Category: Paul Simon

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Not Punk Mix

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So… even by Nashville standards, the middle part of this week has been an embarrassment of musical riches. I already recapped Tuesday night.  Last night for me, began at The 5 Spot – the preeminent East Nashville dive bar for week one of Kevn Kinney’s July Residency.  Kinney in and of himself would have made the show noteworthy, but we was joined by Gibb Droll on guitar and E2TG favorite Shelly Colvin jumped in a couple of songs for background vocals, and Todd Snider was there to add some awesome harmonica to a couple of songs.  The last song of the show included all of the above covering The Replacements’ classic “Here Comes a Regular” which Kinney managed to morph into the refrain from Nirvana’s “All Apologies”.  It was a truly magical moment which would have been more than enough to make the night complete… and that was all before 8:00….

After that show ended, I hoofed it over to The Basement East in time to see Tiffany Huggins Grant perform a short solo set of songs from her brand new album (which I’m sure you already own since I’ve been telling you about it…right?)  Her incredible voice was in evidence.

By this point, rumors were circulating about the happenings back at The 5 Spot.  Thanks for Mark Robinson and Sue Havlish for the lift back over there.  It was the 2nd Anniversary of Jerry Pentecost’s Country and Western Wednesday – on the 2nd Wednesday of every month features classic Country and Western covers performed by an awesome house band with stellar guest stars.  For the anniversary show, they pulled out all the stops…  I’ll leave some awesome people off, but the guest included Derek Hoke, Cory Chisel, Elizabeth Cook, Amanda Shires, Bobby Bare Jr., Chance McCoy, Wayne Moss (of Barefoot Jerry), Jim Lauderdale, and incredibly the one and only Lucinda Williams.  The club was packed out, but I had a good time connecting with friends and experiencing the moments…

Needless to say (or maybe needed to be said), I think I’m going to stay in tonight and recover… but the shuffle goes on and we have a good one today…. so….

“Goin’ Down South” by R.L. Burnside

First up, the late Mississippi Bluesman with the title track from an album that was released in 1998 but which features recordings from a decade earlier.

“Not Punk” by Aaron Lee Tasjan

Next up, ALT speaks the truth in a spoken word track from his latest EP Telling Stories to the Wall.

“Me and You and Jackie Mittoo” by Superchunk

A World Café Session from the legendary North Carolina Indie Rock band with a track from their 2013 10th album, I Hate Music. 

“You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon

Moving on… our penultimate track from our revisit of Paul Simon’s Graceland, and one of #E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury’s favorite songs.

“I Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

The hits keep coming… as Elvis creates a short burst of pure pop heaven with a track from Get Happy!

“While I Was Gone” by Michael Sackler-Berner

One more from one of my newest favorites… from his Double EP collection… intelligent pop music for our time…

“Quarterback” by Kopecky

The Nashville band formerly known as Kopecky Family Band are up next with the first single from their latest album, Drug for the Modern Age which came out back in May. 

“On a Holiday” by Artur U and the New City Limits

From Finland… Artur U and the New City Limits are high on my list of favorite artists I “discovered” this year.  Their latest album is Holiday from Eternity.  I really dig this song.

“Your Frown’s My Friend” by Greg Summerlin

My friend Too Much Country included this track on the current “Summer” themed Feel Bad for You mixtape – playing fast and loose with the theme, which can be forgiven because the song is so good.  Greg Summerlin is from Birmingham, Alabama (I think). This is taken from an album called The Young Meteors which came out a decade ago.

“Color of Her Eyes” by Gear Daddies 

We close things out today with another reminder as to why I love Gear Daddies so much.  From Billy’s Live Bait.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Misery Loves Company Mix

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Back at the shuffle game after an extended weekend….  Let’s do this thing!

“Rat” by Tigerman WOAH!

Tigerman WOAH! are a Massachusetts/Georgia band. They describe their music as: “Appalachian mountain folk/bluegrass influenced punk rock with the occasional hip-hop freak-out.”  I can’t say that I disagree and yes it is as good as it sounds. This song is on the album Up South Vol. II & I.

