Category: Rod Stewart

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Into the Mandolin Wind Mix

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Welcome to the working week… since we last gather here, I’ve had the great good fortune to see some incredibly great music.  Friday night, I got to hang out with awesome people and witness the Tim Lee 3 rocking the house in a rare Nashville appearance followed by the amazing R.B. Morris with his crack band bringing words and music together in the most spellbinding way.

Saturday night, I saw Ted Drozdowki’s Scissormen rock the stage at City Winery opening for The Baseball Project. The Baseball Project haven taken a concept and through a love of the subject and the creative geniuses behind The Dream Syndicate, Young Fresh Fellows, The Minus 5, and R.E.M. among others rode that concept for 8 years and 3 albums to date with no sign of slowing down.  My review of that show is on No Depression.

After the Baseball Project show, I got to hang out with more cool people (after climbing a circular staircase) and see an incredible round of music that makes me proud to live in this city.  Kevin Gordon, Sarah Potenza (accompanied by her husband Ian), and Jeff Black sat and delivered to a packed out lounge at City Winery.

As if that was not enough, Sunday night, I got to hang out with the immensely talented Russell Thompson and watch Mary Gauthier and Allison Moorer swap songs for almost two hours accompanied for much of the time by the incredible guitarist Kenny Greenberg.  My review of that show should be posted on No Depression very soon.

Whew!  Now back to the workday grind (but only a four day work week this week), and a brand new never before heard shuffle of music to melt your mind and expand you face… or something like that…

“North Korea and the Five Stages of Grief” by Forebear

Forebear on an Alternative Rock band from L.A. This song, with awesome title, has been hanging around my playlist for a while. A great way to start the week. From the self-titled EP.

“Into the Wind” by John Wesley Harding

Starting off a “Wind” themed mini-set with the shuffle, comes another a great track from the artist current known as Wesley Stace from the album Why We Fight!

“Mandolin Wind” by Rod Stewart

Continuing and concluding our little mini-set of “wind” songs… comes this track from Rod Stewarts brilliant third album, Every Picture Tells a Story. 

“Our Home” by Hugh Trimble

Our final track from Hugh Trimble’s neighborpoem album – and one my favorites.  Now, I need to move on to some of his newer music.  I really love his songs, and I am happy that the Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen folks introduced them to me through one of their compilations.

“Joy” by Son Little

The first of two recordings from World Café Sessions.  I really don’t know much about Son Little, but I dig this song which comes from the 2014 EP, Things I Forgot on ANTI- Records.

“Blues de Bernadette” by Lost Bayou Ramblers

Another from the World Café sessions.  My family are from the same general area as this band, and Cajun music has a special place in my heart and in my blood. Always great to hear younger bands and artists spreading that rich, unique musical form near and far and keeping the culture alive. The song comes from their 2012 album Mammoth Waltz.

“While We’re Apart” by Beat Rodeo

We close out the day’s shuffle with our final track from the Beat Rodeo album, Home in the Heart of the Beat.  I “discovered” Beat Rodeo thanks to IRS Records Presents: The Cutting Edge – which brought a lot of great music to me in my pre-internet small town isolation – back when the M in MTV stood for music.

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VIDEO PLAYLIST


Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Crazy Flipper Fingers Mix

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First off, I witnessed a great night of music at The 5 Spot last night. Jon Latham, Allen Thompson, Zach Schmidt, Tim Easton, and Darrin Bradbury – powerhouse stuff there!  As a bonus, I get to stick around and see long-time Ear to the Ground favorites Year of October as part of the late show line-up.  I am really proud of how they have grown musically in the past few years since I first heard them.

Also, my review of the Wednesday Night Bobby Memphis Benefit show is currently (at press time) on the front page of No Depression, and although, I can admit that I always happy when something I wrote gets featured like that, what I really hope is that it leads some people to helping out a man who I do not know and did not know of, but who is obviously respected and loved by a large number of people.  You can read the review here.

