Okay… so I feel like I am limping (battered and bloody) into the weekend, but it is Friday…
Friday is the day when we randomly shuffle songs from our Featured Friday playlist which is a playlist of songs we want to feature.
Did I mention it’s Friday? And that we have some songs to feature? I did? Good! I think that cover it. Shuffle after the jump
“Mercy, Mercy” by Jean Synodinos
From her album, Love and Blood. Synodinos just placed #9 among the top 10 songwriters and #6 among the best folk artists at the Austin Music Awards. I really dig her songs and her voice.
“Adultery” by Pony Girl
So, don’t be confused: Pony Boy is a singer-songwriter from LA/Nashville and she is a girl. Pony Girl are from Canada, and they are boys and girls. Pony Girl released Foreign Life in November. This is, I think, our first listen, and I like what they are doing. It is highly original music – very refreshing.
“Within This Skin” by Saint Cole
Next up, the title track from the debut EP from UK artist Saint Cole. I have been really digging this record, and it looks like Saint Cole has some new music out or soon to come out.
“Walking on the Levee” by Kevin Gordon
From Long Gone Time… to me this is one of the stand out tracks from that album. Always good to have a Kevin Gordon song come up in the shuffle…
“Polly’s Running Out of Patience” by the transcendents
E2TG favorites from Christchurch, NZ return to the shuffle with another excellent track. This is from the EP Common Ground. That record is the latest release from the band, but they just recently teased, The Sun is Still Asleep. I have my ear to the ground… I will keep you posted, or you can follow them on Facebook.
“Biggest Thing That Man Has Ever Done” by Brian Wright
So, way, way back on Music City Monday, our first shuffle of the week was one of my favorite Brian Wright songs, and now, here we are coming full circle to the last song of the last shuffle of the week… From the Café Rooster Sessions Vol. 1 – Wright’s take on the epic historical/morality song written by Woody Guthrie. A very awesome way to end the week of shuffles…
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Well, it’s premier week at E2TG as I unveil my new “programming schedule”.
Welcome to debut edition of Trending Tuesday! Why trending? Well, for one thing, it starts with the letter “T” which was a requirement in naming this day. Also, my social media consultants advise me that the term “trending” is er, um… trending these days.
So, what is “Trending Tuesday”? In some ways it is similar to Featured Friday. Basically, it is songs/artist that have been fresh on my mind (new – or fairly recent acquisitions/releases), like all “rules”, I play fast and loose. The Trending Tuesday playlist is different than the Featured Friday playlist, but they have a lot of overlap. Well… enough exposition – here is the first Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle….
“Shotgun Behind the Door” by Kevin Gordon
Kevin Gordon has been “trending” at E2TG since we got his album Long Gone Time shortly before it was released. I got to see Kevin backing up Paul Burch recently for weeks one and four of Burch’s residency at The 5 Spot. A little bird tells me Gordon will have his own 5 Spot residency within the next couple of months. Also, to hear more about Kevin Gordon (including some words about the song featured today), I highly recommend you check out Country Fried Rock’s interview which was recorded in Nashville during Americana week and recently released. You can hear it HERE.
“Der Zerfall Von Backerbsen” by Balu and die Surfgrammeln
Until Balu and die Surfgrammeln became my favorite Austrian surf rock band, I did not know that I was missing having a favorite Austrian surf rock band. I didn’t even know that they surfed in Austria???? Seriously, I am digging this music.
“Stop Listen and Love” by The Naddiks
Late last year, our friends from Canberra (Australia) released a single dedicated to Anti-Bullying efforts. It is a very important subject, and a rocking fun single to boot. Notice we did the Austria/Australia thing again… please note that the two countries are not the same…. in case you were wondering.
“Be My Good Dream” (Excerpt) by exedra
Another track (or at least an excerpt) from Elemental which is the new album by exedra which is lead by Jeremy Gluck from the UK. Dreamy music… good dreamy music!
“Salto Nel Buio” by Le Folli Arie
In addition to having a favorite Austrian surf rock band, I now also have a favorite Italian prog-pop band. I have featured this band several times of late.
