Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Lost in the Stars Mix

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So…  yeah…. it was almost 80 yesterday in Nashville – on November 4. Don’t worry, though, we are sure to have freeze in the near future.  That is autumn in Nashville. I’m not sure if it is the volatile weather or allergies or what, but I have really not felt all that great this week.  But, life goes on, and so do the Ear to the Ground Morning Music Shuffles…. 

“28 Cents” by Broken Guru

I have been digging on Bent Up Halo from New York Alt. Rock band Broken Guru for a while now.  I think this is the penultimate song for us from that album.

“That Ain’t Love” (Live at Eastside Manor) by David Ramirez

Austin Texas singer/songwriter released his latest album, Fables, a couple of months ago.  This is a live version of a song from that album which was recorded live at the wonderful Eastside Manor Studios in East Nashville.

“King of You” by Wilco

Another track from the recent Wilco album that has everyone wondering, “Where’s Luke?”…. #goofystarwarsjoke  hashtag #whydidIuseahashtag

“Beating of Your Heart” by The Silent War

The Silent War is a collaboration between Garrison Starr and AG (Adrianne Gonzalez of The Rescues).   Expect their debut album soon.  This track came from a Noisetrade sampler called Introducing The Silent War. 

“Bertha” (Live) by Grateful Dead

So, I have a few guiding principles in writing Ear to the Ground.  First and always foremost on my mind is being open to new music.  I also try to keep an open mind and allow my pre-conceived notions to be challenged.  Here is where I am going with that: musical interests and tastes form over time… for me, it has involved following certain rabbit holes and roots and branches of music.  The flipside of that means that some branches, I just have never followed. Many reasons for that… what my friends were into when I was younger, maybe some personal biases against the idea of something… what I am trying to say, is that for the most part, the Grateful Dead have been an underexplored branch of music for me.  For me having an open mind means being open to the voices of the universe and lately the universe has been dropping Grateful Dead references into my life – mainly via people who’s music I really love referencing or covering the Dead.  A long way to say, I grabbed this live version of Bertha (which  I saw Los Lobos cover during Americana Fest) which is from a Live recording from San Francisco in 1972. 

 “Big Hit” by Violentures

The Violentures are a Surf Garage Punk band from Brazil. Kind of if The Ventures had been influenced by Punk and Garage Rock music.  From that Continental Magazine CD, I have been spinning of late.

“Night” by Bruce Springsteen

2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Bruce Springsteen’s seminal album, Born to Run.  I think Born to Run is a near perfect Rock and Roll album.  It’s big and bombastic and bold and also poetic.  “Night” is not my favorite song on the album, but there are not any songs on the record that I do not love.

“Sending Me Angels” by D.L. Duncan

D.L. Duncan plays straight ahead, no frills Blues music.  That is meant as a compliment.  To me that means, a smooth, well-played, well-produced album that places the listener deep into a groove and then keeps them company.

His new self-titled CD was released in August.  The album was recorded in Nashville and in Lafayette, Louisiana. This song is one of only two on the album not written or co-written by Duncan.  The song was written by Frankie Miller and Jerry Lynn Williams and has been recorded by a number of artists including Delbert McClinton who is part of Duncan’s band on the album.  The album also features contributions from Guthrie Trapp and The McCrary Sisters. 

“Little Details” by Brock Zeman

Our last track from Brock Zeman’s album, Pulling Your Sword Out of the Devil’s Back.  Nashville, you have two chances to catch Zeman and Blair Hogan next week.  First Monday, they will be playing the early show at The Family Wash along with Darrin Bradbury who will be playing with Megan Palmer.   Then on Tuesday, Zeman and Hogan will be at The Five Spot for Derek Hoke’s $2 Tuesday.  Check him out!

“Should’ve Known Better” by Low Society

Facebook just told me that I have been friends with Sturgis Nikides for one year today.  In a moment of good time, the shuffle brings up a song from his band, Low Society from Memphis.  From the album, You Can’t Keep a Good Woman Down… some down and dirty Blues…

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Personality Crisis Mix

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Time is very short, but today was a good shuffle so, I will just post quickly.

