Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle – Alright, Alright Mix

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Good day, hepcats!  Had a blast seeing Matt Phillips and The Philharmonic out at Charlie Bob’s last night.  The band sounded fantastic and it was great hearing how much Matt’s sound has evolved since I saw him last year at Music City Roots (which was awesome, too by the way).  I hope he makes it back to Nashville for a more extended visit. 

Lots on the horizon, trying to keep all those juggles balled… no wait, that is not it…

It’s Tuesday!  Time to find out what we have “Trending” on E2TG. 

“Picture” by Jean Synodinos

First up, another track from Love and Blood the latest album from this Austin-based singer-songwriter.  I dig this album. 

“Stop this World” by Golden State Lone Star Blues Revue

Next, we have our first listen to this new album by a band made up of great bluesmen from California and Texas – including Mark Hummel and Anson Funderburgh.  The band’s self-titled album is due out April 15. This is authentically, real blues music.  Dig it!

“It’s Gonna Be (alright)” by Ricky Mirage

I am pretty sure (but won’t swear by it) that I was turned onto this record by a Facebook post of Aaron Lee Tasjan.  Ricky Mirage is the alter-ego of Chicago musician Nick Harris.  The album Pop Goes the Sun is a trippy, poppy good time. The last couple of tracks have been hanging around the playlists for a while – it is great when they come up.

“C Vitae” by Leapfrogtown

Another awesome track from Dreaming in Public.  I am really digging this band from London – so is my shuffle function.

“The End of Mystery” by Jason P. Krug

I think I am just figuring out what the term “Spirit Animal” means in popular vernacular.  It’s like a “Patronus” from Harry Potter, right?  Well, anyway, I think Jason P. Krug is my spirit animal. Long-time E2TG readers will recall that I have been writing about Jason’s old band Grimm Generation for several years – including an interview which was when I first felt like Jason was someone I knew – someone who could be me… He just released The Zen of Losing.  Expect a full discourse/treatise on the album  – which has blown me away upon initial listening. In the meantime, as logic would dictate, the first track up on the shuffle is the last track on the album.  The album comes with my highest recommendation.  It is about as real and raw and powerful as music gets these days.

“Stolen” by Elephant Revival

Elephant Revival released Sands of Now last year as a live album/DVD.  It was recorded at the Boulder Theater.  We have been featuring this one for several months – still have a couple more tracks to go.  Enjoy!

“I’m Alright” by Angela Easterling

If I had had one more song in the shuffle with “alright” in the title, I was going to subtitle this one, the Matthew McConaughey Mix. This is another from Common Law Wife. It is an infectious uplifting song for those days when life does not feel so uplifting.

“My Dog Thinks I Am” by Lori Kelley

Our second Lori Kelley song in as many days.  Lori is one of the best songwriters working today. I know she is beginning to get some songs cut by other performers. If Nashville knows what it is doing, this is a trend that will continue.  Awesome catchy songs with a lot of spirit and heart.

“Carpetbagger Song” by Richie Owens and The Farm Bureau

Richie and company just recently released Dia De Los Azules, and I got to hear the band tear through some of those new songs last Friday.  (This is a band you want to see live as often as you can – by the way). Today, we have a timely tune from the album Tennessee.  (Speaking for myself), I don’t think of everyone who moves to Nashville as a Carpetbagger… to me it is those people who come here and begin buying up and tearing down historical landmarks and putting up non-descript over-priced condos and trendy upscale mixed-use. This is becoming an all too frequent occurrence on Music Row and elsewhere in the city.  Anyway, this song is about that kind of person/enterprise. As someone said yesterday, if this trend does not stop soon, tour buses will soon drive down Music Row and tell the wide-eyed tourist, “see that Bed, Bath, and Beyond?, Elvis (Presley or Costello) once recorded in a studio that used to be on that spot.”  Editorial over… anyway a great tune from one of my favorite Nashville bands.  The band members have all been part of the local music scene for a long time.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Salted Joints, Cannibalism, and Andre the Giant Mix

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Another week… this is gonna be a weird one.  But, whatever…

Friday:  Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour – always a good time. 
Cross the river to The Country for The Tangled Hearts and Saint Luke’s Drifters each providing a different take on a rockin’ country sound.

