Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle – Boiling Butter Mix

Tweet #E2TG

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Fun-filled night at Coverbest at The Beast (The Basement East)… Terry Rickards always does a great job putting those events on… I really dug Matt Haeck doing Tom Waits,  Darrin Bradbury doing Modest Mouse, Sarah Potenza doing Gillian Welch, and Tesla Rossa doing Beck… plus lots of inspiring conversations about music and East Nashville and creativity….

Tonight, Fats Kaplin returns to his Thursday Night residency at The 5 Spot – the penultimate week of this month-long (sans St. Patrick’s Day) event…  I missed two weeks ago, and I do not want to miss this one…  It is guaranteed to be some of the best music around and highly entertaining, too.

Later tonight, Chris Scruggs and The Stone Fox Five are playing what I think is their second show since the club that gave them their name closed unexpectedly.  They will be at The Country with The Farmer and Adele opening.  I have heard a lot about The Farmer and Adele, but I have not seen them yet.

I am off work tomorrow.  I may try to do a Featured Friday Shuffle from home, but no promises… stay tuned.

Meanwhile, Thursday – means we throw it back like an undersized fish….

“Dead and Gone” by Blake Babies

Another from that live album recently released on Noisetrade. Blake Babies formed in Boston in 1986 and gave Juliana Hatfield her start. This recording is from a show for Emerson College on 5/9/1989.  The song itself was released on the band’s 1989 album Earwig.

“Summer’s Cauldron” by XTC

In the interesting timing category… This song is the opening song from XTC’s 1986 album, Skylarking which was produced by Todd Rundgren.  Apparently, Rundgren recently reignited a long standing “feud” with Andy Partridge about the album to which Partridge responded in long series of tweets…. anyway, I always liked the album… from this outsider perspective, it is an interesting bit of historical information. And anyway, I dig this song.

“Deacon Jones” by Louis Jordan

Disclosure time, my practice is to remove songs from my phone once I have featured them so I don’t have too many repeats – not to say a song may not reappear, but I try to avoid songs coming up again too soon after I featured them.  Sometime – as in this case, I fail to delete the song.  So – here is “Deacon Jones” which was featured two weeks ago (on another #TBT).  What the hell, it’s a great and fun song.   

“Gigantic” by Pixies

From Surfer Rosa (1988) – the band’s first solo album. And yeah – there is a bit of connection between this and a song later in the shuffle that I will not elaborate on…

“Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen

The year was 1975, the album was Born to Run, the song was Born to Run… a true American rock and roll anthem…

“Calinda” by Jim Smoak and the Louisiana Honeydrippers

Bluegrass music is not often associated with Louisiana, but Jim Smoak who was born in South Carolina and played with Bill Monroe early in his career – was living in the Bayou State when he put together the Louisiana Honeydrippers and recorded this music back in 1960.

“The Big Johnson” by Neighborhood Texture Jam

From Funeral Mountain…. Neighborhood Texture Jam were loud and wild and often highly inappropriate…  they also recorded some great songs (even songs like this one that you don’t always want to share in sensitive company)…  This song connects with a song from earlier in the shuffle for reasons  I will not elaborate on…

“Where Did All the Girls Come From” by Treat Her Right

From the fantastic self-titled debut from 1986 by Treat Her Right…  speaking of connections – Treat Her Right like Blake Babies were from Boston.  The album from which this song came was released in 1986 same as Skylarking (mentioned earlier). And on a personal note, this song asks the musical question that I often found myself asking in my reckless youth… #chickmagnet   😉 #ironichashtag #whyamIhashtagginginmyblogpost  #lame 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle – Tying Faith Mix

Tweet #E2TG

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

It seems like just about everybody is at or on their way to South by Southwest, but believe it or not there is still plenty of live music here in Nashville.

Last night, I headed to Bobby’s Idle Hour on Music Row – where every single Wednesday Sam Cooper hosts Sam’s Jams which runs from noon until 8:00p.m. with constant songwriters all day. Last night, Brock Zeman and Blair Hogan from Ottawa played their second Nashville show – this time an acoustic show which sounded amazing. 

Back across the river to The 5 Spot for the AGD Entertainment Spotlight.  It was great to see Adrian + Meredith (who sounded great with an awesome full band – including Paul Niehaus on guitar and pedal steel)  and Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars (who are consistently one of my favorite live bands in town).

Tonight is the CD Release show for Charlie Hager (I have featured some songs from his brand new album American Saga). The music gets underway at 7:00 and The Crying Wolf – and there is a stacked lineup of music going all night.

