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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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Strike the Proper Page Mix

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Hard to believe we’ve reached the end of another month. My Facebook memory thing reminded me that it was a year ago today that I came off of my self-imposed hiatus and returned to posting daily morning shuffles. It’s been quite a year, and I have to stop and thank everyone who helped make it so. All the readers, artists, and all the people who have sent me music. That last group has increased exponentially – especially in the last month or so, and I have been struggling to keep up. I want to give all the music I receive a fair listen, and so I beg patience as I try to listen and respond to as many submissions as I can. Believe me, it is a great problem to have for someone who loves to hear all kinds of music.

“Free” by Whiskey Shivers

Another song from Whiskey Shivers from the Austin band’s self-titled album. Yep!

“Nobody” by Killing Kuddles

Long time #E2TG favorite Killing Kuddles from Atlanta, Georgia are back with a new EP called, Sinking Ship. This is our first listen to that album. All I can say is that it’s great to have Killing Kuddles back in the shuffle!

“When it Rains” by Tiffany Huggins Grant

Jonquil Child – the debut album from Singer-Songwriter Tiffany Huggins Grant is due out on July 7 (a week from today!). Boasting Huggins Grant’s incredible vocals, some wonderful songs, and top-notch Nashville production from #E2TG favorite Mark Robinson (plus some great Nashville musicians), the album has become a favorite of mine since I got my hands on it. She is playing a CD Release show in Nashville on July 18 at Douglas Corner. Should be a good time!

“Sleep All Summer” by Crooked Fingers

Crooked Fingers was formed by Eric Bachmann following the breakup of Archers of Loaf. They have had rotating cast of musicians backing Bachmann. This song is from their 2011 album, “Breaks in the Armor”. This was my first real listen to this band, and I like what I’ve heard.

“Blackspot” by Jonas Howden Sjøvaag’s Navyelectre

I always like to receive music that I would be unable and unlikely to hear otherwise – also proof that I do listen to music that comes my way. Navyelectre is primarily the music of Norwegian artist, Jonas Howden Sjøvaag. Some improvised music with elements of electronic pop music. Highly original and a great addition to my shuffle.

“14” by Sam Morrow

Sam Morrow returns to the shuffle with another track from the Seahorse Session. This one is about starting drinking at age 14. Morrow recently celebrated 4 years of sobriety (which I post only because it was on his Facebook page), and it is very clear this music comes from a richly authentic place.

“Some Things Stay” by Brock Zeman

Like Sam Morrow, I wrote about Brock Zeman and connected via social media, and then kind of lost track of him. Recently, I was fortunate to see him play an incredible round at the Bluebird, and I was reminded of what drew me to his music in the first play. Great songs, a unique voice, and a rich sound. From Pulling Your Sword Out of the Devil’s Back.

“Why Do the Heathen Rage” by Guadalcanal Diary

Our third Georgia related band. Marietta’s Guadalcanal Diary’s debut, Walking the Shadow of the Big Man is one of my favorites of all time. This song is among my favorites from that album.

“I Wanted Hair Like Alice Cooper” by Batkhi Dahn

More music from Connecticut avant garde, experimental, whatever band Batkhi Dahn from Plays 15.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Sunburn at Night Mix

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It is Tuesday. A bit tired today after a night of great music. The Nashville Conundrum was in full effect, but one thing I didn’t say yesterday, is that I’ve learned that it is okay to feel bad for the shows you missed – especially when it means missing the show of a friend, but in the end, when you’ve made your choice, you should expend more energy appreciating the show you did see than you do regretting the show(s) you missed. Life is kind of like that, too, I think.

“Walter Mitty” by Cletus Kennelly and Lori Kelley

Cletus and Lori were a popular duo in the Greater Washington D.C. area over the last decade. In 2014, Lori Kelley decided to move to Nashville to pursue a solo career, and I have been fortunate enough to hear some of her great music. Recently Cletus Kennelly came through Nashville, and I had the rare treat of seeing them perform together. I also got hold of their 2005 album Lotus, and I have been digging it tons. “Walter Mitty” is a track from that album. In the video playlist, we have the duo’s cover of “America” by another duo – Simon and Garfunkel.

“When a Car Becomes a House” by Darrin Bradbury

The title track from Darrin Bradbury’s most recent collection of demos. This song is about the time that he lived out of his car. Stay tuned for news of his new record. I have had the pleasure of hearing the final mixes, and it is going to be amazing.