“Gimme More” by Broken Guru

Another cool tune from Broke Down Halo.  

“Junior’s Blues” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen

An older Scissormen song that is currently available on a Noisetrade release called Stink Eye.  It’s a song about Junior Kimbrough.

“Personality Crisis” (1973 Demo) by New York Dolls

A demo of one of my favorite songs by the proto-punk icons.

“Safe Corridor” by Cruising

Some really cool new surf punk. From an EP also called Cruising.  I don’t know much else. 

“A Chicken With It’s Head Cut Off” by The Magnetic Fields

Sometimes I feel this way… from 69 Love Songs by Edward Sharpe and the Magnet…  wait no, wrong band… 😉

“The Garden” by Elephant Revival

Randomness produces some interesting patterns.  We have our second Elephant Revival song in as many days.  I do like this band a bunch.

“I’m So Good That I Don’t Have to Brag” by Shel Silverstein

And we close with a really funny song from the guy who wrote “The Giving Tree.”  This time around, he is talking about how he is so good that he doesn’t have to brag.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Blues in King Mix

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As June turns into July…  another cool night of music in East Nashville – this time at The Building.  Ariel Bui, Emma Berkey, Todd Henkin (all local) and Alexandra Scott from New Orleans did a outstanding round, Dylan Lee Johnston did a short set, and #E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury closed out the evening. 

Speaking of Bradbury, my show alert of the week is for Thursday night at The 5 Spot. Darrin will be opening for Austin Lucas starting around 9:00.  Should be a fine night, and I am off work Friday so….

I got to take in a couple of shows last week and talk some to Julie Christensen, and I wanted to send out a reminder/alert to her Pre-Order campaign for her new album with her incredible band Stone Cupid.  Here is the link.  You can Pre-Order the album and there are some fine options for merchandise and exclusives. Julie has a long, rich history with many of the best artists of the modern era, and I had the great pleasure to see her and her band play an amazing set at one of the final nights of the original Family Wash.  If you are in Nashville, her next band show is coming up at the end of this month, and I will have more details later.

Now to our first shuffle of this new month…

“Half Awake” by Broken Guru

The first of two Broken Guru songs in the shuffle today.  A vibrant rocking start for the day, but I can’t help feel that the title was mocking me as I groggily hit the shuffle button to begin my commute.

“Jack of All Trades” by Soul Asylum

From Hang Time.  And yes, this one always has and always does make me feel like moshing around in a crowd in front a stage.

“Tche Belew” by Hailu Mergia and Low Mentality

Another from the World Café Sessions.  Hailu Mergia is an Ethiopian keyboardist who was member of the legendary Walias Band.  Here is teams up with Low Mentality to do a updated version of the title track of Walias Band’s 1977 album.

“Blues in King” by Marshall Crenshaw

So for a moment this morning, as I was driving over the Victory Memorial Bridge in downtown Nashville, I was suddenly transported back nearly 30 years.  As I have mentioned, Marshall Crenshaw’s Downtown was released during my early college career, and I have very specific memories of driving across town on a warm evening listening to the album with the windows down on my car.

“Ghost” by Broken Guru

Our second track of the day from New York Alternative band, Broken Guru.

“El Diablo” by Low Society

Boasting powerhouse vocals and killer guitar work grounded by an excellent rhythm section… From Memphis, a town that knows a little something about the Blues… Low Society are the real deal. From their album, You Can’t Keep a Good Woman Down…  singing out those devil blues…

“Rain” by Ben Arthur

Another track from his upcoming album, Call and Response.  “Rain” is a good reminder of one of the things that sets Ben Arthur’s music apart for me.  His commitment to the craft of songwriting is evident in his work with Songcraft Presents,  Plus he has a great rich and resonate voice.

“Still Remains” by Dead in 5

Detroit rockers – Dead in 5 always inject some energy and attitude into the shuffle whenever one of their songs come up.  “Still Remains” has all of the hallmarks of a great rock song.  It is relentless, has a great hook, and man, does it rock hard.