Now, it is Thursday, so let us throw it back…  I mean… let us throwback to some great tunes from some non-specific number of years ago.

“When My First Wife Left Me” by R.L. Burnside

First up is song from blues legend R.L. Burnside.  This song comes from his 1994 album, Too Bad Jim which was produced by the late journalist and producer Robert Palmer (who was not the “Addicted to Love” guy in case you were wondering).

“Summertime” by Janis Joplin

Another legend.  In her short, troubled life, Janis Joplin left behind some incredible music.  This is her take on a song from Porgy and Bess which was composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Dubose Heyward who wrote the novel from which Porgy and Bess is based.  Ira Gershwin is also credited as lyricist on this song.

“Beg, Borrow and Steal” by Scruffy the Cat

A song from 1980s Boston band Scruffy the Cat. Blending power pop and punk with a mild country feel, they are among the many great bands who helped to create the alt-country/Americana music of today.

“Caroms” by fIREHOSE

Next up a track from the very first fIREHOSE album, Ragin’, Full On which was released in 1986.  The band featured Mike Watt and George Hurley from Minutemen along with vocalist/guitarist Ed “fROMOHIO” Crawford.

“Backstreets” by Bruce Springsteen

When Bruce Springsteen classic album, Born to Run turned 40 years old at the end of last summer, I added to my phone and have been featuring it ever since.  The album holds up really well – it stands as one of the best albums of all time, and it was one of my earliest favorite albums when I was first really getting music.

 

“From the Middle Room” by The Tourists

 

A non-album single from the British band that included Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart before their left to form Eurhythmics.  The single was included as a promo with the band’s 1980 final studio album Luminous Basement. The song was written by Lennox and Stewart.

“Everyday People” by Jeff Buckley

 

A rare new release in the throwback shuffle. The compilation, You and I was released last week and includes recordings done in 1993. The album contains mostly cover songs including this cover of the Sly and the Family Stone classic.

 

“Old Dreams” by The Shakers

And we close out the throwback shuffle with another from the 1990 album, Songs from Beneath the Lake by Nashville band, The Shakers.

 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

 

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Be My Enemy Mix

Tweet #E2TG

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

It’s been a weird week filled with annoyingly insignificant snow “events”, a day off, a significant life event, just one (so far) live music night, and some pretty cool shuffles…

Shuffle…. pretty cool….

“Benedikt’s Blues” by Steve Wynn

Whether as a member of the Dream Syndicate, as 1/2 of Danny and Dusty, as part of The Baseball Project, or just as Steve Wynn – Steve Wynn’s music has been a significant part of my music universe for a very long time.  This song is the title track from a recent release which is a “Sonic Companion to Season 4 of Dag”.  “Dag” being a Norwegian television series.   This track features Wynn’s wife Linda Pitmon and Scott McCaughey (both of The Baseball Project).

“Radar” by Brian Wright

From the Café Rooster Sessions Vol 1 – the most recent release by Brian Wright.  I am looking forward to seeing Wright open for Dan Baird and Homemade Sin on Sunday at The Basement East.

“Parents” by SuperCrashingStar

A whimsical tune and our second listen to this New York band. I am really digging their music.

“Cross Paths” by Brian Keenan

Our second Brian in the shuffle, this one is a singer, songwriter from Brooklyn.  His latest album is called Fits and Starts. A really good tune.

“She’s the One” by Bruce Springsteen

The studio version from Born to Run.  Fun fact, I sometimes peek ahead to see what the next song (after the last) in a shuffle would have been and to see how it might have changed the overall tone of the shuffle.  Today, had the shuffle continued past the Killing Kuddles song below, the next song would have been a live version of this song from the Chicago show.

“Be My Enemy” by The Waterboys

Another track from the classic This is the Sea album.  “If you’ll be my enemy, I’ll be your enemy, too.”

“Dirty Mouth” by Killing Kuddles

From Sinking Ships.  Shhh…. don’t tell Elwood’s mother, but I hear he has a dirty mouth.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Tune from a B-Side Mix

Tweet #E2TG

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

It’s been a rough day.  I have a very late and very short shuffle.

First of all, I had the very wonderful opportunity last night to attend an early round at the legendary Bluebird Cafe which featured David G. Smith (who I have featured here on E2TG), a  couple of wonderful singer-songwriters named Anne E. DeChant and Nathan Bell, and a very rare and delightful appearance by my friend Karen Leipzinger (backed by Andy Ellis on guitar).

