Category: Crazy Aces

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle – Marshall Tucker on My Stereo Mix

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Back at it on a Monday!   Had a good time Friday at The Country (after checking in with Tim Carroll and company at The 5 Spot) – Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau  + Saint Luke’s Drifters.  Richie and company have a new album out now.  Saint Luke’s Drifters are finishing up their new album.  If you get the chance to see either one or both of these bands, I highly recommend it.

Tonight: My recommendation is Matt Phillips and the Philharmonic from 7-9p.m. at Charlie Bob’s on the eastside.   Here is the Facebook event, if you Facebook.

This is definitely prime season for new music – look for some awesome new albums coming up in the next few months – I think I got at least 5 albums to listen to and possibly review over the last four or five days.

Shuffle:

“Down The River” by Ben Lowry

Another track from Somnium, the solo album by Ben Lowry of the band Bang OK Bang.  For some reason  (the banjo and vocals and lyrical content) this song reminded me of Hallowed Ground, the much maligned sophomore album by Violent Femmes.  In the face of widespread criticism, I am a proponent of the Femmes album. No, I do not think it is better than their seminal debut, but it is bold and in its own way subversion.  That being said, even if you aren’t a fan of the Femmes album, you will probably dig Lowry’s album.   

“I’m Gonna Love You Forever” by Carolina Story

From the Chapter Two EP.  Carolina Story are about as damn good as it gets.

“Theme from Crazy Aces” by Crazy Aces

Instrumental Rock from Nashville’s Crazy Aces… it’s their theme song!

“You Could Be My Baby (Samuel Stewart Remix)” by SHEL

The remix of the first single from SHEL’s forthcoming album, Crazy Enough. We featured the unremixed song earlier.

“Jesse” by Tom House

From Winding Down the Road – an album that was produced by Brock Zeman.  Tom House is a Nashville treasure.  Check out his music.  

“40 Miles” by Zachariah Red

E2TG debuted this song when it was released. It was the first single off of Zachariah Red’s EP Backbone. A driving, roots rock song of the highest caliber.

“WHIP” by Ricca Vita

Okay – this right here is why I love Nashville (and love my random shuffle function).  Ricca Vita’s music could not be any different  than Zachariah Red’s music.  So, that in and of itself, makes the transition here really cool – showcasing the diversity of music being made here in the home of the Grand Ole Opry… but wait, there is more.  Timothy Ryssemus – the mastermind behind Ricca Vita – also happened to have co-produced Zachariah Red’s record. Any way, I love the Ricca Vita album, and this track is just so damn good.   

“Promise Me Beautiful” by Lori Kelley

Moving on, another awesome song from songwriter Lori Kelley’s album, More.  Gorgeous vocals and great songs – a great combination.

“Swimming New Orleans” by The Grey A

Okay smartypants!  The Grey A are a Washington DC band.  But Grey Jacks used to live down here, and this album was recorded in Middle Tennessee and features a lot of local folks including Kelly Smith, William Tyler, and the Nashville Horns.  You may recall, I reviewed the My Country album when it was released in late 2014. “Swimming New Orleans” was released as a single (a wonderfully packaged vinyl 45) in 2015, and ahead of the forthcoming release of the next single (watch this space), I thought we would add this song to the playlist.  So, yeah, I stand by it’s inclusion in the Music City Monday playlist.  E2TG trivia gurus already know that Howard Rabach (who was probably one of the first ever readers and supporters of this blog) plays bass with The Grey A, who have some great shows coming up in support of their new single – including a date  with Austin Lucas +  Joey Kneiser and Kelly Smith (who Grey Jacks played with in Glossary at one point).

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Music Monday Morning Shuffle – Runaway Locomotive Mix

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Ug… is it Monday already?  Okay… I have to be quick as I have some errands to run.

I hope everyone had a good Easter Sunday no matter what or how you celebrate or not…

Monday, as our new custom demands, is dedicated to artists who have some connection to Nashville, TN (aka Music City USA).

“Hold On” by SHEL (featuring Gareth Dunlop)

A song from the motion picture soundtrack for The Best of Me featuring the band of sisters, SHEL, who divide their time between Nashville and their hometown in Colorado. On this track, they are joined by singer-songwriter Gareth Dunlop from Northern Ireland.

