When you are having a stressful day, sometimes a Townes Van Zandt song is all you need to turn things around. Other days, you need two Townes songs… well today, for me, it is definitely a 3 TVZ kind of day… Fortunately, the shuffle obliged….
For the same reason I needed three Townes Van Zandt songs, I cannot add any commentary. I apologize for that, but enjoy the music and if you are interested in any of the artists, look them up and support what they do…
BTW, Day 4 of Couch by Couchwest included some Nashville heavy weights like David Olney, Tommy Womack, Amy Speace, Wild Ponies, and #E2TG favorite Mark Robinson channeling the Possum on his lawn mower….
“It’s Your Grave” by Bark.
“Pretty Persuasion” by R.E.M.
“Tecumseh Valley” by Townes Van Zandt
“Carry On” by Humming House
“Right Wing Pigeons” by The Dead Milkmen
“Pancho and Lefty” by Townes Van Zandt
“Hobo Bill” by Townes Van Zandt
“Stolen the Moon” by Bob Walkenhorst
Bob Walkenhorst was the leader of a vastly underknown band called The Rainmakers…
I discovered that there is another music blog out there called Ear to the Ground. I really don’t have a problem with this… I mean for all I know they are perfectly decent folks who write about perfectly decent music. I do worry about my readers getting confused, so as a public self-service, I would like to use today’s shuffle as handy guide how to tell #E2TG from any other blogs with similar sounding names.
“Circling the Drain” by Matt King from Raw
Matt King is based in Nashville. His new band Killing Streets happens to feature Matthew and Livia from our band of the year The End Men. I am really looking forward to the next record, and I hope tons of other music blogs – including other blogs with names like #E2TG – jump all over the music. But, you know you are on the REAL Ear to the Ground when you see a track featured from Matt’s 2009 stripped down album Raw which I rescued from a thrift shop CD bin last weekend.
“The Unanswered Question” by Charles Ives (composer) from The Works of Charles Ives
I am going to go out on a limb and say the other “ear to the ground” blogs would not transition from Matt King’s unique take on traditional country music to a 100+ year old composition by Insurance executive turned composer Charles Ives. I came to know the music of Ives from a music appreciation class in college. My appreciation of music pre-dates the class, but then as now, I am always seeking to expand my musical range and knowledge.
“Everything I Have is Broken” by Aaron Lee Tasjan from Crooked River Burning
Coming back to Nashville. I don’t know if the other homonymous blogs have written about Aaron Lee Tasjan, but if not they should. I really dig this song, and if you are reading this on the day I’m writing it, and you are in Nashville- then you should head over to The 5 Spot tonight for Tasjan’s Happy Hour of Power. If you go, tell ’em the “REAL” Ear to the Ground sent you.*
*If you tell them, you will be entitled to one beer at the prevailing rate of exchange
“Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye” (Live) by Humming House from Humming House Party!
Sticking to local music and jumping into a jaunty reel from Humming House’s recent live album. I’m willing to wager a nominal sum* that the writer(s) of those other closely named blogs can’t say that I have seen Humming House singer Leslie Rodriguez sing John Prine in a church café.
*wager void where prohibited by law. Proof required for pay out. Nominal Sum <= $0.10.
“Play in the Sunshine” by Prince from Sign O’ The Times
It is conceivable that some other blog called Ear to the Ground may include a song from Prince’s first album without the Revolution in a post….
“Hot Thing” by Prince from Sign O’ The Times
…but will they include two songs in a row from that album? If they do, please e-mail me a link. By the way, it occurred to me that these two songs – although not adjacent on the album – do go well together. As in, you play in the sunshine, and you will be a hot thing. Get it? I dare “other” Ear to the Ground to come up with something that clever.
“Power Nap” by Shabbadoo from Pajama
And after you play in the sunshine and become a hot thing… well you need a 7 minute power nap…. eh… I’m on a roll… can’t stop… Seriously, though, I really wish other Ear to the Ground would discover the amazing sounds of Shabbadoo. In case they are reading… I’ve included an embedded stream of this track underneath our usual video playlist.
I hope this clears up any confusion. And we came here looking for that other blog, well, I hope you liked what you read and will come back and see us.
