Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Wintry Mix Mix

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So… Nashville had a light layer of ice this morning followed by a dusting of snow.  To translate for those of you in colder climates: NASHVILLE WAS HIT BY A MAJOR WINTER STORM TODAY! EVERYONE PANIC NOW!!!!!

So, when I made to the office (where attendance is very light today), my phone decided to turn itself off and back on which means I lost the record of the shuffle. I was able to remember all of the songs – I think, but the order is screwed up… then again, you would never have known that if I had not told you… shoot, I wish there was a way to erase that, but I heard things on the internet cannot be truly erased… 

I am getting really excited for tomorrow night.  At the Family Wash – dual CD Release shows happening with two of my favorite people here in town.  Stone Cupid (Julie Christensen’s band) is celebrating the release of The Cardinal and Amelia White is celebrating the release of her new album Home Sweet Hotel. Should be a great time!

On to the approximation of this morning’s shuffle….

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Maria McKee has been one of my favorite voices since she was with Lone Justice.  This is a favorite of mine from her self-titled debut album.

“Baby Please Don’t Go” by CJ Chenier

A zydeco flavored version of the blues standard via The World Café Sessions. 

“Let’s Go to Memphis” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen

Some new blues from Nashville’s own Scissormen off of the album Love and Life.

“Fake (About 10 or 12 Cows)” by Discount Ravioli

Discount Ravioli have a new album, but this is off their first which was called Robin Schultz and the 21 Prayers.  I still cannot find a Discount Ravioli video (but I did find lots of videos about how to make ravioli which is better than when I tried to find a video of another Dord Music Group band called 100% Beefcake….). I did find a video for another band from that label called Urinal Cakes.  Discount Ravioli are on bandcamp.  How to explain their sound…. imagine what it would sound like if you gave a group of musically talented but offbeat kids a bunch of caffeine and let them stay up way too late and then recorded the results. Something like that. It’s fun for sure.

“Walt Whitman’s Haversack” by Fendrick and Peck

Another lovely song from the Lucky Penny album by the Nashville-based, hard travelling duo.

“Valley of Rain” by Giant Sand

The lead and title track from the 1985 debut album by the long running Tucson, Arizona band fronted by the great Howe Gelb.  The first album featured piano by Chris Cacavas of Green on Red.  Over the years, the band has gone by the names Giant Sandworm and Giant Giant Sand. 

 

“Benson Said Something” by Smokey The Firebear

31 seconds of found sounds, random recordings, and noises from the album BNGFKR.  Smokey The Firebear’s new album Ohm Atlanta is due out on Valentine’s Day. I think.

“The Wild Side of Life” by Hank Thompson

A true classic country music song from 1952 by the great Hank Thompson.  This was the song that inspired the answer song, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” by Kitty Wells which was also released in 1952.

“Time Passes By” by Don Gallardo

Despite what you may hear otherwise, true country music is alive and well here in the middle years of the second decade of the 21st Century.  I saw Nashville based Don Gallardo and his band How Far West on New Years Eve Eve at the Family Wash, and they were incredible.  Expect a new album in 2016.  This one is the lead track from the 2011 album When The Daylight Whispers Darling…

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – How many ‘L’s are in Van Halen Mix

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The reality of writing an independent music blog, as I have done for over four years now, is that you have to push through those days when it seems like no one is pay attention (and even those days when seriously no one is paying attention). Maybe by attrition or maybe dumb luck, sometimes good stuff starts to happen, and you find yourself in incredible situations that almost do not seem real. The key in those moments (for me at least) is to not lose my sense of wonder and no matter what to never lose the hunger for discovering new music.  For me, when I lose that hunger, it will be time to move on… fortunately, I am not there yet.

Okay, so what prompted all this?  Several things, some amazing opportunities have come my way, and I choosing not to be cynical or jaded about them. Also, something seems to have broken open in the last couple of weeks and the number of people contacting me to listen to their music has grown exponentially. It can be overwhelming, but seriously it is the most incredible good fortune.  So be patient… I will listen to everything sent to me, but I can’t make any promises beyond that.  Every time someone sends me music, I hope it will be one of “those” albums that changes everything… it isn’t always, but even when it is not, I still get to hear some incredible music.

