Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Snow Day Mix

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A rare snow day off work, but the shuffle must go on….

Had a blast last night before the winter weather descended… a night at The Family Wash for a pair of CD Release shows by two of my favorite East Nashvillians.  Amelia White and The Blue Souvenirs (tonight featuring Sergio Webb, Justin Amaral, Megan Palmer, and Ron Eoff). Amelia’s new album is called Home Sweet Hotel.  Stone Cupid (Julie Christensen, Sergio Webb, Chris Tench, Bones Hillman, and Steve Latanation). Stone Cupid’s new album is called The Cardinal.  Amelia and band were wonderful as always, and Julie and Stone Cupid rocked the house.

To the shuffle:

“You Left the Water Running” by Amy Black

Amy Black kicks off our Snow Day shuffle with a classic Muscle Shoals song from her Muscle Shoals Session album.  This song has been recorded by many people including Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett.  The song was written by Dan Penn, Rick Hall, and Oscar Franks.

“The World Belongs to You” by Indigenous Engines

Andrew Adkins has a new album out under his own name, and we will get to that very soon, but this is another track from one of two EPs he released in 2015 under the Indigenous Engines name.  This song is from the EP Werewolves.

“St. Sinner” by Exedra

Some newer music from our a E2TG favorite Jeremy Gluck.  Exedra features Gluck along with Darrall Knight and Mark Elliott.  The album is called Elemental, and the music is ethereal, dreampoppy, shoegazey, and all kinds of awesome.

“Sorry” by Youngstrr Joey

Our second listen to London based Youngstrr Joey from Grilled Wiig.  Really digging this music.

“Exotica” by Exedra

An instrumental tune from Elemental… takes me to a different place….

“Promise” by Leapfrogtown

Our second listen to London based Leapfrogtown from Dreaming in Public.  I like this band a bunch.

“Columbus Stockade Blues” by Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau

Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau are getting ready to release the follow up to Tennessee (from which this track comes) which will be called Dia de los Azules. If the first single (which was recently released) and the recent live shows are any indication that album is going to be a great one. This track is a civil war story about a Tennessee boy being held in a Union prison in Columbus, Georgia.

“Elevator” by Artur U and the New City Limits

This is, I think, our last track to feature from Holiday  From Eternity.  The “Earie” award winning Finnish band have promised some big plans for 2016.  “Elevator” is one of my favorite songs from the current album, and it has a pretty infectious groove to it.   

“Backbone” by Zachariah Red

Hopefully you read my recent review of Backbone. If not, it is now up on No Depression so give it a read.  This is the title track from the album which is now available on iTunes if that is your preferred outlet.  The live video (for a different song)  features Zach along with some of favorite Nashville folks, Taylor Alexander, Drew Kohl, and Lindsay Ellyn.

“Ode to a Friend” by Jon Magnusson

And we close out the shuffle with a moving song from a singer-songwriter from Stockholm.  His 3 song EP is called Dina drommar (with umlauts over the o that I do not know how to type).  This is the only English song on the EP. It is a tribute to a childhood friend who died at age 15.  It is extremely moving to me because I lost a friend at close to the same age – 35 years ago this month.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Puff Until You Burst Mix

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Greetings from Tuesday! 

First of all, I have to say how amazingly proud I am of Darrin Bradbury who played the first night of his month-long Monday Residency at the Basement East.  I know I may sound like a broken record about this, but even at the end of last year, when I named Darrin my Artist of the Year, the idea of his playing a month-long residency at the largest club in East Nashville would have been almost inconceivable (unless you stopped to consider the trajectory he was on). And yet, here he was playing before a sizable crowd filled with some of the best songwriters and musicians in this town.

I was struck once again by Darrin’s skill as a songwriter.  Back in November of 2013, when a mutual friend (Popa Tune’s) told me that Darrin was moving to Nashville, I checked out his music (I had written about his old band Big Wilson River a year earlier, but did not know much about Darrin’s solo stuff). Around the time, I started listening to Darrin’s songs, a friend of mine posted something on Facebook about how they don’t make songwriters like they used to… or something like that. And, I remember thinking that Darrin may be the best pure songwriter I’ve heard in a long, long time.  And, he has only gotten better since then. 