Saturday:  So, I have been reading this book called Outlaw: Waylon, Willie, Kris and the Renegades of Nashville by Michael Streissguth.  (Thanks Pat and Kelsie). It is a very interesting book not just about the origins of the Outlaw Country movement but also about what Nashville was like in the late sixties and early seventies.  I am drawing some interesting parallels to what I have been observing in Nashville in recent times.  Anyway, Saturday night on the stage of Douglas Corner, Peter Cooper, David Olney, Tommy Womack, and Chris Gantry played an in-the-round show (swapping songs and stories).  Peter Cooper writing is referenced several times in Streissguth’s book,  David Olney is mentioned in a quote from Rodney Crowell (and he shared a story that referenced that time period), and Chris Gantry’s name came up several times in the book, and he, too, shared some stories from those days.  The songs, of course, were out of this world, and it was a pretty magical night.

Onto the shuffle:
“Salted Joints” by Discount Ravioli

Discount Ravioli released Come Looj With Us at the beginning of January, and they have already released the follow up Captain Fettuccine and the Quest for the Champ on Earth II.  Anyway, this track is from the former not the latter.  Warning: excessive use of salt is not recommended.  And if you are going to practice cannibalism just eat people who are already dead.  Also, since I still cannot find Discount Ravioli videos, I will continue to post vintage videos of the Nork kids.

“Andre” by Dog Without Warning

The bay area band, Dog Without Warning have been favorites around here for some time. They have recently begun releasing some new songs, including this one about one of the icons of my childhood, and one for the more interesting public figures of the latter part of the 20th Century – Andre the Giant.

“Post-Desert Breakup Life” by Discount Ravioli

Why not – one more from Come Looj With Us.  I have no idea what this is all about, but enjoy the chunky instrumentation and barely audible vocals.    Also,

“A Million Stars” by Ashleigh Flynn

One of the highlights of my birthday week was meeting and hearing the music of Ashleigh Flynn.  This is the lovely title track from her 2013 album.

“The Flame” by Angela Easterling

Speaking of awesome singer-songwriters whose names start with the letter A, and who I met at a $2 Tuesday show at The 5 Spot…. Angela Eastering released the awesome Common Law Wife album in 2015 and that album helped earn her a coveted “Earie”Award. 🙂  

“Deadbeat (Dyslexic Heart)” by Ben Arthur

One of my favorite of Ben Arthur’s “Answer” songs from the planned album, “Call and Response”.   This one is a response to the poetry of  Jay Baron Nicorvo – namely his collection called Deadbeat.

“Ducking Dodging” by Parquet Courts

From a World Café session…and a track from the Brooklyn  indie rock band’s album Sunbathing Animals + Content Nausea. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Still a Human Being Mix

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Got to make this quick – I’m running late.  Saturday is another one of those impossible choices (musically-speaking in Nashville):  The Foobar is holding a multi-act afternoon show that features: Jeff Shepherd, Year of October, Susie Oleson, and Adrian + Meredith, and more!  Intersecting with the Adrian+Meredith part of the show will be some other awesome options:  David Olney returns to Bobby’s Idle Hour, Jon Latham opens for The Whistles and The Bells at The Basement.  Aaron Lee Tasjan returns to Nashville for a full band show – and his band include the also recently returned Brian Wright at Soulshine Pizza, and then later on Zach Schmidt + Patrick Kinsley & A Fistful of Dollars open for Cataline Crime at The 5 Spot.  And probably tons of other cool stuff…  get out and do something… you cannot go wrong with any of these selections…

Tonight: Tim Carroll Happy Hour 6-8:30 at The 5 Spot, and later on Kevin Gordon and his band are at The Family Wash.  If you have tickets, Those Darlins are playing their final show (a sell out) at The Basement East.

“How the West Was Won” by Ashleigh Flynn

Another cool song from A Million Stars. This one is a toe-tapping number.  Janie doesn’t have a gun.

“Separate Ways” by Carl Anderson

It’s hard to believe, but we still have songs to feature from Risk of Loss – one of 2015s best albums.  Carl Anderson is from Charlottesville, VA, but Nashville is happy to claim him now.   (and yes, I do speak for Nashville).   This is not the Journey song by the way.