“I’m Indestructible” by The Colored Parade

This song by my friend Andrew Adkins’ band The Colored Parade was featured in a motion picture starring Ethan Hawke which was based upon a play by William Shakespeare.

“Sweet Sunshine” by The Satisfactors

New Jersey Rock and Roll supergroup with another song from their debut album.

“Has He Got a Friend for Me?” by Maria McKee

Seriously, do you need to know more than this is Maria McKee covering Richard Thompson?  I think the shuffle added this song today because I am going to see Richard Thompson on Saturday night.  Maybe he will do this song???

“Happy Alone” by Saintseneca

Saintseneca are a folk band signed to ANTI Records and based out of Columbus, Ohio. The album is Dark Arc, and it was released in 2014.

“High Water (For Charley Patton)” by Bob Dylan

From Love and Theft .  Charley Patton was a Delta Blues musician.  The song references the Patton song, “High Water Everywhere”.  Another good reminder that for all of his flaws and inconsistencies, Bob Dylan remains one of the most important musical figures of the current era.  

“Long Night” by Guster

From the seventh studio album by Boston alternative rock band Guster. Evermotion was produced by Richard Swift who is now a member of The Shins.

“Living Proof” by Aaron Lee Tasjan

The shuffle brought up this song from Aaron Lee Tasjan’s recent EP, Telling Stories to the Wall, which is amazing by the way. A great example of Tasjan’s way of speaking the truth with humor and spot on cultural references.

“Big Apple Blues” by Tomas Doncker Band

The title track from New York’s Tomas Doncker Band and their latest album which is a collaboration with Pulitzer Prize winning Poet Yusef Komunyakaa.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Alison’s Getting a Mohawk Mix

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Our shuffle today begins with a powerhouse Georgia Gospel singer-songwriter and ends with a Telepathic Teddy Bear.  In between…. click through the jump and find out…

“I Feel Like My Time Ain’t Long” by Essie Mae Brooks

Via the Music Maker Relief Foundation… Essie Mae Brooks was born in 1930 and began singing with her grandfather, who was a harmonica player, and she begin singing and writing Gospel music as a child.  She has never stopped.

“To Miss Someone” by Maria McKee

Another beautiful song from the self-titled debut solo album by the former lead singer of Lone Justice.

“My Friend From College” by 100% Beefcake

I don’t know which is stranger: a couple of young Connecticut teenagers singing about a friend from college, that said teenagers call themselves 100% Beefcake, or that they music they produce is both delightfully weird and downright awesome.  It’s all strange to me, but then again, I like strange.

“McLane’s Dad” by Mothers

New York band Mothers album Panamanian Times has been floating around our playlist for several months now, and it is always cool when another song pops into the shuffle.  This one is called “McLane’s Dad”.  A refreshing breath of punk rock attitude in the middle of a Wednesday shuffle.

“Beast of NYC” by The End Men

I honestly thought 2013 Ear to the Ground Band of the Year, The End Men were the Beast of NYC… but they are definitely Beast-like in their power and intensity.

“The World Ender” by Lord Huron

Lord Huron is an L.A. band.  This song is from their latest album, Strange Trails which was released earlier this year.  The gorgeous recording I listened to came from a World Café session and was one of 100 songs that World Café made available for immediate download (visit the World Café Tumblr page).

“Sweet Tennessee” by Judah and the Lion

As I have mentioned, Judah and the Lion are a fast-rising band from Nashville.  Judah Akers happens to be the son of two people I went to school with years ago (a year or so apart).  The song is the title track from an EP that was released in 2013. It is a lovely tribute to my home state.

“Stay Here With Me” by Jesse Terry

Jesse Terry is a Connecticut based singer-songwriter who will be appearing at Bonnaroo later this month. I know this because this song was on the Noisetrade Bonnaroo compilation album.  It is the lovely lead and title track from their 2013 album.