Darrin was backed by the kind of band that may only be possible in East Nashville:  Laur Joamets (Little Joe) from Sturgill Simpson’s band on guitar, Megan Palmer on fiddle, Cameron Carrus on bass, Aaron Shafer-Haiss on drums.

The always amazing Aaron Lee Tasjan opened the night, playing some new tunes and sounding awesome even when he forget the lyrics to a song and sang it out of order.

2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham played next – confirming the wisdom of my selection.  By the way, Jon was just named Local Artist of the Week at Nashville Independent station Lightning 100.  His song “Anesthesia” will be in rotation this week and he will play a free show Friday at Soulshine Pizza.

For me (in kind a full circle kind of way), a highlight of the evening was Darrin leading the band through a cover of the Merle Travis song made famous by Johnny Cash, “Nine Pound Hammer”. This song had been Darrin’s warm-up song for all of those Wednesday night Fran’s shows back in the day.

On to the shuffle….

“Ginchy” by Balu and Die Surfgrammeln

After I played a track from this Austrian surf rock band a while back, they sent me some new music.  Los Chicharrones del Surf is the name of their latest album, and it is excellent.

“I’ll Never Give It Up” by Richard Thompson

From the album, Sweet Warrior.  Richard Thompson remains one of my all-time favorites.

“Right Next to You” by Christopher Aaron Slade

When Christopher Aaron Slade first submitted his music, he referenced sounding like AC/DC meets Scissor Sisters (my wording).  That got me to listen.  His songs are at times brash and suggestive in the best kind of way, and they all have a bit of groove to them.  This song may be my favorite.  It has a hook to die for and it sounds like it belongs on a really cool classic rock station.

“Meet a Changing World” by Smug Brothers

Smug Brothers are a Dayton Ohio rock band. This song is on their latest album, Woodpecker Paradise.  I really like it a bunch!

“Better Off Dead” by Jonas H. Sjøvaag’s Navyelectre

Jonas is a composer and musician from Oslo, Norway.  This song is from the  album, Large Ensemble which we have been featuring for some time.  Every time a song comes up, I am once again intrigued and amazed by how good this is.

“All the Right Reasons” (live) by The Jayhawks

Another from that live Jayhawks album via Noisetrade.  This song was originally on the album Rainy Day Music.

“Get to Me” by Amy Black

Amy Black’s latest album, Muscle Shoals Sessions features some of the great song that were created in that legendary hotbed of contemporary music.  In the midst, she also included 3 original tunes, including this one. It is to her credit as a songwriter, that I had to look up to see if this was a cover or an original.

“Tatiana” by Slingshot Dragster

We began with an Austrian surf rock band, and we end with an Australian surf rock band.  Seems about right.  Did I mention that I love surf music more than I even knew a few months ago.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Los Angels Mix

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Welcome back.  Well, this should be the last late post of the week.  Plus, my new bluetooth earphones came in today. So the shuffle will be continue onward unabated.

So some of you have asked about the integrity of the E2TG “Earie” Awards.  The ballots are stored in a secret and remote location watched over by a team of trained seals. Unlike some of the fancy awards, we could not afford a Certified Accountant to monitor our processes, so we went with a certifiable accountant.  Did I ever mention that I am an accountant.  Seriously though, the whole process takes place inside my head, and that is as remote and secret as it gets.

Today’s award:  I’m calling it the “Mott the Hoople” Award aka the “All the Young Dudes” Award.

The premise:  No premise really, just an award to some of the young dudes who made cool music in 2015.  (keep in mind, I’m getting up there in age so “young” is a term that is more broadly defined everyday, but these dudes qualify by my standards…

The Award goes to:

1.  Josh Morris – When (former E2TG Featured Artist) And the Giraffe parted ways, Josh Morris turned his attention to his solo work.  Green Fields was released early in the year,  Morris has new music in the works that promises a change in direction from Green Fields.  In addition, Morris is quickly making a name for himself as a go-to producer.