“Defining Deviance Down” by The End Men

2013 E2TG Band of the Year from their excellent 2015 album Terms and Conditions. Man these guys rock so hard, and they are sounding so good on this record. 

“Lay My Head” by Angela Easterling

Another of my favorite albums of 2015, Common Law Wife.  A gorgeous song.  There are deep Nashville connections on this album.

“It’s a Beautiful Morning” by Tommy Womack

Certain to be one of the best of 2016. A new album from Tommy Womack is always a cause for celebration, and there is a lot to celebrate on Womack’s return following a neat fatal automobile accident last spring.  A powerful and lovely song for my morning walk, and a good reminder.  This song connects well with “I Almost Died” which we featured yesterday (I think).  It is a message of the hope that is possible on the other side.

“Let You Down” by Zachariah Red

And we close out the shuffle and the week with a track from Backbone.  This one features the vocal accompaniment of Lindsay Ellyn who also co-wrote the song.  I am pretty sure Backbone will be on my best of 2016 list.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Festivus Music Shuffle – Pretty Girl Dancing to Jugband Music Mix

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Happy Festivus!  Stay tuned for the traditional airing of grievances and feats of strength.

You know, even though I have been featuring some holiday/Christmas/Winter/Red Cup themed music for the last few days, I honestly have not been in the spirit of the season.  Maybe it the fact that it is almost 70 in Nashville and tornados are possible later today or maybe it is just the realities of current life.  However, last night, I attended the Ornaments Christmas Show (it was actually their 14th performance this season) which featured the music of Vince Guaraldi from A Charlie Brown Christmas.  The night also featured Holiday music from Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers  and a Tuba Christmas.  There was so much great music and great vibes present that I found myself- wholly against my will caught up in the Spirit. 

It also helps that today will be my last day of work for four days and I get to leave early today!!!!

The “Earies” continue with the “Wind Comes Sweeping Down the Plain” Award.

The premise:  I don’t think I’ve ever been to the state of Oklahoma (my parents lived there a short time before I was born). And other than the musical and some college football games, I’ve never given it much thought. (no offense – I really don’t think much at all about anything).  In 2015, however, it seems like I kept hearing awesome music from artists who call Oklahoma home. 

The Award:

1.  I would be severely remiss if I did not give an “Earie” Award to John Moreland.  His album, High on Tulsa Heat, was a break-through and definitely among the top tier of best albums of the year.  Throughout the year, I was fortunate enough see him perform live a few time, and each and every time, he managed to give me goosebumps and stir my heart and soul.  At Americana Fest, Moreland managed to mostly silence a packed out Mercy Lounge and garnered a very rare AMA Showcase encore.  

2.  Dan Martin. I met Dan Martin at a David Olney residency at The 5 Spot earlier this year, and I got hold of his CD Hoka Hey, and it quickly became one of my favorite albums of 2015.

3. Levi Parham and John Calvin Abney.  These two amazing singer-songwriters blew me away when I saw them perform during the Campfire Propaganda residency at The 5 Spot.  Actually, I kind of feel like their is a definite psychic link between Oklahoma and East Nashville. 

4.  Samantha Crain:  I saw Samantha Crain perform as part of an incredible round at the Bluebird Café earlier this year.  She combines excellent songs with a unique voice.  There was some hope that she would make it back to Nashville this month or so, but it did not pan out.  Hopefully, we will see her here again in 2016.

Next, we wrap up our Red Cup Season Playlist!  Best to everyone no matter what you celebrate and if you are struggling with anything during this season remember you are not alone. Peace!

“somerkersfees” + “stille nag” by velodrones

We finish up velodrones Christmas EP with lovely versions of Christmas Carols.

“Blanket” + “Fantasy” + “Stocking” by Batkhi Dahn

We wrap up the Batkhi Dahn Christmas EP with three songs.  “Blanket” refers to the thing you place under the tree. I’ve always called it a “skirt” but I will defer to the New Englanders since they actually might have snow this season.   