It’s been dreary few days in Nashville, and my mood has matched the weather. Music always helps… Here is today’s dose…
“Lola” (live) by The Kinks from Come Dancing With the Kinks (The Best of the Kinks 1977-1986)/
I liked this song before I knew what it was about. I liked this song after I knew what it was about.
“Pilgrimage to Aunt Virginia’s” by Minton Sparks from Middlin’ Sisters
Minton Sparks has such a compelling voice (both in the writing sense and in the speaking sense). The setting and descriptions and characters paint a very clear picture of the story being told.
“Why Feel?” by Heath McNease from Fort Wayne (Songs Inspired by the Film)
Music inspired by Heath McNease’s crowd-funded new film Fort Wayne.
“Far From Over” by The Slang from The Slang EP
A song from the self-titled debut EP by The Slang from Columbus, Ohio. My first listen. It’s strong alternative rock, and I definitely want to hear more.
“This Hell is Where We Belong” (live) by Humming House from Humming House Party!
Another track from the live album recently released by Nashville-based Humming House. This high-energy Americana band from Nashville now features the powerhouse vocals of Ms. Leslie Rodriguez.
“Halomaya” by Shabbadoo from Pajama
A trippy, instrumental groove straight out of Memphis.
“Light erases the thought” by Fred Frith from $100 Guitar Project
Another excellent track from the $100 Guitar Project. This one features legendary guitarist Fred Frith (Henry Cow etc.). With the previous track in today’s shuffle – we have over nine minutes of glorious instrumental music to start of the day. Nice. The related video we found is some good fun, too. Fred Frith along with John French (Captain Beefheart), Henry Kaiser, and Richard Thompson doing a unique version of the Beach Boys’ Surfin’ U.S.A.
“Living the Dream” by Warren Pash from Plastic Rulers!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”);
Warren Pash co-wrote “Private Eyes” – the Hall and Oates hit song. He is also an amazing singer/songwriter now based in Nashville. This song comes from his 2007 album Plastic Rulers. The video is from a show at East Nashville hotspot The Family Wash and features Warren Pash playing with Rolling Stones collaborators Nanette Workman and Bobby Keys.
All I can say is that life is probable sometimes, and although we don’t always choose the things that happen (or maybe in some ways we do), what we do choose is whether or not to be fully present in those moments (to the best of our ability).
“Seven Sons” by Tomas Doncker from Power of the Trinity
We finish off our presentation of Tomas Doncker’s Ethiopian inspired album with a track that truly grooves… see what I did there?
“This is Where You Can Reach Me Now” by U2 from Songs of Innocence
How did this end up on my phone? How many times can I make the same joke that wasn’t altogether funny the first time? I really don’t hate this music, I just don’t find it especially significant. Then again how many bands that have been together with the same line-up for over thirty years are still making significant new music? How many bands can you think of who have been together 30 plus years period?
“Freight Train” (live) by Humming House from Humming House Party!
When Humming House throw a party, it seems safe to assume that dancing will be involved. Plus, I’m a total sucker for songs about trains. Woo Woo!
“Super 8” by Jason Isbell from Southeastern
I was fortunate enough to see Jason Isbell and his incredible band in the parking lot of Grimey’s a few years ago – just before things really took off for him. This year, he swept up a bunch of awards at the AMA’s, and they were well-deserved in my opinion. Southeastern is a great album, and this song is an almost instant classic.
“Runnin’ Away” by Heather Powell from Believe It to Life
It’s been great having Heather Powell in the shuffle several times recently, and she is working on/about to release the follow-up to this album. Awesome soulful pop vocals!
“Snake Drive” by Pork Chop Willie from Love is the Devil
“Love is the Devil, but it won’t get me.” And I guess that’s why they call it the blues….
“Tomorrow” (acoustic) by Madi Diaz from Stripped Chopped + Screwed/Phantom
An acoustic version of a song from the new album by the Indie/Pop singer.
“I Wrote This Song for You” by Chris Stamey from Lovesick Blues
A song about a song… I really dig this whole album.
“Fish Joke” (2011 Live) by Darrin Bradbury from The Almost Great Crepes (Demos)!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”);
“If it’s all right with you, I gonna start this one out with a fish joke.” Darrin Bradbury is not a comedy writer. Get that straight right now!
FALL IS HERE! Not only that, there was an honest to goodness chill in the air this morning. Now, I’ve lived in Tennessee my whole like, so I know that we still have a few more rounds of heat to go, but today it is officially Autumn, and it feels like it so…
MUSIC
“Gypsy Django” (live) by Humming House from Humming House Party!
