Category: Grant Peeples

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Big Opportunity Mix

At press time, No Depression is featuring my latest live review on the front page of their site.  Check it out.

Meanwhile, we kick off the week with a morning shuffle that does not feature any dancing sharks…

“Big Lizard” by The Dead Milkmen

The almost title track from Big Lizard in My Backyard.

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A modern arrangement of a traditional tune from Fisherman’s Blues.

“Ordinary World” by Heather Powell

Heather Powell’s next album “A Haze of Grays and Blues” is due out at the end of this month, and what I’ve heard of it is stunning.  The song featured today is a stand out track from her 2012 album Believe it to Life.

“Voodoo Doll” by Stacy Mitchhart

From his album Live My Life which was recorded at Fry Pharmacy an all analog studio here in Nashville, Voodoo Doll is the kind of no holds barred Blues that you will hear on the latest album from this Nashville legend.

“Follow Me Down” by Science!

Science! are from Seattle! and they play Music!  Why am I so excited?  Give a listen and find out.  Alcoves and Alleyways is out now.  If you want, you can check out a sampler from the album via Noisetrade and then once convinced, pick up the whole thing at the usual spots.  They’ve been on Couch by Couchwest which makes them good eggs in my book….

“I Really Don’t Want to Know” by Jason and the Scorchers

More classic Jason and the Scorchers – this one is from Lost and Found.

“Opportunity” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

Elvis Costello was and is a songwriting genius. Opportunity has always been a favorite of mine off of Get Happy!!

“Don’t Get Loud With Me Bitch” by Neighborhood Texture Jam

A song about Far East foreign policy in the latter part of the 1980s served up by this unique and awesome band from Memphis. From their album, Funeral Mountain.

“The New American Dream” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik

Our last taste of the fantastic Grant Peeples’ album Punishing the Myth. I got this CD when I met Grant after he played the Wild Ponies party during Americana week – at The Building in East Nashville.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Leather and Chrome Mix

Back at it after a long weekend…. some days, you just don’t feel it, but you press on and music always helps.

“Little World” by Gretchen Peters

A beautiful song from Peters’ 2012 album Hello Cruel World.  Her next album is due in February and is called Blackbirds.

“Don’t Say You Love Me” by Sean Watkins

From the latest solo record by a founding member of Nickel Creek. The album is called All I Do Is Lie, and it was recently made available on Noisetrade. I dig the well written songs played by top-notch musicians.

“Fisherman’s Blues” by The Waterboys

The lead and title track from one of my favorite albums.  At the time, Fisherman’s Blues was a radical departure from The Waterboys’ signature “Big Music” sound, and although I am huge fan of the early Waterboys’ records, I have always had a soft spot for Celtic Music and this is an album I find myself returning to again and again.

“Big Blue Sun” by Amelia White

Another great track from the Old Postcards album. This is always one of my favorites to hear Amelia perform live.

“Holy Moses” by Echo and The Bunnymen

I’ll be honest, I haven’t really kept up with Echo and the Bunnymen in recent years.  This track is off their latest album Meteorites which came out last year. A friend included on his annual mix CD.  I didn’t immediately recognize this has a Echo and the Bunnymen song, but taken out of context (for me), I have to say I like this song.

“1952 Vincent Black Lightning” by Richard Thompson

What exactly can I say. As I’ve stated before, Rumor and Sigh is a favorite of mine, and this song has gone on to become a modern folk music standard that will likely live on for years. I just don’t seem to get tired of hearing this song.

“Stones” by Dead and Lovely

Another great song from my friends in Dead and Lovely from their EP called Heavy.  I love this music.

“Johnny’s Gonna Die” by The Replacements

From Sorry Ma…. the song was written about Johnny Thunders…. but (and forgive me if I am stating the obvious), but this could easily be seen as prophetically about Bob Stinson.

“The Morning After the Coup” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik

“Meet the New Boss…”  Coups are fun and all, but what comes next?  Another great song from Punishing the Myth.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – The Drifting Mix

I am thinking about starting a new weekly post or something promoting the #E2TG recommended  shows around Nashville each week.  I have not decided upon a format or anything, but if you have suggestions or events for consideration, hit me up.