“Alison’s Starting to Happen” by Lemonheads

A classic from the classic album, It’s A Shame About Ray…

“Andy’s Song” by Telepathic Teddy Bear

“I hear the drying leaves
Tumbling down the sun coated hill
They crumble in my hand
And they leave another void to fill”  A lovely song from the EP Forgiveness…

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – A Rusted Fork in the Road Mix

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A modest proposal to deal with the problem of people talking during music performances: Just let John Moreland play.  I saw John Moreland play twice last night. The first was at Music City Roots where he wowed an audience mostly unfamiliar with his music.  Later, he played a full headlining set at The 5 Spot in East Nashville in front of a packed house.  The minute John Moreland began to play, the crowd (a bar crowd after 11:00pm) fell silent almost immediately.  A friend of mine asked what it was about his music that had that effect.  In the moment, the only words that came to me were the emotional vulnerability of his songs.  I don’t know if that is the answer.  But, it got me thinking about vulnerability, and how our society sees it as a weakness, but how in the hands of someone like John Moreland – it can be such a powerful thing.

“Heima” by Hildur Gudnadottir

Hildur Gudnadottir is a cellist and composer currently based out of Berlin.  This stunning composition comes from a Noisetrade Sampler from the recent Big Ears Festival which took place in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Quite an impressive line-up at that festival.

“Buddy” by The Western Shore

One of my favorite songs from the Thunderstorm album.  I saw The Western Shore Monday night, and they are preparing to hit the road for a short tour which includes a couple of West Coast dates with Nikki Lane.

“Breathe” by Maria McKee

Another track from Maria McKee’s self-titled debut solo album.  McKee was named among the “Top 10 Female Artists You Really Should Know” in a recent article – she was included with other great artists like Kate Bush, Alison Moyet, and Nina Hagen among others. Well deserved.

“Revelation (The Final Book)” by Jeremiah Tall

In a short time, I’ve come to really dig this guy’s music.  It’s available on Noisetrade, you should really check it out.  (Free – but donate if you can, and definitely share to spread the word).

“Tying Ten Knots in the Devil’s Tail” by Townes Van Zandt

A classic western poem/song performed by the legendary Townes Van Zandt from a 1973 live recording.

“The Difference” by Dan Coyle

From Perfect Word, Perfect Beat comes this song with a great doo-wop sound. 

“Sharp Feathers” by Telepathic Teddy Bear

From the album Forgiveness…  Telepathic Teddy Bear writes great songs and produces great sounding records. 

“Don’t Make Nothin’ in the USA” by Tim Carroll

The lead track and one of my favorite songs on the new Tim Carroll album, Pure As Coal.  A ton of my East Nashville friends are featured in the video including Kalee Smyth from The Western Shore who we heard from earlier in the shuffle.  I was at The 5 Spot when the live performance portions of the video were recorded. 

“Napoleon” by Scott Miller

Scott Miller was one of the performers at Music City Roots last night, and he was fantastic.  He was previously a member of the seminal Knoxville band The V-Roys.  This song comes from a compilation album called Bubbapalooza Vol. 1: Chronicle of the Redneck Underground – which also included Southern Culture on the Skids and others. 

“Plight of Imemine” by Broken Guru

Broken Guru are an Alternative Rock band from New York City. Their debut album, Bent Up Halo is scheduled to be released on April 28.  You can currently stream five of the songs from that album on their Bandcamp page.

“I Want the One I Can’t Have” by The Smiths

We close out today’s shuffle with a track from The Smiths’ second album, Meat is Murder.  Any shuffle that includes The Smiths and Townes Van Zandt can’t be bad…

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Kiss Me Once, Kiss Me Twice Mix

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I try really hard not to pay attention to things like page views – I really do, but a couple of things have happened in the last 24 hours that I am pretty happy about.  My total Page Views since I switched the blog to Blogger a little over 3 years ago reached one of those milestones with lots of zeros. The number isn’t really important because it is all relative. I mean, I know some of those brand x music blogs probably achieve the same number is a month or week or day or hour or whatever, and that is the part I don’t really care about.  It’s just nice to see those zeros and know that among those site views are people who come to enjoy the music that I am so happy to feature.