“Bird on a Wire” by Brian Wright and the Waco Tragedies

From the album, Dog Ears.  I am really glad to have gotten hold of a bunch of Brian Wright music – I always dig it when one of his songs come up in the shuffle.  This is not a Leonard Cohen cover (in case you were wondering).

“High Roller” by Sugar and the Hi Lows

The title track and single from the 2015 album by this Nashville duo.

“Hey Algernon” by Chris Gantry

Chris Gantry has been a key figure in Nashville songwriting circles for more than four decades. I was fortunate enough to see him recently as part of an incredible round at Douglas Corner.  He sang this song that night – a touching story of two homeless gentlemen who freeze to death and find themselves in heaven. Gantry is a long time advocate for individuals who are homeless.

“The Last Song” by Crazy Aces

A sweet, instrumental from one of Nashville’s premier instrumental rock bands.

“Keep on Goin'” by Tim Carroll

A standard of Tim Carroll’s Friday night Rock and Roll Happy Hour set. Don’t ever stop… from a sampler CD that you can get when you see Tim live.

“When You Hear of My (Home Going)” by Luella

I believe this is a traditional African American spiritual (or else I could not find the composer).  This was one of the first songs I heard Luella sing when she first started singing with Tim Carroll at Fran’s in late 2014/early 2015.  Luella, as she does on all of the songs she covers, makes this all her own.  From a sampler you can get from Luella at one of her performances.  Come to The 5 Spot any given Friday and see Luella to get your copy of her sampler and Tim’s sampler.

“Play a Train Song” by Todd Snider

The late Skip Litz was a notable character around East Nashville who would always direct the band to “play a train song”.  This iconic song comes from Sniders classic album, East Nashville Skyline, an album that is at least partially responsible for a large number of songwriters moving to this cultural center.

 
VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Music City Monday Morning Shuffle – Rosebud, Too Mix

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Quick recap, I continued to lay a little low – still dealing with a lingering cold, and working on song selection for the forthcoming “Double Shot with Joe and Sue” (still no confirmed start date).

Friday:  First, it was good to see a large and vibrant crowd for the weekly Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour  (one of this town’s best weekly events in my opinion).  I left there a little early and headed to Bobby’s Idle Hour on Music Row for the Darkhorses of East Nashville – a collaborative round featuring the amazingly talented trio of Julie Christensen, Amelia White, and Sergio Webb.  Trading off songs and backing each other, produced several magical moments.  If they come through your town, do not miss it.

So, as I promised Friday, it seemed like a good time to shake things up here at E2TG – just a little bit.  Inspired by the success of Featured Friday, I have decided to have a “theme” playlist every for every day of the week.  The large #E2TG playlist had gotten very large and getting bigger. By having smaller playlist each day, it may provide more opportunities to feature different artists.  We shall see.

So, without much more ado, we begin this new chapter with the debut of Music City Monday – featuring music with connections to Nashville.  As you will see, this playlist features both current artists/albums and classics covering over half a century.  Non-Nashville artists: Do not be concerned, there will be many opportunities throughout the week for me to feature your music.

“The Homer Bellamy Centennial Blue Yodel” by Jesse and Noah&nbsp

Jesse and Noah Bellamy have roots in Florida and first made a name for themselves in Texas, but Nashville is happy to claim them now.  This song, from the album Driven Back, marks what would have been the 100th birthday of their Grandfather who solidified their love of Country and Western music.  The brother’s performed this long on the Grand Ole Opry.  A very Nashville way to introduce Music City Monday.

“Crazy Lady” by Paul Zografi

Our final featured song from Paul Zografi’s most recent EP – Brevity Lane.  Zografi is part of loosely organized group of artists that includes some of my favorite people.  His songs are very strong and extremely fun to hear.

“Follow Me Home” by SHEL

We started off this shuffle with brothers, and now we have a band of sisters.  SHEL (the name derives from the first letters of the first names of the 4 Holbrook sisters originally from Fort Collins, Colorado.  They divide time between their hometown, and Nashville (thus their qualification for this playlist).  They played an important (if coincidental) role in the genesis of this recent phase of my life as a music writer.  In May of 2014, on the day, I first met Darrin Bradbury in person, I followed him down to The 5 Spot – where Darrin was manning the merch table for Tim Easton during his residency.   SHEL performed as part of that show – which was also the first time I saw Aaron Lee Tasjan and Megan Palmer (who backed Easton).  Anyway, what is more important than my own experiences, is that SHEL are a really awesome band with a pretty cool sound. They are currently running a Pledgemusic presale for their new album Crazy Enough which is due out in May.  In support, they released a sampler on Noisetrade which includes a couple of tracks from the new album and some bonus songs which have appeared in television and film.  Including this one, which was featured on MTV’s Eye Candy.  SHEL will be down at Safety Harbor Song Fest in early April and are scheduled to play Nashville’s Earth Day concert in Centennial Park on April 23.

