Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Beer into Air Mix

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Ever wonder what would happen if you created a playlist with a wide variety of music from different genres and different eras and then hit shuffle and wrote about the 8-12 songs that came up randomly during your morning commute?   Well, wonder no more, here at Ear to the Ground, we do this just about every week day and an occasional Saturday or Sunday if I am bored…  In fact, we did it today…. here’s what happened:

“A Redneck Oughta Be the President” by Mike Thomas

Middle Tennessee songwriter Mike Thomas engages in some non-partisan political speculation…

“You Spin Me ‘Round (Like a Record)” by Dead or Alive

Sometimes, the 1980s were like this… just saying…

“Columbus Stockade” by Tigerman WOAH!

Another day, another Tigerman WOAH! song.  This one is about time spent in the state of Georgia.

“Burn.Flicker.Die.” by American Aquarium

American Aquarium are one of the best and hardest touring bands out there.  Their new album, Wolves, is out now.  This is the title track from the album that preceded Wolves. I saw them at a packed out show at the Basement on a Monday night of the week between Christmas and New Years.  It was fantastic.

“The Original Miss Jesus” by John Wesley Harding

One of my favorite songs on Why We Fight.  If my memory is correct, I saw him play an early show at an old downtown club called Ace of Clubs around the time this album came out.  If my timeframe is right, I was living in an apartment right next the club (on the other side of the Shelby Street Bridge – before it was a pedestrian bridge).  If all of that is the result of faulty memory, this is still one of my favorite songs from Why We Fight.

“Teach Me (Say It, Don’t Spray It)” by Tom Schreck

Always good to have a song in the shuffle from one of my favorite local songwriters.  When local is Nashville, being a favorite local songwriter is a big deal.  Tom Schreck is a big deal.  Get on it.  From his album, Save Your Glory.  The video I included in the video playlist is Tom doing a cover of Billie Jean which I have posted before, but which is worth repeating. 

“Calico Valley” by Susan James

Ear to the Ground first caught up with California singer-songwriter in 2013 with her brilliant Americana album, Driving Toward the Sun.  She has recorded her follow up album called, Sea Glass which will be released June 16.  This is a song from that forthcoming album, which she says is a departure from the previous album and a return to her singer-songwriter roots.  To my mind, the music classic California pop music with maybe a hint of psychedelic influences on some tracks.  I have enjoy the album very much, and this track made a great addition to this morning’s shuffle.

“It’s Tricky” by Run DMC

What’s that you say? Ear to the Ground has been thin on old school hip hop classics?  It can be hard keeping a balance of all the different types of music out there.  Dare I say, it’s tricky?  Dare I?  Released in 1986, “It’s Tricky” was the last single released from Run DMC’s third album, Raising Hell.

“Down Time” by Grumsling      window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;     

I absolutely love it when I “discover” innovative new music that combines an original sound with flat out great songs. When the band in question has a cool name and an even cooler avatar, I like it even more.  Grumsling.  Got it?

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Like a Freebird Wheel Mix

Today’s subtitle is a tribute to the mind-blowing weekly party that goes down every single Wednesday night at Fran’s Eastside Tavern in East Nashville, Tennessee. Tim Carroll and Darrin Bradbury have been doing this thing since July or so, and I’ve only missed a couple.  When it began, Darrin would play for an hour or so and then Tim would take over and then they would play together at the end of the evening. In time, drummer David Strayer began sitting in and then (when he returned from an extended time up North) Cameron Carrus joined in on the upright bass, and the Fran’s Eastside Super High Band was formed. Now-a-days, Tim begins playing sometime before 8:30 (I don’t think I’ve ever made it there before he began) and the band joins in as they arrive. Darrin plays (with Tim playing guitar).  Singer Luella Wood has been known to serenade us with a few songs each night, and at various times Trombones, additional guitars, and other assorted folks have joined in the party.  Special guests have been known to show up including singer/songwriter legend Dave Dondero and last night Nathan Kalish and the Lastcallers.  It’s a seriously fun night and if you can handle the copious amounts of second-hand smoke, you should come on out if you are in the area. 