The other thing (and rather inexplicably) but the daily site views for the current 24 hour period has exploded. I know I owe a big thanks to the people who share my posts across the webbernets….  It’s still not that important because I have a great shuffle today and for all I know something like 12 people will look at it, and if I don’t get too worried about that, I can’t really get to excited for the higher numbers… but I do.  And I thank everyone for it. 

As I said, we have a great shuffle with some old friends and some newer ones and some classic tunes…

 “Choose Your Delusion” by The Danbury Lie

What better way to start off today’s landmark shuffle than with the title track from the latest The Danbury Lie album.  I quite like this song and the parts of the album I’ve had a chance to hear.  Much more to come from this and the previous release from this Connecticut-based outfit.

“Peter Rumpkin” by Willa Mae Buckner

From the Music Makers Relief Foundation Sampler… Very glad for an organization that seeks to support and preserve some of America’s great and too often forgotten musical artists.  I haven’t had a chance to find out a whole bunch about Willa Mae Buckner, but she seems to have been quite a character – as this song and the picture accompanying the video will attest. She passed away in 2000 but her music lives on, and I am glad to play a small part in keeping things going.

“Something There” by Tom Schreck

I hang out with a bunch of talented songwriters in Nashville, and for a long time, I kept hearing about Tom Schreck, Tom Schreck, Tom Schreck… He runs a recurring event at Jackalope Brewery with which I have a recurring conflict, but I finally got the opportunity to see him and now I have joined the chorus. Tom Schreck!  He writes timeless sounding songs and you should definitely check him out.  The song I listened to today is from his latest album, Save Your Glory which can be found on his Bandcamp page.  That’s Tom Schreck in case you missed it.

“Tools” by Yellerkin

Yellerkin are a New York band that I heard for this first time when this song came up in today’s shuffle. It’s from a Noisetrade SXSW sampler.  I want to hear more – pretty interesting stuff.

“Blackberry Blossom” by David Schnaufer

I mentioned yesterday, the connection between David Schnaufer and his connection with 80s/early 90s Nashville band The Cactus Brothers.  The video standing in for this song is The Cactus Brothers version from their self-titled album.  Cactus Brothers lead singer Paul Kirby and David Schnaufer are, sadly, no longer with us, but thankfully the music endures.

“Hurts Like Hell” by Josh Morris

Josh Morris was 1/2 of And the Giraffe, who were an #E2TG featured artist a few years back.  And the Giraffe broke up recently, and now Josh has a brand new EP called Green Fields which has just been released.  Check it out.  Josh is also producing the forthcoming album by Jon Latham which going to be the bomb..

“Sweet Blue Midnight” by The Georgia Satellite

A sweetly sentimental song from In the Land of Salvation and Sin…

“Broken Face” by Pixies

Nice of the Pixies to drop into the shuffle, and they brought along a song from their classic album Surfer Rosa.

“East of West” by The End Men

What would such a momentous shuffle be without an appearance by 2013 Ear to the Ground Band of the Year, The End Men.  This song is the B-Side of the new single by called Morning Birds.  Digging into new The End Men music is like putting on a comfortable old pair of shoes… if said shoes were totally badass and had magically become even better since the last itme you wore them.  Yep, that’s the kind of shoes I’m talking about. 

“Lord Byron’s Luggage” by Warren Zevon

From the album, My Ride’s Here….   A cool song.

“Foolin” by Andrew Combs

Foolin is from the recently released album All These Dreams by Nashville-based songwriter Andrew Combs. You should definitely check him out.

“Am I The Only One (Who’s Ever Felt This Way)” by Maria McKee

We close things out with further proof that Maria McKee is totally awesome and that her self-titled solo album is an underrated gem.  I honestly don’t know how it is rated, but no matter how highly rated it is, it is still underrated in my book.  This song was later covered by The Dixie Chicks on their Wide Open Spaces album.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Maybe Longer Mix

Last night I got to see an artist I featured here on Ear to the Ground a couple of years ago, Callaghan, kick off her album preview tour at 3rd and Lindsley.  If you want to know what I thought about it, you can check it out at No Depression.