“Cut n Run” by Brandy Zdan 

Another Nashville transplant and another track from a Noisetrade sampler.  Brandy Zdan is getting some good and well deserved attention here in Nashville.  She is originally from Winnipeg, and here self-titled album was released in 2015.

“Chainsaw Dance” by Crazy Aces

A short fun track from Music City’s resident instrumental rock band.

“Home Sweet Hotel” by Amelia White

Fresh off Friday night’s show at Bobby’s Idle Hour, we have Amelia White with the title track from her brand new album.  Expect much more from this album. White is one of East Nashville’s best and this album is a true collaboration with several more awesome folks from both sides of the Cumberland River.

“Stubborn Lover” by Sugar and the Hi Lows

Nashville based duo Sugar and the Hi Lows are up next with a track from their 2012 self-titled album.  They were an E2TG featured artists when that album came out.

“Cattle Prod” (Guadalcanal Diary cover) by Government Cheese

Okay, so Government Cheese are technically a Bowling Green band, but Tommy Womack lives in Nashville, and they were a vital part of the Nashville music scene during their original run.  Furthermore, the video I found for this track was shot at the late, lamented venue, The Rutledge by the fabulous Too Much Country.  Oh, and the song was originally by Guadalcanal Diary who were also not a Nashville band (from Marietta, Georgia), but who played here often in the 80s and early 90s (I saw them several times).  Everything about this is awesome. From the retrospective, 1985-1995. They had me at Government Cheese covering Guadalcanal Diary.

“Nine Pound Hammer” by Johnny Cash with The Carter Family

I don’t think I need to explain Johnny Cash’s connection to Nashville.  This song was written by Merle Travis (and put too fine a point on my connection theme), this song was often used as Darrin Bradbury’s warm up song back in the heyday of the Darrin/Tim Carroll Fran’s Eastside era.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – In My Room Mix

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Good morning. It was a cold one here in Nashville. 

I am back after a day off and still recovering from my 8 Day Birthday Week.  I had a total blast, and I am so grateful for everyone who helped me ring in the next 50 years of my life.  In all the tally was: 8 Nights, 7 different venues, between 25-30 acts (depends on how you count them), tons of friends seen, and a bunch of fun had.

Since I last reported:  Friday night, I visited one of my regular haunts and one of the best weekly events in Nashville – Tim Carroll’s Rock and Roll Happy Hour at The 5 Spot.  Great time. I was beat after that and I had to call it a night early.

Saturday:  The Country on the west side. For the Zachariah Red CD Release show with Jon Latham opening with Neo Tundra Cowboy and Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars also on the bill.  Great performances all around and a wonderful time to be had.

Sunday: Acme Feed and Seed to see Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau.  The band have never sounded better and the atmosphere was pure party – a great way to wrap up the week!

Whew!  With the birthday week over, I enjoyed a day off work, did a pilot/audition tape with Sue Havlish for WXNA (Nashville new community radio station).  Then, I made my way to The Basement East to catch Megan Palmer, Michaela Anne, and Darrin Bradbury for Week 3 of Darrin’s residency!  I stuck around to hear Darrin and band kick off the David Bowie tribute in fine fashion.  The Basement East was jam packed and the music was kicking, but my 9 nights out caught up with me and I had to bail fairly early.

On to the chilly morning shuffle filled with some classic and newer tunes.

“Desperados Waiting for a Train” by Guy Clark

Of course the mention of desperados brought to mind Glenn Frey who passed away yesterday.  Guy Clark wrote this song which was first recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker back in 1973.  Clark included the song on his debut album Old No. 1 which came out in 1975. The Highwaymen made the song a hit 10 years after Clark’s version was released.

“Lost in You” by David G. Smith

Another tune from David G. Smith’s new album First Love.  This is an awesome sounding song that did not seem out of place at all coming into the shuffle out of the Guy Clark song.  A great songwriter.

