Jay Z – E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS

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WOW = Wide Open Wednesday where E2TG opens up the entire contents of the 32GB memory card and shuffles the heck out of it. Okay, so WOW Wednesday is redundant. How about WOW = Wide Open Window or Wide-Open Whatever… that’s not the point.

The point is that when I load up all the songs which currently reside on my phone (merely a subset of my entire music collection, mind you) all bets are off. There is some really weird stuff, some familiar names (E2TG favorites and classic artists), genres ranging about as far as genres can range, new music, older music, and very old music. Luck of the draw determines the results… Here is today’s WOW Wednesday Shuffle….

After the jump…

Starting today and continuing for most days, I am going back to the classic shuffle size – if things get too backed up, I may do a super shuffle Friday every so often, but I think this will give me a better chance to really focus on the songs being featured…

“Suit and Tie” by Justin Timberlake (Feat. Jay Z) from The 20/20 Experience

Yes it is true, #E2TG mostly focuses our attention on lesser known, indie/diy artists who are out there making great music and who deserve a lot more attention than they often get. Still… sometimes, we like to shake things up and throw a big hit pop song into the mix. What can I say, I have a soft spot for hook filled hit singles… This one takes us back to 2013 and the multi-talented Justin Timberlake and some dude named Jay Z (with or without a hyphen?). Suit up!

“Every Time the Son Leaves” by Telepathic Teddy Bear from Reactions

Defying odds… yesterday, we had a relatively new song from Telepathic Teddy Bear, and today, our WOW shuffle comes up with this gem from his 2011 album Reactions.

“I Love My Label” by Nick Lowe from Best of Yep Roc Singles/Jesus of Cool (2008 Reissue)

One of the bonus tracks from the reissue of Nick Lowe’s 1978 Solo Debut album. Nick Lowe, man. Freaking Nick Lowe! The video playlist includes a live version of this song performed by Lowe and Wilco at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

“In Spite of Ourselves” by John Prine and Iris Dement from Cool As Folk/In Spite of Ourselves

And, the WOW shuffle ends with the always amazing John Prine and sweet, funny song performed with the equally amazing Iris Dement.

VIDEOS:

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Well, it’s a brand new year, and I already have some great stuff queued up to get 2014 off to a good beginning. But, before we dive headlong into the new, there is some unfinished business – namely more 2013 favorites I wanted to offer up. So today and tomorrow, I will wrap up the end of 2013 Mix and then Monday January 6 – E2TG will kick off 2014 with a rousing start.

I’ve decided that the subtitle of this end of the year wrap-up should be: “If you think music sucked in 2013, then you were listening to the wrong music.”

I humbly offer #E2TG has your antidote to the bad music blues….

Here’s today’s shuffle:

“An End to a Means” and “A Path of Footprints Forged in the Midnight Sun” by Liquid Casing

“Headed for the Promised Land” by James Crawford

“Suit and Tie” by Justin Timberlake feat. Jay Z

“Long Days of Longing” by James the Giant

“Requiem for the Disconsolate” by James Crawford

“Still” by Daughter

“Swept Under the Rug” by Francie Moon

“Checkpoints and Borders” by Liquid Casing

“Leave it Buried” by James the Giant

“Too Scared to Run Away” by James Crawford

“Work” by The End Men

“Thin Edge of a Knife” and “My Guitar” and “All the While” by James Crawford

“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams

“Riot Path” by Liquid Casing

“Oh God” by Those Darlins

“Tremble Town” and “Go Home Daddy (You’re Drunk)” by James Crawford

NOTES

Progressive Alternative Rock band Liquid Casing from Texas have been around for several years with several line-up changes. We caught up with them in 2013 with their release A Separate/Divide – a concept album covering the topic of immigration. Musically, the album covers a wide path of avant-garde jazz, post-punk, alt-rock and uses emotionally evocative vocals and lyrics to draw the listener into the experiences of people making difficult decisions and facing unimaginable hurdles.

I am very happy to feature 8 count ’em, Eight song from James Crawford’s stunning self-titled album. He is promising more new music in 2014 plus some long anticipated live dates. Stay tuned.

Here at Ear to the Ground, we aren’t above featuring some big hit songs when we feel like it. Thus today’s mix features 2013 music from Justin Timberlake and Daft Punk.

I’ve seen the UK band Daughter on several Year End lists on those Brand X music blogs, and to be honest, they probably wouldn’t be here except for a cool happening back in September. The band was added to the impressive Americanarama line up at Grimey’s here in Nashville, however, their instruments were locked away at the Exit/In where they were scheduled to play that night. So, the band borrowed some instruments and delivered an impressive set of music that won over this music blogger. Check them out if you haven’t yet.

Papa Tune’s kept mentioning Francie Moon. Guess what, he was right as usual. I’m not even sure if I had the chance to feature this during 2013, but nonetheless, she deserves to be in this mix.

We had to include another song by our 2013 Band of the Year – The End Men. Work is their single released in the later part of the year.

In 2013, a… um.. revealing poster appeared on the side of Grimey’s and other record stores across the country. The purpose was to announce the forthcoming new album by Those Darlins. With Blur the Lines, the band sealed the deal as one of the best Nashville bands around.