“She Loves Love” by Michael Sackler-Berner

It’s a happy coincidence that a Michael Sackler-Berner song and a Marshall Crenshaw song appear in the same shuffle.  Crenshaw has been worked with Sackler-Berner on some of his recent songs, and he is also an excellent standard bearer fron the kind of intelligent Pop songs that Crenshaw has been making for years, and which is in short supply these days.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Fourteen Mix

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Well it’s Friday!  And it seems as if there is much to be celebrated this week (at least that is how I see it).  We have covered quite a bit of ground, musically this week, and this week-ending shuffle just pushes us that much further along.  Please remember, that my shuffle are truly random.  I just decide what is in the playlist, the random shuffle feature picks each days songs.  It tends to do a good job of it – even if I sometimes which certain songs/albums would come up sooner…

“Got to Be Mean” by Broken Guru

The second appearance of Broken Guru this week.  From the album, Bent Up Halo.

“No Wrong No Right” by Jesse Harris with Star Rover

New York singer-songwriter teams up with New York duo.  This came from a Noisetrade sampler from SXSW which has been in the playlist for some time. The title track from Jesse Harris’ album released earlier this year.

“Charles William” by All Them Witches

One of those Nashville bands that is helping to redefine (or undefine) what Nashville music is or isn’t. Got this on another Noisetrade sampler – this one from the recent Bonnaro festival.  The song is included on the band’s album, Lightning At the Door.

“Two Minutes of My Fourteen Years of Agony” by Atticus Floyd

Atticus Floyd is connected to the fertile musical movement centered around The Foresters and Bethany, Connecticut.  I will not say that this is an easy two minutes or that is particularly “accessible”… but, I guess I can say that is a pretty visceral reminder of what it felt like to be fourteen.  From Russell Stover Stole My Babbie – which came out in March.  There is already a newer release from Atticus Floyd.

“Fresh California” by Circus Propaganda

Coincidently, this track begins with a dedication to Atticus.  Indeed Atticus Floyd is/was a member of this combo.  Their album is called Botany.  From the band’s Facebook page – they are no longer playing live, but all of the members have other project(s) – some of which we have already featured here (like Atticus Floyd, The Foresters, Batkhi Dahn, and 100% Beefcake) and some we will just have to check out.  Anyway, this song and the Atticus Floyd track definitely added two or more missing elements from our diversity of music this week.

“Forked River Roadside Shrine” by Ben Arthur

From his forthcoming album of “answer” songs, Call and Response.  This is one of two songs Ben Arthur has written based upon a short story by Joyce Carol Oates.

“Strictly Business” by EPMD

The title track from the hip-hop groups’ 1988 debut album.  The track features a sample of the Eric Clapton version of the Bob Marley song, “I Shot the Sheriff”. This was influential music back in the day. 

“I Remember” by Bully

Another of those new Nashville band’s moving things forward, and getting a lot of well deserved attention for it.  Bully just this week released their debut album, Feels Like, and today we have our first official shuffle listen to a track from that album. Good stuff.

“Fallout Fields” by Elephant Revival

Elephant Revival are a Colorado based  Folk/Americana/Experimental band.  “Fallout Fields” is a track from the band’s live CD/DVD called Sands of Now which will be released in just under a month.  This came to me via e-mail (which has been busting at the seams the past few weeks – so I beg patience and persistence as I try to give everything I can a fair listen) and it is some great sounding upbeat folk music. Dig it.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Circular Mix

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Well…well…well… we’ve reached the mid-point of this work week. 

Last night’s Kevn Kinney/Peter Case show at The Basement East was every bit as awesome as I expected.  Case opened with “Walk in the Woods” – the song that first introduced me to his classic self-titled debut solo album and Kinney followed that with the title track from his equally classic solo debut, MacDougal Blues. For the next couple of hours, they traded songs and stories…

“Losing the Feel” by Kansas Bible Company

The Nashville based 12-piece gets the shuffle off to a rousing start this this track from their recent Dad’s Day EP. 