Fall is my favorite season, so let’s party! How about a Humming House Party! This song is guaranteed to lift your spirits.
“High Hopes” by Bruce Springsteen from High Hopes
The shuffle does it again. Today is Bruce Springsteen turns 65 today. I didn’t even know this until later, but the shuffle knows all! And, this was the only Springsteen song currently in my active playlist, oh and the High Hopes album was released on my birthday back in January… so yeah… viva la coincidence… or something.
“Страна цветов” by Orera from Orera 1970
I know some (or all) of you think I’m just being goofy when I add some of the obscure musical selections to the shuffle, but as is often the case, there is some amazing music that I have never heard, and I suspect many of you have never heard. Hat tip to my friends from Canada, Valued Customer, for turning me on to this amazing folk/jazz from Georgia (and as you can tell from the song title, I don’t mean the Georgia just south of Tennessee).
!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”); window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js “Sleepwalker Blues” by Joe Sundell from The Hat Thief
Another incredible song from Joe Sundell. Go check out The Hat Thief, and get that thing. It is totally worth it.
“Waffle House” (Take 2) by Darrin Bradbury from new unreleased
Just like U2, new Darrin Bradbury music showed up seemingly magically on my phone yesterday. This song is battered, spattered, scrambled, and it may not be good for you, but it’s oh so good. It’s not widely available yet, but so to your phone/computer settings, go to MUSIC, go to ALLOW Darrin Bradbury, and then wait. Be patient.
“The Big Fame” by The Grimm Generation from The Big Fame
Somehow, in ripping this off the CD, this track ended up being labeled as “Audio Track 13”. By any other name, this is cool music, by some cool folks.
“Кавказские напевы” by Orera from Orera 1970
Georgia on my mind…. believe it or not, I found of a video of this exact song. I ran this through Google translate, and if this is Russian, the translation that came out was “caucasiantunes”. Take that how you will, and keep in mind, it is Google Translate…
“The Second Renaissance (Part I and II)” by The Danbury Lie from Fourth Time’s a Charm
We’ve successfully, navigated our way backwards through the trilogy of The Second Renaissance, and we conclude/begin this journey with some of the awesome folk/prog metal/alternative music we’ve come to know and love from The Danbury Lie.
“I Am the Mississippi” by Joseph Arthur from Redemption City
We complete our presentation of songs from Redemption City by Joseph Arthur with this song/story about the might Mississippi. In the late 80s, I lived for a time in Memphis just a few blocks away from the Mississippi River, and I came (in that short time) to understand and appreciate the romantic allure of that might body of water which served for so long as a borderline between the civilized east and the savage west. Whether it was a solitary stroll or sitting in a crowd listening to the 1812 Overture and Old Man River or even having my ass pinched by some by at a party on Mud Island, the River still has stories to tell….
“The Great Unknown” by Dar Williams from The Honesty Room
We close things out with this song about a cold war era nuclear family…
It is axiomatic that on any given night, if you go hear live music in Nashville – no matter how epically awesome your experience – there is something equally epic and awesome going on either next door or across town. This is even more true – if something axiomatic can be “more” true during Americana Fest week which is going on now. I just added a corollary to this axiom (Can an axiom have a corollary? Can it have a coronary?), which states that if you hang out in the same smoky dive bar in East Nashville long enough you will hear “Freebird” accompanied by a trombone and it will be amazing.
Tonight – E2TG favorite Mark Robinson joins an amazing line-up of Rocking Roots Guitarists at The Five Spot from 5-8pm. At 8:00 – another E2TG favorite – Pony Boy will be leading off a Five Spot Favorites show at that same location. And it goes on…
!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”); “Another One” by The Features from Old Familiar Melodies – 2008-2013/Wilderness
Another cool song from Nashville’s The Features.
“After the Hurricane” by Tim Carroll from Opening Up/Not For Sale
One of my favorite Tim Carroll songs. I can neither confirm or deny that Tim may or may not have been involved in the formation of my corollary mentioned above…
“Cold Chicago” by Humming House from Humming House Party!
More Nashville and a prime example of the original axiom – just last night. A fun song from a fun album recorded live in East Nashville.
