Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle – Great Day Mix

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Well, it’s premier week at E2TG as I unveil my new “programming schedule”.

Welcome to debut edition of Trending Tuesday!  Why trending?  Well, for one thing, it starts with the letter “T” which was a requirement in naming this day.  Also, my social media consultants advise me that the term “trending” is er, um… trending these days.

So, what is “Trending Tuesday”?  In some ways it is similar to Featured Friday.  Basically, it is songs/artist that have been fresh on my mind (new – or fairly recent acquisitions/releases), like all “rules”, I play fast and loose.  The Trending Tuesday playlist is different than the Featured Friday playlist, but they have a lot of overlap.  Well… enough exposition – here is the first Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle….

“Shotgun Behind the Door” by Kevin Gordon

Kevin Gordon has been “trending” at E2TG since we got his album Long Gone Time shortly before it was released.  I got to see Kevin backing up Paul Burch recently for weeks one and four of Burch’s residency at The 5 Spot.  A little bird tells me Gordon will have his own 5 Spot residency within the next couple of months.  Also, to hear more about Kevin Gordon (including some words about the song featured today), I highly recommend you check out Country Fried Rock’s interview which was recorded in Nashville during Americana week and recently released.  You can hear it HERE.

“Der Zerfall Von Backerbsen” by Balu and die Surfgrammeln

Until Balu and die Surfgrammeln became my favorite Austrian surf rock band, I did not know that I was missing having a favorite Austrian surf rock band. I didn’t even know that they surfed in Austria????  Seriously, I am digging this music.

“Stop Listen and Love” by The Naddiks

Late last year, our friends from Canberra (Australia) released a single dedicated to Anti-Bullying efforts.  It is a very important subject, and a rocking fun single to boot.  Notice we did the Austria/Australia thing again… please note that the two countries are not the same…. in case you were wondering.

“Be My Good Dream” (Excerpt) by exedra

Another track (or at least an excerpt) from Elemental which is the new album by exedra which is lead by Jeremy Gluck from the UK. Dreamy music… good dreamy music!

“Salto Nel Buio” by Le Folli Arie

In addition to having a favorite Austrian surf rock band, I now also have a favorite Italian prog-pop band.  I have featured this band several times of late.

“Follow Them to Empty Shores/ Inouye” by Smokey The Firebear

After a four song tour of the world, we return stateside with another track from the brand new album by Smokey the Firebear from Connecticut.  The album is called Ohm Atlanta – great experimental, instrumental music.   I am guessing that the second half of this song is named after the late Senator from Hawaii????

“Land Where the Blues Began” by Sara Syms

Another album that has been trending for me since I first heard it, is Sara Syms’ album Way Back Home.  I was talking with some friends recently about whether or not the “album” was in danger  – in this age of downloads and streaming and stupid blogs that shuffle songs… (kidding) but I have always maintained that albums are important.  They do not have to be “concept” albums either. Syms’ record carries a cohesive sound throughout, and there are some recurring themes.  Certainly, the songs can be heard and work well on their own, but there is also value in listening to the album as a whole piece. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album – one that really sets a mood.

“High on the Plains” (Live) by Leland Sundries

From Live at the Creamery. This is not a “new” album, but one that I have come to know over the last several months.  It is trending here – well because I say it is. 

“It Was a Great Day” by Lori Kelley

We started with a Nashville artist and we end with another.  Lori Kelley recently released an new album, More.  It looks like this song has been in Kelley’s repertoire for a few years.  It is a catchy, light song about the importance of making each day count.  

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – The Under-Overpass Mix

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We have reached Friday… which means another featured Friday shuffle coming up…

Still dealing with a change of seasons cold, but I did get out early last night for the final night of the Paul Burch residency at The 5 Spot.  As he did the first week, Kevin Gordon played guitar with Burch and his WPA Ball Club whose new album Meridian Rising is out today.  It was a really incredible show with special guest Emma Swift.  Beginning next week, Fats Kaplin and Kristi Rose  will hold down the Thursday early residency slot for the month of March (with the exception of St. Patrick’s Day).  That promises to be outstanding.  I think The 5 Spots’ early residency shows are one of the best things Nashville has going on, and looking ahead to the announced and rumored shows coming up, I think you will agree.