“Circular Fever” by The Tourists

Another great song from the aptly titled Should Have Been Greatest Hits.  The Tourist – in case you missed my previous posts – were an awesome late 70s/early 80s Power Pop band which featured Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart before they were The Eurhythmics.

“Evelyn” by Jeremy Gluck/Robert Coyne

For a while there, we seemed to be posting a different song from Jeremy Gluck’s Memory Deluxe: I Knew Buffalo Bill 2 just about every day.  As hard as it is to believe, we still have a couple of songs from that album which have not been posted.  This is one.  It’s really good to hear more of this great album.

“Loving Down” by Hugh Trimble

Another song that has been hanging around the shuffle for a while.  I first heard Hugh Trimble on a Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen compilation. This song is from his album, neighborpoem, and is a good reminder of why I dig his music so much.

“Don’t Stop Trying” by Carl Anderson

Back in March, ahead of the release of his album Risk of Loss (which we have been featuring), Carl Anderson released a Noisetrade sampler that includes some tracks for that then forthcoming album alongside some older tracks like this one from his 2012 Wolftown.

“Behind the Mouth” by Broken Guru

Another track from Bent Up Halo – the high-energy debut from this New York Alt-Rock band.

“Bloodsoaked” by The Killing Condition

So far this week, we have explored traditional bluegrass, ambient art pop, pure country, contemporary classic, various styles of indie and alternative rock, folksy stuff and even some Americanaesque music. Up until this point, we have not had any death metal in the shuffle this week.  Happily, we rectify this oversight and up the ante with some Extreme Brutal Death Metal from Saratoga Springs , New York.  The band just began recording their new album, Broken Down Morals.  

“A Little God in My Hands” by Swans

We close out the day’s shuffle with a seven minute song from the reunited experimental/noise rock band. The track was on the band’s 2014 album To Be Kind.  We got if off that Big Ears Festival Sampler which we featured a song off of yesterday.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – The Thrill is Gone Mix

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Of course, the dominant news of the day is the passing of B.B. King, and my Facebook feed is filled with people from all different genres of music weighing in on the passing of this legend.  King’s death comes just days after the death of a much lesser known Blues singer named Captain Luke Mayer at the age of 87 and serves as a reminder that we are losing/have lost so many of the greats of the modern music era. I do not see a need to compare and contrast the  lives and careers of B.B. King and Captain Luke (at least not here and now), just to say how grateful I am that the music will endure.  Which means I am grateful for all the groups and people who are making sure that the music lives on.  And for me that means, the preservationists and historians and traditionalists as well as those who are continuing to innovate to keep all forms of Roots music (no matter how broadly that term is defined) a living breathing thing.

R.I.P. B.B. King and Captain Luke.  Thank you for the gifts of your music.


“Spilled Years” by Darrin Bradbury

“We will never be that dumb and young again…”  Nola – Darrin and Megan Palmer are in your city as I type this.  Make them feel at home!

“Monster Inside” by Broken Guru

A favorite of mine from Bent up Halo.

“Grounds for Divorce” by Elbow

From their 2008 album The Seldom Seen Kid.

“Leavin’ Sound” by The Ghoul Goes West

The next to the last song we have to present from Ghosts and Bones and Blood and Things.  Please check out this band and give them some support. They are great.

“Gnab Gib” by Grumsling

Grumsling are a San Francisco area band that I really just got a hold of… they have a fascinating story that I will expound upon as more songs enter the shuffle.  In the meantime, just a listen.  The is for the EP Full Coverage.

“Hard Day Coming Down” by The Record Company

Some great bluesy music from this California band.

“The Visit” by Richard Barone

Another track from Cool Blue Halo….

“Keep Your Promises” by Sean Watkins

All I Do is Lie is the album..

“Sally, I’ve Been Shot” by Two Cow Garage

The Columbus Ohio band currently counts among its members Todd Farrell Jr.  This is from their Sweet Saint Me album.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Afterparty Mix

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Another week…  last night, I experienced another amazing night of music on the east side of Music City.  Allen Thompson and Darrin Bradbury opened up for the legendary Don Schlitz at the East Nashville Songwriter’s Club.