“Barbeque” + “Closer Now Than Ever Before” + “Brothers” + “Hole in the Washtub” from Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas

We roll through the last four songs from the Emmet Otter Jugband Christmas.  The two-tapping Barbeque, the two songs which were mashup yesterday, and the equally toe-tapping Hole in the Washtub.   I just noticed that Hulu has the special, so maybe I will watch it all tomorrow.

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” by Milktooth

Nashville band, Milktooth – who we have featured in the past, released a lovely version of this Carol along with a  powerful and moving video (which is in the Video Playlist below).

“Winter’s Lie” by Angela Easterling

“Earie” Award winner Angela Easterling released a season song.  It is a gorgeous song.

“The Earth Stood Still” by Future of Forestry

And we finish off the Future of Forestry Advent Anthology with this song.  I think this is an original song – or at least I have not heard it before and I could not find anything in a brief search to indicate it is not a Future of Forestry original.  A really lovely song.

 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Rattle Snakes Confusion Mix

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Welcome to the working week….   Heading into an unusual week – I am off Wednesday – before that I have a busy week, after that I have a busy week.  Wednesday will probably we busy, too.

Friday night, I saw two Jon’s at The Family Wash. First Jon Byrd and then Jon Langford. Very different sets, but both offering unique and interesting takes on Country music.  In between, I got to spend a little time with some East Nashville friends at my friend Bob’s birthday bash.

Saturday night, Human Radio at The 5 Spot (they are in the shuffle today so more later about that), and then to the Wash again for Lisa Oliver Gray’s birthday show. The amazing singer had a killer band that included Tommy Womack and Ross Rice (of Human Radio) among others.

Tonight, back to the Wash again for a stellar night of music featuring Brock Zeman with Blair Hogan and Darrin Bradbury featuring Megan Palmer.  Starts at 7:00 – you do not want to miss it.  Later, Brian Wright is playing the Basement with a killer band and with Lilly Hiatt and Jesse Lafser opening.

On to the shuffle….

“Chapel Hill Boogie” by John Dee Holeman

Via the Music Maker Relief Foundation – some Piedmont Blues from one of the living legends of the style.

“The Bridges I’ve Burned” by Reckless Johnny Wales

Another great track from American Heart.  I love some of the lines of this song.  Reckless Johnny is one of those larger than life musical figures who you can see quite often around Nashville. 

“Table Rock” by Angela Easterling

One of my personal favorites from Angela Easterling’s Common Law Wife album. 

“Above the Surface” by Bang OK Bang

From a live album recorded at an East Nashville Underground show… Bang OK Bang are a sludgy hard rocking band from Nashville. This song and this recording remind me so much of the independent, local music I grew up listening to… but it is thoroughly modern in all the best ways, which makes it doubly exciting to me.

“Harder to Lie” (Live at Eastside Manor) by David Ramirez

Sticking with recordings made on the east side of Nashville… This recording by Austin-based singer-songwriter David Ramirez sounds gorgeous and it’s a great song, too.

“Electromagnetism” by Human Radio

As I mentioned, I got to take in the Human Radio show this past Saturday night.  They did a good job mixing their classic tracks with some material from their forthcoming new album. The new songs sounded great.  The thing I have always loved about this band is their ability to combine instruments in a unique way and their ability to hit a groove like very few bands can do.  Fun show!  Great music.  Get ready for the new album, and in the mean time, seek out their classic self-titled album which includes this song and tons of other great ones.

“Fly Me Courageous” by Drivin’ n Cryin’ with Audley Freed

Someone here in town, dubbed this past summer as the Summer of Kevn Kinney.  Kinney made several notable appearances around town including a month-long residency at The 5 Spot.  Audley Freed (Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow) joined for at least one of those shows. Kinney will be back in Nashville December 5 with his band Drivin’ n Cryin’.  Warner Hodges will filling the guitar slot and Jason Isbell guitarist Sadler Vaden is the special guest.  I don’t know if Audley Freed will be in town, but if he is, I would not be surprised if he jumped on stage… maybe for this song which was one of the legendary Georgia band’s best known songs and the title track to their 1991 album.

“Minutes Into Hours” by Katie Mac

Katie Mac is a 20 year old singer-songwriter from Liverpool. I really dig this track which I could not find anywhere on-line, but here is a link to her Facebook page if you want to check her out.

