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I really happy with the response and the outcome of the first week of our new “themed” shuffles. I am especially pleased that each day there was a pretty wide range of musical sounds and styles represented within each theme.
So, we are back with our second Music City Monday – songs (old and new) that are somehow connected to Music City USA – aka Nashville, Tennessee.
“Set the Record Straight” by Luella
Luella sets the record straight with one of her new songs. This is from a sampler CD of some of Luella’s recent music which you can get at one of shows. Luella performs every Friday at The 5 Spot as part of Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour from 6:00 to 8:30.
“Can’t Wake Up” by The Apache Relay
The Apache Relay were a great Nashville band who called it quits in 2015. I grabbed this live recording from a CD of Music from a performance/documentary called Music City Underground which was released in 2012. I was lucky enough to find this CD awhile back in the CD bin at a thrift store.
“Girl in the Sky” by Stone Cupid
How about the fabulous Stone Cupid – lead by Julie Christensen with a song from their album The Cardinal. The song was written by Amelia White. It’s a good one.
“Nuclear War” by Cloverbottom
Cloverbottom were an early punk band in Nashville. This song is available on the wonderful musical time capsule, Return to Elliston Square which was released by Spat! Records a few years back. The song was originally on the band’s first EP called Anarchy in Music City.
“Slippin’ Away” by Carolina Story
Another from the duo Carolina Story from their EP Chapter One.
“When I Can” by Jon Latham
Jon Latham recently celebrating his birthday. To celebrate, here is another track from his incredible debut album Real Bad News. A beautiful tune here.
No Difference” by Daphne Willis
Daphne Willis will be playing tonight at The Basement East with HER. This song goes back some to an EP called Matter of Time. The infectiousness of her music is evident here.
“American Saga” by Charlie Hager
Next up, Charlie Hager with the title track from his new album. Charlie is having his CD release show on March 17 at the Crying Wolf. Expect to hear much more from this album on E2TG. It was released on Flour Sack Cape records which is doing an admirable job workings with a lot of the artists you read about on E2TG.
“TMI” by Daphne Willis
Obviously, the shuffle knew that Daphne Willis was playing tonight (did I mention that she is playing at The Basement East with HER- doors at six, music at seven $5). A more up-to-date song from her latest EP called Get It! This is a really silly song, but I can almost guarantee that if you hear it, you will be singing it. Extremely fun!
“The Ballad of Wayne WV” by Andrew Adkins
We close things out with Andrew Adkins and another from Glass Castles. Catch Andrew Wednesday night at The Country for a must-see Nashville songwriters event. Adkins will be performing in the round with Tim Carroll, Jon Byrd, Tommy Womack, and Adkin’s co-Earie winner, Mighty Joe Nolan. This is an incredible line-up of some of the best that Nashville has to offer. 7:30p.m. – The Country is located near Centennial Park on 28th Avenue – just off West End and next to Jed’s Sports Bar.
And just like that Darrin Bradbury’s January Residency at The Basement East is over. And what a residency it was. The four weeks were a showcase for the music and the community of East Nashville, and they clearly demonstrated the role (whether he acknowledges or not) that Darrin has played in building the community. The openers: Jon Latham, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Zach Schmidt, Tim Easton, Megan Palmer, Michaela Anne, Erin Rae, Rorey Carroll, and Steve Poltz (along with the amazing musicians backing them). Guests: Margo Price and Todd Snider. And Darrin and his truly out of this world band (who got better and tighter each week).
Last night…. last night! Erin Rae has an amazing voice… this is country music how it should be done. Steve Poltz (ex of The Rugburns) had some dates cancelled due to the weather (for which I for one am grateful)… I had begun following him on Instagram some time back (I think via a post from Megan Palmer), but this was my first real exposure to his music. The strength of his songs and the power of his presence and energy made me smile and made me want to be a better person. Rorey Carroll writes amazing songs and her cover of a Linda Ronstadt cover backed by Todd Snider on the harmonica was magical.
As of Darrin Bradbury – as I said, the band (Aaron Shafer-Haiss, Cameron Carrus, Megan Palmer, and Larry Walnuts (aka Little Joe from Sturgill Simpson’s band) started strong and got better – bringing out new elements in songs that I have heard upwards of fifty or more times over the last couple of years. Last night, they were joined by Jeff Crowe (also from Simpson’s band) on keyboards, and it felt like he added a missing piece that was not even missed until it was added.
Lately, this feeling of being in a special place at a special time has been palpable, and last night felt like a perfect microcosm of that feeling. It made me very proud to have been an advocate for Darrin’s music for these last couple of years.
Next a shuffle that defies expectations… or whatever… e
“Nothin’ Left to Lose” by Dan Baird and Homemade Sin
Former Georgia Satellite front-man Dan Baird has never stopped rocking, and his current band which features Warner Hodges on guitar is proof. Get Loud is their latest album. The band will be making an extremely rare Nashville appearance at The Basement East on Valentine’s Day. Something to love!
