Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Pitch Black Mix

!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

As with many people, my mind is consumed with thoughts of what has happened and is happening in Ferguson, Missouri and what it says about us as a nation – as human beings…. I am not one of those who thinks he has all the answers… in fact there are just a few things I think I know…. repeated and systemic injustice creates situations where violence flourishes.  Violence and Hate are never the answer.  Peace and Love always are the answer.  Justice must proceed peace.  We are one world and one people. We really need to work on losing this idea of them vs. us.

Coincidently, we begin today’s random shuffle with a cover of  Gil Scott-Heron song, but not the one I’ve seen others posting today…

“Legend in His Own Mind” by Stacy Mitchhart from Live My Life

Nashville Bluesman Stacy Mitchhart is up first with his cover of Gil Scott-Heron’s Legend is His Own Mind.

“Wino” by Bob Frank from Bob Frank

To be honest, when I listened to this song this morning, I did not know anything about it.  I grabbed this off of the latest Feel Bad for You Mixtape where it was submitted by Mad Mackerel Music Blog.  The song is from 1972 and is from a 2014 Remastered version of Bob Frank’s self-titled first album.  From my hasty research, Mr. Frank has quite the storied history.  What I know for sure is this is a great song that I wanted more people to hear.

“Shimmer and Shine” by Michael Sackler-Berner

Michael Sackler-Berner is a Musician and Actor from NYC.  I’ll be honest until last night when I came across this song on the New Release section of Freegal, I had never heard of him.  He has worked with a stellar array of talent including folks like Marshall Crenshaw and Jim Keltner.  This is not raw roughly hewn music. This slick, well produced music that “shimmers and shines” like the song talks about.  As much as I dig me some rough raw music, I do not think that slick, well produced music is to be ignored. Especially, when the production is supported by a great pop song.

“Good Looking Boy” by Ike Reilly from Am I Still the One for You?

A powerful song about war veterans from Ike Reilly.  Our second listen to Mr. Reilly and so far he’s 2 for 2 in my book.

“Shut Up Shuttin’ Up” by Victor from Victor

Before things get too heavy, let’s take it in a completely different direction with this humorous track from Alex Lifeson’s ( of RUSH) 1996 solo album recorded under the name Victor.  This track features Lifeson’s wife and another woman talking about men.  The sentiment is appropriate for a day filled with loud mouths spouting off on the internet and using opinions as facts.

“Line Up” by Minton Sparks from Middlin’ Sisters

Spoken word of a completely different sort with this tale of corporal punishment and familial bonds that cross generations.

“Pitch Black” by PUJOL from PUJOL Sampler/Kludge

What can I say except, I absolutely love PUJOL’s music. This is a great song.

“Tried and True” by The Jayhawks from The Jayhawks (aka The Bunkhouse Album)

More from the debut album of The Jayhawks… tried and true indeed…

“Bad Habits” by Hugh Trimble from neighborpoem

Hugh Trimble just released a new album which I need to check out, but right now we are making our way through this one, and so far every song is a gem. 

“The Hanging” by Grant Peeples from Punishing the Myth

On a serious day, it seems fitting to close out the shuffle with a song that sends a powerful message about Capital Punishment and our nation’s seemingly insatiable appetite for blood.  Two wrongs don’t make a right.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Live My Life Mix

So another week of Ear to the Ground Shuffles comes to a close.  I am a bit short on time so I thought I would try something… a 3 Words post.  I will attempt to comment on each song using just three words. This may be more time consuming than writing a long post, but here goes nothing…

Have a great weekend!

“The First Heartbreak” by Matthew Ryan from Boxers

Their all bad…

“Beat Hotel” by The Folk Factory from The Folk Factory

Danish folk fun

“Live My Life” by Stacy Mitchhart from Live My Life

Red hot Blues

“Worried About the Weather” by Justin Townes Earle from NoiseTrade Eastside Manor Session/Single Mothers

Wish I’d gone

“Grasping at Straws” by Sidestreet Reny from Tonal Tonics and Musical Elixers

Unique Blues Music

“Grace on The 4th” by Minton Sparks from Middlin’ Sisters

Life ’round here

“Phase of the Moon” by Dan Coyle from Perfect Word, Perfect Beat

Brilliant moon song

“Deep Breath” by Hammer Hawk from The Entrée (a Built4BBQ Sampler)

Post-Hamburger Troy Rock

“Good Work (If You Can Get It)” by Ike Reilly from Hard Luck Stories

NoiseTrade Find – Win!