“Airstream Transmission” (Live) by Leland Sundries

We close things out with another track from Brooklyn band, Leland Sundries. The song is on a live album called Live at the Creamery.  Check them out!

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Featured Friday Music Shuffle – Sweethearts Gone Mix

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Okay… this has to be a fast one.  I walked over to the Southern Festival of Books during my lunch break (when I usually write and post the blog) to see Julie Christensen and part of Stone Cupid (Chris Tench and Sergio Webb). They killed it as usual.

Last night – quickly – some highlights: Week 2 Campfire Propaganda Residency… guests Ariel Buie and Actual Wolf.  Megan Palmer – on keyboard playing a new song and a John Moreland song. Nellie Clay with Actual Wolf, Tim Easton as usual, Brian Wright – fighting jet lag and killing it (with Aaron Lee Tasjan for a couple of songs), Darrin Bradbury and Megan Palmer – Darrin leading his own more of meditation…

Coverfest at Basement East!!!  Major props to Terry Rickards for putting this together.  Everyone was great, and I don’t have time for a full report, but I will just say Los Colognes doing Bob Dylan’s Infidels album in its entirety and nailing it and Allen Thompson Band as The Eagles were my absolute favorites (it was all good). The Eagles segment was so much fun!

Also, ICYMI – #E2TG posted the new single from Zachariah Red this morning. 
Check it out here.

Shuffle….

“Out of the Depths” by The Unravelling

A dose of heavy prog metal to start this Friday. The album is called Tear a Hole in the Collective Vision.  We’ve been spinning tracks from it for a while… it’s great!

“(You’ve Got) The Right to be Wrong” by Reckless Johnny Wales

Another really cool track from American Heart by Reckless Johnny!

“Meet My Maker” by Sammy Brue

“Jealous” by Sammy Brue

Two tracks from 14 year old wunderkind Sammy Brue’s EP, I Don’t Want You To Leave. 

“April Fire” by Benchmarks

Flashback to before the Summer… another awesome song from the Benchmarks record.

“Issac Woodard’s Eyes” by Angela Easterling

Another from Common Law Wife… Angela Easterling just came into my consciousness this year, and she is already a favorite.

“Trouble on my Mind” by Tiffany Huggins Grant

One more from Jonquil Child.  Tiffany will be following David Olney on the Music Stage at the Southern Festival of Books.  Olney at 10:00a.m., Tiffany at 11:00.

“Drunk” by Eight O’Five Jive

The award winning Eight O’Five Jive with another track from their Too Many Men album.

“Play Me” by Rich Robbins (feat. Saba)

And we close out our Featured Friday Shuffle with one from Nimbus which is the debut album from the awesome Rich Robbins.  Hip Hop of the highest order.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Change Your Shirt Mix

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One of the outstanding things about Americana Fest is that it brings people from all over the world who are dedicated to making and appreciating the wildly diverse, enigma that is Americana Music.

Aussie songwriter/singer Imogen Clark came to town for Americana Fest last year, and she was invited back this year.  She is still in town and is putting on a release show for her EP Love and Lovely Lies at Twin Kegs II on Wednesday at 7:30.  Here is the link to the Facebook Event.

And here is a video so you know why you need to get there if at all possible.

To the shuffle:

“Friendlies” by Tess Parks and Anton Newcombe

via Aquarium Drunkard.  Tess Parks is from Toronto and Anton Newcombe is the founder of the Brian Jonestown Massacre.  He currently lives in Berlin. The pair released an album entitled I Declare Nothing – back in June.  This is my first listen, and it was a great way to start my morning.

“Jennifer” by Tom Schreck

Schreck’s new EP Added Glory is in post-production or something like that.  Looking forward to it.  This is another one from Save Your Glory which I assume was a prequel to the new EP or vice-versa, or else they both just have Glory in the title… either way.  We have a video of Tom with a string section.  Not this song but you can get this song and the rest of Save Your Glory via bandcamp.

“Fake Roses” by The Lone Bellow

The Brooklyn based alt-country band headed up a long list of artists that I was not able to see at Americana Fest.  Don’t get me wrong, I do not regret anything I did see, but there was just way too much great music happening all at once, and just to be a little negative, I’ve decided to focus on the things I did not do and the artists I did not see.  It seems like a productive use of my time.  Anyway, I love this song.