2.  James Tomberlin – When James Tomberlin left town to return to school, he left a unique but significant hole in the Nashville songwriting community.  Fortunately, before he left town, he recorded a album, Still Life With Orange which by the way was produced by Josh Morris.  I, for one, though, miss his arcane and sophisticated sense of humor.

3.  Patrick Kinsley – For a Thousand Miles is flat out one of my favorite albums of 2015.  It is an excellent showcase for the mass of contradictions that is Patrick Kinsley.  Earnest heartland flavored rock and roll music with simple but intelligent lyrics and a deep emotional resonance.  The album is a journey.

4.  Zachariah Red –  The new Zach Red album is due out just after the first of the year, and I can’t wait.  But, his single, “40 Miles” was released just in time for the totally fictional “Earie” deadline.  Bringing the wisdom and work ethic of a Wisconsin carpenter, the energy of a former punk rocker, and songwriting chops, Zachariah Red plays real country music effortlessly.

(There a couple of other people who might qualify for this award, but I may have something else in mind for them)….

To the shuffle:

“Introduction of Band” by Darrin Bradbury

2014 Artist of the Year and 2015 “Earie” award winner, Darrin Bradbury introduces his band on the live album, Tur-Lyfe: A Live Recording of Unfortunate Events.  At the time was called Los Angels.

“The Grand Optimist” by City and Colour

From that mega-download of World Cafe Sessions comes City and Colour  with a song from their 2011 album, Little Hell.

“Sing Along” by Robert Ellis

I first saw Robert Ellis at American Fest a few years ago.  Later, he opened for Richard Thompson at City Winery, and then I saw him as part of Traveler at their Basement East show earlier this year.  This is one of my favorite songs of his.

“Watch Dog” by Amy Black

From her Muscle Shoals Sessions albun, Amy Black – covering a song which Etta James recorded on her 1968 album Tell Mama which was recorded by FAME Studios.

“Boss Board” by Burt Rocket

Some hot, surf music from Norway!

“Houses on the Hill” by Ryan Adams

From Life After Deaf the live Ryan Adams boxset, we have a moving version of a song that originally appeared on the second Whiskeytown album.

“All This Wandering Around” by Ivan and Alyosha

From their album, It’s All Just Pretend.  More great music from the Seattle band.

“Peter Gunn” by Roy Buchanan

Blues guitarist Pat Buchanan with his take on the Henry Mancini penned theme from “Peter Gunn”.

“Hearts Too Heavy” by John Moreland

High on Tulsa Heat is one of the best albums of 2015 and John Moreland just may be one of this generations greatest songwriters.  

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Something to Chew Mix

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Nashville really is a beautiful wonderful city for live music.  There is way too much awesome stuff for one person to see anywhere near it all.

Friday evening, I hung out the WXNA folks.  They are working a really cool thing. 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wxna-lpga/x-plosive-radio-wxna-lpfm-nashville/widget/video.html

Then, I spent a rare evening in Midtown and saw Taylor Alexander and Lindsay Ellyn, The Gasoline Brothers, and Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau and hung out with friends.

Saturday night, I went to The Basement for Pony Boy’s CD Release Show – her new album Blue Gold is amazing by the way. Lilly Hiatt opened the show and was awesome.  Pony Boy was spectacular and Robyn Hitchcock joined to play harmonica on Bob Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”, and yes, I did get to introduce myself as the goofy guy who made the Soft Cell joke. 🙂  Justin Collins and the Cosmics closed the night with some really great high energy rock.  Justin and Adam Landry produced Pony Boy’s new album. They are the duo behind Deer Tick and Diamond Rugs and Black Vincent (who we have been featuring here of late). I got to meet Adam, too. 

Sunday night, a great night at Bobby’s Idle Hour on Music Row.  Julie Christensen and Patterson Barrett performed some of Julie’s awesome songs.  Russell Thompson played with Megan Palmer, and then Megan did her own set and reminded me again of just how awesome she is.  For the last song, she and a chorus of great female singers (Julie Christensen, Ariel Bui, Nellie Clay, and more) closed the night with a rip roaring rendition of Palmer’s “Knife Twister”.  Oh and Victoria Williams was in the audience, too.

