins (prod. OnGaud)
One my favorite young hip hop artists is back with another track from his Nimbus debut album. For the video – I reached back to Rich Robbins’ first mixtape and the track, “Suburban Trap Rat”. This was a nice groovy tune to ease me into the morning drive.
“Where the River Bends” by Brian Carpenter and the Confessions
The new album is called The Far End of the World – it is one of my favorite albums of 2015.
“Lucinda’s Room” by Aaron Lee Tasjan
It is no mean trick for an album to be both highly anticipated and a pleasant surprise, but that is what Aaron Lee Tasjan has done with In the Blazes. The album contains some of Tasjan’s best songs and the record sounds amazing. ALT is already starting to appear on some “best of” lists. Expect more. Maybe he will even will an “Earie” award….
“Home You Built” by Ali Holder
Careful, #E2TG readers will remember this Austin singer/songwriter from the tracks we posted of her with Raindogg. Holder has a new album called, From My Veins Will Fall. I am really digging this album. This is the first song to appear in a shuffle. More to come.
“I’ve Got a Feeling” by Eight O’Five Jive
Award winning, Nashville Jump Blues band, Eight O’Five Jive return to the shuffle with another track from their excellent, “Too Many Men” album. Expect to hear more about this album as The Earies progress.
“Oppenheimer’s Sister” by Zaibatsu
So called Pregressive (sic) Rock from Italy. Zaibatsu have a new album called Zero, and this is our first listen to that album. More to come.
“The Actress Pt. II” by Calming River
The opening track from The Ones That We Left Behind EP by the Danish singer-songwriter who records and performs as Calming River. This is our first listen to this record, and I like what I hear so far.
“No Change There” by Katie Mac
Our second listen to Liverpool singer-songwriter Katie Mac. I did not find a video for this song, but Katie Mac did recently upload a video for another song.
“Cia” (Reprise) by Tom Schreck
And, we close out the shuffle with the reprise of a song we featured a week or so ago. From the Added Glory EP. Tom Schreck is a Nashville singer-songwriter that you should get to know.
Had a good time last night celebrating Andrew Leahey’s birthday at The 5 Spot. Darrin Bradbury was on point with a set that featured some old favorites and some excellent new (and newish) songs. Lauren Farrah was most excellent – I have been fortunate enough to catch her a few times recently, and she kills it every time. And the birthday boy rocked this house with his incredible band, The Homestead – playing several songs from his record which is due out in April.
On to the shuffle: Almost every Friday is Featured Friday on #E2TG. Which means, I shuffle songs from a playlist (a subset of the regular playlist) loaded with songs from artists/albums that I want to spotlight. Here is the latest….
“Making My Escape” by All the King’s Men
All the King’s Men are a Manchester band who offer a kind of modern take on classic rock (in the best sense of that term). This song is the title track from their new album which I believe will be released at the end of this month.
“Your Own Best Friend” by D.L. Duncan
We have another song from D.L. Duncan’s awesome self-titled album. I really love this song. It is “feel good” music of the highest caliber. I can’t remember if I mentioned it yesterday, but Sonny Landreth also contributed some awesome slide guitar on this album.
“Franklin Town” by Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau
Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau released Tennessee well over a year ago, but I really wanted to feature it now, because I want more people to check it out. This is the second track on the album – which is a history lesson about the Volunteer State set against a grooving roots rock soundtrack.
“Nimbus (Ta-Ku Interpretation)” by Rich Robbins
Today we have the title track from Rich Robbins amazing debut album, Nimbus. Robbins has a way with words, and I really love what he is doing here. I feel utterly unqualified to comment on this as a hip hop record, I just know that I love it.
“Swan Jeremy” by The Foresters
Another one from Sun Songs, the stunning recent album by The Foresters of Bethany, Connecticut. The growth and maturity of this young band over the last couple of years that I have been following them, is nothing short of unbelievable. Forming after attending a Green Day show and initially writing and recording some excellent pop/punk music. The hard work and dedication they seem to be putting into their art and their craft is inspiring and admirable. The result is that Sun Songs is at once one of my favorite records of the year and clearly just a taste of what we can hope to see in the future from the band.
“Picture Perfect” by The Poorhouse Says
Our friends from St. Louis return to the shuffle with another track from their album As Patterns Go. I highly recommend checking out the band and the album. Hearing this reminds me that I am very overdue to reply to a message from these guys. Sorry and expect something this weekend.