In the meantime, get ready to kick off the last full week before Christmas with a pretty awesome show at The Building in East Nashville tonight.  It is Open Road Monday.  Doors open at 7:00 with music starting at 8:00.  The show features The Western Shore, Sarah Potenza, Darrin Bradbury and Jon Latham.  An open mic follows so bring you guitars and songs down and dig it. The BLDG is BYOB or you can cross the patio to Drifter’s BBQ and bring something back. The Building is at 1008 #C Woodland Street right behind Drifter’s. Come out for some Ear to the Ground recommended musical offerings..

“The Drifting” by The Torn Images

The opening track from the new album by California Indie Rock artist Briand Arabaca aided by some other California Indie rock musicians. Check it out.

“Harmless Sparks” by American Aquarium

I really dig this song off of the album Burn. Flicker. Die. It’s been playing quite often on my music player. It may just be my favorite track on this album which is full of great songs.

“Runnin’ Away” by Heather Powell

I’m about 90% sure this was a song that I already featured that got added back when I had my playlist delete incident. If so, you may have missed it or like me, you may be very happy to hear it again.  This is from Believe it to Life.  Her latest album, A Haze of Grays and Blues is due out in early 2015 on the True Groove label out of New York City.

“Car Cleveland” by John Lurie

I am a huge fan of director Jim Jarmusch.  This track comes from the Soundtrack of Jarmusch’s 1984 film Stranger Than Paradise which stars John Lurie who also wrote the music for the film. 

“All I Do is Wonder” by D.C. Bloom

This may well be one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in a long time. It is listed as Unreleased on his ReverbNation page.  If this is still the case, I hope it will end up on album soon.  In the meantime, head over to his Website and signup.

“Shores” by Lindsay Ellyn

Okay, New York, you better enjoy Lindsay while you have her because Nashville wants her back!  I have this feeling (and I am not the only one) that 2015 is going to be a big year for Lindsay.  She has new music coming out in the new year, and I’ve been lucky enough to have heard some of it performed live… get on board the Lindsay express early or else I will tell you that I told you so.  This one his from her Shores EP.

“It’s Too Late to Live in Austin” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik

Another song that has been coming up fairly often on my music player.  A great song that references a midnight show of James McMurtry and his band.  Another one from the awesome album, Punishing the Myth.

“Trim Your Tree” by Jimmy Butler

With a hat tip to David Horton (Popa Tunes) we offer up another highly suggestive and inappropriate Christmas song from days of yore. This song from the album, “I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus.”  Mojo Nixon covered this song in the early 90s on his album Horny Holidays.

“Samson in New Orleans” by Leonard Cohen

And we close things out with a song from the latest album from Leonard Cohen – called Popular Problems. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Lament Mix

It’s been quite a week of shuffles and the beat goes on…  I’ve been really tired this whole week, so if letters just starts scrolling across the screen as I type this, someone wake me up.  We have a good one for youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu… sorry…

“Something for Sellers” by Henry Mancini from The Pink Panther – Original Soundtrack

Mancini from the Pink Panther soundtrack… because – why not?

“We Take Care of Our Own” by Matt King from Raw

I think I may have featured this one before, but it’s one of my favorites from this album.  I really, really want to see Matt play with Killing Streets (his newish backing band that features Matt and Livia of reigning E2TG Band of the Year – The End Men)

“Du måste va nån” by Thorsten Flinck from Till flickorna på Upplandsgatan 71 från fiaskot mittemot

A random discovery via the New Release list on Freegal.  Thorsten is from Sweden. He is an actor and director who (according to Wikipedia) is known for playing psychopaths and villains. He has been making music for some time, and this song is the opening track from his latest album – released November 26. As translated by Google, the title of the album is For the girls at Upplandsgatan 71 from the fiasco opposite and the title of this track is “You Have to Be Somebody”. I’m not sure that I understand exactly what is going on here, but I quite like how this sounds.

“Lament (Lament for Guitar)” by Laurindo Almeida from Jazz Guitar Legends

Another that came to me via Peacefork and Valued Customer… This completely blew me out of the water.  There are hints of Latin rhythm somewhere in this composition, but overall, this is pretty hard to classify.  Undeniably brilliant, challenging in the best possible way, and a great addition to the shuffle.