“Gluten Farm” by Circus Propaganda

Circus Propaganda are from Bethany, Connecticut. The band includes Evan and Hayden of The Foresters. This song is on the album Botany. Look for a new album Parabola soon maybe…

“In My Own Time” by The Three O’clock

What about a bit of Paisley Underground, and a cover of a 1967 song from the Bee Gees.  This cover was on the 1983 album Sixteen Tambourines.  The original song was only 16 years old when this cover was recorded, and now the cover is over 30 years old, and it sounds fantastic.

“All Around the World Or The Myth of Fingerprints” by Paul Simon

From Simon’s album, Graceland and featuring the East L.A. band Los Lobos.  “I’ve seen them all and man they’re all the same…”

“Our Love” by The Bros Landreth

The Winnipeg band with a song from their latest album, Let it Lie.

“I Woke Up” by Mouth Reader

The Murfreesboro band with a song from their album, Hands.  The album is available packaged as a pop-up book that was released on Record Store Day. 

“Misery Loves Company” by Eight O’ Five Jive

Another swinging song from the album, Too Many Men, but Nashville’s jumpingest, jiviest combo. 

“Down the Dip” by Aztec Camera

The final song on the original release of Aztec Camera’s 1983 album High Land, Hard Rain.  Our second 1983 song in the shuffle today. I was 17 in 1983, it was a pretty good year.

“Lady in the Radiator” by Black Iron Prison

Black Iron Prison are a long running Metal band from Up-State (up state? Upstate? up-state?) New York.  The current line-up includes Elijah Hargrave who was a member of the 2013 E2TG Band of the Year Skeletons in the Piano.  So that makes this band family… the black iron sheep of the family?

“Know Your Animals” by Atticus Floyd

Atticus Floyd is from Connecticut.  They are part of Circus Propaganda who we heard earlier in the shuffle. Part of the amazing creative output from the youth of that northeastern state.  This song or a version of this song or a song with the same title is also on the Circus Propaganda album.  Anyway, it’s a cool song, and since I couldn’t find a video for Atticus Floyd – I posted one for a song from the Pink Floyd album Animals which share 2 out of 5 words with this song and band.  If you want to hear the Atticus Floyd song, I’m attaching a widget below.

http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1324632279/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1206732428/transparent=true/

“Country Delight” by Country Mike (Beastie Boys)

From the Mike D album, Country Mike’s Greatest Hits.

 

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Lost Cause Mix

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A great week of live music continued last night: the count: Darrin Bradbury with Aaron Lee Tasjan and Cameron Carrus backing him up, Carl Anderson, and Holy Sheboygan (an awesome band from Wisconsin) all at Foobar.  Then, Tim Carroll and Luella Wood  and a solo Darrin Bradbury set at Fran’s Eastside.

“Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold” by Townes Van Zandt

Always a good sign when the shuffle begins with a Townes Van Zandt song.  A 1973 live version of the song on High, Low and In Between.

“My Old Friend the Blues” by Steve Earle

An even better sign when that Townes song is followed up with some classic Steve Earle from Guitar Town.

“Magnet” by Tom Schreck

The positive signs continue with a track from Nashville Outsider, Tom Schreck’s album Save Your Glory.  I had the privilege of attending the Bob Dylan concert with Mr. Schreck.  I enjoy getting to know songwriters I  love to gain some insight into where their songs come from… without asking the dreaded, “Where do you get your ideas?” question.

“Marionette” by Soul Asylum

I’ve probably slam-danced alone to Hang Time than I have to about any other album.  And yes, I have been known to slam-dance alone….  I still maintain that Soul Asylum really hit the perfect mix between punk and pop with this record.  Not necessarily what is called Punk Pop or Pop Punk, but very effective.

“Fools in Love” by Joe Jackson

Look Sharp!  There are so many great songs on this album…

“Bye Bye Baby” by Social Distortion

From Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell.  Social Distortion are or will be touring for the 25 anniversary of their self-titled third album. This album was released two years later, so maybe we can expect another anniversary tour in 2017.

“Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs” by Minutemen

From What Makes a Man Start Fires?  A testament to the incredible career of Bob Dylan.  When this album was released 32 years ago, Dylan was already a legendary performer. Dylan released his twenty second album, Infidels, that same year. Thirty two years later, Dylan is still building on that legendary status. Also, I think having the proper context of my musical tastes requires that you know that Minutemen were and are one of my all time favorite bands.