VIDEOS

!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   

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Anarchy in the Shuffle Mix

Ear to the Ground doesn’t follow rules – not even our own rules. Does that make us anarchists? 

“If Only, Aunt Sye” by Minton Sparks from Middlin’ Sisters

Another slice of Country-flavored spoken word from Nashville’s own Minton Sparks.

“Too Many Cuts” by Pork Chop Willie from Love is the Devil

One of my favorite tracks on this album which is one of my favorites of this year.  Well versed and seasoned North Mississippi Blues pushed along by a classically trained violinist who has toured with Mark O’Connor.  This is the real deal – steeped in tradition and fully a product of the here and now.

“The Green Door” by Jim Lowe from 1956 Billboard Top 100/Single

A number one song in 1956.  What is going on behind that Green Door?

“Lazarus” by The Western Shore from Thunderstorm

A great song from my new friends, The Western Shore.  I got to see them play again this past Sunday with a bunch of other newish friends. It was a great night of music.  I really love the dynamic that Charlie and Kalee Smyth have been they perform together.

“Alleluia” by Dar Williams from The Honesty Room

Another great track from Dar Williams first full-length album.  Almost twenty years old and sounds fresh as ever.

“I’m Joliet Bound” by Sidestreet Reny and Lil’ Bell

From what I could tell, this is a cover of a Kansas Joe McCoy song which has been covered by many other people including John Mellencamp on his 2003 cover album Trouble No More.  Here the song is given the unique Sidestreet Reny and Lil’ Bell treatment.  Heave emphasis on the “treat” which this is…

“Don’t Go Away Mad” by Little Village from Little Village

I am not someone who keeps up with such things, but I would consider the Little Village album an underrated classic. There is hardly a dud on the album.  The genesis of this impressive collaboration (Hiatt, Lowe, Cooder, and Keltner) began in 1987 when all of the above worked on Hiatt’s incredible Bring the Family album. In 1991, the stars (and their busy schedules) aligned and this album was born.

“Just Because” by The California Honeydrops from Like You Mean It

Always happy to hear some funky soulful music, I consider The California Honeydrops among my favorite “discoveries” of the year. Discovered in the “new to me” meaning of the word. 

“Atlanta Blues” by Young Sidney Bechet from Young Sidney Bechet 1923-1925

Let’s jump back about 90 years with legendary Jazz saxophonist Sidney Bechet doing a W.C. Handy song which was in turn adapted from a folk/jazz/blues standard called “Make Me a Pallet on the Floor”. 

“Anarchy in the U.K.” by The Sex Pistols from Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols

Jump ahead about 50 years, and we close things out with the one and only Sex Pistols. Need I say more? No… I needn’t.

VIDEOS

!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

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Hollerin’ Mix

First things first:  The Grey A have a brand new video for their timely song “Dumb Fool”.  It’s a fun film noir style video which includes our old friend Howard Rabach pounding on a table.  Check it out here:

Second of all, I had a great time seeing Darrin Bradbury and The Fran’s Eastside Super-High Band deliver a stellar set at The 5 Spot last night. 

Careful readers will recall that back in September yours truly had two reviews featured on the No Depression website.  One was for The Grey A’s album My Country and the other was for Darrin Bradbury’s album Motel Oatmeal. 

Now there is another coincidental connection between the two – if you look at picture above, at the extreme right of the picture – kind of in the shadows on the picture is Trombone player Diego Vasquez who joined the Super-High band last night and also played with The Grey A when I saw them at The Stone Fox (and played on The Grey A album I believe).