“I Belong to Me” by Richard Barone

This is the song that contributed the title to Barone’s still stunning and groundbreaking 1987 album Cool Blue Halo.  In case you didn’t know, Barone was a member of The Bongos. He posts stunning pictures of New York City on Instagram, and he has a new album coming out in 2016 that is a tribute to Greenwich Village in the 1960.  You can pre-order HERE.  And you should.

“Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

A song that appeared on Let Love In which was the 8th Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album – released in 1994. 

“Arigato Terauchi” by Crazy Aces

Nashville-based instrumental rock band – Crazy Aces are up next with a song from their album Greatest Hits Vol. 2.  I guess I have always enjoyed surf/instrumental rock music, but I became a fan in 2015 after seeing a show featuring Crazy Aces and an Atlanta band called The Mystery Men?  with Jon Latham.

“Hey Darling” by Sleater-Kinney

This is the ninth song from the latest album by Washington state based Sleater-Kinney.  No Cities to Love was released almost exactly one year ago today.  The album was the eighth from the band who formed in 1994 and released their self-titled debut a year later.

“Devil’s Daughter” by Bob Margolin

We close out the shuffle with some BLUES from “Steady Rollin'” Bob Margolin from his album My Road. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Adventure and Fun Mix

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This crazy time of year… Here I am posting this on a Thursday evening.  Circumstances, blah, blah, blah… Any way, let’s get to it…

Last night, I had a blast – another great show at The Basement (the original one).  “Earie” Award winners, Richie Owens and  the Farm Bureau put on another outstanding show that included a version of “Can’t Be Satisfied” featuring Richie Owens on the lap steel.  Bassist John Reed and stand-up drummer Brian O’Hanlon were in fine form.  I also got to see Saint Luke’s Drifters for the first time.  They called their sound Rockified Country. Songs ranged from high energy rockers that brought to my mind the Scorchers to some very honky-tonkish country songs. Vocal duties were shared and each singer brought something unique to the band’s sound.  I really enjoyed myself, and I hope to hear much more.

So, by my rough count, there will be seven more regular E2TG posts before the end of the year – not counting any weekend or holiday bonus posts.  My plan is to hand out “Earies” each of those days with Wednesday December 30, being reserved for the 5th Annual Ear to the Ground Artist of the Year. Which I will for the first time dub, the “Golden Earier” Award.

But, I am getting ahead of myself.  We have some “Earies” to give away today.

Prologue:  I have been having a really good time handing out these awards.  Even though the categories are sometimes a bit silly, the sentiment behind them is very real.  I really want to write about and honor artists who have made a big impression on my in 2015 (and before in some cases). I could have just made a list or handed out awards without giving them names, but really, this is more fun isn’t it?  I say all this to preface the fact that I have struggled a bit with what to call this next award.  Flippantly, I thought about the Six Degrees Award – as my having met these remarkable people has moved me up a few degrees of separation from some of the my all-time favorite artists (and some of the most famous in the world). But, really that name would only serve to diminish the extraordinary artists they are in their own right.

So – I hereby name this award the “Legends in Their Own Right” Award.  And I am going to just get to it before I overthink it and decide to change the name again….

1.  Reckless Johnny Wales –  The first time I encountered Reckless Johnny, I did not know who he was, but I suspected (correctly it turns out), that I was in the presence of someone remarkable. The next time, and when I finally got to meet him, I was standing on what can only be called Hallowed Ground – namely the Cash Cabin recording studios… if those walls could talk… and even though I did not hear the walls talk that night (although it would not surprise me if some who have been there have heard stranger things than that), I did get to hear some of Reckless Johnny’s stories about meeting Johnny Cash and many others.  More importantly, as a result of that meeting, I received a copy of Reckless Johnny Wales’ American Heart, and any doubts that I might have had (I didn’t really) were tossed out the window.  The music on that album demonstrates that the remarkable storied life (lives?) can and were translated into some memorable music.  I have a full review in my plans for early 2016, so I will stop here for now.

2.  Bebe Buell – Speaking of a life filled with stories…  As perhaps one of the world’s most famous groupies, Bebe Buell experienced first hand some of the defining moments of the rock and roll era. I will leave it to you to read more about her remarkable life, but for me the most important thing is happening now.  Throughout all of those interactions with rock and roll royalty, Bebe Buell was paying attention.  Having relocated to Nashville a few years ago, Buell is now focused on her own music pursuits. I first saw her performing Tom Petty songs with the amazing Long Players, and then I saw her own show at 3rd and Lindsay, and I was impressed by her music and her stage presence. That night and again at the end of October, I also saw that she is still the ultimate rock and roll fan – which is obviously when she talks about and dances to the music of the Blackfoot Gypsies.