“Like a Whore” by Broken Guru

Broken Guru are an alternative/punk trio from New York. Their debut album, Bent Up Halo, was released two days ago. 

“Lost Cause” (Beck cover) by Max Jury

Max Jury is a singer-songwriter from Iowa.  His first single, called Home is out.  This Beck cover came to me via a Noisetrade SXSW Mixtape.  Looking forward to hearing more from Max Jury.

“Religionism” by The Great Game

Another song from the New World Music of The Great Game who originate from several locations in Europe.  Their highly original self-titled album is available for  download on the band’s website.

“Pictures from Vacation in Tuscany” by Burning Bridges

Every Thursday, we like to Throwback to hear some pre-history music from one of the #E2TG favorite artists.  Actually, not every Thursday nor exclusively on Thursday, but whenever a song comes up in our shuffle.  Burning Bridges is a early band from the founder of The Danbury Lie.

“I Know What I Know” by Paul Simon

And we close out the day with more music from Graceland. Who am I to blow against the wind.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Bouncing in to Graceland Mix

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Last night, I took in a fine show at 3rd and Lindsley with East Nashville songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan opening for the legendary Ray Wylie Hubbard.  And, yes this was as badass awesome as it sounds like it would be… but don’t take my word for it… okay, take my word for it… read my review at No Depression…

Tonight I am seeing some up and comer named Bob Dylan. Heard some good things about him…

Shuffle-wise, we start off the week with some good stuff.

“Been Lookin’ For” by Whiskey Shivers

I’ve noticed that some #E2TG favorites like Francie Moon  and Black Jake and the Carnies have been opening up for Whiskey Shivers on their current tour.  I knew I liked Whiskey Shivers for some reason… or something like that.  Cool stuff…

“Mereana Mordegard Glesgorv” by Batkhi Dahn

Proving I’m not that hip, I had to Google the title of this song from Batkhi Dahn’s awesome new record, Plays 15.  The title refers to an internet legend about a mysterious You Tube video and a curse of some kind.  If you are curious you can Google it to.  In the meantime, check out Batkhi Dahn which is the side project of The Foresters’ bassist Hayden Nork.  The music is pretty out there and pretty rad and worth a listen for the not-so-faint-of-heart.

“Because You’re Gone Song” by Little Annie and Paul Wallfisch

A gorgeous song from the Noisetrade sampler from the Big Ears Festival held earlier this month in Knoxville.  I don’t know how I was not aware of Little Annie before now, but I am completely captivated now. 

“Gray Duck” by Doomtree

From another Noisetrade sampler – this one for SXSW.  Doomtree are a Hip-Hop group from Minneapolis. I dig this song, and I am always glad to bring a multitude of genres/styles into the shuffle. Don’t know much about Doomtree, but as I said, I like this song.

“Dunford’s Fancy” by The Waterboys

A Steve Wickham instrumental composition from the album Fisherman’s Blues. I like  being the blog that transitions from Little Annie’s Chamber Torch music, to Hip-Hop, to traditional sounding Celtic music.  It keeps me on my toes.   

“Fathers Be Kind” by Ivan and Alyosha

The title track of an EP, this song also appeared on All the Times We Had.   Ivan and Alyosha are from Seattle.

“The Peak” by American Scarecrows

What is it about Minneapolis?  I “discovered” American Scarecrows due to Noisetrade, and the more I hear, the more I like.

“Greenwood Girls” by Kevin Gordon

Kevin Gordon is from Louisiana but has been a Nashville resident for over 20 years. Around this parts he is legend.  If he’s not, he should be a legend everywhere.  If you aren’t up to speed on Kevin Gordon, you have a good chance to get caught up quickly.  Tangle the Blue Sky is a sampler of songs from his last three albums, and it includes a duet with the incomparable Lucinda Williams.  It is available on Noisetrade now.

“Graceland” by Paul Simon

Whether you are fan of Paul Simon (the man or the music), Graceland – the album is an undeniable masterpiece and one of the best records of the last several decades. Graceland the song is infectious and near perfect – I think.