Tonight, I am going out to see my friends Zach Red Stacy and Taylor Alexander playing 8 off 8th at Mercy Lounge.

“Carried” by Jelena Ciric

Another track from Places. Jelena was born in Serbia, lived in Toronto, and now teaches voice in Mexico.  This is the kind of music that I hope never goes out of style. Harkening back to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and yet highly original.

“On the Safeside” by Webb Wilder

From Hybrid Vigor, this music never fails to lift my spirits.

“I’ve Got You Covered” by Sugar and the Hi Lows

Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup – two acclaimed singer-songwriters (both part of the Ten Out of Tenn collective) – teamed up a few years ago to perform together as Sugar and the Hi Lows.  They just released their second album, but this song goes back  to their self-titled debut.  They are playing later in September at the Ryman with Kacey Musgraves.

“You Gotta Move” by Amy Black

Amy Black brings the Blues with another track from her Muscle Shoals Sessions.  The song is a traditional African American spiritual that was popularized by Mississippi Fred McDowell, and was later covered by The Rolling Stones for Sticky Fingers (one of three songs from that album recorded at Sound Studio in the Shoals).

“Ginnie and Lou (From Kalamazoo)” by Darrin Bradbury

Just about every day, someone will stop me in the street and ask, hey aren’t you the guy on the Darrin Bradbury record, The Story of Bob?  When I admit that yes, I was the inspiration for the picture, they ask what is it that makes Darrin Bradbury so awesome. This song kind of encapsulates that mystery for me.  Yes, Darrin can be funny and offbeat.  But, he can also write a beautiful and tender song like this one. I could not find a video version of Ginnie and Lou, so I have included an old video (featuring a short-haired Darrin Bradbury singing the equally tender, “You Are Cordially Invited to My Backyard Pass Out Fest”.

“Zia S’dba” by West Philadelphia Orchestra

Some perfectly awesome Balkan inspired music from The West Philadelphia Orchestra from a World Café Session.

“Harder to Lie” by David Ramirez

From the brand new album Fables via a Noisetrade release that features songs recording live during an Eastside Manor Sessions recording.  This is the album version of a track from Fables.

“Relatin’ Dudes to Jazz” by fIREHOSE

From the debut album by fIREHOSE, Ragin’ Full On. I am of the camp that does not think that there is any reason or point in comparing fIREHOSE to the Minutemen. For my part, I am just glad that Ed Crawford convinced a still grieving Mike Watt and George Hurley to start playing again.  fIREHOSE made some great music during their run.

“Rocking Chair” by The Districts    

Another World Café Sessions recording the Philadelphia band. This is the opening track from the band’s self-titled EP.http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js

VIDEO PLAYLIST


  

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Every Minute Mix

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So, I’m back after a few days of R&R. It was much needed, and I’m ready to do this thing!

A couple of things, I returned to Nashville on Saturday in time to catch Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen deliver a powerful performance at their album release celebration.  Then, I headed to Bobby’s Idle Hour to see Amelia White, Renee Wahl, and Rich McCulley trade wonderful songs for a couple of hours.  After that, my long day caught up with me.

LIVE MUSIC ALERT!!!!!!  I’ve announced this on Facebook (if you haven’t already be sure to give us a “Like” – you can get there via the link up top.  The next “Like” should be number 300 and a surprise is in store for that lucky follower.  Anyway, two days from now or Wednesday August 19, we will be kicking off what I hope will be a long running series of shows.  We will start off at The Building in East Nashville with local favorites Lindsay Ellyn (plus her awesome and well-dressed band) and Russell Thompson (one of my favorite songwriters) plus all the way from North Carolina, we have George Terry McDonald.  It should be a fun night, and I hope if you are nearby that you will come on out.  (Here is the Facebook Event Page).

I think I have mentioned before the role that college radio and specifically (WRVU) played in the development of my musical interests and passion. As you may know, WRVU went off the air a few years back after Vanderbilt sold the license to the local public radio station.  Some of the people who made WRVU what it was and some of the people who loved what it was are in the midst of raising funds for a new Community Radio Station called WXNA.  They have a Kickstarter campaign going and could use some support.  So much of media is in the hands of a few large conglomerates who are “tryin’ to anesthetize the way that you feel” (Elvis Costello, Radio Radio).  Community Radio is the voice of the people, and it is a good thing.  If you can support WXNA, you should. Here is the link to the Kickstarter (Give and/or Share this).  Who knows, someday, you may hear me on the radio… but only if you support the station.