“Meeting Across the River” by Bruce Springsteen

The song that leads into Jungleland on Born to Run. 

“The Mountain” by Angela Easterling

Another great track from Common Law Wife. So glad I got to see and meet Angela a few weeks back when she was in town.

“Indiana Rose” by Barna Howard

Yeah… another artist I missed at Americana.  Love this guys songs.  This is our second listen from his Quite Feelin’. Barna Howard is from Missouri.

“Ghetto” by Amelia White

I did see Amelia White perform – which is always a pleasure, but I also missed another performance – so in the spirit of negativity, I will focus on the show I missed. She has new album, Home Sweet Hotel in the can. This goes back to her last album, Old Postcards.  A gorgeous song with a video that features a bunch of people I know.

“Freak” by Mouth Reader

Some high energy fun from the Murfreesboro band off their Hands record. 

“Past Lives” by Real Estate

We close out the shuffle on a mellower note with a track from New Jersey band, Real Estate.  This song is off of their 2014 album Atlas.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle- Tray Tables Up Mix

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Well, it is FRIDAY!  Not only that, but I have a three day weekend ahead of me.  Some prelims before we get to the Featured Friday Shuffle…

Last night was another absolutely astonishing night of music at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  First, it was week one of David Olney’s September Residency. As always, the songs were fantastic and the band was tight.  Besides his usual band (Justin Amaral drums, Daniel Seymour bass, and Sergio Webb guitar), Olney was joined by Ward Stout (who played other stringed type instruments).  The highlight for me was when Olney played is signature song, “Deeper Well” and wrapped the song around a mind-blowing mashup of Bo Diddley and “Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

The late show at the Spot began with Reno Bo who was joined on guitar by Sadler Vaden (Jason Isbell’s guitar player).  Then, Jesse Lafser played a spirited set that impressed me greatly.  The night ended with a magical jam that features Cordovas and featured Joe Firstman (who was at one time the band leader on Last Call with Carson Daly), Audley Freed (Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow), Steve Gorman (Black Crowes), and the always amazing Brian Wright.  Late in the set, Firstman turned over his bass to guest Pat Sansone (Wilco). The band performed an absolutely killer version of Neil Young’s “Cortez the Killer”, and then Firstman called up another guest, Jewel who joined the band for John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery”.  An awe-inspiring end to a great night of music.

Other news, Nashville singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon released his new album, Long Gone Time today.  You should buy this album, but if you need convincing, you can check out my review which is up on No Depression.

Finally, an update on WXNA, the new low-power community radio station being created here in Nashville.  There are just 4 days left to donate and be a part of making this thing a reality.  Details below:

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

Well, I’ve run on a bit haven’t I… we still have a shuffle to present….

“Savior of Love” by Brian Carpenter and the Confessions

We have our second listen from the forthcoming, Far End of the World album.  I am really digging the sound of this Boston band.  Check them out!

“Throwing Strikes” by Angela Easterling

One more from the incredible, Common Law Wife, album. This one is about baseball, a crushed dreams, small towns, and hard times.

“Shed My Skin” by Stone Cupid

Our first of two tracks from the forthcoming album The Cardinal by Stone Cupid – the Nashville band fronted by Julie Christensen (Divine Horsemen, Leonard Cohen etc.). The band features the dual guitar attack of Sergio Webb and Chris Tench, bassist Bones Hillman (Midnight Oil) and drummer Steve Latanation (Agent Orange).  If you failed to heed my advice to get in on the pre-order, then you will have to wait until early 2016 to hear this record. We have a live performance from Stone Cupid, and a fun video from Julie and her husband in our Video playlist.

“Market Place” by Eight O’Five Jive

Congratulations are in order to Nashville’s Eight O’Five Jive. The took home two Nashville Industry Music Awards for Best Live Blues Performers and Best Blues Artists.  Well deserved!  Too Many Men is a fun album filled with many great songs like the one we featured today.

“Paper Napkins” by Benchmarks

Another one from American Night. This song was first released as a solo single by Todd Farrell back in December. It is such a good song, and rightfully, it ended up on Benchmarks new record.