“Back Inside the Shell” by Artur U and the New City Limits

Relatively new #E2TG favorites, Artur U and the New City Limits are from Finland, and this song is from their relatively new album, Holiday from Eternity. This is some innovative music with elements of Rock, Pop, and Alternative.

“Hymn” by Tom Schreck

A gorgeous song from Schreck’s incredible album Save Your Glory. He calls himself the Nashville Outsider, but dammit Nashville! Let him in!

“Maggots and Flies” by Dead in 5

Sometimes, I wonder if my quest for diversity in the music I feature serves to bring a diverse audience or to drive people away. It doesn’t really matter, I guess. I am what I am, and Ear to the Ground is what it is. There is no logical way to explain following up a gorgeous song like “Hymn” with a song called “Maggots and Flies” – except to say that it is a great big weird wild world, and I have a variety of interests and who is to say that the world always makes sense, and so why should my shuffles always make sense… Dead in 5 are from Detroit, and they rock… hard. Check them out, if you dare.

“Black Pony” by The Wans

The Wans are a hard rocking, Nashville garage band who I have been hearing about. This song is from the Noisetrade SXSW mixtape, and it was featured in a commercial for BMW – as all good aggressive, garage rocks songs should be.

“Dance With Me” by The Danbury Lie

I have two The Danbury Lie albums in my current playlist. This is from Scattered Moments of Connection – the oldest of two albums (by about two months). Fun fact: two of the artists in today’s shuffle first came to my attention directly as a result of my writing about Don Ryan back in late 2012 or so. Today is Don’s birthday, so it seems appropriate to have music from The Danbury Lie and Darrin Bradbury in the shuffle.

“A Farm Named Froo” by John Hamilton

This is the theme song to the 1970s film Come On Children which I mentioned the other day. The song composed by John Hamilton, one of the young “stars” of the film introduces the cast. The film is an interesting view into a particular moment in time and a particular group of young people. As I said before, it’s kind of a representation of what “reality” television could be in some alternate reality (early 1970s Canada) where a group of teens could be transported to a farm (name Froo) and left to their own devices and vices with just a camera crew to document. Short of major drama, the film nonetheless is fascinating to watch. It’s available through the Criterion Collection.

“Born in the U.S.A.” by Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell

If anyone was still confused about the meaning of Bruce Springsteen’s song (how many times have you heard it played at a 4th of July celebration). This devastatingly beautiful version by Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell leaves very little room for misinterpretation. From the Dead Man’s Town – Springsteen Tribute record.

“Keep Yourself Alive” by Queen

The first single off the very first Queen album. Because sometimes you need a little 70s arena rock in your life.

“The Ballad of Ira Hayes” by Townes Van Zandt

Van Zandt’s cover of a folk classic written by Peter La Farge. The song has been covered by among others: Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Kinky Friedman, and Pete Seeger.

“Ghost of the Road” by Guadalcanal Diary

We close out today’s shuffle with a song from the album, Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man, by Georgia band, Guadalcanal Diary.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Still Covers the Sun Mix

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We’ve reached the midpoint of the week…. let’s jump right into the shuffle….

“Feeling Called Love” by Wire

The second to last song from Pink Flag – the groundbreaking debut album by the influential English post-punk band.

“The Distance Between Us” by Marshall Crenshaw

From Downtown… I always thought it was “The Distance Between” and it is listed that way in some sources, but this was how it imported into iTunes and how it is listed on Amazon. I also saw it listed as “The Distance Between Me and You”… whatever it is called, it is a great song from one of America’s best songwriters.

“Walkin’ Boss” by Sam Amidon

This is from Sam Amidon’s 2014 album Lily-O. I got it off of a Noisetrade sampler for Big Ears Festival which being held in Knoxville this weekend. Sounds like a pretty diverse and interesting festival. Sam Amidon is married to Beth Orton in case you need to know that.

“Tahquitz” by Whale Fall

The term whale fall refers to the carcass of a cetacean which has fallen to the Bathyal or Abyssal zone on the ocean floor and then become a complex ecosystem. The name highlights (and these are my words) the complex and yet organic nature of the instrumental post-rock music made by this L.A. band. This track comes from the band’s second album called The Madrean which is an eight chapter instrumental story of the arid Madrean region of the American west.