“True Love Doesn’t Beg” by Jesse and Noah

Jesse and Noah are brothers who come from a rich musical background.  Their father and uncle are The Bellamy Brothers who you should know from “Let Your Love Flow” among many other great songs.  Jesse and Noah have taken their musical background as a starting point and have been working hard for many years to forge their own path in the word of music. They have a new EP of acoustic covers called Brethen due out soon.  That collection includes their incredible cover of the Everly Brothers “All I Have to Do Is Dream” which they played for Couch by Couchwest a year or so ago.  Today’s track is from the duo’s 2013 album, Driven Back.

“Magnolia” by Matt Prater

North Alabama Country Music traditionalist, Matt Prater is up next with a beautiful song from his most recent album Tables and Chairs.

“Throw it Away” by Joe Jackson

Power Pop may mean different things to different people, but the connotation I take from it is that of high energy music backing up superb, hook-laden songs.  I’ve always liked “Throw it Away” for it’s punk attitude and incessant beat.  It hard for me to hear it and not want to move.

“This is Love” by Self

It’s funny, I added this to my playlist a while back, but I was just thinking about Self, Matt Mahaffey, and Spongebath Records.  In the mid 1980s, Nashville had a thriving local music scene with a lot of bands getting national attention and signing the highly coveted “Major Label” deals. I grew up as a Nashville Rock music fan and witnessed and read about this vibrant and wild period. I moved to Memphis is 1988 and officially moved to Nashville in 1991.  By the early 90s, the local music scene was decimated.  It was a combination of disillusionment, self-destructive behaviors, and maybe just the natural flow of life. In any event, Self and the label they helped form, Spongebath were instrumental in rebuilding the local music scene  (or perhaps more precisely in building the next phase of the local scene).  Anyway, this song is from the last official Self album called Porno, Mint, and Grime (2005).  The song also appears on the soundtrack to Another Gay Movie (for you trivia buffs).

“Share Your Adderall” by Mike Thomas

Our second Mike Thomas of the week – an uplifting number about legal troubles and prescription drug abuse… seriously, it is a really cool song.  I was only able to find one video on You Tube, so the Video Playlist contains the same song I used the other day, but it’s a good song, too, and most of you probably didn’t watch it. For those of you who want to hear it (which should be all of you), I’m going to try to post a Widget of the song below…

http://www.reverbnation.com/widget_code/html_widget/artist_3804974?widget_id=50&posted_by=fan_1758528&pwc%5Bdesign%5D=default&pwc%5Bbackground_color%5D=%23333333&pwc%5Bincluded_songs%5D=0&pwc%5Bsong_ids%5D=23571097&pwc%5Bphoto%5D=0%2C1&pwc%5Bsize%5D=custom

Upload your music for free at ReverbNation.com

“Fine and Mellow” (Billie Holiday cover) by Hurray for the Riff Raff

What’s that you say?  I haven’t posted a Billie Holiday cover by popular New Orleans band, Hurray for the Riff Raff?  Well, consider that omission covered!

“Walking in the Dark” by Brock Zeman

This song was one of the highlights of the night when I saw Brock Zeman (along with David Olney, Will Kimbrough, and Samantha Crain at the Bluebird Café a couple of weeks ago.

“1000 Years” by Direct Divide

Direct Divide are a relatively new band from Seattle which features symphonic and cinematic rock music with a blistering violin and powerful lead vocals.

“Pinball Wizard” (from Tommy) by Rod Stewart

From the 1972 album by the London Symphony Orchestra.  Originally, Rod Stewart had been tapped to sing all of Roger Daltrey’s lead role, however, soon Daltrey and Pete Townsend became more involve in the project, and Stewart’s role was reduced this one song.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Saturday Night Music Shuffle – Clap Your Hands Mix

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Since I missed a couple of morning shuffles last week, I thought I would add in a special rare Saturday Night Music Shuffle….

“Automobile” by Josh Morris

Nashville singer-songwriter, we first met when he was part of And the Giraffe.  His new EP Green Fields is out now!