Tonight, Darrin and Erin Rae will be joining Kelsey Waldon for week two of her residency at the new Basement East  (The Beast).

“Bent Up Halo” by Broken Guru

The title track from the debut CD from NYC Alt-Rock band Broken Guru!

“The Secret” by Artur U and the New City Limits

More great music from the Turn Off the Lights EP from Artur U and the New City Limits who hail from the capital city of Finland. 

“Broken-Hearted Man” by Carl Anderson

A starkly powerful song from the recent album, Risk of Loss.  Highly recommended by #E2TG.

“Cooldown” by Burning Bridges

I don’t always listen to Metal, but when I do, it is often this early band from Ear to the Ground favorite The Danbury Lie….  

“Beneath the Brine” by The Family Crest

A pretty cool track from the San Francisco Baroque Pop band, The Family Crest. This was the title track from their 2014 album.

“Afterparty” by Burning Bridges

How about that? A second appearance by Burning Bridges.  I dig this song a bunch.  Be sure to check out not just this band, but all of the great music by the enigmatically proficient (or is that proficiently enigmatic) The Danbury Lie.

“Foot of Pride” (Bob Dylan Cover) by Lou Reed

A major reason for their only being eight tracks in today’s shuffle.  An eight plus minute cover of this outtake from Bob Dylan’s Infidels album as performed by the late, great Lou Reed.  This from a 30th Anniversary Dylan tribute concert. Per the You Tube comments, Reed is backed by Booker T and the MGs, but I am sure my Dylan expert readers will correct me if I got any of that information wrong.  So don’t quote me until they’ve had a chance to fact check me.

“Trying to Get to Memphis” by Kevin Gordon    

We close things out with a track from Kevin Gordon’s Gloryland album.  If you will be in Nashville for any of the next couple of Thursdays, Gordon has a residency at The 5 Spot, which I can very highly recommend. 

 

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Lost Cause Mix

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A great week of live music continued last night: the count: Darrin Bradbury with Aaron Lee Tasjan and Cameron Carrus backing him up, Carl Anderson, and Holy Sheboygan (an awesome band from Wisconsin) all at Foobar.  Then, Tim Carroll and Luella Wood  and a solo Darrin Bradbury set at Fran’s Eastside.

“Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold” by Townes Van Zandt

Always a good sign when the shuffle begins with a Townes Van Zandt song.  A 1973 live version of the song on High, Low and In Between.

“My Old Friend the Blues” by Steve Earle

An even better sign when that Townes song is followed up with some classic Steve Earle from Guitar Town.

“Magnet” by Tom Schreck

The positive signs continue with a track from Nashville Outsider, Tom Schreck’s album Save Your Glory.  I had the privilege of attending the Bob Dylan concert with Mr. Schreck.  I enjoy getting to know songwriters I  love to gain some insight into where their songs come from… without asking the dreaded, “Where do you get your ideas?” question.

“Marionette” by Soul Asylum

I’ve probably slam-danced alone to Hang Time than I have to about any other album.  And yes, I have been known to slam-dance alone….  I still maintain that Soul Asylum really hit the perfect mix between punk and pop with this record.  Not necessarily what is called Punk Pop or Pop Punk, but very effective.

“Fools in Love” by Joe Jackson

Look Sharp!  There are so many great songs on this album…

“Bye Bye Baby” by Social Distortion

From Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell.  Social Distortion are or will be touring for the 25 anniversary of their self-titled third album. This album was released two years later, so maybe we can expect another anniversary tour in 2017.

“Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs” by Minutemen

From What Makes a Man Start Fires?  A testament to the incredible career of Bob Dylan.  When this album was released 32 years ago, Dylan was already a legendary performer. Dylan released his twenty second album, Infidels, that same year. Thirty two years later, Dylan is still building on that legendary status. Also, I think having the proper context of my musical tastes requires that you know that Minutemen were and are one of my all time favorite bands.

“Like a Whore” by Broken Guru

Broken Guru are an alternative/punk trio from New York. Their debut album, Bent Up Halo, was released two days ago. 