“She Was a Wildflower” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Rebublik from Punishing the Myth

I know I’ve been featuring this album ever since I got hold of it during Americana week when I got to sit beside Grant at the Wild Ponies Party at The Building, but if you do nothing else, go to his Facebook page (I will trust you to find it yourself), and read his Long Description. It is like some amazing short novel that needs to be written and probably will be, and it helps to explain to the extent possible that how this amazing music came to be so amazing.

“The Ballad of Boerne and Alice” by D.C. Bloom from D.C. Bloom

A new arrival from one my favorite music sources out of Austin (Gina Sigillito)… D.C. Bloom is from San Antonio, Texas, and all of the songs I’ve heard so far have this awesome silky smooth Texas sound… but this song – about the…ahem… shortcomings of dating over the Internet, is nothing short of brilliant.  I think I’ve found another new favorite artist.

“Julius and Ethel (Atomic Love Story)” by Darrin Bradbury from When a Car Becomes a House

Like me, Darrin Bradbury watches too much television. He watched a documentary about Julius and Ethel Rosenberg – who were the American couple who were executed for conspiracy to commit espionage by selling secrets about the atomic bomb to the Russians.  Darrin’s take away from this story is about the strength of the love that lead Ethel to refuse to divulge information which could have potentially saved her own life. It’s a beautiful song.

“I’ll Be Walking the Floor This Christmas” by Ernest Tubb and His Texas Troubadours

How about the original E.T. with a classic Country Christmas song…. so nice…

“Our Love” by Judah and the Lion from Sweet Tennessee

Next up, we have another great track from fast rising Nashville band, Judah and the Lion. 

“Afternoon” by The Foresters from Sun Songs!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

And, we close out the week with the brand newish single from The Foresters which will be on their next album Sun Songs.  I may sound like a broken record, but I continue and continue to be impressed by the growth and maturity of this band of young brothers from Connecticut. There are very few traces of the Pop Punk sound of their earliest music, but if you have been following, the evolution has been steady and quite amazing.  Here’s to big, big things in 2015.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Middle Man Mix

I am more convinced than ever that I did not delete my playlist (as mentioned Friday) through some incredibly bone-headed clumsy ass maneuver.  No, it appears that my phone is possessed.  My cell phone contract ended in November, and my now two year old phone has developed a mind of it’s own.  It has begun initiating screen touch activities all on it’s own… typing (and sending) gibberish text messages, taking pictures, opening applications, etc.  I think it knows that it’s days are numbered.

So, until I get a new phone, any activity which comes from me should be suspect.  Including this post… am I writing this or is my phone writing this?

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); “Hey There Mama” by Dan Coyle from Perfect Word. Perfect Beat.

Dan Coyle talks about the untimely death of his father and expounds on a philosophy that I really needed to hear.

“The Moment I Tell You Goodbye” by David Olney from Dutchman’s Curve

One of my highlights of December so far has been Saturday nights Tom Waits tribute at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  I had such a blast and heard a slew of awesome artists offering their take on the music of the distinctly American genius, Mr. Waits.  One of the highlights of the night was an awesome performance by David Olney.  As luck would have it, it was my second chance to see Mr. Olney that week.

“Am I Still the One for You?” by Ike Reilly from Am I Still the One for You?

The title track from this mega release/E.P. Noisetrade thing…  Have I mentioned how much I  am digging this music?

“Drink Slinger” by Zachariah Red from This Town E.P.

I am extremely proud to call Zach a friend and extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to see and hear him several times in the last couple of months.  He has new music coming soon – here’s to the new year!  Since I couldn’t find a Youtube video – have a listen to “Drink Slinger”.

http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=470732660/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1205056514/transparent=true/
“Christmas for You and Me” by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors from Another Neighborly Christmas

I think this officially counts as the first Christmas song of the season on E2TG (with the exception of some songs that crept into the shuffle at odd times).  A cheer-filled song from a great Nashville band.

“Aunt Lou” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik from Punishing the Myth

Grant Peeples paints a devastatingly beautiful portrait in the course of an approximately three minute song.

“Bummer 1 Hit Single” by Darrin Bradbury from When a Car Becomes a House

“This songs a bummer, let’s talk about summer…”  If you don’t know Darrin Bradbury, than Darrin Bradbury knows you… or something like that.  “I’m just the middle man, between gravity and the rope.” 

