Category: Matt King

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – We’re Going Downtown Mix

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Had a great night of music last night.  Saw legendary songwriter Don Schlitz again at The 5 Spot (he has just one more week in his residency – if you are in Nashville and have not seen this show yet, I highly recommend it).  Then, I headed over to the City Winery – Nashville.  It was my first time in the big room, and I was impressed.  Saw Brian Wright and Liz Longley – a pair of very different, but both amazing songwriters/singers.  My review of their show is posted to No Depression.


“Hold on to Your Hats (We’re Going Downtown)” by Science!

From the Seattle band’s latest, Alcoves and Alleyways.  A great song for the beginning of my drive downtown for work.

“My Caravan” by Hoodoo Gurus

A deeper cut from Blow Your Cool!

“Love Won’t Burn” by Young America

From their EP Pain, Rain, and the Mundane which you can still get from Noisetrade.  The always amazing Lindsay Ellyn provides the background vocals on this track.  For the record, this song covers pain and rain – not sure about the mundane. I am highly anticipating their full-length Good Old Fashioned Pain.  I added a video bonus of a Gram Parson’s cover from Young America.

“Country Comforts” by Rod Stewart

Sometimes the ol’ shuffle pulls a nice transition like this… moving from the awesome neo-traditional country of Young America to this classic Brit-country track from Rod Stewart’s 1970 album Gasoline Alley.  The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and appears on John’s classic album Tumbleweed Connection.  As someone who grew up only knowing Rod Stewart from “Do You Think I’m Sexy” and “Hot Legs”, discovering his earlier music was a major revelation for me. 

“My Mama’s Dead” by Dream Police

Dream Police is a side project of members of the band, The Men.  This song is from the album Hypnotized which was released in November 2014.

“Half-Assed Blues” by Bark

Another side project – Bark. is made up of two thirds of the Tim Lee 3.  Susan Bauer Lee on Drums and Vocals and Tim Lee on bass, vocals, and others instruments. The debut EP by Bark. is also called Bark.

“Mulberry Street” by Matt King

This is the lead track from Matt King’s 2010 album Matt King and the Cutters.

“Black Friday Holiday” by Dead in 5

From the album, Schizophrenic Razor Project.  This Detroit band had a song in the cult film Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies (which I totally didn’t know was a thing, but which I now must see).

“Corners” by The Storm Chronicles

Directly from my inbox comes some very good music which I would describe (upon first listen) as keyboard driven, progressive, pop music.  I will update and revise that assessment as I listen more.  The Storm Chronicles are from the Pacific Northwest.

“Molting” by Shaprece

Adding some Electronic R&B variety to the shuffle…  this comes from an EP of the same name (Molting) by this Seattle artist.  We grabbed the song from the Noisetrade SXSW mixtape.

“Traffic Jam” by A Color Engine

Fortunately, I wasn’t in one when I was listening to this :21 second track from the album Voyage Underwater 56 Knots by this now defunct band comprised of Ear to the Ground favorite Don Ryan and Eric Burchfield (Elephant Goes West) another E2TG featured band.   The video we included is a song from the film Eraserhead by David Lynch. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Top Sider Clad Mix

Thank goodness for second wind…  I think I may survive this week after all.  On another note, the temperature is about 20 degrees cooler than yesterday at this time – welcome to winter in Nashville. I attended my first show at 3rd and Lindsley as a correspondent for No Depression/ND Roots.  My review should be up soon, I will post links on my Facebook page – so follow me there.

We have a pretty sweet shuffle to close out the week, so let’s get to it.

“Everywhere I Go (I Hear The Go-Gos)” by Phranc

The reference may be dated, but if you are of a certain age, you remember… From Folksinger.

“Atlas Shrugged” by Matt King

This is our last song we have from Matt King’s 2010 album Raw, and it is one of my favorites.  Next stop, Matt King and Killing Streets!

“Electric Worry” by Clutch

From Summer Sound Attack…. This is sooooo good.