3.  Julie Christensen (Stone Cupid) – Julie Christensen is another fairly recent transplant to our fair city.  Christensen’s musical career includes being a part of one of the pioneering Country/Punk bands, The Divine Horsemen with her husband at the time, Chris Desjardins founder of the legendary Flesheaters – a band whose membership history reads like a role call of the very best of Los Angeles music of the late 70s to early 80s.   Later, Christensen spent several years as a featured background singer with Leonard Cohen.  She reunited Cohen for the now legendary I’m Your Man concert film and album.  Upon, relocating to Nashville (and even before), Julie Christensen began working with some of the finest writers and musicians this town has to offer.  Her band, now called Stone Cupid, features an incredible line-up.  Sergio Webb and Chris Tench are two of the finest guitar players in a city that has a few… and the rhythm section features Steve Latanation (Agent Orange) and Bones Hillman who was member of Midnight Oil throughout there was most successful years. (UPDATE: There is reason I do not usually post late, I totally forgot to mention Stone Cupid’s new album The Cardinal which will officially be out early in 2016.  And I wanted to mention, that Stone Cupid played during the final week of the original Family Wash, and that show was one my favorite live shows of the year.)

On a personal note, having met them all, I am I find myself more interested in the people they are and the music they are making now than I am in their remarkable past.  But, to be honest, I will not walk away from a great story about some of the most important musical giants of our time…

To the shuffle (before it is Friday): (a regular shuffle – we’ll hop back into the season music next week).

“Think I Said Too Much” by Sugar and the Hi Lows

Another great track from one of Nashville’s best. From their self-titled album.

“Tom and Bob” by Blake Babies

More from that Blake Babies live album- available on Noisetrade.  This song was on their debut album, Nicely, Nicely which came out in 1987.

“Attention Shoppers” by Crazy Aces

More music from Nashville’s premiere instrumental rock band, Crazy Aces.

“Camera Roll” by Jonas H. Sjøvaag’s Navyelectre

From Norway.  I have really been digging the music of composer Jonas Howden Sjøvaag. The album is called Large Ensemble.


“Fool Man Runaway” by Some Kind of Illness (ft. CaoilfhionnRose)

We move on to another song from Some Kind of Illness from their self-titled album. This track features Manchester singer-songwriter Caoilfhionn Rose (her first name is pronounced Keelin). Two songs in and I continue to be impressed by this band. 

“Take My Time” by Daphne Willis

Another track from free-spirited Nashville singer-songwriter Daphne Willis’ new EP, Get It.  Seriously, get it!

“Little Wild One (No. 5) by Marshall Crenshaw

We jump next into the first of two songs from two of my all-time favorite albums.  This is the opening track to Downtown, which was Crenshaw’s third album following his amazing self-titled debut and Field Day.  Downtown was released in 1985.

“I Misunderstood” by Richard Thompson

Rumor and Sigh was released in 1991, and it still stands out as some of the best music of one of modern music’s most prolific and talented musicians. 

“I Can’t Tell” by David G. Smith

We close out the shuffle with our first listen to First Love, the new album by singer-songwriter David G. Smith.  Smith, like Julie Christensen, comes from Iowa and now resides in Nashville.  I will have much more to say about this album – which features great songs and an incredible line-up of musicians.  This was a great way to close out the shuffle this morning.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Just Can’t Win Mix

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After today, there are only nine work days left in 2015.  Which means no more than nine more days of the “Earies”  (unless I hit panic mode and start posting on weekends which is not out of the question).

So the next award…

I call this one the “Far From East Nashville” Award.

The premise:  I had a funny moment a while back when I was introduced as someone who writes an East Nashville music blog.  It was meant as a compliment, and I took it as such, but it did give me pause. When I started writing Ear to the Ground (on a lark and with no experience writing about music) back in May of 2011, some interesting things began to happen.  For whatever reason, when I wrote about Nashville bands and artists, I was generally ignored, but when I wrote about band’s from elsewhere, it seemed more likely that my posts would be acknowledged, appreciated, and shared. This is not a criticism of Nashville musicians. My take was, honestly, that the folks in Nashville knew that I wasn’t one of the “big players” when it came to music writing in Nashville. Meanwhile, folks from other places maybe didn’t know that and so they gave me a chance.  I am forever grateful for the music and wonderful people I discovered and met during that period of Ear to the Ground, and my ear continues to be open to great music from any locale. But, in a very unintentional way, I have been able to meet and hear some of the amazing talents this town has to offer. Over the past year, in particular, I have noticed and maybe you have, too, that more and more Nashville artists (East or not) have been showing up in my posts. However, as I said, I still keep my ears open to wherever I am lead, and so this award goes out to International Artists who have been a big part of E2TG.

