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I got to see and hear some of my favorite East Nashville songwriters last night and I was home before 9:00. Brian Wright opened up Joe Fletcher’s final residency at The 5 Spot, and he had Aaron Lee Tasjan play with some, and then Darrin Bradbury and Brian did Darrin’s song, “Blue Highway” which is one of my favorites. And, Joe Fletcher played his amazing songs and had Brian Wright and Aaron Lee and Margo Price join him, and at the end they all did “I’m Waiting for My Man” – the Velvet Underground song, and it was a pretty awesome moment… plus I got to see and hang out with some of my favorite people.
I’m staying in tonight and gearing up for a very busy end of August into a crazy busy September.
Today in the shuffle, we have some really cool songs from a variety of genres – including a couple that I didn’t even know existed….
“Trouble in Your Blood” by Robyn Hitchcock
A friend of mine recently posted something on social media about serving Robyn Hitchcock in the coffee shop where she works. This song comes from his album, The Man Upstairs which was released about a year ago. The recording I listened to was another of those way too awesome World Café Sesssions that I have had sprinkled through out my shuffle ever since they offered 100 songs for free download. I saw Robyn Hitchcock about 23 years ago at an Earth Day concert in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Robyn Hitchcock was a member of the 1970s English band The Soft Boys. As I was listening to this, it occurred to me to write all about how Hitchcock was in Soft Cell who had a decent sized hit with Tainted Love in the 1980s and to go on and on about how different his solo music was then that. And then see, if anyone corrected me and how they went about it. But I didn’t.
“Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)” by Squeeze
I am so happy to see that Squeeze is getting some renewed attention. They were and are masters of the art of pop songwriting. I see that they have some new music coming out. Should be interesting to hear. Originally from the album Argybargy – the band’s 1980 album. If you are just getting into Squeeze, the compilation Singles 45s and Under is a great place to start.
“Something in the Water” by Pokey Lafarge
The title and lead song from the latest album by Pokey LaFarge. There is a throwback quality to his songs, but they ring so true… this ain’t nostalgic music. The song and the video feature an El Camino – which I have had a long standing obsession with since my friend Rex Silo mentioned how many motion pictures feature the car/truck. Start looking for it… you find it hard to stop.
“The Treehouse” by James Roquemore
I’ve been digging on Roquemore’s EP The First ever since I got it after seeing him play at The Basement as part of Patrick Kinsley’s album release show. “The Treehouse” is a lovely, nostalgic look back at childhood.
“Manic at Midnight” by Circus Propaganda
I guess Circus Propaganda were kind of a Dord Music Group supergroup of sorts. They are inactive now – with all the members doing other things, but they left behind some really cool music. This song, from the album Botany, is one of my favorites.
“Organ Flames” by Batkhi Dahn
As I mentioned, yesterday was Hayden Nork’s 14th birthday. This is a song from his main side project and the album Plays 15. Yes, two Dord songs in a row – what can I say, my shuffle function loves this music. Good taste, shuffle function.
“Hope You’re Hurting” by Cars Can Be Blue
This band is based in Atlanta. I really like their quirky sound and energy. The album is called, Doubly Unbeatable, which was released back in 2008.
“More…” by Wilco
Another from Star Wars – the surprise free download Wilco offered up a little while back. If you want an official physical coffee of the album – the band recentlyu relased the album on CD within the last week of so.
“Last Song” by Susan James
The last song on Sea Glass. And it could have been the final song of this shuffle but I listened to one more.
“Yellow Eyes” by Rayland Baxter
Rayland is the son of Bucky Baxter, and he got his start on Caitlin Rose’s song, “Shanghai Cigarettes” – which I love. I dig this song which is on his brand new album Imaginary Man.
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 