Last night’s show ended the traditional “Freebird” and “Wagon Wheel” one-two punch which Darrin Bradbury managed to lyrically mash-up in the manner of our subtitle.

On to the shuffle:

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Matt King has his feet planted both in New York and in Nashville which makes him doubly appropriate for Ear to the Ground.  Thanks to the shuffle his songs make a neat frame around the rest of the shuffle today.  This first one is a song about coal mining and Harlan, Kentucky.  I’ve actually been to Harlan which I think gives me some authentic Country/Americana street cred. Right?

“Future Tidings Shall Sing” by Batkhi Dahn

Batkhi Dahn is the side project of The Foresters Bassist Hayden Nork.  It’s a pretty whacked-out Christmas number, and I mean “whacked-out” in the most complimentary way possible.  It’s trippy and a whole lot of fun. Somehow, in my mind, I picture a conversation like this:

Hayden: I have a new song for The Foresters

Evan and Liam: um… well it’s cool and all, but… um…

Hayden: Fine, I’ll just start a side project!

It’s not easy being a middle child – believe me, I know. 

 

“Coming Through the Pines” by Blackfoot Gypsies

A song from their debut album and once again the shuffle provides some excellent timing as I prepare for tonight’s Lockeland Springsteen Christmas show at The Five Spot which featuring Blackfoot Gypsies, Alanna Royale, Cory Branan, and others.

“The Masque of the Red Death 1964” by Sci-Fi Romance

I’m going to keep posting these awesome songs until I’ve posted them all.  Sci-Fi Romance/Vance Kotrla sat down to watch a marathon of classic horror films and ended up writing a song about each of the films and recording the songs in a very lo-fi way.  In lesser hands, this could be a great concept that ended up kind of stilted and cheesy, but these are not lesser hands and the result are some incredible distillation of classic stories into highly original and surprising songs.

“Blind Fascination” by The Torn Images

Another great rocker from The Torn Images full-length debut. Coincidently, we had two Southern California bands that are essentially solo projects. Briand Arabaca is the solo artist behind The Torn Images.

“Northern Lights” by American Aquarium

I don’t know how many ways to say how great I think American Aquarium are.  We have featured several songs from Burn. Flicker. Die and we still have a couple more to go.  There isn’t a bad song in the bunch and almost all of them are truly great songs.

“Fire on a Sunny Day” by Ben Arthur

If You Look for My Heart is the title of the new album by New York singer/songwriter Ben Arthur. It is also the title of his new novel. The two works are interrelated but independent, and you can get them both at Noisetrade.com.  The album features guest appearances including Rachel Yamagata and Aesop Rock.  Fire on a Sunny Day is a dark, disturbing, and awesome song about obsessions. I look forward to bringing you more of this album.

“The Kiss” by Judee Sill

One of the ever-present themes of Ear to the Ground is that of connections.  Most of the time, I try to let the shuffles speak to this theme without explicit comments, but I have been known to post lengthy commentaries on how all music and indeed all humanity is interconnected. This idea was reinforced for me recently and it involves the late tortured folk/pop singer Judee Sill. I was turned onto Judee Sill by my friends in Valued Customer and soon grabbed this song off of the website Freegal. A few weeks later, I went to a show by the awesome Aaron Lee Tasjan, and he performed a song that was dedicated to Judee Sill. The song was incredible and I was blown away by the seemingly mystical forces which tied this connection together for me.  If pressed, I think I would have a hard time drawing connecting lines from Valued Customer to Aaron Lee Tasjan (other than the insane amount of talent they both have), but lo and behold, Ms. Sill whose truly tragic life ended in 1979 completed the puzzle and it suddenly all made sense. 

“Santa Came Home Drunk” by Clyde Lasley and The Cadillac Baby Specials

A Christmas song that’s lyrics consist mainly of types and brands of booze. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.

“Howl” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

Another appearance by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade. A song title which lead me down a rabbit hole which resulting in my downloading of a poem written and read by Allen Ginsberg which will be in a forthcoming shuffle I’m sure.