The Awards Go To:

1.  Start closest to home:  Brock Zeman has been on my radar for a while, but in 2015 he released, Pulling Your Sword from the Devil’s Back.  I also was fortunate enough to see him three times this year. Once in an amazing round at The Bluebird Café, and later on subsequent nights at The Family Wash and The 5 Spot.  Shoot, I almost consider Brock and his musical partner Blair Hogan to be honorary Nashvillians.  Nevertheless, they are from Canada.

2.  Also from our neighbor to the north: Velodrones/Bosveld. Again, Velodrones which is Stopmo Turt Darren has been on our radar for a while.  In 2015, his project Bosveld released Veldbrand a very beautiful and unique collection of songs that combine several different and divergent music styles and wonderfully original way.

3.  From a bit further away, Jeremy Gluck.  You may recall back in the Spring or so, I think we had a Jeremy Gluck song in the shuffle for what seemed like weeks.  We were spinning tunes from Memory Deluxe: I Knew Buffalo Bill 2 which was actually release in 2014.  The album was a follow up to his 1987 album, I Knew Buffalo Bill – an album that featured Jeffery Lee Pierce of The Gun Club, Nikki Sudden, Epic Soundtracks, and others.   Gluck was in the band The Barracudas, and more recently has been working on a project called Plasticon (and some other projects). 

4.  Getting further away:  Artur U and  The New City Limits. From Helsinki, Finland.  Artur U and the New City Limits released their full length debut, Holiday from Eternity early this year. I fell in love with the high energy grooves. They are very closely connected to some of our friends at True Groove in Brooklyn.

5.  The farthest from East Nashville award:  The Transcendents.   From Christchurch, NZ.  I first connected with this band via their self-titled debut which was released late in 2014.  In 2015, they released two EPs, Lay Where You Collapse and Common Ground.  I really love the way this band creates unique and challenging soundscapes that still remain rooted in the kind of awesome pop music that I grew up listening to.

Congrats to the winners:

To the shuffle (I’m low on time!)

“Winding Down the Road” by Tom House

The shuffle is really in love with Tom House’s music and so am I.  This is the title track and last song on House’s, Brock Zeman (Earie award winner) produced album.  Last night, I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Tom House play his latest album with an incredible nine piece band that took up about all of the space of the small stage at The Basement.  It was truly an amazing sounding show and some of the most original music coming out of Nashville.

“Your Way Or The Highway” by Blake Babies

Another from that Noisetrade released Live album my Blake Babies.  This song was on their album Earwig.

“In the Meantime” by Chris Knight

The first song on Chris Knight’s Little Victories album. Knight will be playing The Exit/In on New Years Eve with Aaron Lee Tasjan opening. 

“Circle of One” by The Lemonheads

A song that first appeared on the band’s 1989 album Lick.  The version I heard this morning was a BBC Peel Session recording that was released on a four song EP called Bored on the Fourth of July.

“Maple Leaf”  by Some Kind of Illness (ft. Daisy Davies)

One of the most recent albums to reach my ears… Some Kind of Illness are a Manchester band that first formed in 1999.  They released their self-titled debut full-length in August and have been touring heavily in the UK and seem to be getting some excellent coverage across the pond. This track was my very first listen and I cannot wait to hear more. I really love the sound and look forward to writing more.

“Stomp It” by Crazy Aces

From the Continental Magazine Sampler – Nashville Instrumental Rock music purveyors, Crazy Aces – tell us to Stomp It, and we do and we do.

“Angelyne” (live) by The Jayhawks

We close things out with another from the Noisetrade issued live recording by The Jayhawks.  This is a song that was originally released on Rainy Day Music.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Eyeballs on My Knees Mix

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Still kind of reeling from AMA Week (plus catching up on things like errands and laundry etc.).  About time to get out again, though.