“I Refuse to Lose” by Jarekus Singleton from Alligator Records: 21st Century Blues and Roots/Refuse to Lose
Some great 21st Century Blues. And there is even a Nashville connection – as I got an e-mail just 2 days ago that Jarekus Singleton will be playing in Nashville in about a week.
“Gallatin Pike Blues” by Tim Easton from Not Cool
I got to see Tim Easton do this song with the amazing Megan Palmer at The Building this week. Another cool slice of Nashville and a tribute to the late John Hartford.
“Mule” by Francie Moon and the Great Outdoors from Francie Moon and the Great Outdoors
I saw Francie Moon do this song in East Nashville a month or so ago. It was awesome.
“Lonesome Poor” by Pork Chop Willie from Love is the Devil
This is one of my favorite albums of 2014. I had some technical difficulties that kept this out of my shuffle for a while, but it has been resolved. This album was passed along to me by Sue Havlish who I hope to see tonight at The Five Spot.
“Here Comes Love” by The California Honeydrops from Like You Mean It
I have no Nashville connection – I hate when I write myself into a corner like this…. ah heck man, this is a great song with a great groove – just enjoy…
“In and Out” by Francie Moon and the Great Outdoors from Francie Moon and the Great Outdoors
Two songs from New Jersey’s own in the shuffle. By the way, one of the Francie Moon videos I added is from this past year’s Couch by Couchwest Virtual Music Festival.
“Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier” by A.A. Bondy from Divided and United: The Songs of the Civil War
Just before this song came up on the shuffle – I was feeling a particular vibe from the shuffle and I was realty hoping the final song didn’t harsh that vibe. I mean, I like all of the music I add to my player, but because I have such wide-ranging tastes… okay, I think I’m over explaining. Anyway, this old, old song from the American Civil War did not harsh my vibe. In reading up, this song has been covered many, many times by a variety of artists. I haven’t heard them all, but I can safely say that this is a great version. All around the Nashville area, you can monuments to Civil War battlefields. Also, just to wrap this shuffle into as neat a bow as possible… The album from which this is drawn features new versions of Civil War era songs performed by relatively new “Americana” artists like A.A. Bondy and Angel Snow along side songs performed by some amazing Country music legends – including Dolly Parton. Dolly’s cousin and former band member Richie Owens is playing the Rocking Roots Guitar Showcase with his band The Farm Bureau.
Update: Apparently, I cannot spell music, which is not a good thing for a music blogger… corrected.
September is shaping up to be a great month for live music in Nashville (I’m not sure that there is a bad month for live music in Nashville, but still…). I kicked things off a little early with a great night of music in East Nashville. I saw the legendary David Olney (who has been a fixture in Nashville music for as long as I can remember) and his incredibly tight band (with E2TG favorite Mark Robinson standing in and killing it on guitar) doing a Happy Hour show at The 5 Spot. Then I hopped over to East Nashville’s best dive bar, Fran’s Eastside to see another E2TG favorite Darrin Bradbury and Tim Carroll doing their weekly thing.
Well, we have another great shuffle of music today, so it’s get to it.
!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”); window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js “My Love” by Humming House (covering Justin Timberlake) from Humming House Party!
Nashville’s own Humming House decided to recreate the vibe of The Beach Boys’ Party!, and they threw a shindig at Eastside Manor. You can get a little taste of what went down on Noisetrade. The whole shebang can be had at iTunes. Today’s track is a killer cover of a futuresex lovesounds era Justin Timberlake song.
“She Runs Hot” by Little Village from Little Village
Long before any of us had ever heard the term Americana, Little Village formed as the first Americana supergroup. Featuring Nick Lowe, John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner; the band released one amazing album, did a tour, and then went out to continue making amazing music.
“The Wolves” by The End Men from Odds and Ends
An amazing version of this song was The End Men’s 2014 contribution to Couch by Couchwest. Man I love this song!
“People, Turn Around!” by Delta Spirit from Lost and Found
Another cool track from the new Delta Spirit outtakes sampler on Noisetrade.
“Have You Ever Had it Blue” by The Style Council from The Singular Adventures of the Style Council
After The Jam broke up Paul Weller continued and expanded on the Brit Soul sound evident in some of the later Jam music and formed The Style Council. I think I’ve always had more of an affinity for The Jam, but I have to admit The Style Council had many great moments.