On to the shuffle:

“Ribbons” by Paul Zografi

We start off with another track from Nashville’s Paul Zografi’s album Bright.  Love this album!

“You Could Have Had It All” by Jesse and Noah

Another gorgeous song from Jesse and Noah’s album Driven Back. 

“Gotta Serve Somebody” by Amy Black

Amy Black covers some Bob Dylan from her album The Muscle Shoals Sessions.  

“Dogs of Lust” by The The

I have always loved the name The The, and the music, too. This one is from the 1993 album Dusk. 

“Our Love Will Change the World” by Christopher Aaron Slade

Call it a Guilty Pleasure (well Christopher Aaron Slade did…), but I really dig this music.  Fun and naughty and rocking… like music should be…

“I Want to Be You” by The Stone Foxes

The Stone Foxes are from San Francisco.  This song came to me from a Noisetrade SXSW Sampler – which shows how long it has been floating around the playlist.  Their new album Twelve Spells will be released in September.  This song was released as a single back in March. 

“Miss Misery” by Seth Avett and Jessica Lea Mayfield

From World Café: Seth Avett and Jessica Lea Mayfield cover Elliot Smith. 

“Every Minute” by JJ Grey and Mofro

Also from World Café… this one if from their latest album called Ol’ Glory which was released earlier this year.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Look Into Stone Mix

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Well here we are at the mid-point of another work week… time marches on… doesn’t it?

We have another outstanding shuffle featuring classic tunes and some new and newish music… JUMP!

“I’m Set Free” (live) by The Velvet Underground

I have a confession. Sometimes, I secretly and privately scoff at people who accumulate every piece of recorded music of their favorite band… you know imports, bootlegs, rarities – without regard to the quality of the recording or whatever… I mean… I don’t mean to knock anyone – especially a music lover, but it just seems a bit silly to me sometimes.  That being said, I am nothing if not hypocritical.  I give you a short sample of  a recording from Max’s in 1970.  My only defense… it’s the Velvet Underground.

“Starting All Over Again” by Amy Black

My shuffle functions seems to be as much in love with the new Amy Black album as I am.  We have another track from the Muscle Shoals Sessions today.  This one is a cover of a song originally recorded by Mel and Tim at Muscle Shoals.  The song was later covered by Hall and Oates.

“Wedding Song” by Charlie Whitten

Charlie Whitten is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville.   I had heard his name and grabbed some music from a Noisetrade Sampler of his music.  This song comes from his CD entitled Hey Love.  I like it a bunch.

“In Spite of Ourselves” by Iris Dement, John Prine

You haven’t really lived until you’ve heard Darrin Bradbury and Jon Latham sing this song – impromptu – in the middle of a crowded bar.  But, Iris and John do a pretty decent version, too.

“Afrique” (take 3 vocal) by Duke Ellington

I have to admit, I am sometimes intimidated by Jazz as a genre.  As it should be obvious by now, I am not a musician, and so I know there are technical nuances to the music that I just don’t get. Actually that is true about a lot of music, but jazz seems by design to be more focused on that aspect.  Also,  although I have been really listening to jazz for about 25 years, my listening has been kind of haphazard. I have a pretty solid base in Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and a few others… but I know I have missed out (so far) on some really crucial artists and recordings.  All that being said, hearing Duke Ellington come up on my shuffle makes me happy!

“Sixes + Sevens” by Indigenous Engines

Indigenous Engines is the new project by my friend Andrew Adkins  (The Colored Parade).  This new project has two EPs currently available for Free Download via Bandcamp.  This song is from one of those EPs called Werewolves (the other EP is called Witches).  Check it out!

“Visitation Rights” by The Transcendents

I joked about my shuffle needing to clear out the transcendents’ self-titled album to make room for their new EP Lay Where You Collapse.   Regardless of my joke, this track is our final listen to that first record.  Look and listen for the new record to appear in the shuffle soon.  The band is from Christchurch, New Zealand, and man oh man, I like their music a ton.