“Good, Good Man” by Carl Anderson

Carl Anderson is a Nashville-based Americana singer-songwriter who is originally from Charlottesville, VA. His new album Risk of Loss is due out April 7. He just put a Spring Sampler out on Noisetrade which is where I grabbed this track which is from his 2013 album Wolftown. He has a CD release show at The Basement on April 6 along with Mary Bragg who will also be releasing a new album April 7.

“Don’t Wanna Die Anymore” by Ivan and Alyosha

From their 2013 album All The Times We Had, this may be the first song that turned me on to Ivan and Alyosha. If not, it is certainly one of my favorites.

“Smoke (La Vie En Fumer)” by The Tubes

I’m going to admit right out of the gate that just about everything I know about The Tubes is from being a teenager and being fascinated by their music video for the song, “She’s a Beauty”. That being said, this song which was included on the Feel Bad for You short songs mixtape is pretty darn cool. The song was the lead track on the 1977 album, Now.

“Blanket of Sorrow” by Jason and the Scorchers

From Lost and Found – more proof that Jason and the Scorchers are one of the great American rock bands.

“Desperate Times” (Work Tape) by Will Hoge

Will Hoge is a Nashville singer-songwriter. Like Carl Anderson he is scheduled to release a new album on April 7, and he put out a Noisetrade sampler in advance of that release. The album will be called Small Town Dreams, and the finished product of this song will be on it.

“The Light” by Boy Named Banjo

Another uplifting track from Long Story Short. I liked this song a lot.

“Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man” by Guadalcanal Diary!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”);

Closing things out with the instrumental title track from the debut album by Marietta, Georgia’s Guadalcanal Diary whose name inspired a 1943 book and film… or maybe I have that backwards. Guadalcanal Diary shows were always a good excuse for a drive to Nashville when I was in college.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Talking inYour Sleep Mix

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I had a technical glitch which prevented me from going back to review the songs in this morning’s shuffle, so I did the best I could from memory. I realize that no one would know the difference, but I felt the need to be honest about that. I think I came pretty close (possible some songs out of order)…

“Hard Hearted Old Farmer” by Jack Kerouac

Jack Kerouac having fun in the studio and laying down the Beat generation goods… From Blues and Haikus

“Desolate” by Ben Arthur (ft. Rachel Yamagata)

A lovely song from If You Look for My Heart with Rachel Yamagata. By the way, the video is for a different song, but it is worth mentioning that the video was made by the multi-talented Matthew Hendershot of The End Men (who I may have mentioned once or twice on this blog).

“Wildfires” by Mariachi El Bronx

Mariachi El Bronx are not from The Bronx (in case that is what you are thinking), but they do play Mariachi music. They also happen to have another band which is called The Bronx… They are from L.A. From their album, Mariachi El Bronx (III).

“Wa Wa Dance” by Tom Tom Club

Everybody’s doing a brand new dance now! Wa Wa – from Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom.

“Search” by Minutemen”

from The Punch Line and Post Mersh Vol I. The Minutemen pretty much are my desert island band, but I’m glad I don’t really have to choose just one band.

“World of Meaning” by The Torn Images

More great hard alternative music from Reviver.

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Our second song of the week that was featured on the show Sons of Anarchy. I was fortunate enough to catch John Moreland on the opening night of his Campfire songs tour with Caleb Caudle and Aaron Lee Tasjan. If you have the chance to see this three incredible songwriters together, make it happen! It is on the album Earthbound Blues.

“Old Postcards” by Amelia White

After hearing Amelia play a few times around town, I finally got to meet her last week. Look for new music hopefully soon. This is the title track from her latest album.

“Pillow Talk” by Guadalcanal Diary

A dose of pure jangle pop heaven from the album Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man.

“It Never Was the Same” by The Twilight Sad

The Twilight Sad are from Scotland. This is from their 2014 album Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave.

“Offering” (Live) by The Visit

This is one of the most amazing pieces of music I have heard in a long time. Voice and Cello with the energy of good punk music and the virtuosity of classical music. And even that doesn’t do this powerful piece of music justice. Give it a listen and download and support this Toronto duo.

VIDEO STUFF

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Dream Too Much Mix

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Had a great time last night on my first visit to the (relatively) new City Winery Nashville. The first ever Nashville Nights featured Darrin Bradbury and Tim Easton with Megan Palmer with special guest Amy Speace. It’s a gorgeous building and the music sounded great.

A bit short on time. As I do every year on this date, I begin the Video Playlist with a song (not part of the shuffle) by Cracker from their self-titled debut.