Finally, I need to announce that there are big, big things in store for #E2TG in the coming new year.  (Translation: I am basically punting the last month and a half of 2014 so expect nothing from me until after New Years by which time I hope you will have forgotten that I promised “big, big things”) 
Seriously, the Shuffles will continue unabated… well mostly unabated…. well just somewhat abated… well at least occasionally unabated…

!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”); “Jackie and Wilson” by Hozier from Hozier

So many – especially Nashville radio legend Mary Brace have been talking up Hozier for several months at least.  Sometimes, I slow… I usually get there.  I really dig this song.


“Hollerin’ Mercy” by Sidestreet Reny and Lil’ Bell from Holler

The shuffle’s love affair with Sidestreet Reny continues with another great track from the phenomenal Holler album.


“The Difference” by Dan Coyle from Perfect World, Perfect Beat

Dan Coyle has been bouncing on and off my radar for at least a year or so, and I’m happy that he is now officially on the screen.  His latest album – Perfect World, Perfect Beat takes the listener back to the time when folk music and pop music weren’t two separate worlds. It also simultaneously keeps the listening grounded in the present while offering a bird’s eye glimpse into the great unknow – the future.


“Marnie” by Virginia Wing from Measures of Joy

A random discovery – I still love that type of discovery. Virginia Wing are from England.  I think this quote from their Facebook page neatly sums up this band…

“It’s not often i’ll say that about any music, but i did not get the strange experimental music these guys make at all. I hate to slander but it was too weird it was like 5 minutes before someone sang and even then it was just vowels. “

Ha! I have to love a band that would use that quote.  Check out Virginia Wing….


“Hourglass” by Mr. Kind from Wide Awake/Open Hands

Long time Ear to the Ground fave Brian Bergeron and his current band Mr. Kind are from the Bay Area.  Here is a cool track from their latest EP Wide Awake which was released in August.


“She Knows What to Do” by Stacy Mitchhart from Live My Life

Another great track from Nashville Blues legend Stacy Mitchhart’s latest album.


“Primary Resistance” by Minton Sparks from Middlin’ Sisters

Sassy kids and unrelated aunts.  Minton has an amazing ability to capture who own unique slice of the world in this still relatively young century.


“Boxers” by Matthew Ryan from Boxers

Alt-Country singer/songwriter Matthew Ryan released his latest album in October, and this is the title track.  This is the sound of a justifiably confident songwriter hitting and maintaining his stride.  Ryan has a show in Nashville in December with the amazing Todd Farrell and the Dirty Birds.


“Rain Child” by Hugh Trimble from neighborpoem

I feel in love with the music of folk singer Hugh Trimble from his contribution to the latest Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen compilation. I had to hear more.  This song is from his neighborpoem album which was released in 2012.


“Everything is Broken” (Bob Dylan Cover) by Bettye LaVette from Anti Winter EP/ Thankful and Thoughtful

A great way to end the week’s shuffles…. soul great Bettye LaVette with a cover of a song from Bob  Dylan’s 1989 album Oh Mercy.  The song has also been recorded by Kenny Wayne Shepherd and R.L. Burnside.



VIDEO


window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Mixed Up, Muddled Up, Shook Up Mix

It’s been dreary few days in Nashville, and my mood has matched the weather.  Music always helps…  Here is today’s dose…

“Lola” (live) by The Kinks from Come Dancing With the Kinks (The Best of the Kinks 1977-1986)/

I liked this song before I knew what it was about.  I liked this song after I knew what it was about. 

“Pilgrimage to Aunt Virginia’s” by Minton Sparks from Middlin’ Sisters

Minton Sparks has such a compelling voice (both in the writing sense and in the speaking sense). The setting and descriptions and characters paint a very clear picture of the story being told.

“Why Feel?” by Heath McNease from Fort Wayne (Songs Inspired by the Film)

Music inspired by Heath McNease’s crowd-funded new film Fort Wayne.

“Far From Over” by The Slang from The Slang EP

A song from the self-titled debut EP by The Slang from Columbus, Ohio. My first listen.  It’s strong alternative rock, and I definitely want to hear more.

“This Hell is Where We Belong” (live) by Humming House from Humming House Party!

