Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Too Far Gone Mix

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Friday is upon us…

It has been a pretty crazy, stressful kind of week, so I cannot say  that I unhappy that it is almost over…

Last night was fun, though – although traffic was horrible.  I set off for Douglas Corner with a GPS estimated arrival time of 6:04p.m.  After I got stopped by a train that came to a complete stop.  After an unsuccessful attempt to find some way around (the train was blocking several main roads), I ended up back where I started, but the train had finally cleared. I finally arrived around 6:25p.m. or so and fortunately, the music had just started.  It was a songwriter’s round that included Mike Cullison and a singer-songwriter named Arielle – who impressed me highly.

I left there and headed to The 5 Spot to catch the last 45 minutes or so of Paul Burch’s residency show.  His outstanding band included Fats Kaplin and two bass players.

Finally, I ended my jaunt at The Family Wash for an incredible performance by Annie McCue. McCue is from Australia but surely has an honorary East Nashville membership card. 

Got to hang with some awesome folks at each of those shows.

As I was writing this, I got the official word, that yours truly and Sue Havlish will be the hosts of an hour long radio show on the brand new low power community radio station WXNA. The show (Double Shot with Joe and Sue) will be every Friday from 2:00 to 3:00p.m.  As soon as the launch date is announced, I will let you know.

Friday means, that I hit shuffle from the “Featured Friday” playlist- so without much more ado – let’s get to it!

“Too Far Gone” by Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band

Long time E2TG favorite, Joe Mansman is up first with the title track from the debut EP by his current project. I think this is some of the best work he has done – it has been out for a bit, but please check it out.

“A Cloud A Hand The Sea” by Drew Worthley

Our first listen to a song from the album Crucible which is out now.  Drew Worthley is a London based singer-songwriter.  Expect to hear more…

“If I Didn’t Care” by Ben Lowry

Another great song from Somnium – the solo project by Bang OK Bang member Ben Lowry.  

“The River Underground” by exedra

Another one from Elemental.  Exedra is the new project from Jeremy Gluck – who we first were introduced to via his Memory Deluxe album.  This is atmospheric, shoegazey goodness.  Check it out.

“You Was Right Baby” by Eight O’Five Jive

And now, we have officially featured every song on the fantastic album, Too Many Men by Nashville-based jump blues band Eight O’Five Jive. It was groovy, swinging fun songs like this that helped Eight O’Five Jive to be a multiple award-winning band. The band recently made some great noise at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, and of course they were one of the inaugural class of “Earie” award winners.  Can’t wait to hear what they have up their sleeves for the encore.

“I’m Sorry and I’ll Try to Make You Feel Better After the Gig” by Discount Ravioli

We  close things out with some post-emomathcore, experimental craziness from the seven song release Come Looj With Us. They have already released the follow up. Via the Dord Music Group from Connecticut.  We have included a video for another Dord band called Urinal Cakes in the video playlist.  

Peace out!

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Enough is Enough Mix

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First of all, let’s all try to be good to one another…

Second, The “Earies” continues.  I call today’s award, “So You Think Joe Can Dance??? Really???” award. 

The premise: I mean c’mon, I’m a fighter not a dancer… or something like that. I mean, sure I will flail around sometimes in a crowd in front of the stage, but when it comes to spontaneous dancing, it does not happen that often… however….

The Winner:  As I have said before, The Mark Robinson Band is one of the best and most entertaining live acts in Nashville. They do not play in town super often, and so when they do, it is Must See Live Music.  Mark Robinson is a stellar guitarist and his rhythm section (usually Justin Amaral and Daniel Seymour) are simply the best (at the most recent show, Rick Schell filled in for Justin and he’s not slouch either…. ahem*Pure Prairie League*ahem).

So at the tail end of this years Tomato Fest in East Nashville, it came about due to the infectious grooves and some instigators, I found myself dancing not once but twice.  I figured that deserved an award (not my dancing!!!).  By the way, many of the awards are directly or indirectly going to be related to albums released in 2015…. because I hate doing Top 10 lists – basically.  Mark Robinson and his band did not release a new album in 2015 (expect one next year), but Robinson has been busy producing other folks and he did release a two-sided single, “Gone South” (both an Electric Rock and Acoustic Folk version).  