“I Love Girls” by The Satisfactors

The thing I love about The Satisfactors is that they don’t mince words or beat around the bush. This is just no-frills straight ahead Rock and Roll, and although I like all kinds of music (even sometimes music with frills), there will always be a place in my earhole this kind of music. I can’t help it.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – The Pause That Refreshes Mix

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Had a good time hanging out at The Basement and watching Darrin Bradbury with Tim Carroll and Cameron Carrus wow the crowd…

To the shuffle…



window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; “Chank-a-Chank” by The Big Happy

Thanks to my friend Too Much Country for including this song on the March Feel Bad for You Mixtape.  The Big Happy was a short-lived band that included the late great Billy Block who fought a courageous battle with cancer and passed away March 11.  The band also included Block’s wife Jill and the awesome Tom Mason and his wife.  The video comes from a performance at the Billy Block Remembrance and features one of his sons.   On a side note: as some one of Cajun descent, the term “Chank-a-Chank” really resonates – as does this song. 

“There is a Time” by Whiskey Shivers (feat. Kelsey Wilson)

Once again, Noisetrade comes through to expose me to music I’ve been missing without even knowing I was missing it.  Whiskey Shivers are playing in Nashville tonight at The End (and join an illustrious list of shows I have to miss – damn you Nashville and your abundance of live music choices!).  But, if you are not otherwise engaged, you should go and tell me all about it.

“(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville” by R.E.M.

“It’s not as thought I really need you. If you were here, I’d only bleed you.”  One of my all time favorite songs… Reckoning is such a great album!

“Trash” by Deer Tick

From Negativity – it was also part of a sampler put out on Noisetrade for the release of the new Diamond Rugs album which features John and Robbie from Deer Tick among a stellar cast. 

“(moments of connection)” by The Danbury Lie

The companion piece to “(scattered)” which we previously featured.  From Scattered Moments of Connection.  Clocking in at :22 seconds.  We take whatever The Danbury Lie we can get.  Speaking of which The Danbury Lie released this album in January, and they have already released another one called Choose Your Delusion which is in our mix.  The Danbury Lie are long time #E2TG faves and if you haven’t you should definitely check them out.  They are part of the small but growing Connecticut faction of Ear to the Ground favorites. 

“Koka Kola” by The Clash

“Elevator! Going Up!”  from London Calling. “It’s the pause that refreshes in the corridors of power When top men need a top up long before the happy hour
Your snakeskin suit and your alligator boot You won’t need a launderette, you can send them to the vet!”

“Demon Called Deception” by Grant Lee Buffalo

from the band’s 1994 second album, Mighty Joe Moon…  This was an excellent thrift store find from this past weekend!

“Walking Out on Love” by Paul Collins’ Beat

From the debut album by seminal power pop band The Beat who later become Paul Collin’s Beat to avoid confusion with the UK band The Beat who were billed as The English Beat in the U.S. for the same reason [edited] and to avoid a threatened lawsuit by the American The Beat’s record label.  The two bands recently toured together recently playing on the coincidental name similarities. [end edit] This The Beat was formed by Paul Collins after the breakup of The Nerve and the short-lived The Breakaways which featured Collins and Peter Case.  This song was originally performed by the Nerve and originally recorded by The Breakaways before ending up on this album.  Green Day made the song part of their Broadway musical American Idiot.

“You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon

From Graceland and famous for the music video featuring Simon and Chevy Chase.  I have a story to tell about this song… a little while back, I went to the weekly open mic at Jed’s Sport’s Bar hosted by Lightning 100.  I was there to help celebrate my friend (an incredible singer/songwriter) Jon Latham’s birthday.  After Jon played the last song of the night (which was amazing), this song came on over the P.A. and an unrehearsed, totally spontaneous “flash mob” broke out.  It was a sight to see.

“Standing in the Doorway” by Soul Asylum

This song, from Hang Time, probably ranks high on my top list of favorites songs to air guitar in front of the mirror to…

“Nowhere” by Jeremy Gluck/Robert Coyne

Just when you thought, I’d forgotten your daily doses of Memory Deluxe…  Two things:  1. I repeat the shuffle picks which songs come up and in what order.  2. I really do have 750 songs in the active playlist and only about five left from this awesome album.  

As always support all of the artists you love in whatever way you are able… buy music, go to shows, buy merch, spread the word throughout social media.  There are tons of great artists out there, and most of them are doing for love but could use some money.  Peace out!