“Clap Your Hands” by The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Try not to Clap Your Hands….

“Paper Van Gogh” by Shelby Lynne

Gorgeous song by the amazing Shelby Lynne from her brand new album, Can’t Imagine.

“Just After Dark” by The Bandicoots

The Bandicoots are from Hamilton, Ontario, and I dig what I’ve heard so far, and I want to hear more..

“The National Scroll” by The Transcendents

Another track from our newish friends from Christchurch, New Zealand.

“(I Know) I’m Losing You” by Rod Stewart

From Every Picture Tells a Story.  Contractually billed as a Rod Stewart solo record, this was in actuality a Faces record.  Or else, I am totally wrong.  In any event, this song was first recorded by the Temptations and later Rare Earth.

“All I Have to Do is Dream” by David Schnaufer and Mark Knopfler

The late great David Schnaufer teams up with the legendary guitarist Mark Knopfler for this instrumental version of a song made famous by The Everly Brothers.

“Broke Down Engine Blues” by Townes Van Zandt

From a 1973 live recording of Townes Van Zandt doing the Blind Willie McTell song.

“The Lucky One” by Tom Schreck

Another of my favorite current Nashville songwriters…  from his album, Save Your Glory.  To put a fine point on it, the video playlist includes Schreck’s cover of the Bob Dylan song, “Blind Willie McTell”

“Take Your Troubles Away” by The Satisfactors

Another track from the debut album by New Jersey supergroup, The Satisfactors.  The Satisfactors’ bassist Kenny Aaronson was recently announced as a member of the 2015 version of The Yardbirds.

“Dig Two Graves” by Anne McCue

Australian born, Nashville transplant – the amazing Anne McCue is one Nashville has no trouble claiming as our own. This was the first single from her recent album, Blue Sky Thinkin’.  The video features McCue with Webb Wilder and Kevin Gordon.

“All” by The Descendents

The prequel to “Not All”, and clocking in at just about 2 seconds at most.

“Worst That Could Happen to Me” by The Brooklyn Bridge

Some sweet pop soul music from the 1968 self titled album by the New York band often billed as Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge.  The song was written by the great Jimmy Webb and originally recorded by The Fifth Dimension.


VIDEO PLAYLIST

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Stupid Boy Mix

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There is a phenomenon that I like to call the Nashville Dilemma or the Nashville Conundrum depending on my mood… It is basically this, a friend or hero or hero/friend or friend/hero announces a show.  You readily and enthusiastically indicate on Facebook that you are either Going or Interested… meanwhile, others of the same category(ies) also announce shows and you again readily and enthusiastically Join the event.  Then, the day or week of the event arrives and you check your calendar and realize that two or more of the aforementioned events coincide with one another, and you have to use some complex algorithm of friendship, location, cost, in-town show frequency, etc. to decide which show you are going to see.  And so, you decide and you have a blast and it’s a great show – like you knew it would be and then you see pictures from the show(s) you elected not to attend, and there are surprise special guests and puppies and stuff, and you rework you algorithm for next time and the process repeats.  It’s really a nice problem to have….

“You’re a Star” by Tim Carroll

One of the best things about the last eight months or so for me, has been having the opportunity to see Tim Carroll play music at least  twice a week almost every week.  If you can stand the smoke, I recommend visiting Fran’s Eastside just about every Wednesday from 8:30 until… or if you can’t handle the smoke, I recommend heading to The 5 Spot just about every Friday from 6-8:30.  With Tim Carroll, the music and the great songs do not stop.  This song is from his latest album, Pure As Coal which you can get now.

“Boiling” by Minutemen

If the fact that I am a huge Minutemen fan has not come across, then I promise to try harder.  Lately, I have been featuring songs from the CD Post Mersh Vol. 1 which includes the albums, The Punch Line (from which this song is taken) and What Makes a Man Start Fires?   I am a huge Minutemen fan, by the way.

“American Standard” by Folk Family Revival

From their very recently released album, Water Walker….  I really dig this song.