“Pilgrim (You Can’t Go Home)” by Dave Rawlings Machine
I have to say a big thank you to my friend Russell for giving me Nashville Obsolete for my birthday. This is the nearly eight minute final track from that album. A masterpiece. This is music that will be listened to and talked about for years to come. Pure genius. To connect an thread running through the post so far – when I saw the Americana super-group Traveler at The Basement East – Dave Rawlings joined the band on one song.
“Safe Side” by James McMurtry
This one goes back to McMurtry’s second studio album Candyland (1992). It still sounds fresh today. Great songs tend to do that.
“Bah Humbug Ramadan (Pad Thai/Cool Rap Tune About Donald Trump)” by Discount Ravioli
Okay – so Dan Baird, Dave Rawlings, and James McMurtry back to back to back is not too far of a stretch. You might see those names together on any number of cool Americana/Roots blogs. As you may know by now, though, E2TG is not like those other admittedly cool blogs. So, where as one of those blogs might follow those three with Isbell or Sturgill or Rodney Crowell, we pivot 795 degrees (wait do get undizzy) and then bring you this epic track from the first Discount Ravioli album, Robin Schultz and the 21 Prayers. First of all, I have to apologize for the offensive phrase in the title.. I normally do not use words like D****d T***p, but it is in the title of the song which was recorded well ahead of the current wave of overexposure. And if it helps, it is used in an appropriate context here… I think. This one is over six minutes long, but time flies when hyped-up young people are singing about Pad Thai and whatnot.
“Fall Into” by Daphne Willis
Where do you go from there? How about a slice of pure pop songwriting heaven from Nashville singer-songwriter Daphne Willis from her latest EP Get it. By the way, I also saw Daphne Willis at The Basement East.
“Run to Me” by Jesse and Noah
Jesse and Noah Bellamy cover a song by another band of brother (Gibb) – and once again showcase their incredible harmonies. From the EP Brethren.
“Trail of Tears” by Guadalcanal Diary
We close things out with a song from the debut album, Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man by Marietta, Georgia band, Guadalcanal Diary. Jason Ringenberg has played this song a couple of time during his January residency at The 5 Spot which wraps up Wednesday night. Regular readers will note that I have been featuring this album for several months – thus the appearance of this song at this time is purely happy coincidence. The Scorchers and Guadalcanal Diary were two of the bands that brought together the non-mainstream music I had recently “discovered” with my reality of growing up in the South.
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In the wee hours of the morning, I posted my review of “Shoreline Sessions” a new EP and video project from Weapons of Minor Disruption which features Rob from #E2TG favorite The Danbury Lie. Please check it out. It is really cool (that is the short version of my review, btw).
Last night another of those quintessential East Nashville musical happenings. Hanging out in a kind of funky, kind of divey space with awesome people (many of them incredible musicians) listening to top notch music. Last night, it was the East Room with Kent Eugene Goolsby, Lew Card, and Joey Kneiser and the Living Flames.
Tonight, #E2TG Artist of the Year Jon Latham is playing a FREE show at Soulshine Pizza beginning at 7:00. It is a wrap up to his being Local Artist of the Week for Lightning 100.
On to the Featured Friday Shuffle….
“Anyone’s Game” by Leapfrogtown
Leapfrogtown are a London based band. This song is from their forthcoming album Dreaming on Public which is due out in a few weeks. This was my first listen, and I really dug this. Expect more….
“Pinyin” (MIDI Version) by Batkhi Dahn
So far, we have played the Instrumental Version, the regular version, and now the MIDI version. One more version of the latest Batkhi Dahn single to go. Autotune version coming soon.
“Soft Apocalypse” by Smokey the Firebear
Between the Weapons of Minor Disruption review, the Batkhi Dahn song, and now this one – it is kind of like Connecticut day around here. I have never been to Connecticut. Seems like I need to remedy that. “Soft Apocalypse” is rough mix from the album Ohm Atlanta which is due out in February. The rough mixes have been taken off of Bandcamp in anticipation of the release of the completed album, but there is a ton of music and sounds still out there. Including the CD version of BNGFKR for the incredible price of just $420 (only six remaining – they are going fast… okay probably not).
“Shot in the Dark” by Le Folli Arie
Le Folli Arie are a Prog-Pop band from Milan. A very interesting sound that I like quite a bit. Check them out.
“Sinking Ship” by Killing Kuddles
Of late, I have been rocking my Killing Kuddles swag around East Nashville. He has been a favorite around here for a long time and continues to be. This is a single released last year that I think you will like.
“Harperia” by vod
We featured the instrumental version of this political song from Canada. Here is the version that features the vocal abilities of Gabriel of The Gabriel Construct whose album Interior City was featured heavily here a couple of years ago. I could not find a video for this song, so in the Video Playlist below you will find footage from the live debut of The Gabriel Construct from last October.