“Lost Cause” (Beck cover) by Max Jury

Max Jury is a singer-songwriter from Iowa.  His first single, called Home is out.  This Beck cover came to me via a Noisetrade SXSW Mixtape.  Looking forward to hearing more from Max Jury.

“Religionism” by The Great Game

Another song from the New World Music of The Great Game who originate from several locations in Europe.  Their highly original self-titled album is available for  download on the band’s website.

“Pictures from Vacation in Tuscany” by Burning Bridges

Every Thursday, we like to Throwback to hear some pre-history music from one of the #E2TG favorite artists.  Actually, not every Thursday nor exclusively on Thursday, but whenever a song comes up in our shuffle.  Burning Bridges is a early band from the founder of The Danbury Lie.

“I Know What I Know” by Paul Simon

And we close out the day with more music from Graceland. Who am I to blow against the wind.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – A Rusted Fork in the Road Mix

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A modest proposal to deal with the problem of people talking during music performances: Just let John Moreland play.  I saw John Moreland play twice last night. The first was at Music City Roots where he wowed an audience mostly unfamiliar with his music.  Later, he played a full headlining set at The 5 Spot in East Nashville in front of a packed house.  The minute John Moreland began to play, the crowd (a bar crowd after 11:00pm) fell silent almost immediately.  A friend of mine asked what it was about his music that had that effect.  In the moment, the only words that came to me were the emotional vulnerability of his songs.  I don’t know if that is the answer.  But, it got me thinking about vulnerability, and how our society sees it as a weakness, but how in the hands of someone like John Moreland – it can be such a powerful thing.

“Heima” by Hildur Gudnadottir

Hildur Gudnadottir is a cellist and composer currently based out of Berlin.  This stunning composition comes from a Noisetrade Sampler from the recent Big Ears Festival which took place in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Quite an impressive line-up at that festival.

“Buddy” by The Western Shore

One of my favorite songs from the Thunderstorm album.  I saw The Western Shore Monday night, and they are preparing to hit the road for a short tour which includes a couple of West Coast dates with Nikki Lane.

“Breathe” by Maria McKee

Another track from Maria McKee’s self-titled debut solo album.  McKee was named among the “Top 10 Female Artists You Really Should Know” in a recent article – she was included with other great artists like Kate Bush, Alison Moyet, and Nina Hagen among others. Well deserved.

“Revelation (The Final Book)” by Jeremiah Tall

In a short time, I’ve come to really dig this guy’s music.  It’s available on Noisetrade, you should really check it out.  (Free – but donate if you can, and definitely share to spread the word).

“Tying Ten Knots in the Devil’s Tail” by Townes Van Zandt

A classic western poem/song performed by the legendary Townes Van Zandt from a 1973 live recording.

“The Difference” by Dan Coyle

From Perfect Word, Perfect Beat comes this song with a great doo-wop sound. 

“Sharp Feathers” by Telepathic Teddy Bear

From the album Forgiveness…  Telepathic Teddy Bear writes great songs and produces great sounding records. 

“Don’t Make Nothin’ in the USA” by Tim Carroll

The lead track and one of my favorite songs on the new Tim Carroll album, Pure As Coal.  A ton of my East Nashville friends are featured in the video including Kalee Smyth from The Western Shore who we heard from earlier in the shuffle.  I was at The 5 Spot when the live performance portions of the video were recorded. 

“Napoleon” by Scott Miller

Scott Miller was one of the performers at Music City Roots last night, and he was fantastic.  He was previously a member of the seminal Knoxville band The V-Roys.  This song comes from a compilation album called Bubbapalooza Vol. 1: Chronicle of the Redneck Underground – which also included Southern Culture on the Skids and others. 

“Plight of Imemine” by Broken Guru

Broken Guru are an Alternative Rock band from New York City. Their debut album, Bent Up Halo is scheduled to be released on April 28.  You can currently stream five of the songs from that album on their Bandcamp page.

“I Want the One I Can’t Have” by The Smiths

We close out today’s shuffle with a track from The Smiths’ second album, Meat is Murder.  Any shuffle that includes The Smiths and Townes Van Zandt can’t be bad…

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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