“The Fearless Seed” by The Unravelling
Another dose of progressive metal from Tear a Hole in the Collective Vision.
“The Trouble with Drinkin'” by Aaron Lee Tasjan
And, we close out the shuffle and the work week with the lead track from In the Blazes which upon its release transitioned from being one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year to one of the best. There are just a handful of writers working today to write songs that are funny, intelligent, moving, and that leads you to tell everyone you know to check it out. Aaron Lee Tasjan is at the top of that list. He will be in Memphis tonight. His performance with an all-star band at the Americana kick-off event and more recently at his Nashville release show at The Basement provided some of the best and most entertaining music that I have ever experienced. And this song! window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;
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So…. I knew last night’s Sin City vs. Guitar Town event at The Basement East was going to be pretty darn incredible, but really….
Sometimes your friends and your heroes share the same stage…
Okay, I got there early to catch Paul Burch finish off the pre-show. Let me tell you – not a bad pre-show.
Campfire Propaganda opened the set, and it was a delicious teaser for their upcoming October residency at The 5 Spot. Campfire Propaganda are a collective of amazing songwriters working together to further their art and craft. Founding member Tim Easton was not there – he is opening some dates for James McMurtry – but Nellie Clay, Megan Palmer, Brian Wright, and Darrin Bradbury all knocked it out of the park.
Next up was Jesse Dayton – taking a break from his current gig filling in for the ailing Billy Zoom on the current X tour. Playing solo acoustic, he totally rocked the house.
Dayton was followed by an amazing jam lead by the one and only Aaron Lee Tasjan. His band included Brian Wright and Jon Latham on guitars and Keith Christopher on bass. Guests included Lilly Hiatt, Allen Thompson (who did a Grateful Dead song) and Kevn Kinney! Oh, and Brian Wright absolute killed on a Supersuckers song.
Jonathan Tyler delivered a really great set and he brought out Nikki Lane as his guest.
Keith Gattis was up next and sounded great.
And then, The Bottle Rockets just about tore the roof off the joint with an extended set. They played several songs from their forthcoming album and also dug into their extensive back catalog.
Needless to say, the night was a blast, and it was so amazing seeing my friends sharing a stage with some of my musical heroes. I saw a bunch of people including some I had never met in person before, and I even met a music blogger from Norway.
It’s kind of hard to believe that all that was just basically night zero of the American Music Association Festival. I’m leaving soon for some AMA related events and trying to map out a somewhat reasonable schedule among the seemingly endless choices at hand.
So, I guess the sort of official AMA Fest things start today – or something like that, but last night things got off to an official and wonderful start with the Kevin Gordon CD Release Show at the City Winery- Nashville with Sarah Potenza opening. You can read my review – here (currently on the front page of No Depression)
Tonight things get going in a pretty insanely good way with a throw down at the Basement East featuring so many people it is not even funny. Doors at 7, Show starts at 8 with Campfire Propaganda (an amalgamation of killer songwriters all of whom I have raved about on E2TG). Don’t be late…
Meanwhile, we have a shuffle….
“Chase the Sun” by Millar Jukes and The Bandits
Millar Jukes is a Scottish born, Australian Americana inspired singer/songwriter who with his band The Bandits just released a new EP called Chase the Sun. We have the title track for you today.
“Lilly Vereen” by Jesse and Noah
We have another track from the Driven Back album by Nashville based sibling duo – Jesse and Noah. The video is their 2013 CXCW submission.
“Galapagos” by Family Fodder
Another one from the excellent 13 O’clock compilation put out by PPNW Records out of Atlanta. Family Fodder are based in London and formed in the late 1970s. Alig Fodder forms the heart of the band which has had a rotating membership during their existence. They have continued to perform and record to this day – with periodic dormant periods. This is a previously unreleased track which was recorded in 1985.
“National Funbike Tournament” by Discount Ravioli
You get some interesting results when you search for Discount Ravioli, but you do not get any videos of the band. As I mentioned before, their 21 track album – Robin Schultz and the 21 Prayers – was recorded in a tent in the wee hours of the morning following the fourth of July. Since no video – here is the track for your enjoyment and future reference.
“A disaffected call to arms”… joykill collective are a UK alt-rock band with a left-wing political bent and a poetic lyrical persuasion. This single was released last month. Dig it!