We have a pretty nifty shuffle for you….

“Voodoo Doll” by Diamond Rugs

This new supergroup has been getting quite a bit of well deserved press lately, and I will jump on that particular band wagon right now.  The band includes John and Robbie from Deer Tick, T. Hardy Morris of Dead Confederates, and Steve Berlin of Los Lobos as well as some other great players from other great bands. Their album Cosmetics is out now.

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From their album Easy Weather which is available on a Tip/Share basis on Noisetrade.  They are from Denver. The music is fresh and diverse and worth giving a listen.

“Goodbye’s All We’ve Got Left to Say” by Steve Earle

So far, the shuffle has presented us Guitar Town in order.  This is the second song on that album… a heartbreaking tale of love gone wrong…

“Feed It Back to Us” by The Ghoul Goes West

One side effect of my recent work with No Depression has been a sharp uptick in the volume of submissions which comes into my inbox.  I try to at least read every one, and although it is really hard to say what it is that makes me go the next step and listen, I have to say that having a name like The Ghoul Goes West helps.  Fortunately, the music lives up to the name, and it has been a real blast digging into their album Ghost and Bones and Blood and Things. 

“Lionel II” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

We are reaching the end of the tracks on the album Familiar Fevers.  Since that album came out, the band have had a few personnel changes, but I credit them with pressing on.  They play out mostly in their native upstate New York, and if you get the chance go see them live.  I know I will.  In the good timing category, this morning, after this song came up in my shuffle, I saw a post that the band has a new drummer.  So, consider this my shuffle’s way of wishing the old drummer well and welcoming the new one.

“Take a Little Time” by Walter Trout

Walter Trout is a legendary Blues guitarist and singer who previously worked with Canned Heat, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Joe Tex, and Percy Mayfield.

“Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones

The opening track and lead single from The Stones 1971 Sticky Fingers.  This might be a good bully pulpit time to say (and I feel like I am in the minority here), but just to be honest, I really don’t get the whole Beatles vs. Stones thing.  I mean, I get that it is a forum for people who are passionate about music to get even more passionate, but I’ve never really understand why there has to be competitions… I mean the good news is that no one has to choose and that everyone is free to choose.  It can be The Beatles, The Stones, The Beatles and The Stones, or neither.  Can’t we all just get along?

“Panic Beach” by Maria McKee

I was a huge Lone Justice fan.  Their debut album is one of my favorites and I also loved Shelter.  I have to say that it has been such a pleasure rediscovering the brilliance of Maria McKee’s self-titled solo debut.  This song sets such a scene…

“Love is a Wind That Screams” by Richard Barone

Cool Blue Halo was a revelation to me when my friend Ron (aka Rex Silo) first turned me onto it some 25 years ago (is that possible???).  I had been a fan of The Bongos before, but this album, these songs just blew me away.  The video is from the 25th Anniversary show and features Garth Hudson of The Band on accordion.

 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Call me Admiral Byrd Mix

Yes, I chiseled my way out through the thick blanket of ice and crossed the frozen tundra to make it to work today.  I only fell once, and I don’t think anyone saw me, and anyway, I fell with the grace and dignity befitting of someone of my importance and position. (that is a joke by the way….)

I had a lovely collection of fine, fine music to accompany me on my treacherous journey….
 
“Easy Weather” by The Bell Hours

Yes, my shuffle function has a sense of humor – as today’s weather was anything but easy, but I digress. The Bell Hours are from Denver, and I have quite enjoyed listening to their most recent EP of which this is the title track.

“Rudie Can’t Fail” by The Clash

The shuffle function seems to be on a major Clash kick, and who can blame it? From London Calling.

“I Only Want to Be With You” by The Tourists

A slice of pure pop heaven from a band that featured Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart just before they formed Eurhythmics. From the album Reality Effect.

“Sam” by Meat Puppets

Classic Meat Puppets from Forbidden Places.

“Élysées 99,84” by Kansas Bible Company

The first track on the new 4 song EP called Dad’s Day by the Nashville based band that has way too many members to keep up with.