Now to the short shuffle,,,,

“At Least I Loved” by The Silent War

The duo of Garrison Starr and AG (Adrianne Gonzalez) make some wonderful music.  This track is from a sampler they put out of Noisetrade some time back.

“A Thousand Miles of Bad Road” by Aaron Lee Tasjan

Perhaps a rare ALT song.  This one comes from a benefit album called We Make Peace.  The song references Billy Joe Shaver and the debut album by Drivin’ n Cryin’.  Plus, it gave me the opportunity feature Aaron Lee’s new video for his song Don’t Walk Away in the video playlist. And that video is bad ass.

“Find the Beauty” by James Tomberlin

I am absolutely wild about this song.  It is so filled with joy and wonderful word play.  From the record called, Still Life with Orange, which was produced by Josh Morris.

“Blackstar” by David Bowie

What can I possibly say about this song. Bowie was so far ahead of the rest of the world even in his final days on this planet.  Blackstar is weird and complex and challenging and wonderful.

“Independence Day” (live) by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Springsteen’s song about fathers and sons from his album The River – takes from the January 19, 2016 show in Chicago.  A poignantly fitting closing song for today’s shuffle.  

VIDEO PLAYLIST

window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Indonesian Fog and the Rain Mix

Tweet #E2TG!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Friday, another fun night at Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour.  Just about the best hang, I know with some kick ass rock and roll music to boot.

Saturday,  David Olney killed it at Bobby’s Idle Hour, and Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars, Cataline Crime, and Zach Schmidt put on a hell of a show at The 5 Spot.

Tonight, one of the finest songwriters of our time is making his debut on Colbert. America, prepare to be blown away by John Moreland – as I have every time I have seen him perform.

I cannot believe it is February already…  To start off the week and the month, we have a random shuffle that makes no sense whatsoever, but which was a whole ton of fun to hear during my commute.

“Perfect Match” by Tymon Dogg

Another track from Tymon Dogg’s album, Made of Light.  As I have pointed out before, Tymon Dogg collaborated with the late Joe Strummer.  This will come into play later in the shuffle… hold that thought.

“Night” (live) by Bruce Springsteeen and the E Street Band

Last week, Bruce Springsteen made his entire 1/19/2016 Chicago show available for free download for about 48 hours. I jumped all over that.  Expect much more Bruce in the coming weeks!

“Say My Name, F**** the Rest” by Discount Ravioli

With references to Julian Koster and a brief reprise of the Donald Trump rap we featured previously… well, what else can I say. The title pretty much tells the rest of what the song is about.

“California Nights” by Best Coast

The title track from 3rd album by Best Coast which was released in May 2015.

“Extermination” by Discount Ravioli

Discount Ravioli return to the shuffle after a one song absence. I need to point out that I still cannot find Discount Ravioli videos on YouTube, so in lieu of posting suggested videos about how to make ravioli, I selected a video by at last a couple of the people who made this  and others doing a Neutral Milk Hotel cover.  Plus some archival footage of two of the Nork brothers…

“King of the Bayou” by Joe Strummer

From Earthquake Weather which featured Joe Strummer and The Latino Rockabilly War – a band that included Zander Schloss of Circle Jerks and Weirdos fame.  This album and some tracks from the soundtrack of a movie called Permanent Record are the only releases featuring Latino Rockabilly War that I am aware of.   The Permanent Record soundtrack – by the way – was awesome.

“I Don’t Want Nobody” by Rich Robbins (feat. Dantrell Cotton) (prod. Since ’93)

On February 26, Rich Robbins will be putting on his first headlining show in Madison, Wisconsin. Should be a classic night.  One of the more soulful and powerful songs on the Nimbus. 

“Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” by Adele

Although, we usually stick to only the most commercially successful/well-known artists – at #E2TG (like Discount Ravioli for example), every once in awhile, we like to shed a little light on more obscure artists.  Adele recently released her album 25 (a complex numerical puzzle that most people will not understand).  Anyway, you’ve probably never heard of her, but I think she shows real potential.  Keep it up, Adele.

“Let a Little Love Inside” by Adam Stafford

Another listen to the forthcoming album, Taser Revelations. Adam Stafford is from central Scotland. I like what I’ve heard so far from this album.  Check it out.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Lost in the Stars Mix

Tweet #E2TG!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

We are less than 50 “Likes” away from 500! So…. Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

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

window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Skeleton Frames Mix

Tweet #E2TG!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Here we are….

