Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Set Me Free Mix

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And we are back!  Life happens…  Here is a brief musical recap:

Sunday night. It was Valentine’s Day and it was Sunday and it was a messy, cold and rainy night.  A relatively small crowd (relative to the Nashville crowd this show should have brought out) witnessed a text book demonstration of what Rock and Roll guitar music should be.  Brian Wright opened with an amazing band that boasted three powerhouse guitar players (including Wright himself). As I have come to expect from Brian Wright, the songs were excellent and the energy and music were intense. Easily one of the best Brian Wright shows I have seen (and I have seen some good ones).  The headliner was Dan Baird and Homemade Sin. The band fronted by ex-Georgia Satellite Baird and featuring the legendary Warner Hodges on lead guitar – tore through a set of songs that spanned Baird’s lengthy catalog.  Backed by fellow former Satellite, Mauro Magellen  on Drums and Micke Nilsson on bass, the band was on point and played as though they were playing a sold out arena show.  The band tours extensively in Europe, but Nashville shows are rare.  I hope next time around, the weather and calendar aligns and Nashville will pack out wherever they play.

A very different evening last night at The Post East coffee house/juice bar/smoothie joint for East Nashville Storytellers #77 which featured renowned poet Bill Brown and Darrin Bradbury (accompanied by Megan Palmer).

Due to circumstances, I missed seeing Jon Latham, Zach Schmidt, Jeremy Pinnell, and Carson McHone on Monday night, but by all accounts it was every bit as awesome as I would expect.

On to the shuffle – since I know you got to be jonesing for one by this point…

“Dead Man’s Glory” by Jonas H. Sjøvaag’s Navyelectre

Some orchestral swinging music from Norway.  The album Large Ensemble has been in rotation here a while, and the songs are all amazing.

“Bye Bye Baby” by Bob Margolin

From My Road, a cover of a Nappy Brown song by “Steady Rollin'” Bob Margolin. Some awesome modern blues music.


“Pending Vegan” by Ben Arthur

Author Jonathan Lethem (not to be mistaken for E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham – although I would love to witness the two in conversation about music) is one of the best contemporary writers and one of the most in touch with the power and importance of music.  It is therefore appropriate that Ben Arthur’s Call and Response will include a song that is not only based upon a story of Lethem’s but is in fact a collaboration.  Since there is not a video yet for this track, I posted a Ben Arthur video along with Jonathan Lethem interviewing Patti Smith.


“Who Carried You” by Malcolm Holcombe

The legendary North Carolina singer, songwriter Malcolm Holcombe from his recently released The RCA Sessions.  “Who Carried You” was originally released on his debut album A Hundred Lies which was released back in 1996.


“Bodysnatchers” by Dave Rawlings Machine

More instant classic music from Nashville Obsolete. I honestly believe this is music that will be listened to and discussed for years to come.


“Happy Halloween” by The Green Pajamas

Happy Halloween! is the name of the 2014 album from this long running Indie Psycho-Pop band from Seattle. I’m sure this was added to my playlist back in October, but really, there is never a wrong time for incredible music like this.


“You Keep Me Hanging On” by Vanilla Fudge

Vanilla Fudge with a rocking cover of the Holland-Dozier-Holland song which was a huge hit for The Supremes in 1966. The Vanilla Fudge version was a top ten hit. Kim Wilde took the song back to number one 20 years after The Supreme’s version.


“Starless” by Zaibatsu

And, we close out the shuffle with more awesome music from this Italian pregressive rock band – off of their record Zero.

VIDEO PLAYLIST



   

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Suffered for Your Sanity Mix

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I had a fun time last night.  Jeff Blaney and band started a month long residency at The 5 Spot.  Renee Wahl was the special guest the first night. She was backed by Daniel Seymour and Patterson Barrett.  Her songs and her voice were as spectacular as always.  Jeff Blaney’s band included Seymour, Justin Amaral, and Chuck Foster on keyboard.  They sounded great.

Before that show was over, I had the great opportunity (thanks Mary) to get a sneak peak at the newly renovated 12th and Porter which is set for some Grand Opening shows this weekend with shows by Chuck Mead and Humming House.  The venue had a long history in Nashville, and it was good to see it ready to open once again. The free food and drinks were nice, too.

Back to The 5 Spot in time to catch the tail end of the beginning of the Whiskey and Women night with Michaela Anne.  Also on the bill, Joanna Barbara, Lauren Farrah, and Jesse Lafser.   Quite an amazing night of music.

Tonight, The 5 Spot is the place again to settle in for the night…  It is night one of another residency, this one featuring the great Paul Burch and the WPA Ballclub. Burch was one of the artists who helped to revitalize lower Broadway in Nashville in the early 90s. Burch and the WPA are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year with the release of Meridian Rising (about the life of Jimmie Rodgers) on Plowboy Records (featuring Jon Langford, William Tyler, Billy Bragg, and Tim O’Brien).  This residency is a don’t miss kind of Nashville event. Special guest tonight is another of Nashville’s finest songwriters, Kevin Gordon! 

A last minute cancellation set the stage for a pretty killer late night show featuring 2014 E2TG Artist of the year, Darrin Bradbury; 2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham; Chris Watts, Elli Perry, and Buck N Stuff (a Buck Owens tribute band that features East Nashville stalwarts, Adam Kurtz, Cameron Carrus, and Lemuel Hayes). 

I am looking forward to tonight!

On to the shuffle:

“Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)” by Jesse Terry

We start thinks out with a gorgeous cover of the Don McLean classic.  From Terry’s album The Calm and The Storm.

“Beside the Little River” by The Shakers

Next up, a taste of some of the most unique and wonderful music coming out of Nashville in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  From the album, Songs from Beneath the Lake.

“Imaginary Friend” by Ships Have Sailed

Our second listen to Mood Swings in as many days.  If anything, I think this track even better than the one we played yesterday.  A great sound.  Check them out.

“The Killing Floor” by FADES

FADES are an Alt-Rock band from London that formed in November 2014. This song is on their self-titled EP.  Dig it! 

“Gnomes” by Zaibatsu

From this Italian band’s album Zero.  Heavy sounds!  Pregressive rock.

“The Stingray Shuffle No 1” by The 427’s

Some more instrumental rock music from the Continental sampler CD we have been spinning of late.  The 427’s are from Calgary.  I am happy that this recent exposure has reignited my love of this style of music.

“Candy” by Dave Rawlings Machine

We close out today’s shuffle with a sticky, sweet and delicious selection from Nashville Obsolete.  No doubt in my mind that Dave Rawlings Machine is the absolute best this town has to offer, and this is music that is going to be talked about for a long time.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Pad Thai Mix

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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…
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“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.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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