Another track from the live album recently released by Nashville-based Humming House.  This high-energy Americana band from Nashville now features the powerhouse vocals of Ms. Leslie Rodriguez.

“Halomaya” by Shabbadoo from Pajama

A trippy, instrumental groove straight out of Memphis.

“Light erases the thought” by Fred Frith from $100 Guitar Project

Another excellent track from the $100 Guitar Project.  This one features legendary guitarist Fred Frith (Henry Cow etc.).  With the previous track in today’s shuffle – we have over nine minutes of glorious instrumental music to start of the day.  Nice.  The related  video we found is some good fun, too.  Fred Frith along with John French (Captain Beefheart), Henry Kaiser, and Richard Thompson doing a unique version of the Beach Boys’  Surfin’ U.S.A.

“Living the Dream” by Warren Pash from Plastic Rulers!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”);

Warren Pash co-wrote “Private Eyes” – the Hall and Oates hit song.  He is also an amazing singer/songwriter now based in Nashville. This song comes from his 2007 album Plastic Rulers.  The video is from a show at East Nashville hotspot The Family Wash and features Warren Pash playing with Rolling Stones collaborators Nanette Workman and Bobby Keys.

VIDEOS


window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js

Friday Morning Music Shuffle* – All Lies Mix

!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

*DISCLAIMER*  This post is being written on Thursday night – I listened to the songs on my way home from work.  Tomorrow promises to be a crazy/difficult day, and I’m not sure when I am going to post this, but I wanted to have it ready,,,,

*FURTHER DISCLAIMER* Also, I discovered that part way through the shuffle, the shuffle function got turned off so a part of this so-called shuffle was actually not a shuffle.  I know. What can you believe in any more.  It’s all lies…

Actually, all lies are in the title.  What follows is the truth – as I see it…

“Always Tomorrow” by Tim Carroll from Opening Up/Always Tomorrow

I count myself as very fortunate to have been able to see Tim Carroll play live twice a week almost every week for the last couple of months.  He is tireless and has amazing well-spring of great songs.  This is one is always one of my favorites to hear. I don’t talk about it much on here, but these have been challenging times for me, and as is often the case, music has been an amazing source of strength and healing.  There is always tomorrow.  Come what may…

“Fuego” by Fuzzer from Reberto

More fuzzy goodness from Argentina.  Thanks to Ear to the Ground, I count among my friends (not irl yet but real nonetheless) amazing musicians, singers, songwriters from all over the world.  

“Turn You Inside-Out” by R.E.M. from Green

I have to say that Green is not my favorite R.E.M. album by a long shot, and I’ll be honest – I hardly remember this song – however, hearing it today some 26 years later out of context and distanced from the idealistic weight of being the major label debut of our favorite indie band (although in my world and mind I.R.S. is pretty major) – I dig this song.  So there.

“Death Letter Blues” by The Bones of J.R. Jones from The Bones of J.R. Jones Folkadelphia Session 6/7/2014

Wow oh wow, I like The Bones of J.R. Jones.  I just saw where they are doing a house concert deal here in Nashville.  Hmm…  This is a brilliant cover of the Son House song.

“JeVeus Plus Te Voir” by Linda Thompson from Evangeline Made: a tribute to Cajun Music

I’ve featured a bunch of music from this compilation.  This was a bargain CD bin find from Record Store Day back in April. As I have mentioned, my family’s roots are deeply planted in south Louisiana.  And so, it has been a pretty cool experience hearing some of my musical idols playing the music of my ancestry. Linda Thompson made some of my favorite, and (I think) some of the best albums of all time with her then husband Richard.  She is amazing in and of herself, too – of course, and in fine voice on this song.

“Grace on the 4th” by Minton Sparks from Middlin’ Sisters

I’m digging having this great spoken word – deep southern storytelling in my shuffle.

“Bitch in Heat” by Marla Mase from Half-Life

Marla Mase is an amazing talent – a wonderful person and a damn powerful performer.  If you haven’t, please check out her Half-Life EP as well as the rest of her amazing work.