“Goin’ to Acapulco” by Bob Dylan and the Band from The Basement Tapes

We go from DB to BD. Everyone is talking about The Basement Tapes this days – for some mighty good reasons…  I think it’s a testament to Mr. Zimmerman’s songwriting skills that I really dig so many covers of his – including the version of this song by Jim James and Calexico.  The original isn’t half bad either… *deliberate understatement implied…

“Live My Life” by Stacy Mitchhart from Live My Life

We close things out with some genuine local Nashville blues, and the title track from the excellent recent Stacy Mitchhart album.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Pitch Black Mix

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As with many people, my mind is consumed with thoughts of what has happened and is happening in Ferguson, Missouri and what it says about us as a nation – as human beings…. I am not one of those who thinks he has all the answers… in fact there are just a few things I think I know…. repeated and systemic injustice creates situations where violence flourishes.  Violence and Hate are never the answer.  Peace and Love always are the answer.  Justice must proceed peace.  We are one world and one people. We really need to work on losing this idea of them vs. us.

Coincidently, we begin today’s random shuffle with a cover of  Gil Scott-Heron song, but not the one I’ve seen others posting today…

“Legend in His Own Mind” by Stacy Mitchhart from Live My Life

Nashville Bluesman Stacy Mitchhart is up first with his cover of Gil Scott-Heron’s Legend is His Own Mind.

“Wino” by Bob Frank from Bob Frank

To be honest, when I listened to this song this morning, I did not know anything about it.  I grabbed this off of the latest Feel Bad for You Mixtape where it was submitted by Mad Mackerel Music Blog.  The song is from 1972 and is from a 2014 Remastered version of Bob Frank’s self-titled first album.  From my hasty research, Mr. Frank has quite the storied history.  What I know for sure is this is a great song that I wanted more people to hear.

“Shimmer and Shine” by Michael Sackler-Berner

Michael Sackler-Berner is a Musician and Actor from NYC.  I’ll be honest until last night when I came across this song on the New Release section of Freegal, I had never heard of him.  He has worked with a stellar array of talent including folks like Marshall Crenshaw and Jim Keltner.  This is not raw roughly hewn music. This slick, well produced music that “shimmers and shines” like the song talks about.  As much as I dig me some rough raw music, I do not think that slick, well produced music is to be ignored. Especially, when the production is supported by a great pop song.

“Good Looking Boy” by Ike Reilly from Am I Still the One for You?

A powerful song about war veterans from Ike Reilly.  Our second listen to Mr. Reilly and so far he’s 2 for 2 in my book.

“Shut Up Shuttin’ Up” by Victor from Victor

Before things get too heavy, let’s take it in a completely different direction with this humorous track from Alex Lifeson’s ( of RUSH) 1996 solo album recorded under the name Victor.  This track features Lifeson’s wife and another woman talking about men.  The sentiment is appropriate for a day filled with loud mouths spouting off on the internet and using opinions as facts.

“Line Up” by Minton Sparks from Middlin’ Sisters

Spoken word of a completely different sort with this tale of corporal punishment and familial bonds that cross generations.

“Pitch Black” by PUJOL from PUJOL Sampler/Kludge

What can I say except, I absolutely love PUJOL’s music. This is a great song.

“Tried and True” by The Jayhawks from The Jayhawks (aka The Bunkhouse Album)

More from the debut album of The Jayhawks… tried and true indeed…

“Bad Habits” by Hugh Trimble from neighborpoem

Hugh Trimble just released a new album which I need to check out, but right now we are making our way through this one, and so far every song is a gem. 

“The Hanging” by Grant Peeples from Punishing the Myth

On a serious day, it seems fitting to close out the shuffle with a song that sends a powerful message about Capital Punishment and our nation’s seemingly insatiable appetite for blood.  Two wrongs don’t make a right.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Cobwebs and Twisted Dry Bones Mix

So… for those who love Halloween, you will notice the way I mashed up some song titles from today’s shuffle into a Halloweeny sounding  “Cobwebs and Twisted Dry Bones” subtitle for this shuffle.  For those who dislike Halloween, there are no real Halloween-themed songs in this shuffle. 