“If I Didn’t Love You” by Squeeze

I hate to randomly mention Jon Latham twice in a post – no I don’t – but a recent status update of his on Facebook prompted me to dig out my Squeeze Singles album and load it into the Playlist.  This band  was just about perfect, and Singles was a handy way to catch up on their early music.  This song was originally on the band’s 1980 album Argybargy. The band was originally active from their formation in 1974!! until 1982.  When I really caught up with them that original run was over.  Fortunately, they reunited in 1985 and got to seem them live with Jools Holland on keyboard. 

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VIDEO PLAYLIST

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Vapor Trails Mix

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Okay – first off – I have sort of put the Ear to the Ground Events back up.  It is a work in progress.  I need to do some formatting and stuff.  I will continue to work on it and hopefully improve it.

Let us jump directly into the shuffle… it’s another good one….

“Monkey Suit” by Human Radio

Human Radio just completed a successful crowd funding campaign which means new music is on the horizon!  Great news!  This one goes back to their self-titled first and only studio album so far, and it is the perfect song for a commute to work….

“Chasing Vapor Trails (His Turn to Cry)” by Syd Straw

Syd Straw has one of the most amazing voices in music.  Surprise remains on my list of favorite albums, and this song… this song!

“The Three Bells” by Alison Karuss

A gorgeous rendition of a song popularized by The Browns in 1959.  The song lyrics cover three stages (birth, marriage, and death) in the life of Little Jimmy Brown.  Coincidently, the late Jim Ed Brown was the male lead singer of The Browns and shares a name with the character in the song.

“You Better Move On” by Amy Black

One more from  the Muscle Shoals Sessions.  This is a cover of a song written and first recorded by Arthur Alexander.  The song has previously been covered by artists ranging from the Rolling Stones to Johnny Paycheck and George Jones to Mink Deville. I really like Amy Black’s version included here.

“After You’ve Gone” by Wes Montgomery

A song by the late great Jazz Guitarist – which I grabbed from Aquarium Drunkard.

“Under Their Laws” by Liberty’s Exiles

Liberty’s Exiles are a Progressive duo who formed in 2013.  Our first listen comes from their forthcoming album which will be called The Price of Immortality and is due out September 4.

“Ebeneezer/Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss” by David Schnaufer

Our second instrumental in the shuffle – the late Dulcimer master David Schnaufer is back with more of his wonderful music.

“It’s Our Time” by Blackfoot Gyspsies

We close out the day with an older song from one of my favorite Nashville bands.  This goes back to their EP called Dandee Cheeseball (2011).  They are now signed to Plowboy Records, and you can find their latest album, Handle It, everywhere.  Go see them live!

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Too Far From the Limb Mix



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And now, we reach the mid-point of the work week… tonight in Nashville is the final week of Kevn Kinney’s residency at The 5 Spot.  Warner Hodges and Chuck Mead are the guests, and word has it that Dan Baird, Joe Blanton, and Brad Pemberton will be on hand as well… should be a fun show!

“All My Best Friends Are Cigarettes” by Darrin Bradbury

We start off the shuffle with another track of Darrin Bradbury’s The Story of Bob EP.  A good chance for a reminder that Darrin, Brian Wright, Raelyn Nelson, and Lauren Farrah will all be playing full band sets at The Basement East on Thursday (tomorrow night).  That show begins at 9:00p.m.  If you get there early, Nancy Terzian and the Leg Men and Stone Cupid featuring Julie Christensen are playing starting at 7:00p.m.

“IX” by Mike Watt

What have hear is Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE) setting the words of James Joyce to music.  It is from a 2008 compilation that features all 36 of Joyce’s Chamber Music poems adapted by different musicians.  The album is called Chamber Music – James Joyce (1907). 1-36.

“Most in the Summertime” by Rhett Miller

This is from Rhett Miller’s album The Traveler which features Black Prairie.  The recording is from a World Café Session.  