“So Far” by Ben Arthur

Video directed by my friend Matthew Hendershot of #E2TG favorites The End Men.  If You Look for My Heart is such a tour de force… with such a variety of styles represented.  Including this slice of pure pop heaven…

“Coyotes” by Modest Mouse

How about some brand new Modest Mouse music. “Coyotes” is the second single from the forthcoming Strangers to Ourselves album. It based upon a true story of a coyote that rode the MAX lite rail line in Portland in 2002.

“The Intense Humming of Evil” by Manic Street Preachers

The Holy Bible turned 20 years old in 2014.  No not the book… the now classic album by Welsh band Manic Street Preachers.  It was the last album released before the 1995 disappearance of rhythm guitarist and chief lyrist Richie Edwards (Edwards was officially declared dead in 2008).  Stark and disturbing, the album is a startlingly real view into the mind of Edwards who was suffering from a depression, self harm, and anorexia nervosa.

“Kara Dean” by Ike Reilly

The first time I saw the title of this song, I thought it was about Nashville’s current mayor (whose name is just one letter different).  It is not.  The song is from Ike Reilly’s Junkie Faithful album. It is part of the 18 song retrospective Am I Still the One for You” which you can still get for free (donation encouraged) from Noisetrade.

“Harvest Moon” by Jason and the Scorchers

From their classic Fervor EP… the accompanying video was shot at a 1985 show in the Cat’s Records parking lot on West End Avenue in Nashville that this blogger attended – almost 30 years ago????

“Boscombe Armistice” by Blue Rose Code!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”);

Off the album The Ballads of Peckham Rye – I got hold of this on the latest Feel Bad for You mixtape.   Blue Rose Code is singer-songwriter Ross Wilson of Edinburgh, Scotland. This was my first listen to Blue Rose Code, and I want to hear more. window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – If You Don’t Know Mix

Getting back on schedule…

ICYMI:  Check out my review of Dale Watson and Rosie Flores at Exit/In.

If you are in Nashville this evening, head on over to City Winery Nashville. A great night of music is on tap with #E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury kicking things off at 8:00 sharp so don’t be late. $5.00 to hear some really great people make really cool music.



“Love For Tender” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

I don’t know about you, but for me any morning that starts off with Elvis Costello can’t be all bad.  From Get Happy!

“Tennessee Plates” by John Hiatt

A classic song from John Hiatt’s Slow Turning album. About stealing one of Elvis’ Cadillacs….

“My Felon Girlfriend” by Don Dixon

Don Dixon had a hand in creating the sound that dominated by musical formative years.  Best known as co-producer of the first two R.E.M. albums as well as the many other great records he produced, Dixon is also one hell of a songwriter.  This song comes from his most recent solo record called High and Filth and Borderline.

“Knowing Me” by J.R. Wyatt

A brief but really rad song from Empty Room Sessions.

“Don’t Say No” by Tom Tom Club

Another great song from Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom.  This runs counter to the message I got handed in school via Nancy Reagan. Hmm, who should I listen to? Nancy Reagan or Chris and Tina? What do you think?

“Lawyers, Guns and Money” (Warren Zevon cover) by Magnolia Electric Co.

Magnolia Electric Co covering Warren Zevon is truly sublime. RIP Jason Molina and Warren Zevon. This is from a Daytrotter session in 2009.

“Soul II Soul” by Flo Mega

Okay. So this was a random download from Freegal. Flo Mega is from Germany and this is some funky ass shit.  I rate it a “hell yes!”. From the album Mann uber Bord.

“Has He Got a Friend for Me” by Richard and Linda Thompson

This song came on as I began my solitary walk toward the office. A perfect somber song for this grey morning. From I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight. 

“Nobody’s Singin'” by Matt King

This is the penultimate song from our run-through of Matt King’s stripped down album Raw.  As we await new music from King and his new band, Killing Street.