Last night, I went to 3rd and Lindsley to see Bebe Buell and her band.  Bebe Buell has been an iconic figure in Rock and Roll for many years.  She relocated to Nashville a little over a year ago. She has a relatively new band and her show was a lot of fun.  Crystal Gayle joined her and The Blackfoot Gypsies closed the show with some of their high-energy shenanigans.   Read more: My review for No Depression.

Another swell shuffle this morning… a mix of songs I am pretty sure you will not see duplicated at one of those run-of-the-mill music sites….

“Sleepless Nights” by Dan Coyle

#E2TG favorite Dan Coyle recently released a collection of songs over at Noisetrade (Free Download – Tips Encouraged). The collection is called Random Thoughts and Incomplete Sentences.  This is the lead track.

“Green Light” by Paul Zografi

A chance encounter at a Tim Carroll and Joe Nolan show at Bobby’s Idle Hour on Music Row, lead me to meet Paul Zografi and to get a copy of his latest CD Bright.  The album has become a favorite of mine.  This is the lead track from that album.

“Pressure Beat” by Our Daughters Wedding

From the Thirteen O’clock compilation put out by Atlanta-based PPNW Records, comes this previously unreleased 1981 live recording by this New York Synthpop/New Wave band.  Like much of the compilation, this track is like opening a trunk to find tons of old music that I had previously missed out on but which sounds like the music that I was listening to in those day.

“Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen

In my humble opinion, one of the best opening songs from one of the greatest albums of all time. So many great lines – rock and roll poetry that sets a very clear scene…

“Skyline” by Grumsling

Another nifty track from Full Coverage. Grumsling is definitely on my list of favorite artists – new to me in 2015.  The hail from the Bay Area of California…

“Can’t Leave the City” by The Jackals

Another great band that came into my consciousness this year!  From the album People!

“Turn Into Earth” by Al Stewart

Al Stewart’s hits “Year of the Cat” and “Time Passages” were iconic parts of my childhood experience. I probably heard those two songs hundreds of times in the late 70s or so.  This cover of a Yardbirds’ song came to me via Aquarium Drunkard – I think. The original song was on the album Yardbirds (aka Roger the Engineer) which was released in 1966.

“Insomniac’s Lullaby” by Man Named Pearl

We close out today shuffle with a track from Quietus Make, the new album by Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen artist Jesse Turits who has begun recording under the Man Named Pearl moniker.  Really digging this.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

     window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;       http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js   

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Change Your Shirt Mix

Tweet #E2TG

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

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

window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Struggle in Dark Corners Mix

Tweet #E2TG!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

So last night – on my way to see Jon Latham play a killer set at The 5 Spot opening for Cody Brooks, who I saw for the first time and was blown away by – I encountered an overturned car (I hope everyone was okay), a slow moving train, and a couple of trucks inexplicably parked in the middle of the road.  But I made it and it was worth it.  I then resisted peer pressure and went home an wrote a review of an album that is coming out tomorrow.  I should have the review posted tonight or so, and I will let you know…

Tonight 90,000 people are supposed to descend upon downtown Nashville for several different events going on.  My advice – stay out of downtown and instead cross the river for week one David Olney’s September residency at The 5 Spot. Last years, residency was absolutely incredible (one show began with a dramatic recitation of Kubla Khan for goodness sakes!). What will happen this time around? To quote Mr. Olney, “You never know.”

Today’s shuffle only contains 6 songs, but man oh man…

“Sphinx” by Syd Straw

Syd Straw, who is known among other things as vocalist for the supergroup Golden Palominos, at one time sang backup for Pat Benatar (according to Wikipedia so odds are even if that is true).  Her debut solo album, Surprise, was released in 1989 and immediately blew my 23 year old mind (that is according to me personal wiki of my mind, so I know it is true).  “Sphinx” is one of my favorite songs on the album (and if I’ve said that about most of the songs on the album, it is only because it is the truth).

“Liner Notes” by Benchmarks

The band formerly known as Todd Farrell and the Dirty Birds is one of my favorite Nashville bands. American Night is one of the best local releases of 2015.  If you ever get a chance to see this band live, do it!  They put on a hell of a show.  Liner Notes has been a favorite of mine since the first time I heard it.

“The Witch is Gone” by Batkhi Dahn

From Plays 15… I continue to be blown away by the talent of these Connecticut kids.  The more I listen to Batkhi Dahn, the more I realize how great an album it is. So original. Honestly, even if Hayden Nork were 23 or 33 or 43 (as opposed to being 13 as he was when this was made and released) it would be an equally impressive effort.