“Follow Them to Empty Shores/ Inouye” by Smokey The Firebear
After a four song tour of the world, we return stateside with another track from the brand new album by Smokey the Firebear from Connecticut. The album is called Ohm Atlanta – great experimental, instrumental music. I am guessing that the second half of this song is named after the late Senator from Hawaii????
“Land Where the Blues Began” by Sara Syms
Another album that has been trending for me since I first heard it, is Sara Syms’ album Way Back Home. I was talking with some friends recently about whether or not the “album” was in danger – in this age of downloads and streaming and stupid blogs that shuffle songs… (kidding) but I have always maintained that albums are important. They do not have to be “concept” albums either. Syms’ record carries a cohesive sound throughout, and there are some recurring themes. Certainly, the songs can be heard and work well on their own, but there is also value in listening to the album as a whole piece. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album – one that really sets a mood.
“High on the Plains” (Live) by Leland Sundries
From Live at the Creamery. This is not a “new” album, but one that I have come to know over the last several months. It is trending here – well because I say it is.
“It Was a Great Day” by Lori Kelley
We started with a Nashville artist and we end with another. Lori Kelley recently released an new album, More. It looks like this song has been in Kelley’s repertoire for a few years. It is a catchy, light song about the importance of making each day count.
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Wednesday! Well, thanks to about 500 of you, The Ear to the Ground Facebook page reached the 500 “Like” milestone late yesterday. It really means a ton to me. I promise bigger and better things for 2016.
I am running a bit short on time, but The “Earies” 2015 do continue on… I decided to call this one the “Dirty Rice” Award – aka – the “Land of my People” Award.
The premise: Although, I was born in Tennessee and have lived all but about one year in this state, my roots are in the bayous of Louisiana, and I still feel a deep connection to that very unique and colorful state. This year, I have been fortunate enough to write about two artists and albums with connections to Louisiana. This seemed like as good a reason as any to link them for this award.
The Awards:
Kevin Gordon – is one of the most respected songwriters around. He has released a number of excellent albums, and his album Gloryland definitely raised the bar. In 2015, he released Long Gone Time, and with it, he managed to raise the bar even further. Kevin Gordon is an incredible live act, and his music really captures the complicated realities of the post-Civil Rights era deep south.
D.L. Duncan – A well respected blues musician and songwriter, D.L. “Dave” Duncan, released a self-titled album in 2015 that really captured the essence of the what the blues are all about. The album was partially produced in Lafayette, Louisiana which happens to be where my parents lived when they were first married. Featuring an all-star cast of musical talent, the album has some of the most infectious blues grooves I’ve heard in a long time.
On to the shuffle: I have not downloaded a ton of Christmas/Holiday/Winter music this year, and so I had intended to wait until next week to break into that list, however, I did download a few more song last night, so I decided to kick things off today. As I mentioned before, I struggled with what to call this playlist. As creative as I can try to be, my playlist names are pretty unimaginative. The main playlist from which most shuffles are drawn, is just called “E2TG”. The Featured Friday playlist is called “Featured Friday”. When it came to this one though… I just was not sure. I have not problem with Christmas, however, for the sake of accuracy, I knew that the list might included some songs some of the other holidays celebrated at this time of year. I could have called it “Holiday Playlist” but I know the term, “Holiday” bothers some people. Some songs are not about a holiday, but rather are just about the season of Winter. Again, Winter playlist didn’t seem to work, because while the winter songs might be appropriate for a couple more months, I really don’t want to hear about mangers and Santa and elves in February. In the end, I decided to call this playlist the Red Cup playlist, because, who in the world could be offended by red cup? Am I right?
“Garland”, “Christmas Creation”, and “Home” by Batkhi Dahn
New England just seems like the place for a good old fashioned Christmas. Even though I am a lifelong resident of the South, when I think traditional American Christmas, the images that form in my mind all correspond to what I think Christmas in New England is all about. “Winter Wonderland” is not about Christmas in the South… that song in particular brings to my mind images straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. This year, there is a brand new EP of Christmas songs from Connecticut – the one of the southern most New England States. Christmas EP features the talents of Hayden and Evan Nork and songs about various aspects of the Christmas holiday. One listen, and you can expect to have this one playing while you decorate your tree and house with maybe, say… Garland.