“Conclusion of the Railway Earth” by Jack Kerouac with Al Cohn and Zoot Sims

We close out the shuffle with ten minutes of Kerouac spitting the beat poetry. The recording includes some studio banter before and after the poetry.  From Blues and Haikus.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Like a Freebird Wheel Mix

Today’s subtitle is a tribute to the mind-blowing weekly party that goes down every single Wednesday night at Fran’s Eastside Tavern in East Nashville, Tennessee. Tim Carroll and Darrin Bradbury have been doing this thing since July or so, and I’ve only missed a couple.  When it began, Darrin would play for an hour or so and then Tim would take over and then they would play together at the end of the evening. In time, drummer David Strayer began sitting in and then (when he returned from an extended time up North) Cameron Carrus joined in on the upright bass, and the Fran’s Eastside Super High Band was formed. Now-a-days, Tim begins playing sometime before 8:30 (I don’t think I’ve ever made it there before he began) and the band joins in as they arrive. Darrin plays (with Tim playing guitar).  Singer Luella Wood has been known to serenade us with a few songs each night, and at various times Trombones, additional guitars, and other assorted folks have joined in the party.  Special guests have been known to show up including singer/songwriter legend Dave Dondero and last night Nathan Kalish and the Lastcallers.  It’s a seriously fun night and if you can handle the copious amounts of second-hand smoke, you should come on out if you are in the area. 

Last night’s show ended the traditional “Freebird” and “Wagon Wheel” one-two punch which Darrin Bradbury managed to lyrically mash-up in the manner of our subtitle.

On to the shuffle:

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Matt King has his feet planted both in New York and in Nashville which makes him doubly appropriate for Ear to the Ground.  Thanks to the shuffle his songs make a neat frame around the rest of the shuffle today.  This first one is a song about coal mining and Harlan, Kentucky.  I’ve actually been to Harlan which I think gives me some authentic Country/Americana street cred. Right?

“Future Tidings Shall Sing” by Batkhi Dahn

Batkhi Dahn is the side project of The Foresters Bassist Hayden Nork.  It’s a pretty whacked-out Christmas number, and I mean “whacked-out” in the most complimentary way possible.  It’s trippy and a whole lot of fun. Somehow, in my mind, I picture a conversation like this:

Hayden: I have a new song for The Foresters

Evan and Liam: um… well it’s cool and all, but… um…

Hayden: Fine, I’ll just start a side project!

It’s not easy being a middle child – believe me, I know. 

 

“Coming Through the Pines” by Blackfoot Gypsies

A song from their debut album and once again the shuffle provides some excellent timing as I prepare for tonight’s Lockeland Springsteen Christmas show at The Five Spot which featuring Blackfoot Gypsies, Alanna Royale, Cory Branan, and others.

“The Masque of the Red Death 1964” by Sci-Fi Romance

I’m going to keep posting these awesome songs until I’ve posted them all.  Sci-Fi Romance/Vance Kotrla sat down to watch a marathon of classic horror films and ended up writing a song about each of the films and recording the songs in a very lo-fi way.  In lesser hands, this could be a great concept that ended up kind of stilted and cheesy, but these are not lesser hands and the result are some incredible distillation of classic stories into highly original and surprising songs.

“Blind Fascination” by The Torn Images

Another great rocker from The Torn Images full-length debut. Coincidently, we had two Southern California bands that are essentially solo projects. Briand Arabaca is the solo artist behind The Torn Images.

“Northern Lights” by American Aquarium

I don’t know how many ways to say how great I think American Aquarium are.  We have featured several songs from Burn. Flicker. Die and we still have a couple more to go.  There isn’t a bad song in the bunch and almost all of them are truly great songs.

“Fire on a Sunny Day” by Ben Arthur

If You Look for My Heart is the title of the new album by New York singer/songwriter Ben Arthur. It is also the title of his new novel. The two works are interrelated but independent, and you can get them both at Noisetrade.com.  The album features guest appearances including Rachel Yamagata and Aesop Rock.  Fire on a Sunny Day is a dark, disturbing, and awesome song about obsessions. I look forward to bringing you more of this album.

“The Kiss” by Judee Sill

One of the ever-present themes of Ear to the Ground is that of connections.  Most of the time, I try to let the shuffles speak to this theme without explicit comments, but I have been known to post lengthy commentaries on how all music and indeed all humanity is interconnected. This idea was reinforced for me recently and it involves the late tortured folk/pop singer Judee Sill. I was turned onto Judee Sill by my friends in Valued Customer and soon grabbed this song off of the website Freegal. A few weeks later, I went to a show by the awesome Aaron Lee Tasjan, and he performed a song that was dedicated to Judee Sill. The song was incredible and I was blown away by the seemingly mystical forces which tied this connection together for me.  If pressed, I think I would have a hard time drawing connecting lines from Valued Customer to Aaron Lee Tasjan (other than the insane amount of talent they both have), but lo and behold, Ms. Sill whose truly tragic life ended in 1979 completed the puzzle and it suddenly all made sense. 