“Nobody’s Child” by Maria McKee

Another great track from Maria McKee’s self-titled solo debut. I am glad to have rediscovered this album recently.  Sooooo good…

“Try Out My Love” by Matt Phillips

A great song from Matt Phillips’ debut album Bones which was released in 2012.  Saw and met him at Music City Roots a couple of weeks ago.

“Southern Ground” by Judah and the Lion

Nashville band Judah and the Lion are on roll with appearances on Letterman and a tour of Scandinavia and an upcoming Nashville show at Ryman Auditorium with Mat Kearney.  This song comes from their EP called Sweet Tennessee. 

“Avalon” by Roxy Music

The title track from one of the best albums of all time.

“Kanga Roo” by Big Star

The shuffle is also on a Big Star kick…. there are reasons I love the shuffle… and this is a big one…

“Skilly Bom Billy Flop” by The Imperial Rooster

#E2TG favorites are on hiatus, but this song (and video from Couch by Couchwest) from their album Cluckaphony offers a good taste of what they do, and I hope to hear some new stuff from them in the future. 

“Pigeons Eating Glass” by Forebear

From the Inbox, comes L.A. Indie band Forebear with a song from their self-titled EP which was produced by Scott Gordon who has worked with Alanis Morissette and Ringo Starr among others.  Looking forward to checking out more of this EP.

“Clampdown” by The Clash

A great way to celebrate the successful completion of my Arctic trek….  More Clash from London Calling.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Baboon Heart Mix

Well, here we go. Another short shuffle that covers a ton of ground. For the literary minded among you, we have a song inspired by Upton Sinclair and another inspired by a Tennessee Williams’ play.  Plus, we have some Piedmont Blues for North Carolina, one of Paul Revere’s Raiders doing a Ray Charles song and so much more… let’s get to it…

“Slaughterhouse” by The Georgia Satellites 

From In the Land of Salvation and Sin… Inspired by the muckraking writing of Upton Sinclair especially the novel, The Jungle.

“Chapel Hill Boogie” by John Dee Holeman (Holman)

Some more Piedmont Blues for the Music Makers compilation on Noisetrade. This song was co-written by Kenny Wayne Shepherd.  By the way, on Noisetrade and almost everywhere else I looked, the artist’s name is listed as Holeman.  Wikipedia insists that his name is Holman and often misspelled as Holeman.  Let’s just agree to disagree and just applaud the work of all organizations that help musicians who have given the world so much.

“The Boy in the Bubble” by Paul Simon

The classic lead track from Paul Simon’s groundbreaking album Graceland.  

“Open Wide” by Meat Puppets

Meat Puppets get all speed metal-ey on this stand out track from Forbidden Places.

“This Property is Condemned” by Maria McKee

Ex-Lone Justice singer Maria McKee references a play by Tennessee Williams in this track from her self-titled debut solo album.

“Leave My Woman Alone” by Keith Allison

Keith Allison got his break on Dick Clark’s Where the Action Is – a show which featured Paul Revere and the Raiders as the house band.  Allison later joined that band and had a long career contributed to many popular releases. This Ray Charles cover is from Allison’s 1967 solo album In Action.

“Longer Than You’ve Been Alive” by Old 97’s!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”);

One of the pioneers of the alt-country movement, The Old 97s lead by Rhett Miller are still making music.  This reluctantly self-referential song is from their most recent album Most Messed Up which came out in April 2014 on ATO Records. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Another Magic Mart Mix

Kiely Schlesinger, Lindsay Ellyn, and Jon Latham at Two Old Hippies 1/21/2015

Had a great time watching three of my favorite songwriters trade songs yesterday evening in The Gulch.

Reminder, TONIGHT: Darrin Bradbury and the Fran’s Eastside Super High Band will be starting off a great night of music at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  Be there! 9:00p.m. $5.00.

Shuffle….

“Drinkin’ In My Sunday Best” by Maria McKee

From the very first time I heard Lone Justice, I knew Maria McKee was something special.  This song is off of her solo debut, and it was a fine burst of energy to start my morning.