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – No, All! Mix

Back in the shuffle business after an absolutely incredible weekend at the 2nd Annual Safety Harbor SongFest.  Expect more detailed and official reports once I have fully recovered, but for now, let me just say I had a blast at this well-organized, artistically uplifting event and enjoyed some gorgeous weather.  Despite my peeling nose and flight delay coming home, I can strongly recommend fans and musicians alike check out this still relatively new festival.

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“Heart Beats” by Hey Marseilles

From Lines We Trace. Hey Marseilles are an indie/chamber pop band from Seattle. Contrary to what some may tell you, there are no fiddles in the band.

“Kiss Me When I Get Back” by Tom Tom Club

From Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom. Chris, Tina, and company add some funky grooves to the morning shuffle.

“Can’t Seem to Make You Mine” by Alex Chilton

Taken from the Alex Chilton compilation 19 Years… This is a cover of the 1965 single by the American garage band, The Seeds.

“Crazy Love, Vol. II” by Paul Simon

From Graceland. I have no opinion about that….

“Conquistador” by Love Tractor

 The instrumental rock band that was instrumental in the creating the vibrant Athens, Georgia music scene that spawned so many great bands.  This is from their 2014 comeback album Dear Aliens.

“No, All!” by Descendents

From the album All.  This follow up to the 1 second lead and title track expands on the theme stretching out to a full 2 seconds allows the band to really explore the overarching philosophy of “to not settle for some but to always go for All.”  Melodically simple (as I suppose a 2 second song is bound to be), the music nevertheless conveys a deep insight into the band’s influences from the punk and post punk era. The lyrics, “No, All!” while seeming self-explanatory bear repeated reading in order to fully comprehend the intricate nuances.  When Milo Aukerman left the Descendents, the remaining members formed a band named All which I got to see live sometime in 1991 or 1992.  It was a good show. 

“2013” by Mothers

From Panamanian Times.  Another cool track from the Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen band Mothers from their most recent album Panamanian Times.  Some good vibey punk rock and a nice palate cleanser from the spicy Descendents’ track.  Not so much fond of the year, but I love the song, “2013”.

“Cusp” by Forebear

Cinematic L.A. Progressive Folk band Forebear return to the shuffle with another track from their self-titled EP. 

“Killing What’s Left of Me” by Dead in 5

Dead in 5 bring some Detroit Hard Rock and outlaw attitude to the morning shuffle. It was a perfect bit of raw power to drive me forward toward work after a long and enjoyable weekend.  The album is called Schizophrenic Razor Project.  The graphics are awesome and the music delivers on the promise of the visual images…. CRACK!

“Trudy and Dave” by John Hiatt

From Slow Turning.  After the raw energy of Dead in 5, I really needed to come down a bit before I faced my workplace.  Who knows, I might have punched someone… not really, but I might have thought about it.  A great song from one of my all time favorite artists.

“Talking Thunderbird Blues”  by Townes Van Zandt

Taken from a 1973 live recording…  What a better way to get ready to solve the whole world’s problems (or at least my tiny corner of the world) then to listen to a song about drinking Thunderbird wine for the very first time… 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – This is Definitely Not Offensive Mix

Some pretty remarkable things have been happening in regards to me music writing.  I can honestly say that I see completely overwhelmed sometimes (in the best possible way), and that I truly feel humbled. In the last day or so, I have seen words that I wrote showing up on Facebook posts and websites and other places, posted by people I respect a whole bunch. I am continuing to find my place in the crazy mixed up circus that is the Nashville/East Nashville music world.  I just recently got invited down to Safety Harbor Songfest this weekend in Florida to hang out with awesome people and hopefully write some words.  Gratitude is a overused, underappreciated emotion, but one that I am feeling in abundance today.  I am not going to name names simply because I will leave people out, but I know for a fact that none of this would be possible but for some of the people who read this blog in the early days and connected with me so that I knew I was not writing into an abyss (or to the disproportionate number of site visitors from Russia in those early days). Nor, would I have continued with the encouragement and concern expressed by some when I had to take an unexpected break from blogging. Nor would any of these good things be happening with the friendship and support of those who helped me through one of the roughest patches of my life. 