“Kumbayah” by Guadalcanal Diary

Let’s sit around the campfire and hold hands!

“Paradise Found” by Gretchen Peters

So happy that Gretchen Peters’ awesome 2012 album Hello Cruel World is available on Noisetrade.com.

“Control Issue” by Manilow

Fun fact, it is next to impossible to find this band on YouTube without seeing hundreds of Barry Manilow videos… Also, wouldn’t it be funny if this was actually a secret project by Barry Manilow. It’s not, but it would be epic. This is some great sounding punk inspired music.

“Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones

One of my favorite Stones’ songs. Old and in the Way (Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Peter Rowan and Vassar Clemons) do an awesome cover of this song.

“Fire from Heaven” by Guadalcanal Diary

Hearing this got me reflecting on how great a band Guadalcanal Diary were.

“Nomadic” by Nicke Borg Homeland

It’s been a good week for cool music from Sweden. This is another random find on Freegal that I like quite a bit.

“Okay is All She Said…” by Batkhi Dahn

Another from the amazing Batkhi Dahn (aka Hayden Nork of The Foresters). Cool stuff!

“High Fidelity” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

Keeping it going in High Fidelity!

“You Dream Too Much” by Richard Thompson

Can you dream too much? Apparently so… Rumor and Sigh is the bomb!

“Camille” by Gretchen Peters!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”);

Closing things out with another from Hello Cruel World which made me think about seeing the Greta Garbo film Camille in high school drama class…

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – All for Show Mix

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Note to myself: just because it is not 4 degrees, the 20s are still pretty cold.

I wonder if I am the only person who upon encountering an unpleasant odor while out walking, thinks that I need to push the “inside air” button…

Ah, ignore me. It Friday – the end of the first full week of work in what seems like forever.

We close out the week a shuffle that includes a couple of recent tunes mixed in with some songs that I have loved for a long time….

“Tiny Town” by The Dead Milkmen

My first comment was going to be that this song is the punk rock answer to John Mellencamp’s song, “Small Town”, but then I figured out that this song actually pre-dates the latter song (by a couple of months). So, I will just say this is an alternative take on small town living. From Big Lizard in my Backyard.

“Mantle of Disguise” by The Torn Images

One of the two recent songs in the shuffle is a nifty bit of modern alternative rock from the California band The Torn Images from their album Reviver.

“Both Sides of the Line” by Jason and the Scorchers

Back in the day, there were rumors going around that R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe sang background vocals on this song and maybe co-wrote the song. Later, I heard that although he had been in the studio when this was recorded, he actually was not involved in the song. It’s pure Scorchers but it does have a fair amount of that 80s Southern murk that R.E.M. did so well back in those days. From Fervor.

“Cartoon” by Soul Asylum

I made a bold pronouncement/observation that Soul Asylum’s Hang Time was the perfect intersection of the band’s punk history and pop rock future. If that is in any way true, then I think of all the songs of Hang Time, Cartoon might be the one song that typifies that combination. Whatever, I love this song, and I always have.

“Still Tied” by Jason and the Scorchers

From Lost and Found, some more vintage era Scorchers… one of those songs that let’s the band catch their breath a bit before exploding into another blistering song.

“Watusi Rodeo” by Guadalcanal Diary

I remember seeing the video for this song on MTV’s The Basement Tapes which kicked off a long standing obsession with his Georgia band. From Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man. One of my favorite songs of all time.

“Secondary Modern” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

From Get Happy! “But there won’t be a problem till the girls go home…”

“Little Eva” by Tom Tom Club

One of the best and definitely one of the longest lasting “spinoff” bands of all time. Talking Heads rhythm section Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth create (literally) some of the grooviest music around. This is from the most excellent 1988 album Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom.

“Far Behind” by Jason and the Scorchers

Our third Jason and the Scorchers song in the shuffle. Another down tempo song, and one of my favorites… nothing like it when you are sweaty and exhausted to stand around with other sweaty and exhausted people and sing along with this one. Another from Lost and Found.

“Volare” by Alex Chilton

How about Alex Chilton singing the hit Italian song, Volare? Sure, why not? From his album, High Priest.

“Wholly Night” by Ben Arthur!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”);

We close things out with the second “recent” song in today’s shuffle, and it is a good one. From his If You Look for My Heart album… This is one of my favorites on the album.