“The Bomb Stops Ticking” by The Grey A from My Country
I post this The Grey A track just ahead of the official release date of My Country and just over two weeks ahead of their Nashville release show with the realization that I have promised a full review. I have a few full reviews I really want to do… I think it’s time to woodshed… can music bloggers woodshed or is that reserved for musicians. Should I come up with another term? plastic shedding? Anyway, this is a really great song and just one of many on a really great album which you can pre-order on The Grey A website.
“Work” by The End Men from Odds and Ends
It’s a two The End Men song day! A not so subtle reminder this morning of where I was heading while listening to this shuffle. I actually arrived in my building while this song was playing.
“Beggars’ Guild” (Acoustic) by Roadkill Ghost Choir from Slow Knife EP
Roadkill Ghost Choir is a great band name. Fortunately, this Florida band lives up to the name with their great take on modern folk/rock music. I grabbed some of their music on Noisetrade, and we will have more in the days and weeks to come.
Well, we muddled through another week…. It’s time for me to dive head long into creating E2TG version 3.0 (we are currently on 2.1) – I’m not sure exactly what that will entail, but it will be awesome – I bet. There may be a release 2.2 in the meantime, but maybe not… whatever, if you have ideas of what I can do to make E2TG better, now would be a good time to send them my way. I’ll either use the ideas or I won’t – it’s the cool thing of writing your own blog… 🙂 But, my philosophy since day one has been to be open to whatever comes along. So wherever we go, I see my job is just to keep this thing between the lines… (only occasionally crossing)…
Whatever, the shuffle speaks… and we must listen… Jump to it if you dare…
“Where Are We Now?” by David Bowie from The Next Day
Many saw 2013’s The Next Day as a return to form (and a pleasantly unexpected one at that) for Mr. Bowie.
“Anywhere” by Humming House from Humming House
A beautiful song from one of Nashville’s coolest and best bands. The video we selected is a newer song and features two of my favorite people.
“Wasted Days” by Joseph Arthur from Redemption City
I love the sound of this track from Joseph Arthur. A great companion to my trek through the downtown streets of Nashville.
“Ow” by Dizzy Gillespie from The Double Six of Paris
Groovy coolness in every note….
“The Neighbor’s Dog” by Darrin Bradbury from The Almost Great Crepe’s
Darrin Bradbury is back in the shuffle with a song about life and death and I guess about the neighbor’s dog. Since this album isn’t available on bandcamp anymore, I won’t say anything about “neighbor” being misspelled. “I before E” my ass!
“Rabid Child” by They Might Be Giants from First Album Live
What is this song about? Don’t ask John and John. They don’t know….
“Can’t Say Why” by Taco Land from Home Sweet Home
Taco Land has a groove that just hits me in all the right ways… for kicks, I included a video of a song by The Dead Milkmen about the San Antonio landmark that gave this band its name.
“Stipulation” by Gumshen from Progtronica
We added this album to our lineup back in January, and now, we have just one or two songs left. I really like this interesting mix of sounds, and I look forward to hearing more from this band.
I’ve been short on time so I haven’t been posting the Webstore information, but as always, if you hear something you like – so out and support the artists making the music. If you can’t find where to get the music or just want more information on any of the bands we feature. Let me know!
I don’t know how I’ve lived these *mumble, mumble* years without having experienced this version of Stand by Me.But a big thanks to Popa’s Tunes via the latest (I think) Feel Bad for You mixtape.
Spyder Turner not only delivers a soulful version of the song made famous by Ben E. King, but he also delivers a spot on homage to a veritable who’s who of 20th Century Soul Music.
“A New Black(Live and Unplugged)” by Moon Taxi from Acoustic on West 56th/ originally from Mountains Beaches Cities
Nashville’s Moon Taxi have certainly done well for themselves.The original version of this song was featured in a prominent car commercial.This a pretty cool unplugged version of the song.
“The Apple Blossom Rag” by Josh Ritter fromThe Beast in its Tracks
A few months back, I was driving home late at night and I was listening to Public Radio.I heard this show called Wits with guests Josh Ritter and Margaret Cho. There were several funny moments including skit where early period Michael Stipe was a police detective.Oh and Josh Ritter closed the show with a version of the Talking Heads’ song Psycho Killer.Anyway, this is Josh Ritter doing what Josh Ritter does really, really well.
