I discovered that there is another music blog out there called Ear to the Ground. I really don’t have a problem with this… I mean for all I know they are perfectly decent folks who write about perfectly decent music. I do worry about my readers getting confused, so as a public self-service, I would like to use today’s shuffle as handy guide how to tell #E2TG from any other blogs with similar sounding names.
“Circling the Drain” by Matt King from Raw
Matt King is based in Nashville. His new band Killing Streets happens to feature Matthew and Livia from our band of the year The End Men. I am really looking forward to the next record, and I hope tons of other music blogs – including other blogs with names like #E2TG – jump all over the music. But, you know you are on the REAL Ear to the Ground when you see a track featured from Matt’s 2009 stripped down album Raw which I rescued from a thrift shop CD bin last weekend.
“The Unanswered Question” by Charles Ives (composer) from The Works of Charles Ives
I am going to go out on a limb and say the other “ear to the ground” blogs would not transition from Matt King’s unique take on traditional country music to a 100+ year old composition by Insurance executive turned composer Charles Ives. I came to know the music of Ives from a music appreciation class in college. My appreciation of music pre-dates the class, but then as now, I am always seeking to expand my musical range and knowledge.
“Everything I Have is Broken” by Aaron Lee Tasjan from Crooked River Burning
Coming back to Nashville. I don’t know if the other homonymous blogs have written about Aaron Lee Tasjan, but if not they should. I really dig this song, and if you are reading this on the day I’m writing it, and you are in Nashville- then you should head over to The 5 Spot tonight for Tasjan’s Happy Hour of Power. If you go, tell ’em the “REAL” Ear to the Ground sent you.*
*If you tell them, you will be entitled to one beer at the prevailing rate of exchange
“Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye” (Live) by Humming House from Humming House Party!
Sticking to local music and jumping into a jaunty reel from Humming House’s recent live album. I’m willing to wager a nominal sum* that the writer(s) of those other closely named blogs can’t say that I have seen Humming House singer Leslie Rodriguez sing John Prine in a church café.
*wager void where prohibited by law. Proof required for pay out. Nominal Sum <= $0.10.
“Play in the Sunshine” by Prince from Sign O’ The Times
It is conceivable that some other blog called Ear to the Ground may include a song from Prince’s first album without the Revolution in a post….
“Hot Thing” by Prince from Sign O’ The Times
…but will they include two songs in a row from that album? If they do, please e-mail me a link. By the way, it occurred to me that these two songs – although not adjacent on the album – do go well together. As in, you play in the sunshine, and you will be a hot thing. Get it? I dare “other” Ear to the Ground to come up with something that clever.
“Power Nap” by Shabbadoo from Pajama
And after you play in the sunshine and become a hot thing… well you need a 7 minute power nap…. eh… I’m on a roll… can’t stop… Seriously, though, I really wish other Ear to the Ground would discover the amazing sounds of Shabbadoo. In case they are reading… I’ve included an embedded stream of this track underneath our usual video playlist.
I hope this clears up any confusion. And we came here looking for that other blog, well, I hope you liked what you read and will come back and see us.
VIDEOS and SONGS
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 