“Take Me I’m Yours” by Squeeze
Honestly, I do not know how Squeeze managed to produced song after song of pure pop gold without becoming massively famous in the US. All I can say is that the 80s were a strange time for music in America (but then again what years weren’t strange in that way). This was the very first single from the self-titled album and the first track on Singles 45s and Under. The melodies and wordplay are almost too good to be true, but it is true.
“My Camera” by Aaron Lee Tasjan
As ALT prepares for the release of his highly anticipated In the Blazes album, we have one of my favorite tracks from his release Crooked River Burning. I am not a studier of the markets for this sort of thing, but I assume there are people out there who dig cool music and who have not yet discovered Aaron Lee Tasjan. If that is you today, there is no need to feel ashamed or inadequate, just get yourself acquainted and prepare to have your mind blown. Aaron Lee will be playing the big to-do tonight at the Beast – so get there!
“Gone South” (Electric Rock) by Mark Robinson
Preeminent Nashville Blues Rocker and Ear to the Ground favorite, Mark Robinson just released (as in today!) a new single. Like traditional singles, it has an A side and a B side. The only difference is that the same song is on both sides, but each side as a radically different version. (Hint: They are both fantastic). Today we feature the hard electric rock version that features Robinson and his band (Justin Amaral and Daniel Seymour) joined by the talented Michael Webb (who has played with Poco and John Fogarty) on Hammond B3 and Rick Schell (Pure Prairie League) on Background Vocals. Thursday evening, Robinson will be celebrating the release opening up David Olney’s Residency at The 5 Spot. (Note the special 5:00p.m. start and don’t miss it).
“The Struggle” by Minutemen
From The Punch Line. Watt, Hurley, and the late D. Boon tell all about The Struggle in :45 seconds. They do a lot in less than a minute!
“Think Too Hard” by Syd Straw
What a better way to end this really cool shuffle than with our penultimate track from Surprise. Syd Straw here is covering a song by The dB’s. The video is a performance from David Letterman that featured the one and only Dave Alvin. That is a whole lot of awesome in one place. window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;
So… even by Nashville standards, the middle part of this week has been an embarrassment of musical riches. I already recapped Tuesday night. Last night for me, began at The 5 Spot – the preeminent East Nashville dive bar for week one of Kevn Kinney’s July Residency. Kinney in and of himself would have made the show noteworthy, but we was joined by Gibb Droll on guitar and E2TG favorite Shelly Colvin jumped in a couple of songs for background vocals, and Todd Snider was there to add some awesome harmonica to a couple of songs. The last song of the show included all of the above covering The Replacements’ classic “Here Comes a Regular” which Kinney managed to morph into the refrain from Nirvana’s “All Apologies”. It was a truly magical moment which would have been more than enough to make the night complete… and that was all before 8:00….
After that show ended, I hoofed it over to The Basement East in time to see Tiffany Huggins Grant perform a short solo set of songs from her brand new album (which I’m sure you already own since I’ve been telling you about it…right?) Her incredible voice was in evidence.
By this point, rumors were circulating about the happenings back at The 5 Spot. Thanks for Mark Robinson and Sue Havlish for the lift back over there. It was the 2nd Anniversary of Jerry Pentecost’s Country and Western Wednesday – on the 2nd Wednesday of every month features classic Country and Western covers performed by an awesome house band with stellar guest stars. For the anniversary show, they pulled out all the stops… I’ll leave some awesome people off, but the guest included Derek Hoke, Cory Chisel, Elizabeth Cook, Amanda Shires, Bobby Bare Jr., Chance McCoy, Wayne Moss (of Barefoot Jerry), Jim Lauderdale, and incredibly the one and only Lucinda Williams. The club was packed out, but I had a good time connecting with friends and experiencing the moments…
Needless to say (or maybe needed to be said), I think I’m going to stay in tonight and recover… but the shuffle goes on and we have a good one today…. so….
“Goin’ Down South” by R.L. Burnside
First up, the late Mississippi Bluesman with the title track from an album that was released in 1998 but which features recordings from a decade earlier.
“Not Punk” by Aaron Lee Tasjan
Next up, ALT speaks the truth in a spoken word track from his latest EP Telling Stories to the Wall.
“Me and You and Jackie Mittoo” by Superchunk
A World Café Session from the legendary North Carolina Indie Rock band with a track from their 2013 10th album, I Hate Music.