To think this whole vast empire (sarcasm intended) was built on the foundation of a random shuffling of songs…   Let’s shuffle, shall we…

“Gator Lake Road” by Bark.

Another from the Tim and Susan Bauer Lee side project, Bark. The new EP is called Bark.  This song was their submission to Couch by Couchwest, and we have that video in our Playlist.

“Orchid Girl” by Aztec Camera

This song was included on the 12″ single of Oblivious and later added to the 1991 CD reissue of High Land Hard Rain.  It’s a lovely mellow tune from Roddy Frame and co.

“Psycho Street” by Richard Thompson

You ever get the feeling your neighbors are a little strange?  An odd and wonderful little ditty from Rumor and Sigh.

“American Tune” by Paul Simon

Originally from Simon’s second solo album There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, based on a melody from Bach which in turn was based upon an earlier work by Hans Leo Hassler.  A lovely addition to the morning shuffle.

“This Light is For the World” by The Waterboys

This spiritual song from The Waterboys’ 2003 album Universal Hall.   The Waterboys latest album, Modern Blues was recorded here in Nashville.  It is out in the UK and due for release in the U.S. April 7. The Waterboys will be playing 3rd and Lindsley on April 18, and I am looking forward to seeing them live for the first time.

 

“Rainshowers” by Jeremy Gluck and Robert Coyne

Another track from the Memory Deluxe: I Knew Buffalo Bill 2 album by The Barracudas bandmates Jeremy Gluck and Robert Coyne.  This song is a cover of a 1972 single by Canadian Rock singer Michel Pagliaro.

“Omnivore” by Black Iron Prison

Black Iron Prison are a metal band from Albany, New York.  This song is from a 2012 EP called Fear is Every Man’s Portion.  The current lineup of Black Iron Prison includes Elijah Hargrave who was in the E2TG 2012 Band of the Year Skeletons in the Piano (has it really been that long ago?).  I don’t think he is singing on this track, but a new rehearsal recording of this song is up on Bandcamp.  In any event, it was nice to have some aggression in the mix as I made my way to the daily grind….  Black Iron Prison is a reference from a Phillip K. Dick novel called VALIS.

“Who Writes Off Who” by Forebear!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”);

Forebear are an Alternative Cinematic Progressive Folk Indie Rock band from L.A.  This song is one of the more metal-like songs on their self-titled record, and it was a nice segue out of the Black Iron Prison song into my work day.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Gypsy Now Mix

Lot’s to cover…

Couch by Couchwest 2015 rolls on, and I am getting further behind on all the great music, but it’s a marathon not a sprint… or something like that… actually, I think it is against the rule to use a running analogy when talking about CXCW…  Day 2 included appearances by #E2TG favorites Batkhi Dahn and Matt Prater, and the day ending video featured East Nashville’s own Tim Easton playing Ray Wylie Hubbard’s guitar from the Netherlands or something like that.  I hope I didn’t miss anyone, but I feel like I did.  If so, I will make it up – as I plan to do a mid-week recap as well as a end of festival summary… UPDATE: I remember who I forgot – Tipi Valley – how could I?

Went out last night to see some friends play music…  Kiely Schlesinger was stunning as always, Lindsay Ellyn sounded fantastic, and Taylor Alexander from Young America (who released an EP yesterday and who was joined by Lindsay Ellyn) was awesome and the imagining of a Cher as a traditional country singer was brilliant.

In the opening mic that followed, I enjoyed seeing Fendrick and Peck, Eddie Crummer, Darrin Bradbury, and Zachariah Red.

Now, we have a shuffle to put on….

“Roll Bones” by The Record Company

L.A. Roots and Roll band off their 2013 EP Feels So Good… I just got turned on to them by my friend Sue Havlish, but they have a Wikipedia page and apparently their songs have been all over television.  I may be late to the party, but I am pretty good at catching up quickly.

“Come Around” by [debut]

Our second listen to another L.A. band, [debut] which draws influence from electronic and alternative music.  I dig this song a lot.  The album is called Postcards from Berlin, and is out now.

“Letter Never Sent” by R.E.M.

In the midst of several more recent songs, we have the insistent brilliance of early/mid 80s R.E.M.  From their second album Reckoning.