“Santa Came Home Drunk” by Clyde Lasley and The Cadillac Baby Specials

A Christmas song that’s lyrics consist mainly of types and brands of booze. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.

“Howl” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

Another appearance by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade. A song title which lead me down a rabbit hole which resulting in my downloading of a poem written and read by Allen Ginsberg which will be in a forthcoming shuffle I’m sure.

“Before It’s Gone” by Matt King

Completing the frame we circle back around to Matt King and another brilliant song from his Raw album. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Lament Mix

It’s been quite a week of shuffles and the beat goes on…  I’ve been really tired this whole week, so if letters just starts scrolling across the screen as I type this, someone wake me up.  We have a good one for youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu… sorry…

“Something for Sellers” by Henry Mancini from The Pink Panther – Original Soundtrack

Mancini from the Pink Panther soundtrack… because – why not?

“We Take Care of Our Own” by Matt King from Raw

I think I may have featured this one before, but it’s one of my favorites from this album.  I really, really want to see Matt play with Killing Streets (his newish backing band that features Matt and Livia of reigning E2TG Band of the Year – The End Men)

“Du måste va nån” by Thorsten Flinck from Till flickorna på Upplandsgatan 71 från fiaskot mittemot

A random discovery via the New Release list on Freegal.  Thorsten is from Sweden. He is an actor and director who (according to Wikipedia) is known for playing psychopaths and villains. He has been making music for some time, and this song is the opening track from his latest album – released November 26. As translated by Google, the title of the album is For the girls at Upplandsgatan 71 from the fiasco opposite and the title of this track is “You Have to Be Somebody”. I’m not sure that I understand exactly what is going on here, but I quite like how this sounds.

“Lament (Lament for Guitar)” by Laurindo Almeida from Jazz Guitar Legends

Another that came to me via Peacefork and Valued Customer… This completely blew me out of the water.  There are hints of Latin rhythm somewhere in this composition, but overall, this is pretty hard to classify.  Undeniably brilliant, challenging in the best possible way, and a great addition to the shuffle.

“She Was a Wildflower” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Rebublik from Punishing the Myth

I know I’ve been featuring this album ever since I got hold of it during Americana week when I got to sit beside Grant at the Wild Ponies Party at The Building, but if you do nothing else, go to his Facebook page (I will trust you to find it yourself), and read his Long Description. It is like some amazing short novel that needs to be written and probably will be, and it helps to explain to the extent possible that how this amazing music came to be so amazing.

“The Ballad of Boerne and Alice” by D.C. Bloom from D.C. Bloom

A new arrival from one my favorite music sources out of Austin (Gina Sigillito)… D.C. Bloom is from San Antonio, Texas, and all of the songs I’ve heard so far have this awesome silky smooth Texas sound… but this song – about the…ahem… shortcomings of dating over the Internet, is nothing short of brilliant.  I think I’ve found another new favorite artist.

“Julius and Ethel (Atomic Love Story)” by Darrin Bradbury from When a Car Becomes a House

Like me, Darrin Bradbury watches too much television. He watched a documentary about Julius and Ethel Rosenberg – who were the American couple who were executed for conspiracy to commit espionage by selling secrets about the atomic bomb to the Russians.  Darrin’s take away from this story is about the strength of the love that lead Ethel to refuse to divulge information which could have potentially saved her own life. It’s a beautiful song.

“I’ll Be Walking the Floor This Christmas” by Ernest Tubb and His Texas Troubadours

How about the original E.T. with a classic Country Christmas song…. so nice…

“Our Love” by Judah and the Lion from Sweet Tennessee

Next up, we have another great track from fast rising Nashville band, Judah and the Lion. 