“Before It’s Gone” by Matt King

Completing the frame we circle back around to Matt King and another brilliant song from his Raw album. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Tilt-a-Whirl Mix

Well! The impromptu debut of Ear to the Ground Presents: at The Building last night was a huge success or at least a hell of a lot of fun with some awesome music. Thanks to Darrin Bradbury for doing all the leg work, and to The Western Shore, Sarah Potenza, Jon Latham, and Darrin and The Fran’s Eastside Super High Band for bringing the awesome tunes.  Hopefully, this will be a semi-regular thing in 2015.

Let’s jump into the shuffle… shall we?

“Worried Mind Blues” by Stacy Mitchhart from Live My Life

An cool, original Blues tune from Nashville Blues impresario Stacy Mitchheart.

“Bird on the Wire” by Dave Van Ronk from The Mayor of MacDougal Street (Rarities 1957-1969)

A pretty awesome Leonard Cohen cover by the Mayor of MacDougal Street, and folk revival pioneer Dave Van Ronk.

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Another great tune from the catalog of Joe Nolan.  You can listen to a bunch of his music at joenolan.com.

“Reindeer Boogie” by Hank Snow from Christmas with Hank Snow

This may now be one of favorite Christmas songs.  A rocking little number by the Country Music legend whose name almost demanded that he do some Christmas songs. This goes back to 1967.

“I Can’t Find My Keys” by Bobby Rush from Rush Hour

From classic Country to some classic Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Funk music from the Louisiana bluesman. Groovy song which reminds me of line from The Rainmakers’ song, “The generation that would save the world is still looking for its car keys”.

“Upper Mississippi River Valley Blues” by Ike Reilly from Am I Still the One for You?

Ike Reilly evokes memories of county fairs of my youth and the mysterious activities that happened along the fence line… and those rides…

“Saint Mary’s” by American Aquarium from Burn.Flicker.Die.

I feel like I running out of ways to say how much I love American Aquarium.  I want to say this is one of my favorite songs on this album, but I think I’ve said that before, too.  If you aren’t on board with this band, get to it!

“Distant One” by Heather Powell from A Haze of Grays and Blue

An awesome track from the forthcoming album from Heather Powell recorded with a bunch of the True Groove All-Stars.  An amazing voice backed by some incredible musicians.  It really doesn’t get any better.

“Waffle House (Take 2)” by Darrin Bradbury from When a Car Becomes a House

This is the version of Waffle House that ended up on the When a Car Becomes a House collection.  The previous one I featured was Take One and didn’t make it to the collection. I don’t know the difference between the two versions, but Darrin does, and that is all that matters. “Do I use my phone or does my phone use me?” 

“Never Be the Same Again” by The Torn Images from Reviver

We close out the day with another track from the debut full-length by California Indie Rock artist The Torn Images. A pretty awesome take on “classic” alternative hard rock music. Dig it!

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – The Drifting Mix

I am thinking about starting a new weekly post or something promoting the #E2TG recommended  shows around Nashville each week.  I have not decided upon a format or anything, but if you have suggestions or events for consideration, hit me up.

In the meantime, get ready to kick off the last full week before Christmas with a pretty awesome show at The Building in East Nashville tonight.  It is Open Road Monday.  Doors open at 7:00 with music starting at 8:00.  The show features The Western Shore, Sarah Potenza, Darrin Bradbury and Jon Latham.  An open mic follows so bring you guitars and songs down and dig it. The BLDG is BYOB or you can cross the patio to Drifter’s BBQ and bring something back. The Building is at 1008 #C Woodland Street right behind Drifter’s. Come out for some Ear to the Ground recommended musical offerings..

“The Drifting” by The Torn Images

The opening track from the new album by California Indie Rock artist Briand Arabaca aided by some other California Indie rock musicians. Check it out.

“Harmless Sparks” by American Aquarium

I really dig this song off of the album Burn. Flicker. Die. It’s been playing quite often on my music player. It may just be my favorite track on this album which is full of great songs.