“Core” by Rewpart from 1/2

My first and thus far my only musical discovery from about.me.  I’ll be honest, I don’t quite know what to do with that site, but sometimes I get and give compliments, and compliments are always a good thing – right.  Anyway, Rewpart is a young man from England/Britain/UK (I really don’t know which is correct, if and when they are interchangeable – if ever – or which is correct for Rewpart but he’s from one of those islands next to Europe), and I really dig his music.

“No Dilemma” by Sam Davison from Always Around

Earlier in the week, I saw a post that this album had just turned one year old.  A love some much about this – great songs – the bass as lead instrument and Sam Davison’s voice.  Check this out.  

“Colorado” by The Jean Jackets from Field Theory Blues

This may be the last track from the Field Theory Blues album which means it is well past time to grab some more recent music from this awesome indie pop band.

“Shine Them Shoes” by The Tye Trybe from Word is Born (EP)

The Tye Trybe represent the funky side of Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen.  And when you are the funky side of something that has funky in its name, you know you are really funky…. by the way – speaking of Mama Coco’s.  This song is the third in a row from bands that are part of the Mama Coco’s collective.  As a complete outsider, it has been amazing to see what this loose affiliation of talented folks have been able to accomplish.  In the past couple of months, they raised money and came together to renovate a new space following a flood at their old one.  I have to say that Nashville’s indie community could learn some valuable lessons from these folks.

“kom alle getroues” by velodrones from kerfees tape $

So, I’m slow on the uptake.  kerfees (according to Google Translate) means Xmas in Afrikaans.  We recently posted Silent Night.  This is Oh Come All Ye Faithful  – or as Google Translate puts it – Come Together (but is the Christmas song not the Beatles song – so take that Google Translate).  Anyway, another of my international music friends Thean is velodrones and is also a part of Bosveld who recently completed a Bike Tour in Canada and are now crossing that country with Old Cabin.  Plus he is friends with Value Customer which makes him okay in my book.    I guess given that I heard Silver Bells at Fran’s and have now posted O Come All Ye Faithful, you can say that the long Christmas season is upon us. Feliz Noel – or whatever…

VIDEOS

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Puppies, Vultures, and Jackals Mix

We try to cover as much as we can in our all too brief time together…  Today our shuffle begins with a Hall and Oates cover, heads to a Top Peoples Health Farm, a cover of a 80s New Wave song by an 80s Punk band, some of the minor lakes of Wisconsin, a prelude, some words of wisdom (and a barn with six red stripes), some Nashville-based ska-core music from Built for BBQ, a love story straight from a shitty motel room in New Orleans, a song about Tibetan sites for above ground putrefaction of human remains as a place of spiritual practice, some early period Style Council, and a song about Fast Cars by one of my new favorite Nashville songwriters. 

Details to follow:


!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 “Do What You Want, Be What You Are” (Hall and Oates cover) by Lael Summer from Burden to Bear

Another great True Groove artist with a sexy cover of Hall and Oates.

“Life at a Top Peoples Health Farm” by The Style Council from The Singular Adventures of The Style Council/Confessions of a Pop Group

Later period The Style Council.

“99 Red Balloons” (Nena Cover) by 7 Seconds from Walk Together, Rock Together

For a long time, I thought Luft meant red in German.  It doesn’t.

“The Almost Great Lakes” by Darrin Bradbury from The Almost Great Crepe’s

It’s a tall tale, a tall tale, a tale tell in short…

“Prelude” by Abigail Washburn from City of Refuge

A wonderful banjo prelude to the Minton Sparks song that follows…

“Words of Wisdom” by Minton Sparks from Middlin’ Sisters

Minton Sparks paints a picture with her words just like the blood red stripes of paint on the side of the barn.

“Isolato” by Stuck Lucky from The Entrée (Built for BBQ Sampler)

From the recent Built for BBQ sampler – The Entrée.  Built for BBQ is a collective of like-minded musicians.  Mostly based in New York State, Stuck Lucky bring their unique Nashville Ska-Core to the party.