“Afternoon” by The Foresters from Sun Songs!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”);

And, we close out the week with the brand newish single from The Foresters which will be on their next album Sun Songs.  I may sound like a broken record, but I continue and continue to be impressed by the growth and maturity of this band of young brothers from Connecticut. There are very few traces of the Pop Punk sound of their earliest music, but if you have been following, the evolution has been steady and quite amazing.  Here’s to big, big things in 2015.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – This is the Blues Mix

Nashville – come out tonight to The Five Spot in East Nashville at 9:00pm for an awesome show. The Harmed Brothers, Charlie and the Foxtrots, and #E2TG favorite Darrin Bradbury who will be backed by the star-studded (and stud-starred) Fran’s Eastside Super-High Band!

Apologies to Tim Carroll (who by the way is part of the aforementioned Super-High Band) for appropriating the title of one of his songs for the subtitle of today’s shuffle.  The song isn’t in the shuffle, but it came to my find, when I heard the high concentration of Blues numbers in the first part of this morning’s shuffle. 

Shuffle Up!

“She’s Gone” by Pork Chop Willie from Love is the Devil

For the second straight day, we have an awesome track from one of my favorite albums of 2014.  This is a Pork Chop Willie original with a snappy, rocking sound.

“Yoyo Daddy” by Sidestreet Reny and Lil’ Bell from Holler

Also reappearing for the second day in a row… with his 1934 National Resonator guitar!  Here is Sidestreet Reny.

“Battle vs The War” by Butch Walker from Noisetrade Sampler/b-side single

Butch Walker has a long and diverse music career.  This is one of his newer releases (he has a new album due out next year).  On the video, this song is a duet with the awesome Nikki Lane.  I think she sings on the recorded version, but in my limited research time, I could not absolutely confirm that.  Butch Walker fact checkers assemble!    I really, really dig this song!

“Boogie Bar and BBQ” by Stacy Mitchhart from Live My Life

A nice stroke of genuine Blues music from Music City USA.  This is from his brand new album which I just got my hands on thanks to Ms. Sue Havlish.  My first listen, and I’m digging it.  It’s funny how I never considered myself a fan of the Blues, and yet the more I hear, the more I realize I really was a fan all along.  The video is an awesome cover of a Hall and Oates song recorded live at the Bourbon Street Blues Bar in Printer’s Alley in Downtown Nashville.

“My .32-20” by Sidestreet Reny and Lil’ Bell from Holler

Number two of the day from the awesome Holler album which I also just got my hands on – h/t to the incomparable David J. “Popatunes” Horton.  Did you know that Sidestreet Reny’s background is in hip-hop music.  For kicks and continuing an unintended theme, we have Brian McKnight’s version of another Hall and Oates song featuring a rap by Sidestreet Reny himself. 

“Evil World” by The Radicals from Halloween  Rhymes and Children’s Crimes

Man! It so good to have some sharp old school style PUNK in the shuffle.  Who cares that this was a Halloween album and that it is now mid-November? Really who cares?  Clear the furniture and be prepared to slam dance!

“17th Last Cigarette (thinkin’ bout drinkin’)” by Swearing at Motorists from While Laughing, The Joker Tells the Truth

Swearing at Motorists are a Dayton, Ohio two piece band lead by dave doughman who have a twenty year history.  This song is from their latest album, and it’s really strong!

“Peggy Sang the Blues” by Frank Turner from England Keep My Bones

I don’t know if this is considered Blues, but it is about singing the blues, and it has the word Blues in the title.  Frank Turner is a British folk/punk artist, and this really awesome song is on his 2011 record.

“I Love, I Love (Traveling II)” by Dar Williams from The Honesty Room

The first of two tracks from Dar Williams’ 1995 album.  We featured Traveling I a few weeks back.

“Little City” by The Western Shore from Thunderstorm

Hard to believe it has been a week since I attended the CD Release show by The Western Shore.  They sounded great live, and they sound equally great on the album (which you should buy!)

“Whistle in the Dark” by Matt King from Raw

Keeping it local with another great track from Matt King’s stripped down Raw album.