Congrats to The Mark Robinson Band with a hat tip to the instigators Mary Sack, Karen Leipziger, and Mark Robinson’s lovely other half, Sue Havlish.  Let’s Dance!

Third, I am emerging for my self-imposed exile from live music beginning tonight.  Over the next three days, I expect to see the following artists on Nashville stages:  Fats Kaplin, Red Collar, Two Cow Garage, Austin Lucas, Jon Latham, Malcolm Holcomb, Sadler Vaden, and Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ with Warner E. Hodges.  Whew!  Other cool stuff that I will have to miss, too.

Fourth, we have a very cool shuffle this morning… so jump to it!

“No Holding Back” by Graham Parker

From The Up Escalator.  The opening track to Graham Parker’s follow-up to the classic Squeezing Out the Sparks. Released on Stiff Records in 1980 and produced by Jimmy Iovine.  If you are not familiar with Graham Parker.  Start here (or just about anywhere) and get hip! (but not too hip!)

“Another Theory Shot to Shit” by fIREHOSE

We are approaching the 30th Anniversary of the death of D. Boon – guitarist, singer, spieler with Minutemen.  His loss was truly one of modern music’s most tragic. Some people spend way too much energy (in my opinion) comparing fIREHOSE (the band formed by surviving Minutemen Mike Watt and George Hurley) to the predecessor band.  I, for one, am just glad that Ed Crawford (Ed from Ohio) convinced Watt and Hurley to continue on, and I really dig the fIREHOSE albums.  And I also think that Mike Watt is a national treasure! This is from Ragin’ Full On. 

“Wait For Me” by Bosveld

Another track from the amazing album Velbrand by Canadian experimental, chamber, folk band Bosveld which features Velodrones (Turt “Thean” Darren) and other players. This is the final track from that album which I really want a bunch of people to check out.  So do it!

“Up the Junction” by Squeeze

I am fickle… which is why I don’t make Top Ten Lists.  The minute I hit post, you can bet I will be second guessing myself.  However, this song (along with just about all of the songs that ended up on Singles 45s and Under) will always have a place among my all-time favorite songs.  This is my kind of feel good music.

“Shanghai Surprise” by Smokey the Firebear

Finally, a track from Smokey the Firebear which is over 1 minute (1:37 I think).  I dig this one a bunch. From Teshio Democracy EP – which Smokey the Firebear describes as follows: “A few of the shitty demos that I recorded in my living room with Audacity and an Xbox Live mic. You can hear relatives opening doors and my dog’s collar jangling through the whole record. Good luck.” Similar to the perhaps better known Chinese Democracy album, this one took over seventeen years to come out due to the fact that Smokey the Firebear was busy being born and growing through infancy, toddlerishness, and childhood. 

“Live Free or Die” by Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band

Another track from the brand new and awesome, Too Far Gone record.  This is really great music and one of my favorite new records of the season.

“Breakfast in Bed” by Dusty Springfield

Dusty in Memphis makes many critics all time favorite lists.  I’m not a critic and I don’t do lists, but you will get no argument from me.  One of my favorite albums, and this (Eddie Hinton, Donnie Fritts) song is a great example of how gorgeous this music is. 

“Enough is Enough” by The Unravelling  

The Unravelling are back in the shuffle for a second time, and this track groves more toward experimental alternative than metal, and the title seemed like a fitting subtitle for the blog given the times in which we live.  The video playlist includes an earlier song from the band called, “Where Will It End?” which seems even more appropriate for the times.     window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;

“Until You Came Along” (Live) by The Jayhawks

And we close out the shuffle with another one from that live Jayhawks album currently available on Noisetrade.  This Gary Louris penned song was included on the 1998 Golden Smog album Weird Tales.  It is the final song on the live Jayhawks album and appears to be the last song from the show.    http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js   

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Whispered Diamonds Up Shit Creek Mix

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We are back and ready to finish off 2015 in style. I hope everyone who celebrates it had a good Thanksgiving.