“Brushed the Dust Off (Lean into the Wind)” by Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray

It was just over a year ago, that fate and scheduling and whatever conspired so that Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray happened to be playing at The Basement in Nashville on the same day that their album, Lean into the Wind was released. It was a great night, and Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray (and Ben Tufts and Derek Evry) sounded amazing.  They are hard and work on their next record, but in remembrance of that show from last March, we have the song from which the album title was derived.

“Handbags and Gladrags” by Rod Stewart

The song was written by Mike D’Abo – at the time he was the lead singer of Manfred Mann.   

“Stupid Boy” by Gear Daddies

Along with “Sonic Boom” this is probably the song on Billy’s Live Bait with which I most closely relate.  The Gear Daddies are playing a three night stand of 25th Anniversary shows at 1st Avenue in Minneapolis.  This album still sound fresh to me today.

“Postcard” by Jukebox the Ghost

Washington D.C. based Indie band… I grabbed this song from a Noisetrade SXSW sampler put out last month. It’s from the eponymously titled album which was released last week.

“It Could Happen Here” by Beat Rodeo

from Home in the Heart of the Beat… Beat Rodeo were on IRS Records. One of those songs from my younger days which takes me back…

“Baby Caught Fire” by Tim Lee 3

A great song from the latest TL3 album, 33 1/3… it’s about spontaneous human combustion.  This Knoxville band is one of my favorites. 

“King Bee” by Captain Luke and Cool John Ferguson

Another track from the Music Maker Relief Foundation sampler released on Noisetrade.  Some awesome old school, “real” blues… The most recent information I’ve seen via the folks at Music Maker is that Captain Luke is under hospice care. So I’d to send this out to Captain Luke and all who know and care about him.  Again, I am so grateful to the Music Maker folks for all that they do to bring this music into the light and assuring it stays there, and to support the people who make the music.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Check Maybe We Can Go to Arby’s Mix

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Well now, how about that?  2013 Ear to the Ground Band of the Year, The End Men dropped the first two songs from their forthcoming new album, Terms and Conditions (due 4/21/2015).  The bands’ signature sound enhanced by the saxophone stylings of Matthew Elia.  You can name your price and get a hold of “Morning Birds” and “East of West” and get some absolutely killer artwork for your desktop.  Do it!


“Not The One” by [debut]

[debut] is the L.A. based Alternative/Electronic project of Gareth Thomas.  The new album is called Postcards from Berlin.  This is the powerful opening track from the album which is out everywhere now.

“My Next Door Neighbor” by Jerry “Boogie” McCain

Alabama Blues artist Jerry “Boogie” McCain passed away in March 2012.  This song came to us via a Noisetrade sampler from the awesome folks at the Music Maker Relief Foundation which is dedicated to preserving the musical traditions of the south by directly supporting the musicians who make that music.   Great old blues song… 

“The Right Profile” by The Clash

The hits keep coming… seriously though London Calling – ya’ll!

“Ships and Cannons” by The Ghoul Goes West

New E2TG favorites from Arkansas with another great song from their album Ghosts and Bones and Blood and Things… 

“Twisting the Night Away” by Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart does Sam Cooke….  the last  song on his 4th album Never a Dull Moment (1972)

“Taylor Swift” by Darrin Bradbury

2014 Ear to the Ground artist of the year with a song about his move to Nashville. Check out the video from The Building and the hats sported by Mr. Bradbury and bassist Cameron Carrus. If you wear hats like that – you, too, could be an #E2TG Artist of the Year…  No Taylor Swifts were harmed in the making of this song.

“Bluegrass” by Matt Phillips and The Philharmonic

North Carolinian Matt Phillips came to my attention when he was a guest on Music City Roots back in February (I think).  I grabbed hold to a good sampling of his music, and I have been enjoying the heck out of it.  Great songs and such a smooth and easy delivery.  Makes me want to put on some Bluegrass…  From the album Move.  A non-band version appeared on Phillips album Bones.