“In Love But Not at Peace” by Dar Williams from The Honesty Room

Closing things out with our second listen of the day from one of my personal favorite’s – Dar Williams.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Slow Drive Mix

Okay… I’m tired – physically and emotionally drained, but I got a shuffle and it’s a good one… so  let’s do this thing!

“Like Coming Home” by Matt King from Raw

Just is just a flat out great song. Matt King is a Nashville-based songwriter/musician whose brand new band features Matthew and Livia from reigning E2TG Band of the Year, The End Men. Expect a new album featuring this new band in 2015.  In the meantime, I picked up with stripped down sounding album at a thrift store recently, and I am enjoying the hell out of it.

“Iris (Hold Me Close)” by U2 from Songs of Innocence

Another track from the audaciously released latest album from the long-running Irish rock band.  As I’ve felt about much of what the band has done in the past several years, there is nothing I actively dislike, but also no much that I am terribly excited about.  If you dig it – dig it – if you don’t – don’t.

“Where You’re Going” by Lindsay Ellyn from Shores EP

It’s always a good week when I get to see Lindsay Ellyn sing just about every night.  A highlight of this week was her amazing Short Sets appearance at The Family Wash on Tuesday night. She performed a stunning version of Tim Carroll’s “Always Tomorrow” as well as performing the song that is in our shuffle today – a song about an amicable breakup.

“Wish You Well” by Bad Cop from Wish You Well..And Goodbye

It’s good to have Nashville band, Bad Cop back on Ear to the Ground.  They were a featured artist a couple of years ago, and now they have a brand new EP, and we have the (sort of) title track.  Some excellent Rock for my morning commute.

“Slow Love” by Prince from Sign O’ The Times

What’s your rush?  The Artist Formerly and Currently known as Prince sings about the virtues of Slow Love. 

“My Funny Valentine” by Victoria Williams from Sings Some Ol’ Songs

Another delectable Jazz/Pop standard from this album of great old songs.  This is a Rogers and Hart song originally from the musical Babes in Arms. The song has appeared on over 1300 albums performed by well over 600 different artists.  Here Ms. Victoria Williams puts her unique spin on the song.  In the video playlist, we have a version by Miles Davis.

“The Messenger” by Brown Bird from Fits of Reason

I picked up this album by Brown Bird (featuring the late David Lamb) on Record Store Day this year, and it has been great having this incredible songs in the shuffle.  We still have a few more to go.

“Drive” by Grey’s Fool from Drive

When Ear to the Ground started, the primary way I found new music was from Twitter. Nowadays, I get music from a variety of sources, but it’s good to get back to where I began.  I am pretty sure that is how I was introduced to this band.  Gray’s Fool are a singer/songwriter duo from Pittsburgh.  A strong song – lyrical and yes – driving.  Digging the male/female vocals on this track.

“No Saint’s Day” by The Radicals from Halloween Rhymes and Children’s Crimes!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   

Some blogs would drop off the Halloween tracks once that day passed. But, as we have long established, #E2TG is not your run-of-the-mill, Brand X music blog.  We first came across The Radicals on the Built4BBQ sampler.  They recently made their 2011 Halloween album available for free download, and we jump all over it.  This is a wholesome, uplifting song about the joy of Halloween and children and candy… or maybe it’s not.

VIDEOS

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Cobwebs and Twisted Dry Bones Mix

So… for those who love Halloween, you will notice the way I mashed up some song titles from today’s shuffle into a Halloweeny sounding  “Cobwebs and Twisted Dry Bones” subtitle for this shuffle.  For those who dislike Halloween, there are no real Halloween-themed songs in this shuffle. 

Boo!

“Ballad of Treason” by Abigail Washburn from City of Refuge

The amazing Abigail Washburn with another fine song from her City of Refuge album which we have been featuring of late.

“Keep!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”);Sweeping Cobwebs off the Moon” by Victoria Williams from Sings Some Ol’ Songs

Here is Victoria Williams’ remake of a hit song from the late 1920s.    window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;

“Old Postcards” by Amelia White from Old Postcards

How about we present the title track from the latest album from East Nashville’s own Americana icon – the incredible Amelia White!