By the way, I think today is one of those rare days, when I found videos for every song in the shuffle. (I didn’t go back and double check, but I’m pretty sure I did). So, give listen and experience my morning commute from the comfort of your own home.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Don’t Need a Hammer Mix

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Today’s shuffle is a pretty nice mix of friends and heroes with a “new to me” band thrown in for good measure….

“If I Had to Guess” by Hugh Mitchell

I met Hugh hanging at some of the same places I hang – usually Darrin Bradbury is involved. I had never heard his music; so, I located his bandcamp page and grabbed a couple of tunes. This is a single from 2012, and I like it a bunch. I hope you do, too.

“Ipana” by Batkhi Dahn

Another track from The Foresters’ bassist Hayden Nork’s solo project. Hayden is thirteen and started playing music a few years ago after attending a Green Day concert with his Dad and brothers. This is definitely not Pop-Punk… it is experimental and weird (in the best possible way), and pretty amazing. I noticed on his You Tube page that he has been posting some Daniel Johnston. All I can say, is keep it up, kid.

“Mission” by Joe Nolan

Fresh out of my inbox from the forthcoming remastered release of Joe Nolan’s 3rd album Blue Turns Black. This sounds amazing, and I look forward to sharing more in the near future. Great song.

“I’m Not Ready” by CHAPPO

This one comes to me from a NoiseTrade compilation called Best of What’s Next which is available now and has tons of great music on it. CHAPPO are a garage psyche rock band from Brooklyn. A nice introduction for me, and I will listen for more. From their EP Celebrate.

“Rush Hour Blues” by Joe Nolan

One good Joe Nolan tune deserves another. This one is off of his Plain Jane album, and it sounds like it could be a lost song from a great 1970s singer/songwriter. A nice tune for my morning drive – although it was just work waiting at the end of my drive.

“Gilbert Takes the Wheel” by Guadalcanal Diary

A fine instrumental from one of my favorite bands. From their album Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man.

“Brave Captain” by fIREHOSE

The first song off the very first fIREHOSE album Ragin’, Full On. After D. Boon’s tragic death, a persistent Ed Crawford drove to Pedro and eventually got Mike Watt to listen to him, and the rest was history. I am a big Minutemen fan and a big fIREHOSE fan, and I’ve never understood people who put so much energy behind comparing… I was fortunate to see fIREHOSE play back in the day, and they were amazing.

“Lionel I” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

Our second instrumental of the day, and the first of two Lionel songs on Familiar Fevers. I was half way up the hill when this song came on, and I kind of felt like I was in a New Orleans funeral… or something. Dig it.

“Nail it Down” by Meat Puppets

Meat Puppets. This was the album that immediately preceded the band’s appearance on MTV Unplugged with Nirvana which helped deliver to the band to a much wider audience. This was their major label debut after releasing several albums on SST Records.

“Radio Free Europe” (Original Hib-Tone Single) by R.E.M.

We close things out with original version of R.E.M.’s iconic first single. A different version would later appear on the band’s first album Murmur which was released on IRS Records. This version would reach a wider audience when it was included on the retrospective final IRS release Eponymous.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuflle – All for Show Mix

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Over the weekend, I began working on the Featured Artists list for next month and narrowed my list from 52 down to 20. I’m happy about this list, and I look forward to bringing you another great list of featured artists from all around the world.

Meanwhile, in our Band of the Month voting, Black Jake and the Carnies continue to lead, while The Foresters have moved into second.

We shuffle up some music from our archives, so let’s get to it.

Jeremy was the third single from Pearl Jam’s 1991 debut album, Ten. “Jeremy spoke in class, today.” (see I Don’t Like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats)

The next song in our Monday Shuffle is from one of the bands that contributed to the soundtrack of my young adult years. I had the good fortune of seeing Guadalcanal Diary live several times in the late 80s. Watusi Rodeo is off of the Georgia band’s full length debut, Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man and is a rollicking, foot stomping, rave-up of a good time. “Don’t they know it’s all for show…”

Johnny Cash released his debut album in 1955. With His Hot and Blue Guitar included the now classic Folsom Prison Blues. In 1968, Cash would performed the song at Folsom Prison and released the classic At Folsom Prison a live album which helped to revitalize his career. “I hear that train a-coming…”

Kill the Messenger is the opening track from John Wesley Harding’s under-appreciated 1992 album Why We Fight. It’s a great song from an amazing album. If you missed out on this, do yourself a favor a check it out. Like all truly great songs, it has a timeless quality, and is not at all rooted in the year it was made.