Boo!

“Ballad of Treason” by Abigail Washburn from City of Refuge

The amazing Abigail Washburn with another fine song from her City of Refuge album which we have been featuring of late.

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Here is Victoria Williams’ remake of a hit song from the late 1920s.    window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;

“Old Postcards” by Amelia White from Old Postcards

How about we present the title track from the latest album from East Nashville’s own Americana icon – the incredible Amelia White!

“Мексиканские напевы” by Orera from 1970

And why yes, I think we will present some Mexican Tunes performed by a Georgian Folk/Jazz band.  And yes, that is Georgia the former (although at the time of this recording it wasn’t former) Soviet republic.  This is awesome stuff.

“(I’m Not In) Prison” by The Jayhawks from The Jayhawks (aka The Bunkhouse Album)

I really can’t help myself, when I go into a thrift store, I just have to take a look at the CD bins.  Last weekend, I had to make some returns, and I left with some clothes and the debut album (1986-87) by The Jayhawks. 

“Who Woulda Thunk It?” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik from Punishing the Myth

Grant Peeples doing a Greg Brown song? Why yes I will take that.

“Same River Twice” by Matt King from Raw

Another Nashville artist.  Matt King with a song from his album Raw.

“Dry Bones” (Acoustic Noisetrade Exclusive) by Heath McNease from Fort Wayne (songs inspired by the film)

Heath McNease sometimes does hip-hop, somethings does indie/folk, and somethings does what ever he wants… He does them all very well, and this acoustic arrangement from his Fort Wayne project (film/album) is a good example.

“Twisted Kinda” by Sidestreet Reny from Tonal Tonics and Musical Elixers  

Today we finish up the week with another superb track from this album by Sidestreet Reny.

VIDEOS


  

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Potential Energy Mix

Okay pre-writing disclaimer… I’m just not feeling particularly verbose today.  So, expect some short, sharp comments… but who knows what will happen when I get started… What’s fun about the randomness of the shuffle process is that it often does far better than I ever could arranging a fine mixture of divergent tunes into a pattern which at once defies and expands the conscious minds ability to understand the complexity of music as a part of human interactions.  Did I say, I wasn’t feeling verbose? Oh well….

“Look Around” by Lael Summer from Burden to Bear

The shuffle has decided to include Lael Summer in the mix three days in a row, and I am very happy about that.  The last two days, my morning drive has begun with songs from this wonderful album. 

“Leyndarmal (King and Cross)” by Asgeir Trausti from Dýrð í dauðaþögn

Indie folk from Iceland.. Asgeir Trausti is very good, and this was my first listen.  I grabbed this one off the September Feel Bad for You mixtape.  There is an English version of this song, but the version I heard was the Icelandic original.  Even without knowing what the lyrics mean, the sound is devastatingly beautiful.

“Plain Jane” by Joe Nolan from Plain Jane

Joe Nolan is from Nashville. He writes for the Nashville Scene and for our local street newspaper The Contributor.  He followed me on Twitter, and when I saw the people I know who also follow him and/or are friends of his Facebook, I knew I was on to something.  I grabbed some music from his website.  Plain Jane is the title track from a 2001 album. Great music is timeless.  This is timeless music.  Dig.

“The Bride of Frankenstein, 1935” by Sci-Fi Romance from October

http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1134415728/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=2476484663/transparent=true/

Long time Ear to the Ground favorite Sci-Fi is back with a surprise new album perfect for this time of year.  Heck man, this album combines two things I love – great music and classic horror movies.  A lesser man might have come up with this idea, but it takes someone like Vance Kotrla to actually pull it off so brilliantly.

“California Rag” by Sidestreet Reny from Tonal Tonics and Musical Elixers

Acoustic Blues and Urban roots – featuring a National Resonator… you know this had to come to me via my friend David Horton (aka Popa Tunes), and you know this has to be good – and it is soooo good.

“California” by The Western Shore from Thunderstorm

How about two California songs in a row – both by husband and wife duos – sonically very different, but both incredible? How about two shuffles in a row with rich Americana via Nashville’s The Western Shore? 