“Hit Me, Hit Me, Hit Me” by The Satisfactors

More straight ahead rock and roll from the self-titled debut by the New Jersey supergroup. A fun song!

“Broken Wing” by Stone Cupid

Another from The Cardinal.  If you catch her live, you may just be able to get your copy of the album.  Otherwise, mark your calendar for January 22, 2016.

“The One” by The Danbury Lie

Our final song from Scattered Moments of Connection.   More evidence to explain my continued infatuation with this music.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – The Black Bruce Wayne Mix

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Well… another work week is just about done… Since it is Friday, it means it is time for Featured Friday in which we shuffle songs from a smaller subset of our usual playlist. This subset includes mostly songs from albums released this year which have been sent or given to me to include at Ear to the Ground.

Let’s just do it….

“Big Star” by The Poorhouse Says

Another track from as patterns go, the most recent album from St. Louis based, The Poorhouse Says. I am continuing to enjoy this record.

“Want” by [debut]

Our final track from Postcards from Berlin… some really cool electronic music from Los Angeles.

“Hammer” by Angela Easterling

The opening track from Angela Easterling’s new album, Common Law Wife.  I mentioned that I got to meet and hear this song and others on Tuesday night at The 5 Spot. Angela and her common law husband and guitar player Brandon Turner sounded great, and this is a wonderful album that features many of Nashville’s best musicians backing it up.

“Revolutions” by Grumsling

This is the last song on Oakland based Grumsling’s album called, Full Coverage. The band call their sound New Classic Rock and Story Rock.  I really dig the band’s sound which is pretty unique. And as I’ve mentioned before, they have their own character (mascot???, avatar???) that looks pretty mischievous.

“uMakemeFeel” by Rich Robbins (feat. Janel Leea and Taniesha Broadway, prod. Since ’93)

Another great track from Nimbus – the debut album by Rich Robbins – a young hip-hop artist who is from the suburbs of Chicago by way of other places and who attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison on a hip-hop scholarship.  How cool is that?  This is one of my personal favorites from the album.  A killer hook and some great voices backing up Rich Robbins.

“Common Law Wife” by Angela Easterling

Back to Angela Easterling – this time with the title track of her new album.  She did this one, also, on Tuesday.

“Tyger Bay” by Reckless Johnny Wales

The enigmatic troubadour is back in the shuffle with another track from his new album American Heart.

“Celestialism” by The Foresters

It seems fitting to end the week with a track from the new album, Sun Songs, by The Foresters of Bethany, Connecticut.  We have had different artists from the Dord Music Group in our shuffles all week long, and The Foresters are the first and foremost Dord Music Group artist.  To recap for the uninitiated.  Several years ago, Jack Nork took his three young sons to a Green Day concert, the boys came home and wanted to start a rock and roll band. So their parents bought them instruments. That the kids had talent was apparent to me and many others the first time I heard them – back in 2012.  They generally played Pop Punk music heavily influenced by the band that got it all started.  At the time, I made a joke that the band’s average age was just over 10 years old, but that they played their music at 11… Flash forward three years, the band is older, and as a good listen to Sun Songs reveals, the band’s sound has evolved and broadened.  “Celestialism” is the penultimate song on the album.  A gorgeous instrumental rock song that seems a million miles away from their (albeit awesome) Pop Punk roots. With multiple side projects and a laser-focused dedication to music, the future looks bright for The Foresters.  (the recap of the Foresters’ history is mine based upon a shoddy memory of things I have read.  It was probably way cooler than I made it out to be, and possibly different.)

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VIDEO PLAYLIST

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Featured Friday v2.0 Mix

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I had an enjoyable evening last night – a sort of last minute (day before actually) invite to Amy Black’s CD Release Show at The Bluebird Café for her new album, The Muscle Shoals Sessions.  The album was recorded down in Alabama and features covers of some of the great music that has come out of Muscle Shoals plus some original songs – inspired by that sound. Black is in the process of moving to the Nashville area, and she is currently touring with a band that features her husband on drums and a talented group of young musicians who are or have attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

I came home to hear the sad news out of Lafayette, Louisiana – yet another mass shooting. This hit close – I have a lot of family in the area, and at least one family member posted that they often see movies in that theater.  I also so that a Facebook friend knew one of the victims.  I fully expect – after our shared sense of “community” shock, to see a bunch of posts from both sides of political spectrum about this and the far too many other events like this one. My hope is for people of all political stripes to say, “this is terrible, things like this should not be happening”, and then have real dialogue about the complex issues surrounding this and all of the other mass shootings. Mostly, my wish for all of us, is that just for today, we treat each other with a little extra kindness.