“Runnin’ Away” by Heather Powell

I’m about 90% sure this was a song that I already featured that got added back when I had my playlist delete incident. If so, you may have missed it or like me, you may be very happy to hear it again.  This is from Believe it to Life.  Her latest album, A Haze of Grays and Blues is due out in early 2015 on the True Groove label out of New York City.

“Car Cleveland” by John Lurie

I am a huge fan of director Jim Jarmusch.  This track comes from the Soundtrack of Jarmusch’s 1984 film Stranger Than Paradise which stars John Lurie who also wrote the music for the film. 

“All I Do is Wonder” by D.C. Bloom

This may well be one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in a long time. It is listed as Unreleased on his ReverbNation page.  If this is still the case, I hope it will end up on album soon.  In the meantime, head over to his Website and signup.

“Shores” by Lindsay Ellyn

Okay, New York, you better enjoy Lindsay while you have her because Nashville wants her back!  I have this feeling (and I am not the only one) that 2015 is going to be a big year for Lindsay.  She has new music coming out in the new year, and I’ve been lucky enough to have heard some of it performed live… get on board the Lindsay express early or else I will tell you that I told you so.  This one his from her Shores EP.

“It’s Too Late to Live in Austin” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik

Another song that has been coming up fairly often on my music player.  A great song that references a midnight show of James McMurtry and his band.  Another one from the awesome album, Punishing the Myth.

“Trim Your Tree” by Jimmy Butler

With a hat tip to David Horton (Popa Tunes) we offer up another highly suggestive and inappropriate Christmas song from days of yore. This song from the album, “I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus.”  Mojo Nixon covered this song in the early 90s on his album Horny Holidays.

“Samson in New Orleans” by Leonard Cohen

And we close things out with a song from the latest album from Leonard Cohen – called Popular Problems. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – DCCC Mix

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js Made it to 800!  You are currently reading the 800th post since I transferred the blog from Posterous (RIP) to Blogger.  Also, assuming a few of you read this or some other post, Ear to the Ground will reach a milestone number of pageviews (aka one with a bunch of 0’s). 

It seems appropriate that this milestone (of a sort) post, contains a pretty random shuffle of some cools songs – including artists we’ve never featured, some old favorites, covers, pop culture references, and more.  We do this just about every day. 

In honor of post 800, I thought I would attempt to start a new hashtag meme – #twt (three word Thursday). 

“One Step at a Time” by The Slang from The Slang EP

Columbus Power Pop

“Poor Boy” by Pork Chop Willie from Love is the Devil

Hill Country Alive

“Ed Wood, 1994” by Sci-Fi Romance from October

Follow your dreams

“Spitfire” by INTL from Deer Head Music Presents: Indie Mixtape Nashville/Mystery

They broke up 😦

“Starman” (Bowie cover) by Golden Smog from Blood on the Slacks

Great Bowie cover

“An Anthem for the Broken” by Matthew Ryan from Boxers

Speaks to Me

“Abe Lincoln” by American Aquarium from Burn. Flicker. Die.

Real Roots Rock

“Law Here” by Manilow for Cease and Desist

Band not Barry 

VIDEO PLAYLIST
 
 
 
 
 

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Mister Jarmusch Mix

The first of only three shuffles this week before I head off for Thanksgiving.  We have to cover as much ground as we can in a short time… We begin with a relatively short (7 song) shuffle that manages to cover a wide range – geographically, musically, lyrically, and thematically.

“Weather Pattern” by Frazey Ford from Frazey Ford Five EP/Indian Ocean

From Vancouver comes Frazee Ford with a unique blend of Folk/Country/Soul… coincidently, my commute this morning had some interesting weather patterns… after a rainy night, the morning began with an odd yellowish sunlit sky with some gray clouds and even a hint of a rainbow. Then, there was a brief rain shower, followed by clearing skies and more sunshine. All this is the course of these seven songs.

“5-22-02” by Golden Smog from Another Fine Day

From Minneapolis comes the Alt-whatever supergroup featuring members of Run Westy Run, The Jayhawks, Soul Asylum, and Big Star among others.