“Get It” by Daphne Willis
A ridiculously infectious and upbeat song from Nashville singer-songwriter Daphne Willis. It is the title track of her recent EP. So, do like the title says – get it!
“Alien’s Trip” by Le Folli Arie
We close with another cool track from Le Folli Arie.
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.
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The end of the work week is at hand. Sunny skies and cooler temperatures are not a bad thing for mid-November.
We have a short but diverse collection of songs to round out the week – it ends with a five song run of awesome Nashville music.
“Raspberry Moon” by The Jackals
Before we get to the Nashville artists, we go international for a bit. Here is another awesome track from the album People by the Edinburgh band, The Jackals.
“Harperia” (8-bit) by vod
We next touch down in Canada for this interesting, experimental track from vod from Saint-Bruno-Lac-Saint-Jean. This song, which was released just ahead of the recent Canadian elections which saw the defeat of conservative Stephen Harper for which this song is named. This track came to my attention via the participation of Gabriel Lucas Gitin Riccio who you probably remember from The Gabriel Construct. I featured their album Interior City pretty extensively a couple of years ago. (An aside: Gabriel Construct recently played their first ever live show – which if you member the complexity of the music, you will realize was a remarkable achievement). Gabriel provided the vocals for the main “Harperia” track which we will get to soon enough. This is a cool, lo-fi electronica instrumental version of the track.
“Soul Thang” by Daphne Willis
We finally get back to Nashville to catch up with Daphne Willis. I first met and heard Daphne earlier this year down in Safety Harbor, Florida at the annual Safety Harbor Song Fest. This is a track from her brand new EP, Get It, which was released one week ago today. I attended the soft release show a few days prior to release – at the Basement East – where I caught up with another Nashville writer who I met at Safety Harbor. Chris Gelbuda co-produced this EP. Daphne Willis plays high-energy and fun, Pop music. Get It – as I said – is out now… so do what the title says.
“Old” by Reckless Johnny Wales
I have to say, with one of those birthday’s with a zero coming up in about two months, the concept of aging has been on my mind. With age comes experience and some change of perspective. Reckless Johnny may call himself old, but he is definitely not “in the way”. His album, American Heart, is looking to get an official release early next year. I was lucky enough to hear some of his interesting stories from a fascinating life. I hope to have the chance to hear more soon.
“CIA” (Home Recording, 2014) by Tom Schreck
“I Never Sang for No One But Myself” (Live 2014-02-24 At BLDG Nashville) by Tom Schreck
So thrilled to have two songs in a row from Nashville Outsider Tom Schreck from his new EP, Added Glory. The EP is meant to be a companion piece to his previous releases, Outsider (2009) and Save Your Glory (2014). The first track is a home recording of a song on which Schreck blows his cover. The second is a rocking version of a song that was originally on Outsider. It was recorder at BLDG with Schreck band, Tom Schreck Escapes. Tom is one of my favorite writers in town, and I highly recommend that you check him out if you have not.
We close things out with another Nashville songwriter. Jeremy Nash recently returned to town. He has a brand new record called Getaway Driver which I am really enjoying. This is a track from that record. The album has a gorgeous cover – by the way. I got to see Jeremy play some songs solo at Bobby’s Idle Hour a couple of weeks ago, and that is where I got my grubby little hands on this record. Highly recommended.
Another week has begun… Gonna make this short and sweet….
“Summer’s Kiss” by The Afghan Whigs
First up… The Afghan Whigs with a song from their 1996 album Black Love…
“Too Many Bridges to Cross Over” by Jesse and Noah
From the EP Brethren. Jesse and Noah Bellamy with (if I am not mistaken in my hasty research) a cover of a song written by Dallas Frazier which Merle Haggard included on his classic album Mama Tried.
“Love Letters” by Tiffany Huggins Grant
Jonquil Child, the album from which this song is taken, is due out tomorrow (July 7). I seriously and sincerely recommend that you get this album when you can. I’ve been listening for a while, and I love it. Tiffany Huggins Grant is an absolutely amazing vocalist.
“Kid” by KATO (ft. Joanie Payne)
Kato is a rapper/hip-hop artist from L.A. This is from an EP called Summer in Space Beach.
“Barbarism Begins at Home” by The Smiths
Nearly seven minutes of The Smiths from Meat is Murder.
“Rainbow Sign” by The Buckstankle Boys
From an album called The New Young Fogies Vol. 1. The Buckstankle Boys are a Bluegrass/Old Time band from Mt. Airy, North Carolina.
“The Things I Regret” by Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile with a song from her most recent album, The Firewatcher’s Daughter.
“Live for Now” by Daphne Willis
Daphne Willis was one of the brightest lights at the Safety Harbor Songfest, I attended earlier this year. She is from Nashville by way of Chicago. This uplifting song was the lead track from her 2008 album Matter of Time.
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 