“Woman on Fire” by Amy Black

Another of the three original tunes on Amy Black’s new album, The Muscle Shoals Sessions is a powerful statement of purpose embedded in a song that sounds as timeless as the classics that dominate the rest of the album.

“Driven Back” by Jesse and Noah

I just got a listen to the first song from the forthcoming Jesse and Noah album – which will be in the shuffle soon, I’m sure.  In the meantime, we have the excellent title track from their album Driven Back.

“Save the World” by Shovels and Rope

Swimmin’ Time is Shovels and Rope’s 2014 release.  This song is from that album.  More evidence of just how awesome Shovels and Rope really are.

“Pretty Girls” by Against Me!

Another from World Café… The song originally appeared on the band’s 2005 album Searching for a Former Clarity, and a live version will be on 23 Live Sex Acts – a live album due in September.  I really dig the World Café Session version of this song.

“The Sky is Crying” by Elmore James

From 1959, the Elmore James original of a song that has become a Blues standard.

“The New Day” by Tomas Doncker Band

Another song from the Big Apple Blues album.  Doncker and his band have become extremely adept at fusing a variety of influences into a complex, diverse, and yet consistent “Global Soul” sound.  

“Back Back Back” by Anthony D’Amato

From the album The Shipwreck From the Shore… From a Noisetrade compilation. I’m late getting to the Anthony D’Amato party, but I really like this song, and I want to hear more!

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Burn, Burn, Burn Mix

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One of my absolute favorite people and one of Nashville’s best songwriters, Jon Latham has completed his first album, Real Bad News.  Real Bad News is the name of the album.  The fact that he has completed it is real good news!  He has a Indiegogo campaign to help get the album out in physical form.   Here’s the details…

https://www.indiegogo.com/project/printing-jon-latham-s-debut-record-real-bad-news/embedded

On to the shuffle!

“Roman Candles” by Benchmarks

Benchmarks is the band formerly known as Todd Farrell and the Dirtybirds.  The name change was meant to better represent who the band have become.  Based upon their new EP American Night, which came out a month or so ago, they are a band who have found themselves. This track in particular evokes the comfortably unpredictable feel of a hot summer night in the South – out in a field… fireworks and alcohol and abandon. 

“Please Don’t Give Up on Me” by Amy Black

Singer-Songwriter Amy Black’s latest album, The Muscle Shoals Sessions, is a tribute to the great music that has (and continues to) come out of the “Shoals” in Alabama. The album contains covers of some truly classic songs mixed in with some choice original songs – like our track today.  I would think that it takes some audacity to place ones own songs along side some proven classics, but Black has the songwriting chops to pull it off.  She is backed by a stellar band.

“Lovin’ Babe” by Anna and Elizabeth

Anna and Elizabeth are a duo from Virginia. They play Appalachian Roots music.  This song is a traditional tune from their self-titled album which came out earlier this year.

“My Baby Got It” by The Satisfactors

One more dose of pure rock and roll from the New Jersey super-group from their self-titled debut album.

“Sympathy for the Devil” by Ben Arthur

The leadoff track from Ben Arthur’s forthcoming album of “answer songs”, is a response to the classic Rolling Stones’ song from Beggars Banquet. Whereas the Stones’ classic is epic in scale, Arthur’s response is intimate and personal.  It is one of my favorite tracks on this album – maybe because I most familiar with the source material.

“For God Knows Why” by James Roquemore

The opening track from Roquemore’s The First EP. Sometimes you don’t know why you do things you do…

“Pickled Ginger” by Wilco

Another track from the brand new “surprise” release from Wilco finds the band sounding a good as ever.

“Down the Road” by Steve Earle

From Steve Earle’s Guitar Town album – one of my all-time favorites.

“Sometimes I Wish I Didn’t Care” by Kevn Kinney’s S.T.A.R.

And we close out this Tuesday shuffle with a song from Kevn Kinney’s Sun Tangled Angel Revival (S.T.A.R.) from 2006’s Comin’ Round Again.  Kinney closes out his month-long residency at The 5 Spot tomorrow night with guests Warner Hodges and Chuck Mead. Hodges has announced that he will be backed by a band that is essentially The Bluefields (Dan Baird, Brad Pemberton, and Joe Blanton).

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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