“Little America” by R.E.M.

R.E.M.’s second full-length album Reckoning ends with their “road” song. “Jefferson, I think we’re lost…”

“More Than This” by Roxy Music

The emotional connections I have made to this song are numerous and deep.  This is the first track on the classic Avalon album.  For some reason, this song brings to mind a hungover/still buzzing sunrise at the end of a wild night.

“Love On Low-Fi” by J.R. Wyatt

Another track from J.R. Wyatt’s excellent solo record, Empty Room Sessions.  I dig the songwriting and the voice of this song Nashville songwriter.  Glad I got to see him on Tuesday at The 5 Spot playing with a full band.

“Natural Disaster” by Gretchen Peters

Speaking of fine Nashville songwriters.  Gretchen Peters is a living legend.  Another stand out track from her album Hello Cruel World.

“The Boogie Man” by The Cadillacs

I think this one has been creeping (pun partially intended) around the Playlist since Halloween, but really is it ever not the right time for the Boogie Man?

“Can’t Leave Well Enough Alone” by Matt Prater

This is an awesome track off the forthcoming Tables and Chairs by Alabama based songwriter/performer Matt Prater.  Recommended if you dig great songs and REAL Country music.

“Metropolis” by The Belle Brigade

The Belle Brigade are an LA Brother and Sister duo.  This is from their 2014 album Just Because.  This was on a friend’s annual mix CD, and I really dig their sound, and I definitely want to check out more.

“On and On” by Joey Bada$$ (feat. Maverick Sabre and Dyemond Lewis)

How about some Hip Hop sounds to take us out of this Thursday Shuffle.  Brooklyn-based Joey Bada$$ released his latest album B4.Da.$$ just about a week ago.  This song is on that album.  I am by no means an expert on Hip Hop music, but I also am not willing to dismiss it all without listening.  I didn’t really expect to, but I do like this a great deal.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Shorter Days Mix

Welcome to Monday.  Had a great weekend, and now it’s time to face up to another work week.  Here is a fine, fine collection of music graciously presented by my cell phone’s music player on “Shuffle” mode.  A video representation of the shuffle is presented at end of the post…

“Shorter Days” by Heath McNease from Fort Wayne (Songs Inspired by the Film)

 

A great song for a cool, crisp fall morning… the days are getting shorter.

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This made me think of Douglas Coupland’s 1991 novel Generation X: Tales of an Accelerated Culture.  It also made me think about how much more accelerated our culture has become.  I dig this song – it made me think about stuff…

“Corner Girl” by Abigail Washburn from City of Refuge

Another great track from this album which I was lucky enough to find a thrift store a couple of weeks back.

“Tidbit” by The Black Jesuses from Black Jesuses

The Black Jesuses are a two piece Rock band from Asbury Park, NJ.  They are cool. Check them out.

“Tout Un Beau Soir en me Promenant” by Maria McKee from Evangeline Made: a tribute to Cajun Music

This is the second of Maria McKee’s two contributions to this Cajun Music tribute album.  The Video features a version of this song recorded by the archivist Alan Lomax. 

“Virgin” by Heyrocco from Deer Head Music Presents: Indie Mixtape Nashville/Mom Jeans EP

Some fun grungy/punky music from the Deer Head Music Nashville Indie mixtape.

“Til’ the Seas Run Dry” by Dom Flemons from Til’ the Seas Run Dry”

Another great song from ex-Carolina Chocolate Drops member Dom Flemons.  This is from a recent NoiseTrade sampler. 

“Mister Stay at Home” by David Olney from When the Deal Goes Down

I could listen to David Olney all day long.  Another awesome track from his latest album, When the Deal Goes Down.

“Rock it Up” by Blackfoot Gypsies from Dandee Cheeseball

We close out with one of the funnest (sic) and best Nashville bands around today.  I crossed out Nashville not because they aren’t from here, but because I didn’t want to put any qualification on the statement that they are an extremely fun and excellent band.  A ripping track from their 2011 album Dandee Cheeseball.

VIDEOS