“Hazey”  (Boody Remix) by Glass Animals

This one came to me from the Noisetrade Bonnaroo Sampler.  Glass Animals are an English Indie Rock band. This song is from their debut album, Zaba, which was released in 2014.

“Jawbone” by Jim Lauderdale

Jim Lauderdale has had  songs recorded by artists ranging from Elvis Costello to George Strait. He is the host of Music City Roots, the weekly concert series broadcast live from Franklin, Tennessee and which is rebroadcast on PBS stations around the country.  I got to see him perform at the Safety Harbor Song Fest earlier this year, and I even was on the same plane coming back to Nashville.   This song comes from his 2010 album Patchwork River which was a songwriting collaboration with the legendary Robert Hunter.

“Jungleland” by Bruce Springsteen

The recent 40th Anniversary of the release of Born to Run, prompted me to load that album into my playlist once again. It has probably only been 34 or 35 years since I first heard “Jungleland” on the local college radio station.  The nine minute song seemed to go on forever, and I hung on every note and every word.  I also heard Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” that night, and I still view that as an important step in my development as a music fan.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – High Hopes Mix

Tweet #E2TG

FALL IS HERE!  Not only that, there was an honest to goodness chill in the air this morning.  Now, I’ve lived in Tennessee my whole like, so I know that we still have a few more rounds of heat to go, but today it is officially Autumn, and it feels like it so…

MUSIC

“Gypsy Django” (live) by Humming House from Humming House Party!

Fall is my favorite season, so let’s party! How about a Humming House Party!  This song is guaranteed to lift your spirits.

“High Hopes” by Bruce Springsteen from High Hopes

The shuffle does it again.  Today is Bruce Springsteen turns 65 today.  I didn’t even know this until later, but the shuffle knows all!  And, this was the only Springsteen song currently in my active playlist, oh and the High Hopes album was released on my birthday back in January… so yeah… viva la coincidence… or something.

“Страна цветов”   by Orera from Orera 1970

I know some (or all) of you think I’m just being goofy when I add some of the obscure musical selections to the shuffle, but as is often the case, there is some amazing music that I have never heard, and I suspect many of you have never heard.  Hat tip to my friends from Canada, Valued Customer, for turning me on to this amazing folk/jazz from Georgia (and as you can tell from the song title, I don’t mean the Georgia just south of Tennessee).

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js “Sleepwalker Blues” by Joe Sundell from The Hat Thief

Another incredible song from Joe Sundell.  Go check out The Hat Thief, and get that thing. It is totally worth it.

“Waffle House” (Take 2) by Darrin Bradbury from new unreleased

Just like U2, new Darrin Bradbury music showed up seemingly magically on my phone yesterday.  This song is battered, spattered, scrambled, and it may not be good for you, but it’s oh so good.  It’s not widely available yet, but so to your phone/computer settings, go to MUSIC, go to ALLOW Darrin Bradbury, and then wait.  Be patient. 

“The Big Fame” by The Grimm Generation from The Big Fame

Somehow, in ripping this off the CD, this track ended up being labeled as “Audio Track 13”.  By any other name, this is cool music, by some cool folks.

“Кавказские напевы”  by Orera from Orera 1970

Georgia on my mind…. believe it or not, I found of a video of this exact song.  I ran this through Google translate, and if this is Russian, the translation that came out was “caucasian tunes”.  Take that how you will, and keep in mind, it is Google Translate… 

“The Second Renaissance (Part I and II)” by The Danbury Lie from Fourth Time’s a Charm

We’ve successfully, navigated our way backwards through the trilogy of The Second Renaissance, and we conclude/begin this journey with some of the awesome folk/prog metal/alternative music we’ve come to know and love from The Danbury Lie.

“I Am the Mississippi” by Joseph Arthur from Redemption City

We complete our presentation of songs from Redemption City by Joseph Arthur with this song/story about the might Mississippi. In the late 80s, I lived for a time in Memphis just a few blocks away from the Mississippi River, and I came (in that short time) to understand and appreciate the romantic allure of that might body of water which served for so long as a borderline between the civilized east and the savage west.  Whether it was a solitary stroll or sitting in a crowd listening to the 1812 Overture and Old Man River or even having my ass pinched by some by at a party on Mud Island, the River still has stories to tell….

“The Great Unknown” by Dar Williams from The Honesty Room

We close things out with this song about a cold war era nuclear family…

VIDEOS