“Мексиканские напевы” by Orera from 1970

And why yes, I think we will present some Mexican Tunes performed by a Georgian Folk/Jazz band.  And yes, that is Georgia the former (although at the time of this recording it wasn’t former) Soviet republic.  This is awesome stuff.

“(I’m Not In) Prison” by The Jayhawks from The Jayhawks (aka The Bunkhouse Album)

I really can’t help myself, when I go into a thrift store, I just have to take a look at the CD bins.  Last weekend, I had to make some returns, and I left with some clothes and the debut album (1986-87) by The Jayhawks. 

“Who Woulda Thunk It?” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik from Punishing the Myth

Grant Peeples doing a Greg Brown song? Why yes I will take that.

“Same River Twice” by Matt King from Raw

Another Nashville artist.  Matt King with a song from his album Raw.

“Dry Bones” (Acoustic Noisetrade Exclusive) by Heath McNease from Fort Wayne (songs inspired by the film)

Heath McNease sometimes does hip-hop, somethings does indie/folk, and somethings does what ever he wants… He does them all very well, and this acoustic arrangement from his Fort Wayne project (film/album) is a good example.

“Twisted Kinda” by Sidestreet Reny from Tonal Tonics and Musical Elixers  

Today we finish up the week with another superb track from this album by Sidestreet Reny.

VIDEOS


  

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Protective Leather Skin Mix

Let’s see….  So apparently, Foo Fighters are playing at The Ryman on Halloween.

Last night, I got hang out with some awesome songwriters and talk music and the movie Road House, plus hear some of them do what they do best.  I also hopped over to the Mercy Lounge to finally see Dogs of Oz live.  They were awesome, and I hope to see a longer set from them soon.  Here is a picture.



Let’s get to the shuffle –

“The Good Fight” by Lael Summer from Burden to Bear

For the second day in a row we have a long from Lael Summer.  Such a great voice!

“Runnin'” by Modoc from Deer Head Music Presents: Indie Mixtape Nashville/Modoc

The breath and depth of talent in Nashville is outrageous. This incredible Indie mixtape while demonstrating a wide range of sounds and styles within the loosely defined genre is still but a drop in the bucket.  So many awesome players, writers, and bands….  That’s to Deer Head Music and Daniel Ellsworth and the Great Lakes for expanding my Nashville musical vocabulary.  Cool song from Modoc, who I have been hearing about for a while… my first listen, and I dig it.

“Tarpit” by Golden Smog from Blood on the Slacks

A week or so ago I found two Golden Smog albums at Goodwill. For the uninitiated, Golden Smog is a loosely associated group of musicians who are better known from their other bands.  Primarily, it is Gary Louris from The Jayhawks and Dan Murphy from Soul Asylum. Although best known for their awesome covers, on later albums the band began writing original music.  This, however, is a cover of a song by Dinosaur Jr.  P.s. I love the name of this album!

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

Another great track from Heath McNease from the album that accompanies his film, Fort Wayne.

“I Don’t Really Want to be Social” by BROCHO from An Introduction to BROCHO/Can’t Get Past the Lips

Some days, I think this could be my theme song…. I’ve been really digging on this BRONCHO music – thanks to NoiseTrade for the introduction…

“Nothings Gonna Change my Clothes” (live) by They Might Be Giants from First Album Live

We are almost done with our presentation of the live recreation of TMBG’s incredible first album.  “And the mirror, it reflects a tiny dancing skeleton
Surrounded by a fleshy overcoat and swaddled in
A furry hat, elastic mask, a pair of shiny marble dice
Some people call them snake-eyes, but to me they look like mice”

“When I See You Again” by The Western Shore from Thunderstorm

In spite of or because of or coincidental to the fact that Nashville has a wealth of musical talent (as previously discussed), it is also (or at least can be) a very small, tightly knit community. A few weeks ago at a Friday Tim Carroll show, I met Charlie Smyth and in the course of our conversation, I mentioned that I write a music blog at which point he handed me a CD. (Seriously one of favorite parts of writing a music blog), and just a few minutes later, I found out he is friends with some of my new musician friends.  Well, I gave the album a listen and immediately added to my active playlist, and today the Shuffle monster finally coughed our first (but not our last) song from this album.  Highly original sound, great songs, and superior execution.  I’m a fan.