“Hey, Can I Sleep on Your Futon” by Richard Barone from Occupy This Album

From NYC by way of Tampa, Florida comes The Bongos’ Richard Barone with his contribution to the Occupy This Album project. Although the Occupy Movement had a relatively short life in the public consciousness, the problems they exposed are still present and still should be a source of national shame regardless of party affiliation. Barone captures a very real issue in a catchy and powerful song.

“Casualties” by American Aquarium from Burn. Flicker. Die

Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina comes American Aquarium with another stand out track from their latest album.  The band’s next album, Wolves, will be released in early February 2015. We are all casualties of Rock and Roll.

“We Come From the Same Place” by Allo Darlin’ from We Come From the Same Place

From London by way of Australia and Kent, England comes Allo Darlin’ with the title track from their latest album which was released last month.  I really did the sound and the evocative lyrics.

“Mister Jarmusch” by Le Grand Escroc from Portraits

Contributing greatly to the diversity of this shuffle, we have this jazzy track from a fascinating album out of Tokyo. Portraits contains ten musical tributes to “Misters” and “Monsieurs”. Le Grand Escroc is the assumed name of Makoto Miura –  DJ and producer.  Having been on a bit of Jarmusch kick of late, I feel qualified to say this musical tribute is fitting as well as fun. 

“Six Pack on the Dashboard” by The Jayhawks from The Jayhawks (aka The Bunkhouse Album)

Despite trying to be diverse, sometimes it is good to have some continuity to fall back on… so, we have Gary Louris making his second appearance in today’s shuffle with his band The Jayhawks from their very first album (1986). Although not politically or legally correct, Six Pack on the Dashboard is a damn fine song and a great way to close out today’s shuffle.

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VIDEO PLAYLIST


Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Handle With Care Mix

Monday.  And we have another shuffle that demonstrates many of  the best qualities of what makes our daily shuffles so special (and they are special….) – we have a collection of excellent songs – a few mini-almost-themes running through some of the songs, a fairly diverse collection of styles but nothing terribly extreme (by our standards).  Let’s do it!

“Ghost Limb” by Emily Wolfe from Roulette

Emily Wolfe from Austin starts us off with the dreamy opening track off of their Roulette EP which was released just over a month ago. 

“Man I Am” by Goodbye June from Deer Head Music Presents: Indie Mixtape Nashville/ Nor the Wild Music Flows

The bluesier, rockinger side of Nashville Indie music, and another fine track from the Deer Head Music Presents mixtape. I really dig this song, and I want to hear more from this band.

“Savannah Almost Killed Me” by American Aquarium from Burn.Flicker.Die.

My internet friend and CXCW legend Josie Little has a birthday today (so Happy Birthday Josie).  This song goes out to her because she posted about seeing these guys this weekend, and my shuffle function was kind enough to include this song in the mix today.  American Aquarium ya’ll… just… American Aquarium!

“Shabbaditty” by Shabbadoo from Pajama

A little ditty by Shabbadoo… appropriately named…

“You’re So Small” by Lael Summer from Burden to Bear

Lael Summer doesn’t pull any punches.  I wish I had a voice like hers when I need to tell people off… I think I’ll just play this song and let them figure out what I’m trying to say.

“Medley: Johnny One Note/One Note Samba” by Barbra Streisand from Barbra Streisand… And Other Musical Instruments

Babs just needs one note.  Let’s Samba!

“Stay Together” (Acoustic) by Madi Diaz from Stripped Chopped + Screwed/ originally from Phantom

A mini-theme of three great female vocalists in a row.  A powerful stripped down version of a song from her most recent album.  Madi Diaz used to live in Nashville.

“Traveling Wilburys” by Heath McNease from Fort Wayne (songs inspired by the film)

Heath McNease sings about the late 80s supergroup that featured Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, and George Harrison. Whoever they are… Any way, I dig this song, and I took advantage to include the Traveling Wilbury’s song (which gives its name to today’s mix and which is mentioned in the Heath McNease song) in the Video Playlist today.  Handle with Care…

“You’re My Little Mellowcreme Pumpkin” by The Radicals from Halloween Rhymes and Children’s Crimes!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

It is now 10 days past Halloween, but I know you still have some of the extra candy hanging around somewhere.  Here is a sweet number about murder and mayhem from the Massachusetts punk rockers, The Radicals.