In the shuffle…

“Broken Shoulders” by Dan Martin

Another strong track from Hoka Hey.  Martin is from Tulsa, OK.  There is some fine, fine music coming out of Oklahoma these days!

“Gasoline” by Stone Cupid

Unless you did the pre-order, you will have to wait until January to get hold of Stone Cupid’s album The Cardinal. I pre-ordered, so I don’t.  As  a sneak peak, we have a live performance from the (original) Family Wash of the title track from the album. Gasoline rocks with the proper mix of power and restraint that is evident through the album.  The experience of Julie Christensen and her band is evident.

“Whole Lotta Women” by Steve James

During Americana week, I attended a launch party for an album project called, Cold and Bitter Tears – a tribute to the legendary Venice Beach street performer who passed away in 1995  – less than a year after landing a record deal with Geffen and finally finding some degree of commercial success.   This is a song from that record, recorded by folk/blues musician Steve James.

“Trash and Mystery” by B-Movie

Another track from the 13 O’clock release by PPNW Records.  B-Movie were an early 80s New Wave band from England.  This is a previously unreleased demo from 1981. 

“High Yellow” by Cootie Stark

From the folks at Music Maker Relief Foundation. Cootie Stark was a Piedmont Blues musician who passed away in 2005.

“Jedd’s Gold Sled” by Crazy Aces

More fine instrumental rock music from Nashville’s Crazy Aces.

“Female of the Species” by Space

The UK band Space formed in the 90s.  They have just released a new single called “Strange World”.  “Female of the Species” was released as a single back in the mid 90s, and it stayed in the UK Top 40 for three months.  It is a great sounding song, that I am hearing for the first time.  

“I Heard Her Call My Name” by The Velvet Underground

And, we close out the day with some classic VU from White Light/White Heat.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Saturday Afternoon Music Shuffle (Live Blog Event) – Who Knows What May Happen Mix

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Welcome to Saturday, and a ultra rare Saturday shuffle – live blogging experiment.  Enjoy…

3:09p.m.   Hit Shuffle

“Vincent Black Lightning” (Richard Thompson cover) by Fendrick and Peck

My friends, Fendrick and Peck have a brand knew album called Lucky Penny.  This is the last song and only cover on the album. One of my all-time favorite songs, and I really dig this cover.

“Too Much Out of Line” by The Colored Parade

Next up, another friend – Andrew Adkins with his band, The Colored Parade with a song from their album …And the Walls of the City Will Shake

“Medicine Bow” by The Waterboys

This is the Sea is 30 years old this year.  I hope I still sound so good when I get to be 30…..  

“Gingerbread Boy” by Miles Davis

From the Miles Davis at Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4… a Jimmy Heath composition (I think).  Nothing wrong with Miles Davis on a lazy Saturday afternoon at the end of Summer.  Or any other time for that matter…

“Eastwood Outlaw” by Crazy Aces

Crazy Aces are an instrumental rock band from Nashville.  I experienced them live for the first time last night, and I had to have this albun.  Awesome stuff!

“Champions of Red Wine” by The New Pornographers

A track from the latest album by The New Pornographers, Brill Bruisers, which was released about a year ago… a pretty cool song.  I like it.  I could listen to Neko Case sing all day long.

“Song About My Friends” by Atticus Floyd

From We’ll All Come Down… a cute little songs about friends who are monsters who died.

It is now 3:44p.m.  and we move on…

“Royal Wedding” by Kronos Quartet

From a Sampler of the Big Ears Music Festival which held in Knoxville, Tennessee earlier in the year.  Kronos Quartet class up the shuffle in the coolest way possible…

“Lost in a Crowd” by Fantastic Negrito

My first time hearing this song and my first exposure to the artist. Man, I dig this. I want to hear more! The album is listed as “Studio Paradiso 4/20/2015” on my device.  Will find out more right away.

“Only Love Can Break Your Heart” by Charlie Whitten

A nice Neil Young cover… This comes from a Charlie Whitten Sampler via Noisetrade.

And we will go out with this one:

“21 Years” by James Tomberlin

Our first listen to the new record from James Tomberlin.  One of my favorite writers. He recently left Nashville to pursue a law degree in Virginia, but before he left he recorded Still Life with Orange. Produced by Josh Morris and featuring Jon Latham, Cameron Carrus, and John Gentile.  I love this song!

4:05p.m.  Hope you enjoyed!

VIDEO PLAYLIST