Category: Good Old War

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Critical of Comedy Mix

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Went out for the first time since Americana last week. Visited Twin Kegs II which is located just 4 minutes from where I live. I don’t know what I had never been there before. Neat place.  Saw some great songwriters including the brother of someone from the show Nashville, and a tremendous young writer from Sydney who was celebrating the release of her new album, Love and Lovely Lies . Her name is Imogen Clark. 

We have another fine shuffle with some of those odd connections that seems to happen all the time when you closely follow music and the people who make it.

“The People’s History” by Eleventh Dream Day

This Chicago band have been making music for over 30 years.  Their late 80s/early 90s albums Beet and Lived to Tell were among by favorites back in the day. I somehow lost track of them, but I was happy to discover that they have continued to make music and that I have a lot of catching up to do.  They just recently released Works for Tomorrow, and this is our first listen to that record.  And man does it rock!  I was immediately reminded why I loved this band so much.

“President Clinton Blues” by Drink Small

The second day in a row for some Piedmont Blues.  Klout is going to name me an “Expert” of Piedmont Blues any day.  This is definitely politically incorrect, and pretty damn funny.

“Nothing Else” by Livingmore

Ok two notes here.  This song has been in the playlist for a heck of a long time. It is the first track from the 3 song self-titled release by this L.A. duo.  Livingmore is Alex Moore and Spencer Livingston.  Spencer used to be in a band called The Alternates, and that band was one of the very first Ear to the Ground Band’s of the Week (a long since abandoned feature from our very early time) – we are talking mid 2011.  Livingmore is making some awesome music and they seem to be playing out in L.A. fairly often.  Hopefully we can talk them into making a trek east at some point.

“I Should Go/Thinking of You” (Live) by Good Old War

A live mash up of two songs from the self-titled Good Old War record (2010).

“That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” by The Smiths

The Smiths have come up several times of late.  The Smiths made some pretty amazing music.  This one is from Meat is Murder.

“1945” by Carl Anderson

Nashville by way of Virginia songwriter Carl Anderson.  1945 goes back to his album Wolftown

“Come Together” by Michael Hedges

The amazing, late great guitar genius – takes on the iconic Beatles song from his album Live on the Double Planet.

“If It Takes a Lifetime” by Jason Isbell

The Nashville based  songwriter has been a roll for the past year of so. This is the opening number from the his latest critically acclaimed album.  BONUS VIDEO: a cover of this song by my friend Drew Kohl…

“Filet of Sole” by The Dead Milkmen

In the strange coincidences very few people will get – The Dead Milkmen once wrote and recorded the line, “You’ll dance to anything, by the Smiths”… happy dancing…

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Sleeping in the Monkey House Mix

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After posting about the heat yesterday, things inexplicably cooled off a bit yesterday evening (don’t worry it is hot again today).  While it was cooler, I took the opportunity to sit out on my deck and get some writing projects complete. 

1.  You may have seen The Ghoul Goes West in the shuffle over the past couple of months or so. And, you may have wondered just who is or are The Ghoul Goes West.  Well, wonder know more. I did an extensive interview this Chris S. (chief Ghoul) and you can read it on No Depression right now. 

2. Any time there is new music from an Ear to the Ground artist of the year, it is cause for much excitement around here.  Darrin Bradbury, the reigning Artist of the Year, just released a new EP called The Story of Bob, and I have written a review of that album (hint – you should own it now!)

Tonight, if you in Nashville, I highly recommend heading to the Basement East around 7:00.  Two of our country’s best songwriters are appearing together and it should be a great night.  Kevn Kinney (Drivin’ and Cryin’) and Peter Case in one night and the same stage.  Epic!

We have a short but pretty darn sweet shuffle today – thanks to a quick commute and an eight minute instrumental song in the mix.

“Shh.. Judy’s Sleeping” by Christopher Aaron Slade

Some amorous cheekiness from Christopher Aaron Slade.  From his bio, I take it that Judy was a day dreaming co-worker.  In the video playlist, we have his version of the Blondie classic, “Call Me”.

“Monkey House” by Artur U and the New City Limits

One of my favorite tracks from Turn Off the Light by this band from Finland.  The album was produced at Bill Laswell’s studio in New Jersey.  Enjoy the short film video of the song.

“Little Blue Something” by Bryce Dessner and Kronos Quartet

Kronos Quartet are a contemporary classical string quartet who have been in existence for over 40 years.  Bryce Dessner is a composer best known as the guitarist for The National.  Little Blue Something is a composition by Dessner which was inspired by the music of  Irena and Vojtech Havel, who blend early music with Czech folk music.  The song came to me via a Noisetrade sampler for the Big Ears music festival held in Knoxville, Tennessee earlier this year.

“Broken Into Better Shape” by Good Old War

A live version of the title track to Good Old War’s new album which is due out next week.  From a Noisetrade sampler put out by the band.

“Undertow” by Cletus Kennelly and Lori Kelley

Another of my favorite songs from the Lotus album by the long-time D.C. area duo.

“Guess So – Take Me Home” by Tigerman WOAH!