VIDEOS

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Mystery Train Mix

I realize that I have a music problem, but there are far worse problems to have… I know because I’ve had those, too. Music, though, man! Music has this amazing ability to make you forget your problems or remind you that you are not alone with your problems or just to make you feel good for the 3 minutes or so that the song goes on. Music also has brought me together with some amazing people.

Today, we have a most excellent shuffle which has helped me through a not so excellent morning….  Now, I want to share it with you…

“Headlights” by Ellen Sundberg from Headlights

Some sweet, sweet Americana music from the heartland of Sweden.  I’ll be honest, if I hadn’t read that Ellen Sundberg was from Sweden, I never would have guessed.  Honest, heartfelt, and a damn fine song.

“Mystery Train” (live) by Link Wray/Robert Gordon from Cleveland ’78

Whoever had the bright idea to put Surf guitar legend Link Wray together with neo-Rockabilly/Punk legend Robert Gordon should be in some sort of Hall of Fame.  Actually, if Wikipedia is correct it was Gordon himself who had the idea.  Any, the results pretty much speak for themselves.

“Palomino” by The Western Shore from Thunderstorm

I’m so excited to see The Western Shore perform live at their CD release party Thursday.  The amazing Aaron Lee Tasjan is also on the bill for what promises to be a great night of music.  This is another fine track off the Thunderstorm album.

“Saturday Nights” by American Aquarium from Burn. Flicker. Die.

Another day, another American Aquarium song.  I am so impressed by what these guys are doing, and I look forward to their follow-up album.  I wish everyone who says they hate Country music would hear this… hell, I wish everyone who says they love Country music would hear this.

“Not the One” by *repeat repeat from Deer Head Music Presents: Indie Mixtape Nashville/ Bad Latitude

*repeat repeat  (you gotta love the name and the asterisk) are reason number (I lost count) of why I love Nashville music.  Infectious and highly original music – this song fit in so well in this rather diverse mix of music.

“Cali to Cairo” by Sidestreet Reny from Tonal Tonics and Musical Elixers

Blues from Venice Beach, California played on a National Resonator guitar. For the millionth time, I am thanking David Horton aka Popa Tunes for turning me onto some great music that otherwise might have slipped past me. 

“A Solid Bond in Your Heart” by The Style Council from The Singular Adventures of the Style Council/Single

Yet another amazing song – this is one of the early ones –  from Paul Weller’s follow-up band to The Jam. 

“King of The Bun-Ga-Loos” by The Splinters from 1964 Single

I know next to nothing about The Splinters.  This was one of Popa Tunes’ contributions to the latest Feel Bad for You mixtape.  A nice slice of jungle surf music complete with yelps, screeches, and assorted other vocal noises.  I was happy to find this song on YouTube – so check it out.

“Some Days” by Sturgill Simpson from 2014-05-13 – Grimey’s Records – Nashville/High Top Mountain

The shuffle is going well, and I wonder where it will go next… the shuffle function knows that you cannot go wrong with Sturgill Simpson.  A great song from his previous album High Top Mountain.

“My Love Was as Blind as!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js Blind as Ray Charles and Half as Cold as Heat” by Kye Alfred Hillig from The Buddhist

Possibly one of the longest song titles we’ve featured – trust me when I say that the song lives up to the title, and I have a new singer/songwriter to check out. I couldn’t find this song on video, but you definitely should check this song out and go from there (hint: the September Feel Bad for You mixtape might be a good place to start).  Kye Alfred Hillig is from Tacoma Washington, and the blurb on the Feel Bad for You site name drops Damien Jurado and Sun Kill Moon – if you are someone who needs a frame of reference. Really just a great song.

VIDEOS

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – What’s He Building? Mix

Time to ease into a new week, a new month, and for some of us a new time structure – as Daylight Savings Time ends and Standard Time begins.  It’s Monday…  Let’s do this shuffle thing…

“For The Battered” by Tommy Womack from Stubborn

From his 2008 album, we have Nashville songwriting icon Tommy Womack (Government Cheese, Daddy) with a powerful song about a serious issue – domestic violence.  I could not find a video of this song, so I picked a version of one of my favorite Tommy Womack songs – The Replacements.