“You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon
Moving on… our penultimate track from our revisit of Paul Simon’s Graceland, and one of #E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury’s favorite songs.
“I Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions
The hits keep coming… as Elvis creates a short burst of pure pop heaven with a track from Get Happy!
“While I Was Gone” by Michael Sackler-Berner
One more from one of my newest favorites… from his Double EP collection… intelligent pop music for our time…
“Quarterback” by Kopecky
The Nashville band formerly known as Kopecky Family Band are up next with the first single from their latest album, Drug for the Modern Age which came out back in May.
“On a Holiday” by Artur U and the New City Limits
From Finland… Artur U and the New City Limits are high on my list of favorite artists I “discovered” this year. Their latest album is Holiday from Eternity. I really dig this song.
“Your Frown’s My Friend” by Greg Summerlin
My friend Too Much Country included this track on the current “Summer” themed Feel Bad for You mixtape – playing fast and loose with the theme, which can be forgiven because the song is so good. Greg Summerlin is from Birmingham, Alabama (I think). This is taken from an album called The Young Meteors which came out a decade ago.
“Color of Her Eyes” by Gear Daddies
We close things out today with another reminder as to why I love Gear Daddies so much. From Billy’s Live Bait.
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It’s Monday and man it sure is hot here in Nashville… you know what else is hot? Today’s shuffle! Hot off the presses… The #E2TG shuffle at it’s best – widely and wildly divergent styles and themes of music congregate on my music player on a weekday morning… enjoy!
“Bowling Green” by The Barefoot Movement
Another traditional tune from The High Road EP. A great way to start the week.
“Another Green World” by Brian Eno
At this point, it seemed like the shuffle might be going for some sort of “green” theme. It ended here… the title track from Brian Eno’s classic 1975 album. I would say chances are good that even if you aren’t a Brian Eno fan, you’ve likely heard this short instrumental piece.
“Gorilla Girl” by The Dead Milkmen
So far we’ve moved from traditional bluegrass music to ambient art pop and now onto whatever it is that The Dead Milkmen do… From Big Lizard in My Backyard. “I love my groovy Gorilla Girl.”
“Jonesin’ for Jones” by Dale Watson
And from a song about a girl who looks like an ape, do a fine bit of traditional country music in the form of a tribute to the late great George Jones.
“Blood Oranges in the Snow” by Over the Rhine
As the heat index breaks the triple digits for the second or third day in a row, it’s refreshing to hear a song about snow. Blood Oranges are pretty good, too. This is the title track from the 2014 Holiday album by Ohio folk/Americana band Over the Rhine. The first of what amounts to a mini-Ohio theme embedded in the shuffle.
“Ain’t That A Lot of Love” by Webb Wilder
I got to see Webb Wilder play with the Beatnecks a couple of weeks ago. He still packs quite a wallop. This is a cover of a song by Homer Banks and it was later covered by Simply Red (but you’d hardly know this is the same song). Webb makes the song all his own. From Hybrid Vigor.
“Modern Life” by Mothers
A slice of Modern Life from Mothers – another track from Panamanian Times.
“American Tan” by Aaron Lee Tasjan
Our second Ohio artist in the shuffle – although East Nashville claims him now! From the new EP, Telling Stories to the Wall. Dig it!
“I Woke Up in a Race Car” by Batkhi Dahn
So Batkhi Dahn founder Hayden Nork just finished middle school. Listen to this song and let that sink in. Hayden’s other band just released the second single ahead of their forthcoming album Sun Songs (which will be their third release).
“You or No One” by Chrissie Hynde
This is recorded for World Café and is the lead track from the debut solo album by The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde. She was born in Akron, Ohio, and thus completes our Ohio mini theme (unless there are other Ohio connections that I missed – which is entirely likely). The album is called Stockholm and it was released in 2014. Kind of hard to believe that Chrissie had not released a solo album before then.
“Pax Romana” by The Great Game
The Great Game are an international band – their Hometown on Facebook is listed thusly: “Somewhere between south of Spain and North of Scotland, Passing through Prague and Antwerp.” The Great Game is the name of their debut record from which this track is taken.
“Glory, Glory” by Lindsay Ellyn
Lindsay Ellyn’s EP Out of Road is one of my favorite records of the year, and this may will be my favorite song from that record. At a time when it would appear from reading social media that everyone has everything figured out, it is nice to hear a song about good old fashioned doubts.
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 