“Up is the New Bottom” by APE|MEN

Back to the new music.  APE|MEN hail from the “post Iron Curtain fringe of the European Union” and play an intriguing style of indie/alternative/indietronica. Whatever… it’s good stuff.

“If You Look for My Heart” by Ben Arthur

Ben Arthur is the host of the web series Songcraft Presents and had an op/ed in the today’s New York Times about the Blurred Lines decision. He is also an amazing songwriter.  His next album is comprised of “Answer songs” to various short stories, songs etc.  I’ve had a chance to give it a listen, and it is incredible.  I will be posting my take on the album soon… in the meantime, we have the title track (and our final song post) from his project “If You Look for My Heart” which was an novel and a genre bending album which I have adored.  The title track is mesmerizing and haunting and gorgeous.  (Video credit to Matthew Hendershot of the 2013 E2TG Band of the Year, The End Men).

“Pray For Me, Mama (I’m a Gypsy Now)” by Jason and the Scorchers

From the classic EP Fervor comes one of my favorite Jason and the Scorchers’ tunes (I have a lot of favorite Jason and the Scorchers’ tunes.

“Old Father Death” by Jeremy Gluck/Robert Coyne

Another track from the fabulous Memory Deluxe: I Knew Buffalo Bill 2 album.  I have really loved all of this album, and this may (for the moment) be my favorite song on the record.

“Under African Skies” by Paul Simon

From Graceland.  I treasure every opportunity to hear the incredible voice of Linda Ronstadt – here adding incredible background vocals which make this song for me.

“Golden Dreams” by Syd Straw

We close out the shuffle with another song from Syd Straw’s Surprise album.  Nice to revisit favorite albums and rediscover why they are one of your favorites.

 
 
 
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(By the way, I wanted to note that today was a rare day where all of the videos are directly connected to the featured song (the video for “Come Around” is of the string arrangement))

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Alone in a Crowd Mix

The end of a long strange week… we have a pretty nifty mix of old and new music of various styles and moods and subjects… all making a cohesive morning shuffle…

“Painted On Attitude” by T. Hardy Morris

An October 2014 single from T. Hardy Morris of Dead Confederate.  He is part of the new project Diamond Rugs along with members of Deer Tick and Steve Berlin of Los Lobos.  Diamond Rugs has a Noisetrade release that includes this track and some music from Deer Tick.

“Blue Light of the Fire” by Heather Powell

Heather Powell’s new album A Haze of Grays and Blues is out (this week).  This song is from her previous album Believe it to Life. A new version of this song (same lyrics,  different tune) is on the new album as “Blue Light”.  The video included is a recent live version of that new song.

“Lost in the Cosmos (Song for Chris Bell)” by Sons of Bill

A song for the late Big Star member whose classic solo album was released some 14 years after his tragic 1978 death at age 27.  The song is on Love and Logic the most recently album by Virginia band Sons of Bill.

“Camera” by R.E.M.

Another classic track from R.E.M.’s second album Reckoning.

“Never Talking to You Again” by Husker Du

From the Short Songs mixtape – taken from the Minneapolis post-punk legends’ classic second album Zen Arcade. A Grant Hart composition.

“Cat’s Eye Ring” by Steelism

Nashville’s favorite instrumental steel guitar driven surf rock band from the debut album 615 to Fame. I have been following Jeremy Fetzer and Spencer Cullum Jr. since I saw them play with Caitlin Rose a few years ago. 

“Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon

From Graceland…

“The Long Run Out” by The Unforgiven

You don’t know how good it feels to say a new song from The Unforgiven.  The Unforgiven was an 80s band that by all rights should have been huge.  They had the look and the sound, they were larger than life and seemed to have stepped right out of a Spaghetti Western. To call them a Big Guitar band is an amazing understatement.  Circumstances being what they were and are, their sole, self-titled album ended up being their only release.  In 2012, the band reformed for a show at Stagecoach Festival and in 2014 their album was finally given a new release.  This song was a bonus track recorded around the time of the 2012 reunion, and it is pure The Unforgiven.  If you (like way too many) missed out on this band the first time around or haven’t had a heard them in a long time, climb on board.  Hang ’em High!

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“Has Anybody Here Seen Hank?” by The Waterboys

Our second song about a late musical great in the shuffle.  From Fishermen’s Blues comes this song about the late Country music icon Hank Williams.

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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