“Chemistry” (a capella) by Hayden Coleman from Chemistry (Maxi Single)

http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1325507606/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=4190967390/transparent=true/

We previously featuring my friend Hayden Coleman’s new single “Chemistry”.  From the same maxi-single, today’s version  of that song strips away everything but the vocals and the results are so cool.  I think this song may have the best hook I’ve heard all year – and man I’ve heard some killer hooks this year.  Bonus points for the line about potential energy… in my novel, The Drift, one of the characters is a film student whose class project is a film called Potential Energy.  I tend to think the filmmaker would use this song in his film if he could.

“Anyway” by Chris Stamey from Lovesick Blues

From a hip-hop song with the beats and music stripped away to a densely layered Indie Pop/Folk song from the always amazing Chris Stamey.

“High Octane Generation (for Jimmy Roche)” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik from Punishing the Myth

From my  admittedly skewed perspective, it looks like poetry may be making a comeback – or maybe no comeback is needed – or maybe it is me making the comeback… whatever… we close out this rather diverse and interesting shuffle with the words of Grant Peeples.  In the video montage, we’ve included High Octane Generation by Jim Roche which I take it was the inspiration for the poem we feature today.  This was my first exposure to Jim Roche, and at risk of understatement, I am intrigued.

VIDEOS

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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – What I Do Mix

It’s Friday!  Good time at  Year of October’s Nashville CD Release show for their new album Golden Days.  You can check it out and purchase HERE !

Let’s close out this work week in proper fashion with a nifty shuffle filled with cool tunes:

“Hammer and Nails” by Henry’s Rifle from The Entrée (a Built4BBQ Sampler)

We’ve had a few songs from the latest Built4BBQ Sampler this week.  There all really good.  Henry’s Rifle is one man, and I don’t think his name is Henry.  For one man, he makes a wonderful heap of noise. Raucous Country/Blues/whathaveyou. Check him out!

“Bright Morning Stars” by Abigail Washburn from City of Refuge

Taking this down and lifting things up simultaneously… a glorious song from amazing banjo virtuoso.

“From Now On” by Delta Spirit from Lost and Found/Into the Wide

I love Delta Spirit.  I saw them two years ago at Live on the Green – pressed against the barrier in front of the stage with about half the city of Nashville behind me (or at least it felt that way). They bring lots of energy and passion. 

“Little Bird (What I Do)” by David Olney from When the Deal Goes Down

I supposed the word artist gets thrown around pretty liberally and casually. Maybe when you are talking about David Olney you should capitalize it. Artist or ARTIST. Or maybe you should just say, Genius (but that gets used too often, too).  At any rate, this song really spoke to me this morning.  “Do what you do, and stop answering people who ask “Why?” We all have songs to sing – even if you can’t carry a tune (like me).

“You’re a Slave to Your Imagination” by Grant Peeples from Punishing the Myth

This one also spoke to me in much the same way.  I know for me, I don’t write because I want to or even because I think someone somewhere will want to read it… I’m not necessarily here of my own free will…. to paraphrase Rhonda from Fran’s…. two or three people will get that reference by the way, but I had to write it…  Oh yeah, and Grant Peeples is pretty much a genius, too, and I am not overusing the word when I say that.

“Ramblin On My Mind” (Robert Johnson Cover) by Left Lane Cruiser and James Leg from Painkillers

Left Lane Cruiser is from Indiana.  James Leg is from Texas. Robert Johnson came from Mississippi and legend has it, he sold his soul to the devil at a Crossroads in order to become the greatest bluesman of all time.  Some of the above it true, some is legend, and some… well I just don’t know, but two things I do know – Robert Johnson changed the course of American music – a change that is still be felt today, and this right here is a pretty bitchin’ cover.

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Frazey Ford is part of the awesome Canandian folk group The Be Good Tanyas.  She just released her second solo record this week, and we have a really cool track from that album in the shuffle today. 

“Just Like That” by Chris Carroll from Trouble and Time

Chris Carroll is a Canadian-born singer/songwriter currently based out of San Marcos, Texas.  Her music, at least this song, is soulful, bluesy, folky music. As you may know, I hate genre labels.  This is good music – another I grabbed from the September Feel Bad for You mixtape.  I will be seeking out more of her music.