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As you may have gathered if you follow Ear to the Ground, 2015 has been an extremely busy year.  I seem to have gotten on some people radar, and I am very grateful for that.  With all that, however, comes some challenges, and I move forward – with some exciting things on the horizon, I have discovered the need to get creative in dealing with the volume of new music that comes my way.  Historically, my primary thing has been to add music to my playlist and feature it in the shuffle. Recently, I have been writing more reviews (though not as many as I would like to), and I have seen my active playlist continue to grow (it is currently over 1,000 songs) which means that some albums I really want to feature may or may not come up in my shuffle. To that end, I decided to bring back and revamp an old E2TG thing – called Featured Friday.  Back in the earlier days of Ear to the Ground, I would “feature” 10 artists/bands every month, and I would create a playlist of their music which I would then shuffle on Featured Friday.

This new Featured Friday, is a playlist that is a subset of my regular playlist, that is limited to newer music that I really want to feature.  So this playlist – unlike the regular one, will not include classic and obscure older music or one-offs from compilations, well, let’s just do it, and you may see what I mean.

“Odyssea 1201” by Susan James

It is always fun when a brief instrumental track comes into the shuffle. Like this from Susan James’ brand new album, Sea Glass.

“Aching Heart” by Angela Easterling

Angela Easterling’s latest album Common Law Wife is due out next month.  I have really been enjoying the album. It is filled with wonderful songs and she is backed by some amazing players.  Put it on your to-listen list.

“Machines” by The Foresters

It is kind of strange that I have been listening to The Foresters for around three years – stranger given that the oldest member of the band is 15 and the youngest is eleven. Strange but in this case, extremely gratifying, to have seen the musical growth that has happened and continues to happen.  The band’s new album, Sun Songs, which was just released this week, finds the brothers from Connecticut moving further away from their Pop Punk roots in an organic way that is in line with their maturing musical vocabulary.  Looking forward to seeing where they go from here.  Machines is the second single from Sun Songs.

“Tight” by Paul Zografi

This is the only 2014 album I added into this Featured playlist.  It was released late last year, but I didn’t get hold of it until 2015. In any event, I really love the album, and due to the random nature of the shuffle – it was not until this past week that a song appeared in the shuffle – so I am really glad this song came up today.  The album is called Bright, and it features J.P. Lilliston who often backs up my friend Joe Nolan.

“Cold Slope” by Wilco

I hesitated to add this album to the shuffle – despite my lame joke yesterday – it really doesn’t fit the criteria I had in my for this playlist, but you know what… what’s the point in writing your own blog if you can’t make up rules and break them at will.  I have been really digging this surprise gift from Jeff Tweedy and company, and so here is another track.

“If You Will” (bonus track) by Kevin Gordon

Kevin Gordon’s new album is not due out until September, but I am happy to get to spend some time with it, and to get the chance to remind myself and then you that he is one of the best songwriters and performers out there. Long Time Gone is the name of the new album, and I will keep reminding you about it. It is the follow up to 2012’s Gloryland, which if you haven’t you should hear.

“Lost Creek” by Elephant Revival

Thanks to bands like Elephant Revival, Elephant Goes West, Cage the Elepant, Elephant Stone etc.  Klout now thinks I am an “expert” on elephants.. 🙂 Elephant Revival are from Colorado, and they just released Sands of Now which is a live CD/DVD.  This song is on that album, and it is worthy of your attention.

 

“Catch You in the Fall” by Reckless Johnny Wales

The enigmatic yet legendary Reckless Johnny Wales returns to the shuffle with our second listen from his album American Heart.  The album really represents well the diverse experiences that made the man behind the legend.  This is one of my favorite’s from the album.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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