“Intro” (1st Interlude) from Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas
From the Jim Henson classic Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas was a 1977 Television special based upon a 1971 Children’s Novel. Yesterday, I grabbed the soundtrack from Aquarium Drunkard. Included a few Intro’s including this first snippet with the joke about Snake Oil Salesmen. “Not many people want to oil up a snake.”
“Jingle Bell Jezebel” by Kevin Gordon
Next up, a holiday tune from “Earie” award winner, Kevin Gordon!
“Take Me Home for Christmas” by Karen Mav
Karen Mav is an incredible singer from Liverpool. She recently put out this tune which really showcases her incredible vocal pyrotechnics.
“When the Mountains” from Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas
A lovely song from Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas.
“Light Shines Through” (feat. The Hoboken Holiday All Star Band) by Deena and Jon (from The Cucumbers)
Next up, a lovely holiday treat from Deena and John Fried who were both part of the New Jersey. Joined by an All Star band – this is a great new holiday song.
“Intro” (2nd Interlude) from Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas
Next up, a second interlude from Emmet Otter and the gang.
“Too Early for Christmas” by Tom House
Another day, and another Tom House song. This is a sort of Christmas song from Songs Like Dreams… More Like Blood.
“Snoopy’s Christmas” by American Scarecrows
American Scarecrows are continuing a long line of folk/country inspired Rock and Roll from Minneapolis. Here they close out this shuffle with a song dedicated to the World War One Flying Aces, Snoopy.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Note: Since I could not find videos for many of the songs featured in this playlist, I decided to post many of my favorite Christmas/Holiday songs of all time. Enjoy!
Still reeling from Saturday night’s Raging Fire reunion at Exit/In. So many memories stirred, the band sounded so good, and the songs were still as awesome as always. My (perhaps) unique perspective. I was a huge fan of the Nashville music scene in the mid to late 1980s, but just a fan and mostly at a distance. I only made it to Nashville on the rare occasion I could round up people to go with me. I was lucky enough to see some of the great bands of that era, but I didn’t know anybody.
That being said, the music was important to me, and WRVU and The Metro and later Fireplace Whiskey Journal were my lifelines. So, it was a pretty cool experience to be at this show and to actually know some of the people involved. And speaking of WRVU, when Adam Dread fist bumped me during the Raging Fire set… my eighteen/nineteen year old self suddenly felt very cool.
And to be redundant, Raging Fire absolutely killed it. Melora Zaner is still one of the best and sexiest rock vocalist around, Mark Medley kept the whole thing in perfect time, bassists John Reed, Les Shields (and the other one I didn’t know) were awesome. The very large shoes of the late Michael Godsey were filled by not one but two of the scenes very best – Joe Blanton (The Enemy, Royal Court of China, The Bluefields) and Jeff Cease (Rumble Circus, Black Crowes). They were perfect for the role, having known Michael and having been present…
We jump into a Monday Morning shuffle….
“Photo Booth” by Tim Lee 3
Fresh on the news that Tim Lee 3 spinoff band, BARK, will be playing Nashville this month. We have TL3 with a song from their latest album, 33 1/3. Such a great band that I’ve gotten to know over the last few years, and they have some deep, deep roots in the music of my youth.
“Casino Road” by Kevin Gordon
Just before Kevin Gordon released his latest album Long Gone Time, he released a compilation EP via Noisetrade and serves as a good catching up point if you are just now discovering the talented Mr. Gordon. This song goes back to O Come Look at the Burning which was released just over a decade ago.
“Cut Me Some Slack” by Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear
From the film/soundtrack Sound City… much was (rightfully) made of the ex-Beatle leading the remaining members of Nirvana in this song which truly rocks. The interesting side story for me… I recently watched the movie What We Do is Secret, which was a fictionalized telling of the history of the L.A. punk band The Germs. So what makes the story fascinating for me… when The Germs started, they decided to form a band, bought instruments, booked and played their first show (which was a ridiculous, chaotic mess), and only then learned to play the instruments. Pat Smear formed the band along with the late Darby Crash, and some thirty plus years later, he finds himself playing with Sir Paul himself. I don’t know… that seems kind of remarkable to me.