“Sea of Light” by Sol Cat from Deer Head Music Presents: Indie Mixtape  Nashville/Sol Cat

We close things out with some  Nashville music by way of the excellent Mixtape from Deer Head Music.  This is a groovy slice of Indie Pop heaven.  C’mon – it’s the weekend – let’s get groovy!

VIDEOS


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Muddy Water Mix

Last night, I made my weekly pilgrimage to Fran’s Eastside Tavern on a rainy Wednesday night in East Nashville. Fran’s on Wednesday is a bit hard to explain unless you’ve been there (and maybe even if you have).  I haven’t been to Fran’s on any other night, so I am not able to say anything about those other nights.  Just to keep in simple, Fran’s is a dive bar, smoky beyond ever what you might expect from a dive bar, with cheap beer (cash only), regulars, a pool table, and the added tension of being in the midst of the East Nashville “scene”.  Most Wednesday nights, it is Tim Carroll and Darrin Bradbury holding court with original songs and a wildly unpredictable nature that has included a world-class trombone player, a Christmas Carole in early October, and the Music City Roots bus.  With Tim Carroll on tour, Zachariah Red filled in last night – not an easy task – not an easy gig.  Having missed much of Zach’s set the last time I went to see him (it may or may not have involved my keys getting locked in my van) and having heard his demo EP, I was looking forward to this.

As I listened, the words understated brilliance came to my mind.  But, I think it is more unassuming brilliance. A quiet personality –  a calm, smooth delivery – definitely enjoyable. I don’t know if this will make sense to anyone but me, but when Zach sang a Kris Kristofferson song, it came to me. When Kristofferson sang with the Highwaymen – Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson were such larger than life figures with legendary figures with such storied reputations for hard living… and it was not that Kristofferson wasn’t larger than life and it wasn’t that he didn’t live just as hard… but relatively, he seemed unassuming to me. And, that is how I feel about Zachariah Red. His original songs are awesome and the brilliance hits you in subtle waves rather than in a massive attack. 

And Darrin Bradbury…  what can I say – it is fun to watch this amazingly talented guy really hit a stride and start to get some well-deserved recognition.

To the shuffle:

The shuffle begins with some wildly fun, sharp turns in genre and then settles into a delicious groove of excellent songwriting.

“Toss Me A Shovel, Pt. II” by The Radicals from The Entrée (a Built4BBQ sampler)/One for the Ditch

More punk rock goodness from the Built4BBQ Sampler via Boston-area band The Radicals.

“Ms. Fat Booty” by Amerigo Gazaway from Yasiin Gaye: The Departure (Side One)

This is Nashville!  Amerigo Gazaway is a Nashville based producer.  This is a pretty sick mashup of Mos Def and Marvin Gaye.

“I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water” by Stonewall Jackson from Waterloo – CD3

This is also Nashville! I’m sorry – I don’t like to toot my own horn, but sometimes you just need to toot… wait – nevermind… But seriously, do you think your Pitchfork, your Stereogum, your No Depression, your Country Music News (or whatever) are going to follow up a Mos Def/Marvin Gaye mashup with some classic Country and Western Music from the great Stonewall Jackson?  I don’t think so.  I have my niche! 🙂

“Nine Eyes” by Brown Bird from Fits of Reason

Consider the groove settled into… another outstanding song from Brown Bird. Happy for the music they gave us.

“Washateria” by Fat Opie from Victoryville

Fat Opie is the non de plume of Scott Mickelson, who I came across when I posted about Dan Coyle.  Mickelson contributed to Coyle’s new album and the two are currently touring together.  I really dig this song.

“This is Not the House That Pain Built” by Dar Williams from The Honesty Room

Dar Williams.  If I need to say more… well just go listen.

“I’ve Won Every Battle, But I’ve Lost Every War” by Cahalen Morrison from The Flower of Muscle Shoals

 I grabbed this one off the September Feel Bad for You mixtape (October’s mix is up now), and I didn’t have time to get much information, but this is a 2014 release, and I will be on the lookout for more music.

“Bright White” by Haesemeyer from Three Mirrors

The great songs from great writers trend continues with another track off the great new album from the incredible San Francisco artist.

“The Morning After the Coup” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik from Punishing the Myth

And we close things out with another awesome song from Florida “leftneck” poet and songwriter Grant Peeples.

VIDEOS


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