“I Shot President McKinley (and I’m gonna do it again and again and again)” by Out of System Transfer from Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen: Section 5/ Same Rat, Different Hat
Oh man, what a fun song, and I instantly need to know more about this band.What I know is that they recorded at Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen (who by the way met their Indiegogo goal! and can hopefully get up and making more great music at their new space).I just really love this song. Right now, it stands as the funniest song I know about a Presidential assassination.
“Almost Home” by Moby (feat. Damien Jurado) from Innocents
Okay.I can’t really say that I am a huge Moby fan.For one thing, I used to always get him mixed up with Seal.Don’t ask how I did that, I am weird that way.Anyway, on his latest(I think) release he teams up with (among others) Damien Jurado (who is one of my favorites).The result is this lovely and moving song.As a video extra, the playlist below features a cover of this song by Nashville band Humming House. *Additional trivia: Moby was not on How I Met Your Mother, but he was on The Mindy Project.
!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”); window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js VIDEO PLAYLIST:
“Power”/Tomas Doncker/Power of the Trinity – Global Soul….
“Ven Hacia Mi (Come Unto Me)”/The Mavericks/In Time* – Another from my friend Ronnie’s 2013 mix CD – love this!
“Feel So Down”/Solardrive/Solardrive – another great song from Solardrive – the awesome project fronted by Balthazar Getty.
“Terra Animata”/The Plum Magnetic/Terra Animata – New Orleans based World/Fusion/Rock band.
“Big Mountain Fudge Cake”/The Foresters/Living Hold – the three Nork Brothers from Connecticut continue their musical growth spurt with a Zeppelinesque rocker.
“Calypso Foam”/The Graveyard Kids/Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen: Section 5 (Graveyard Kids II) – Another great band from the seemingly bottomless wellspring that is Mama Coco’s.
“Splinters”/Austin Lucas/Stay Reckless – three time CXCW alum… shows how it’s done with a smart, heartfelt song.
“Life is Hard”/Darrin Bradbury/True Love – “It’s funny where it stops, it’s funny where it starts, and the whole thing in the middle well it’s bound to break your heart.” – such a great line in a song that name drops Jack Kerouac, Lenny Bruce, and Daffy Duck!
“Magic and Fire”/Brave Baby/Forty Bells – another great song by this South Carolina indie band.
“Could We See”/Grounded/untitled – Grounded were first featured on Ear to the Ground back in September 2012. They have such a unique sound, and I love the acoustic vibe of this song. Trivia: This is the second time that Grounded have appeared in a Shuffle with Darrin Bradbury’s song “Life is Hard”. Their song “Break it Up” appeared with a live version of Bradbury’s song on January 9. #themoreyouknow
“The Best Record Ever Made”/Bill Lloyd/Boy King of Tokyo – a true Nashville treasure who has worn many hats in his long career, and worn them well – I may add. This homage to great records from his 2012 album – has a simply gorgeous hook.
2. “Dawn” by Humming House from Humming House (2012) A gorgeous instrumental that makes a perfect addition to a Morning Shuffle – from their self-titled album.
3. “somerkersfees” by velodrones from kersfees tape $ (?) Okay. The song title has some accent marks and stuff I’m too lazy to try to figure out how to add, and I don’t have a clue what it means. Velodrones is a project of my newest Facebook friend Thean (which also contains an accent mark) who I’ve gotten to know on other social media outlets through #E2TG favorites Valued Customer. This is a beautiful piece of music from an album that I can no longer find. But here is a link to their most recent release. http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3900300630/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/ 4. “Blood is Not Enough” by Tomas Doncker from Power of the Trinity (2011) Tomas Doncker Band has released one of the best albums of the year (the Howling Wolf tribute: Moanin’ at Midnight), and we will be getting to that album soon – I promise. But right now, my shuffle function is hung up on his 2011 album Power of the Trinity – which is fine by me. It is a great album and an excellent introduction to Tomas and his label True Groove’s concept of Global Soul music.
5. “The Heart Beats” by Marla Mase from Half-Life (2014) I was first introduced to Tomas Doncker after writing about the amazing Marla Mase who is a part of the True Groove family. I was fortunate enough to meet the two of them during their quick jaunt through Nashville earlier in the year. I look forward to many more opportunities to see and hear the two of them and to follow their incredible music journey.
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 