“The Rise of the Black Messiah” by Indigo Girls
Indigo Girls released their 14th Studio album this past summer. The album is called One Lost Day, and the Rise of the Black Messiah is on that album.
“My Lord and I” by Elder Anderson Johnson
From the Music Maker Relief Foundation album. Elder Anderson Johnson was a street performer, an outsider artist, and he founded a church in Newport News, Virginia. He passed away in 1998.
“Drops of Ink” by Drew Kohl
Another track from Drew Kohl’s EP, Sweetheart, which I reviewed earlier this year. “Drops of Ink” is a story of lost love.
“Hysterically Speaking” by The Colored Parade
Another track from The Colored Parade’s album, And the Walls of the City Will Shake. A great, catchy song… I look forward to continuing to follow Andrew Adkins and see where his music takes him.
“I Feel Like My Time Ain’t Long” by Essie Mae Brooks
We close out the Monday shuffle with another Music Maker Relief Foundation artist. Essie Mae Brooks was born in Georgia in 1930 and began making music at a very early age. I kind of think maybe we featured this song before, but who really cares – it is a great song.
Sad to hear the news yesterday that Billy Zoom the legendary guitarist of Los Angeles band X was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Happy, though, to report that a GoFundMe campaign to help him out has almost been completely funded after just one day. If you want to help push it over the top, here is the link. We reached the end of another work week, and we have a pretty interesting shuffle to close things out…
By the way, a couple of songs in the shuffle today prompt me to issue the reminder that I repeat every so often. Each morning’s shuffle is randomly selected by my music player from a Playlist that I create and maintain.
“One I Love” by Kevin Gordon
Nashville is a town of songwriters. One of our best, is Kevin Gordon. I feel fortunate that I have had several opportunities to see him over the last month or so, and he never disappoints. This song goes back to his 2012 album Gloryland.
“Waitress” by Hop Along
Hop Along are an indie folk band from Philadelphia. This song is from their album called Painted Shut and the recording is from one of the World Café sessions. I am interested in hearing more from this band.
“Another Planet” by Human Radio
Another track from the self-titled album by the Memphis/Nashville band who reformed last year and who are trying to raise funding for a comeback album. Visit their Facebook page for more information. By the way, the band is making a return trip to the town where they were formed tonight. If you are in Memphis, check it out.
“Communist Daughter” by Atticus Floyd
Another awesome track from the album Russell Stover Stole My Babbie (sic). Since, we last posted an Atticus Floyd song, they have added a video to the You Tube universe. It is a cover of the Neutral Milk Hotel song “Engine” and features Atticus with Hayden and Evan from The Foresters.
“Weakness Was Always Your Strength” by The Transcendents
Our friends from Down Under (New Zealand to be more precise and Christchurch to be even more precise), The Transcendents, just released a new EP called “Lay Where You Collapse”. In order to make room for that EP, we need to clear out some space (not really), but to get you ready for a flood of posts from the new EP, here is a track from their self-titled debut album. Two bits of trivia/important info: 1. The new EP includes a cover of a Will Oldham song from before he was Bonnie Prince Billy and 2. The Transcendents and I share a mutual love of early (and very late) R.E.M.
“Ahull” by Loscil
Loscil are an ambient band from Vancouver, B.C. This track comes to us from a sampler associated with the Big Ears Festival held in Knoxville, TN – earlier this year.
“It’s All Going to Pot” by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
If the Shuffle was not random, some might think I posted this song because it happens to be Willie Nelson’s granddaughter Raelyn Nelson’s birthday, but the shuffle is random… so it is in retrospect that I dedicate this song to Ms. Nelson. Also, I was talking about this song with a friend just a couple of nights ago. Again just a coincidence.
“Pancho and Lefty” by Mike Thomas
Never a band thing to close out a week of shuffles with a Townes Van Zandt song. I’ve kind of lost touch with Mike Thomas, but if you ever see him playing around Dickson or Nashville, check him out.
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 