After fighting off a cold for several days, I ended up pretty knocked out by Friday. I’m on meds and making a recovering. Expect my live music updates to be few and far between the first part of the week, but I will be healthy for some fun stuff coming up at the end of the week.  More on that.

On a related note, between the cold and getting ready to and going out of town, I am WAY behind on e-mails and checking out music that has been submitted.  Please be patient, but feel free to shoot me a follow-up e-mail/message.

We have a pretty awesome 8 song shuffle.

“It’s a Whisper” by James Roquemore

A confessional track from The First (EP).  I saw James open up Patrick Kinsley’s album release show earlier in the year, and I really dug his songs and his voice. I got hold of this EP that night.

“Nickel and a diamond” by Bob Lewis

The first time I saw Bob Lewis perform was opening up for (I think) Darrin Bradbury and Austin Lucas.  I downloaded his album NOw here… and have been digging it ever since. Coincidently, Austin Lucas will be back in Nashville Thursday along with Two Cow Garage and some other folks.  I intend to healthy by then.

“Two Day High” by Sugar and the Hi Lows

Amy Stroup and Trent Dabbs are established solo artists in their own right.  Both members of the Ten out of Tenn collective (I’m not sure if that is an on-going thing or not), after several co-writes, they formed Sugar and the Hi Lows  – which for a long time BandsinTown kept mistaking for Sugar (the defunct band formed by Bob Mould of Husker Du).  I have been a fan of Sugar and the Hi Lows for a few years – even naming them a featured artist back in 2012.  They had a pretty successful run since then.  I grabbed a sampler from Noisetrade a couple of months back  – so it is good to have them back in the shuffle.  This track is from their 2012 self-titled album – so maybe I wrote about it back them????

“Chemicals Pt. 1 and 2” by Bang Ok Bang

Our fourth Nashville band/artist to start of the week.  This is from live album recorded at East Nashville Underground.  I love all kinds of music, but I never complain when I have some good loud, hard, nasty music show up in my shuffle.  Mixing chemicals can be a dangerous thing… but rock and roll is supposed to be dangerous, so here is “Chemicals Pt. 1 and 2” combined in one dangerous track. 

“Dead as It Gets” by Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band

Long time Ear to the Ground readers may remember Joe Mansman from his old band The Cosmonauts.  They were a featured band and we did an interview with them and premiered a video back in the day.   When that band finished it’s run, Joe moved on with a new project that has evolved, changed names, and which has just released a new album as Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revivial Band.  The album is called Too Far Gone.  It is some really awesome rootsy Outlaw American Rock and Roll from the Upstate New York area.  I just got hold of this album right before my cold and the holiday hit, so I’ve just had time to hear a couple of songs, but this is a good one.  Expect to read much more about this band and this album soon.

“Looks Like I’m Up Shit Creek Again” by Tom Waits

Seems like a good time to mention that Saturday night is the 10th Annual: Tom Waits Tribute and Benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank (Get Behind the Mule). My friend Mary Sack is the organizer and I had total blast last year.  An all-star cast of amazing artists cover Tom Waits’ songs all night, a visual artist does a live painting, fun is had, money is raised.  Maybe someone will dig out this chestnut that was released on The Early Years Volume One.  Far different sound than Waits later musical forays.

“Hailing Wide” by Tom House

From one Tom to another.  Coincidently (or not), I was introduced to Tom House by the same Mary Sack who is organizing the Tom Waits benefit.  This is another track from Songs Like Dreams… More Like Blood.

“Joan of Arc” (Version 2) by Thrushes

We close out today’s shuffle with some Shoegaze music from the Baltimore, Maryland band, Thrushes.  This is from Exposing Seas – which is the band’s first album in around five years. As I always say when I post songs by band’s that are described as “Shoegaze” – don’t ask me to explain or define the term, but for the most part I usually dig the music, and this is certainly no exception.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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