“We Take Care of Our Own” by Matt King from Raw

I think I’ve said it before, but I am so looking forward to the next Matt King album which should feature his new band Killing Streets which includes my good friends Matt and Livia from The End Men (who are still the most tagged band on Ear to the Ground – although Darrin Bradbury is closing).  Until that album comes out, it’s been good to listen to this stripped down album and imagine this incredible songwriter back by such a kick ass band. 

“Getting Tails” by Zachariah Red from This Town EP

During the past couple of months, as I go through a rather difficult time, I have been fortunate to meet some incredible and incredibly talented people.  A couple of weeks ago, I got to write out Zachariah Red following his guest slot at Fran’s Eastside.  Today we have another song from his EP.  Looking forward to hearing more from Zachariah Red soon.  By the Nashville readers, Zach and several other of new friends and new favorite songwriters are playing at Belcourt Taps on Thursday. Come out.

“Sweet Trepidation”  by Ron Muga from Wonderful Doom!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”);

We close out the day with a song from New York songwriter Ron Muga.  He was kind enough to contact me and send me some music.  I like this song a lot. Check him out.

VIDEOS


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Fool Who Knows Mix

Of late, one of the musical highlights of my week has been the Wednesday night Tim Carroll/Darrin Bradbury extravaganza at Fran’s Eastside Tavern.  Just having the opportunity to see this two talents in a casual/laid back setting has been amazing, and it has been fun to see this thing grow into a bit of a happening.  If you live near Nashville and can stay up late and handle a whole lot of smoke, you should come out.  Last night, those who showed up and stuck around were treated to the added bonus of a short set from David Dondero – who NPR’s All Songs Considered called one of the best living songwriters.  I can tell you based on what I heard, they were not exaggerating in the least.

On to the shuffle—

“Marionette” by Emily Wolfe from Roulette

We start with another cool track from Austin, Texas based Dream rocker, Emily Wolfe.

“Fool Who Knows” by Little Village from Little Village

Our revisit of the only album pre-Americana supergroup Little Village reaches it’s penultimate moment.  I almost wrote that this is one of my favorite songs on the album, but I realized I’ve said that about just about all of the tracks.  Suffice it to say this is an amazing album.  In case you are just joining us, Little Village was John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner, and Nick Lowe.  Is it any surprise this is such an awesome album?

“Sophia” by Hugh Trimble from neighborpoem

After hearing his song, “Danglin'” on the Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen compilation, I just had to download the neighborpoem album to add to my playlist.  I am really digging his unique sound and killer songs.

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“Surfing Iceland” by The Jason Drug Reaction from Down On The Pharmacy

Another cool track from the enigmatic The Jason Drug Reaction.  “Cool” see what I did there?  Fun fact: Iceland is not really made of ice, but Greenland is made of ice… or something like that. I don’t know.  The Jason Drug Reaction may or may not be enigmatic, but if me calling them that intrigues you enough to check them out – then my work here is done.  Seriously, the song is cool in every sense of that word.

“Iodine In My Coffee” by Muddy Waters from Muddy Waters

Random musing: I wonder if The Ramones were thinking of this song when they wrote “Somebody Put Something in my Drink”?  Probably not.  An early recording from the influential Blues legend.  By the way, Johnny Winter later covered this song.

“Bring Me Some Water” by Matt King from Raw

Another nifty song from Nashville songwriter Matt King.

“Inez In Zazan” by Shabbadoo from Pajama

Another song from the Pajama album by Memphis’ Shabbadoo. A nice, chill groove for a morning walk in the cool air. 

 

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

Old-time folk artist Dom Flemons with his take on the popular folk standard.

“Personal Judas” by Kink Ador from Deer Head Music Presents: Indie Mixtape Nashville     window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;

We close with great Nashville band – Kink Ador – from the Deer Head Music mixtape. Drawing elements from punk, rock, indie, and funk – Kink Ador is the primarily Sharon Koltick.  I’m digging the sound, and I really like this song..

VIDEOS AND SONGS

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http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2328621473/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=4221753620/transparent=true/  http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js