Another raucous and rowdy song from the band from Massachusetts by way of Georgia (or vice-versa). From the band’s album, Up South Vol. II.

“Shadow” by SOJA     window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;  

An awesome song from the band’s 2014 album Amid the Noise and Haste.  This track features guitarist Trevor Young on lead vocals. The Roots and Reggae band is from Arlington, Virginia.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Heart Space Mix

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There is a buzz of activity in the Ear to the Ground offices, but I wanted to take the time to try to help spread the word about a couple of things:

A pair of great Nashville musicians/songwriters have recently suffered some pretty serious injuries which could keep them out of commission for an extended period.  For anyone, this would be bad, but for a professional musician this can be devastating.  In both cases, friends and fans are joining forces to help. 

Allen Thompson of the Allen Thompson Band suffered a serious injury to his vertebrae.  You can help out and find out more by clicking here.

Singer-songwriter Tommy Womack (Daddy, Government Cheese) was seriously injured in an automobile accident late last week.  You can help him by clicking here.

In better news, Darrin Bradbury just dropped his latest EP, The Story of Bob.  I’ll have more on this later, but check it out here.

Finally, I have been busy on the No Depression front with several live reviews, an album review – and much more on the horizon.  I don’t cross post everything, so if you want to keep up with adventures over there.  Here is the link to my Contributions at NoDepression.com.

Now to the shuffle of the day:

Several long songs (including an 8 minute instrumental) means there are only 7 songs in the shuffle today…

“Rapunzel” by Ben Arthur

Another track from the forthcoming Call and Response album of answer songs.

“Ghost Writer” by Storm Chronicles

Another from the debut album by The Storm Chronicles, Looking Backward.  Alternative/Progressive rock songs. 

“Spirit in the Still” by The Poorhouse Says

Our second listen – from the forthcoming As Patterns Go album – due out June 27.  Dig this song a bunch. Check it out.

“As Forever Became Never Again” by Bobby Bare Jr.’s Young Criminals’ Starvation League

From the 2014 album, Undefeated.

“Three Cord Bond” by Propaganda

L.A. Hip Hop artist Propaganda with a track from his 2014 album Crimson Cord. A powerful call from mutual understanding.

“Heart Space” by Whale Fall

Eight minutes plus of cinematic, progressive instrumental goodness from the L.A. band.

“Tell Me What You Want From Me” by Good Old War

A track from the forthcoming album, Broken into Better Shape (due June 29) from the Philly based Indie Acoustic Pop band.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Crying for You Mix

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Having come of age musically speaking in and around Nashville in the late 80s, it would not surprise anyone that last night’s show featuring Webb Wilder and the Beatnecks, Bill Lloyd and his fantastic band, Warner Hodges and his fantastic band, and the newly reunited Government Cheese would be an exciting thing for me to see. I think what impressed me the most was that it wasn’t all or even mostly about nostalgia or looking back.  I mean sure, I got a certain thrill when Webb did Poolside from It Came From Nashville – his first album. And there were significant memories stirred in the Nashville Jam finale – when everyone returned to the stage to do the late Tim Krekel’s “I Can’t Help Myself” (a song that Jason and the Scorchers recorded). The most significant aspect of the evening was that everyone had newer material and seemed to be looking forward not back.  Government Cheese has a brand new album after decades apart. And Warner Hodges, I dare say, rocked the Music City Roots stage about as hard as it has even been rocked. 

On to the shuffle…

“Rufus Baker, Mermaid” by Atticus Floyd

From the album Russell Stover Stole My Baby.  Some awesome experimental noise rock  stuff.  I could not find any videos of Atticus Floyd so since Atticus Floyd is a member of Circus Propaganda, I posted a Circus Propaganda video instead.  Check out Atticus Floyd, though, y’all.

“Tree” by Grumsling

From A Church, On a Boat, In the Sea… The Oakland, California based Grumsling are back in the shuffle with another highly original, cool song.

“Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer” by Old Crow Medicine Show

For the record, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary closed in 2009.  Old Crow Medicine Show are truly Nashville musical treasures. This song is the lead track from the band’s ninth studio album, Remedy which was released about a year ago.

“Hitler’s Tears” by John Wesley Harding

Only a master songwriter could write a song like this… Another from the fabulous Why We Fight?

“Tinsel and Lights” by Tracey Thorn

Another from the World Café sessions.  It is always refreshing to have a Christmas song in the shuffle in early June.  Even better when said Christmas song is by a member of Everything But the Girl. From the 2012 holiday album of the same name.

“Foot of the Hill” by Boxed In

Boxed In is Oli Bayston a producer and former member of the band Keith. This song his from the self-titled debut album which was released around the first of this year.

“Low” by [debut]

Another swell sounding Electronic/Indie song from the album Postcards from Berlin.

“Coney Island” (Live from the City of Brotherly Love)  by Good Old War

The Philadelphia band have a sampler out on Noisetrade that includes songs from the latest Good Old War album, Broken Into Better Shape.

“North Country” by American Scarecrows

We close out the shuffle with another song from the Yesteryear by this awesome Minnepolis rootsy rock band.

VIDEO PLAYLIST