“Jesus Built My Hotrod” by Ministry

It is almost Easter and it is racing season so…. The song, which features vocals from Gibby Haynes, was released as a single in 1991 and then later appeared on the Ministry album Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs.

“Walk” by The Ghoul Goes West

We close out the shuffle with our second song of the day from The Ghoul Goes West.  This is one of my favorite tracks on the album.  When the band contacted me, they said they were “underheard”… I am doing my little part to correct that.  Hear them!

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Freaked Out for Another Day Mix

I have a major announcement…. truth is that even if I did have a major announcement, I would probably wait until tomorrow to make it… Truth is, though, as the weather is heating up so is the music scene here in Nashville (and probably in your city, too).  Tons of great shows are coming, so get out to your local venues and festivals and whatnot and support real music made by real people.

“Maggie May” by Rod Stewart

From Every Picture Tells a Story… a song that begins with the words “Wake up” is a good enough way to start a morning shuffle. I have always loved this song.

“Easier” by SOJA (feat. Anuhea)

SOJA are a Pop/Reggae band from Arlington, VA.  Anuhea is a Pop/Reggae artist from Hawaii.  This song is on SOJA’s  most recent album Amid the Noise and Haste, and I grabbed it off an ATO Records sampler on Noisetrade.

“Hurricane” by Amy Speace

Nashville is proud to claim Amy Speace.  She has been getting quite a bit of well-deserved praise for her brand new release That Kind of Girl.  This song is from her 2014 EP Same Old Storm and has the sound of a song that has been around forever… absolutely stunning.

“A Love Supreme” by David Liebman

From the album David Liebman Plays Coltrane and Shorter… This Coltrane composition is one of my all time favorite jazz pieces.  A perfect soundtrack for a morning driving through the burgeoning city.

“Willie Sugarcapps” by Willie Sugarcapps

The first of what should be many songs from artists I saw at the Safety Harbor Song Fest… the title track and band theme song… Willie Sugarcapps were a crowd-pleaser at the festival and won over several new fans based upon conversations I had.

“Daily Mail” by the transcendents

From New Zealand where it is no longer April Fools Day (if they even have April Fools Day in New Zealand) and from the band’s self-titled debut… I am really digging this band and I hope you will check them out. Here is the link to download their music on Bandcamp.

“No Fun” by The Stooges

The Stooges probably didn’t know that they were making proto-punk music when they recorded this album 46 years ago this month.  The raw power and dangerous energy makes this album sound fresh up to this day. 

“Ode” by Soul Asylum

I think I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating this album, the bands 1988 major label debut is one of my favorites and probably my favorite by Soul Asylum.  To me, this album was the perfect balance between punk and hooky pop music.  The current line-up of Soul Asylum recently announced a tour with Meat Puppets – perhaps suggested by my recent inclusion of both bands in my morning shuffles????  Can you prove that that isn’t true?  Don’t answer that….

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Kilos, Ounces, and Pounds Mix

I’m back!  And rushed again… let’s get this done….

“Short Songs” by Dead Kennedys

Sort of the title track from the latest Feel Bad for You compilation.  Recorded live. 32 seconds or so. First appeared on the Bay Area compilation Can you Hear Me? Music from the Deaf Club.  Later included on the DK compilation Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death.

“In Nowheres” by The Twilight Sad

The Scottish Indie band with a song from their album Nobody Wants to Be Here Nobody Wants to Leave.

“All Over But the Cryin'” by The Georgia Satellites

Another great song from In the Land of Salvation and Sin – the last Satellite’s album to include Dan Baird.

“Southern Grammar” by Hiss Golden Messenger

The title track from the latest EP from the North Carolina Folk Duo…

“Runnin From Miami” by Neighborhood Texture Jam

Another awesome song from the Funeral Mountain album.  The video playlist includes some bits from a 2013 reunion show in Memphis.

“Come Together” by Stacy Mitchhart

A very cool Beatles’ cover from the album Live My Life by the Nashville Blues great.