“Junkie Love” by Darrin Bradbury from currently unreleased demos

A new song, and one of my favorites from Darrin Bradbury.  Nashville – come down to Fran’s Eastside about 9:00 tonight to here this and many other cool tunes.   In lieu of a video for this song, I have included a video for a love song, disguised as a protest song, disguised as a love song about the post-graduate student housing crisis we are facing in America today..

“Training in the Charnal Ground” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik

This song and the song featured in our video playlist are two of my favorites from Grant Peeples’ awesome set at The Building during Americana weekend. 

“Speak Like a Child” by The Style Council from The Singular Adventures of The Style Council/Introducing The Style Council

Early period The Style Council…

“Fast Cars” by Zachariah Red from “This Town” E.P.

Due to an unfortunate incident involving keys and my van, I missed a lot of Zach’s set Monday night at The Building, but I loved what I did hear, and I look forward to making up for my tardiness very soon.  You can get the This Town EP – here

VIDEOS FOR TODAY:

Monday Morning Music Shuffle -Saints and Monks Mix

 “Nikola Tesla perceived the earth to be a conductor of acoustical resonance.”Jack White from Coffee and Cigarettes a film by Jim Jarmusch

Watched two Jarmusch films this weekend plus  made some good progress on my novel-in-progress.

We have a nifty shuffle for your Monday!

!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”); “Aunt Lou” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik from Punishing the Myth

Grant Peeples tells the truth in amazing songs and poems.  If you’re not familiar with his work – get familiar.

“She Gives Me Joy” by Pork Chop Willie from Love is the Devil

A daily dose of Hill Country Blues is an excellent prescription for the low-down, real-life blues.  Joyful blues?

“St. Joan (Of Rt 495)” by The Jason Drug Reaction from Down on the Pharmacy

Time travelling rock and rollers from the early 21st century – rolling down a lonely stretch of Connecticut highway… our friend Jason from The Grimm Generation.  By the way, if you search for The Jason Drug Reaction on YouTube, you discover a whole genre of videos made by parents of their children under the influence of powerful anesthetics. 

“Bring Me My Queen” by Abigail Washburn from City of Refuge

An excellent thrift store find this weekend. This is from her 2011 album.

“All is Silent” (2005) by Darrin Bradbury from The Almost Great Crepes (Demos)

We go WAY back (nine years) for this one. 

“Sitting Here Without You” by Sturgill Simpson from 2014-05-13 – Grimey’s Records – Nashville/High Top Mountain

Another from this live recording of a show I really wish I had been able to attend.

“The Troubles” by U2 from Songs of Innocence

Look, I realize that U2 are a very polarizing band.  People either love them or hate them.  Honestly, for me, since Achtung Baby! – with the exception of a few songs, I just haven’t been very interested in U2.  I must say, though, hearing this song in the context of the shuffle and taking out all of the hype… I really enjoyed hearing this song this morning. 

“TOC” by Fuzzer from Reberto

We first connected with Facundo Pichetto from Buenos Aires with his band Shake Jack who offered up a nifty modern surfer rock sound.  He is back with a new band that cranks up the lo-fi fuzz to eleven.  This new album features some new versions of some Shake Jack songs we loved as well as some new material.  I really dig this music, so check it out!

“I am a Pilgrim” (2009) by Darrin Bradbury from The Almost Great Crepes (Demos)

It’s old Darrin Bradbury song day at #E2TG.  If you’re in Nashville come out to The Building tonight and hear some newer Darrin Bradbury songs along with a couple of other great East Nashville songwriters: Zachariah Red and Lindsay Ellyn.  It is the E2TG Pick Event of the Day.  (Disclaimer: Technically, we don’t have a feature called E2TG Pick Event of the Day, but if we did this would totally be it!) 

“Monk Time” by The Monks from Black Monk Time

Now this is an interesting story.  Mid-sixties: a group of American GIs stationed in Germany form band and this amazing glorious noise that sounds a lot like punk rock. It’s Monk time!

“Mourning the Missionaries” by Minton Sparks from Middlin’ Sisters

I had really good luck at the thrift store Saturday.  Minton Sparks is a storyteller in the truest sense of that word, and Nashville is lucky to be able to claim her as our own.  More to come.

VIDEOS

     window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;      http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js