“Lay Me Down” by Heather Powell from Believe it to Life

True Groove recording artist Heather Powell, just recently released her latest album, A Haze of Grays and Blue.  Today, we have the first of two tracks from her previous album Believe it to Life.  Such a powerhouse vocalist!

“Tarwater (The Fighter)” by The Dirty Guv’nahs from Hearts on Fire

Another fine track from The Dirty Guv’nahs of Knoxville, TN.  The band’s song “Morning Light” was featured on the latest episode of the ABC television show, Nashville.

“Chess Piece Face” by They Might Be Giants from First Album Live

This morning E2TG finally wraps up this live revisit to one of my all-time favorite albums.  The first album from They Might Be Giants.

“Long Gray Line” by Heather Powell from Believe it to Life

Here is our second track from Heather Powell.  A strongly delivered song about her family’s history of military service.

“Tubular Bells” (from the “Exorcist”) by Mike Oldfield from Tubular Bells (Deluxe Version)

This one got added for Halloween, but one can never go wrong with Tubular Bells and/or music from the classic 1973 Horror film, The Exorcist. 

“Saint Mary’s” by American Aquarium from Burn. Flicker. Die.

Music loving procrastinators please note, if you’ve not yet got around to picking up American Aquarium’s awesome 2012 album Burn. Flicker. Die. which was recorded and Muscle Shoals and produced by Jason Isbell – now is your chance to grab it for free (donations welcome) via Noisetrade.  Their next album Wolves is due soon – so get this one now and be ready.  This is about a close to perfect as an album can get.

“What’s He Building?” by Tom Waits from Mule Variations

Another added for Halloween, but again – you cannot go wrong with Tom Waits.  Here he asks the musical question, What’s He Building in There?  All about that quiet neighbor who keeps to himself.  You know… that neighbor…

“Town Clown” by Kelsey Waldon from The Goldmine

I’ve been hearing a whole bunch about Kelsey Waldon, and I see a bunch of my Facebook friends are Facebook friends with her.  Finally, getting a chance to check out her music, and so far, I am digging it bunches. This here is a fine, fine song.   She is based in Nashville.

“The Temporary Blues” by The Features from Old Familiar Melodies – 2008-2013/!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);Some Kind of Salvation

And we close out our first shuffle to November with a nifty song from Tennessee-based band The Features.  From my You Tube search it appears that this song was featured in the television show Degrassi.  At least in some incarnation of the long running, multiple generational, multiple incarnated series about teens.

VIDEOS

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Savoir-Faire Mix

Welcome to my world… or at least to my little dark corner of the internet. It’s mid-week.  Tomorrow night, I’m going to an adult’s only “play date” at the local science museum. The evening has a Zombie theme, and we get to try  out all of the exhibits.  Should be fun…

We got four songs up today on the Shuffle, so let’s get to it:

1.  Wasting My Time is a track from the self-titled EP from Francis Bowie. Francis Bowie is a visual artist and musician from Denmark.  He makes what he calls Intelligent Pop Music. Today’s track is pristine electronic pop.

 
2.  Ah yes, we have another track from our Compilation have I mentioned our Compilation? Well, we have a CompilationCompilation!
Oh and this is a good one. The Dead Exs are a New York band, they were Band of the Week back in December, and they play awesomely dirty blues-inspired rock and roll. The track is More Stuff!
 
3.  Better Now  is the lead track off the new Fourth Wall album by Nashville-based, The Vespers.  They are a folk-pop band which combine beautiful voices with gentle acoustic music which is not lacking in energy and passion.
 
4.  And finally – Rattlesnake  is a cool track from Raleigh, North Carolina Alt-Country/Rock band American Aquarium. The song is on the band’s 2010 album Small Town Hymns.

Great set of songs with some bands we are just getting familiar with plus our old friend’s The Dead Exs.
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