“Crazy Mother Fucker from Shelby Ohio” by Tim Easton

A stand out track from Tim Easton’s Not Cool album.  The song was written by J.P. Olsen who was an early inspiration for Easton’s songwriting.

“You Wear it Well” by Rod Stewart

From the album, Never a Dull Moment.  I picked up the early period Rod Stewart compilation, Sing it Again, Rod at Goodwill a while back, and this song is included on that album.

“Soul Stroll” by Stacy Mitchhart

Our second track from Live My Life is an instrumental.

“Forest Gum” by New Madrid

From the latest album by the Athens, GA band. The album Sunswimmer was released about a year ago.

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

From the new album Tables and Chairs by Alabama Country purist Matt Prater.  This is just flat out a great song.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Angels Fall Like Rain Mix

There are ghosts and spirits that haunt the dark corners of our lives and minds
A well-worn melody re-purposed and sold and still….
Transportation – like a city bus that’s has no fixed route, but takes you to random spots from your life
Even those out-of-the-way places where you’ve forgotten you’ve ever been…
Time is a bastard of the young, time marches on, time really flies….
But and so, I always write about time when my mind is stalling for a better idea…
 Time is a lie… 
Good morning – walk up the hill was in a pissing rain… Last night, I heard a Pogues’ song in a commercial for a mini-van and recently (and again) I’ve heard the Violent Femmes’ ode to teen-aged hormones being used to hawk (computers, tacos what’s next bed linens and laundry and stain removers?)
Honestly coincidentally, after musing on those things, this delicious mix of classic songs from my youth and young adulthood came up on my morning shuffle:
(Murmur @ Amazon)
Gothic and Southern and covered in kudzu, Radio Free Europe, was an anthem for all us disaffected Southern boys and girls coming of age in the 80s.
(Flood @ Amazon)
Come on we’ve all met this person and been in this situation.  I remember a Waffle House in the wee morning hours, and you aren’t looking for an argument, but…. Your Racist Friend by There Must Be Giants They Might Be Giants.
(Mirror Moves @ Amazon)
Richard Butler (along with Bryan Ferry) was our Sinatra. So smooth and yet, he was all our own as he and the P-Furs (as we called them because it was before spell check and we really didn’t want to look stupid and misspell Psychedelic now did we?) were sophisticated and yet not at all content or safe. If my youth was a movie John Hughes and Louis Malle would co-direct and there would be a Psychedelic Furs song on the soundtrack.  The Ghost in You would be a good choice. 
(Ghost in the Machine @ Amazon)
I’ve had a couple of old Police songs make their way to my ears recently, and I was reminded again of what a great band they were. As the 80s progressed, they got to be more and more popular and then Sting went on to doing that awful song with Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart. But and still, the Police, in their day, made intelligent music that stands the test of time. Spirits in the Material World speaks to a spirituality which was way beyond my ability to comprehend when I first heard this song, but it was cool music with a good beat.

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They Might Be Giants : Here Come the 123's [CD/DVD] They Might Be Giants : Here Come the 123’s [CD/DVD]
They Might Be Giants : Here Come the 123’s [CD/DVD]

The Psychedelic Furs: Live from the House of Blues [DTS] The Psychedelic Furs: Live from the House of Blues [DTS]
The Psychedelic Furs were one of the many alternative semi-avant British groups who began the 1980s with a devoted cult following and ended it with a huge popular following as well as a number of hit songs (see: The Cure). Pushed over the top by the release of the John Hughes film PRETTY IN PINK, which borrowed its title from an older Furs song in the soundtrack, the band scored their biggest hit the following year with Heartbreak Beat. This performance from House of Blues was part of the Furs’ reunion tour in 2001 in support of their greatest hits compilation.

Spirits in the Material World: A Reggae Tribute to the Police Spirits in the Material World: A Reggae Tribute to the Police
In a way, a reggae-themed Police tribute seems like kind of a strange idea — many of these songs were either reggae numbers to begin with, or were so close to being reggae that straight-up reggae arrangements run the risk of just sounding like cover vers