Once again, there is a ton of great music going on tonight.  My plans include stopping by the Tim Carroll Happy Hour and then moving over to Bobby’s Idle Hour to see the Dark Horses of East Nashville (Amelia White, Julie Christensen, and Sergio Webb) and then to see how time and my cold are doing after that.

I am thinking about some tweaks to the E2TG format.  This is not E2TG v. 3.0 (that will come soon enough hopefully), but consider this E2TG v. 2.2 (or at least v. 2.1.1). I will work on that this weekend.

Shuffle time!

“Ocean Soul” by David G. Smith

David G. Smith is an amazing songwriter – I was fortunate enough to see him a few weeks ago in a round at The Bluebird Café.  This song is off of his latest album, First Love. This is a lovely song.

“Don’t You Be Too Cool” by The Deadline Shakes

I keep using the word infectious to describe the music of The Deadline Shakes who are currently promoting their new album Zealots.  It is music so catchy, so groovy that it gets inside your head and forces you to feel it.  I have always been a total sucker for this kind of music, and The Deadline Shakes are about as good at it as anybody I have heard in a long time.

“As Far as Angels Go” by Lori Kelley

Songwriters are the bread and butter of Nashville.  Nashville has great players and great bands, but this music city has a long and complicated history of songs and the people who create them.  From professional songsmiths working out of offices on Music Row to “Outlaws” (first on the West End and now around East Nashville)… I have had the great privilege to meet a lot of really great songwriters here in Nashville.  Lori Kelley is one of them.  She came to Nashville by way of the D.C. area where she was part of successful duo (we have featured Cletus and Lori several times).  She just recently released a CD called More which features some of her newer songs (and co-writes).  This song is a tribute to her father.

“Flash Forward” by exedra

Flash Forward to the fourth song of the shuffle… Exedra is the new project featuring Jeremy Gluck.  I was listening to this one as I was driving on the bridge over the Cumberland River this morning…

“Made of Light” by Tymon Dogg

We’re up to the title track from the latest album by Tymon Dogg who is best known for his work with the late Joe Strummer..

“Bone China Saviour” by Drew Worthley

This is our second listen from Crucible the new album by British singer-songwriter Drew Worthley. I found myself really listening to the words of this song, and I like it a lot.

“Afternoon” by The Foresters

Next up… this song was the first single from Sun Songs – the latest album by Connecticut siblings The Foresters.  The Foresters are the flagship band of the Dord Music Group, and as I mentioned yesterday, I have been following their incredible musical journey for nearly a fourth of their young lives. “Afternoon” really set the tone for the musical development and growth on display on Sun Songs.  Every time I hear this song, I find myself singing parts of it for hours after. 

“Hard Work Pays” by Sara Syms

And we close out the shuffle with one of my absolute favorite Nashville songwriters.  Sara Syms released Way Back Home toward the end of 2015, and I was fortunate enough to get to write all about it.  This track is a duet between Syms and co-producer Nick Africano, and I love the way the two voices sound together.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Life’s Revolving Door Mix

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Thinking today about those pivot moments in life, when trajectories get changed…

I have been reading a book called Outlaw about Waylon, Willie, and Kris that is a lot about Nashville in the 60s and early 70s… Much about the “establishment” and the creative forces that bucked the system to carve their own path – or to follow a path blazed by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. It has me thinking a lot about Nashville in 2016….

Tonight is promising to be another of those nights… first off, it is the final night of Jason Ringenberg’s residency at The 5 Spot with tonight’s guests Kristi Rose and Fats Kaplin.  After that, The Family Wash is hosting a tribute to the late great J.J. Cale that has a cast of performers that is pretty amazing.

Shuffle time….

“Technocracy” by Zaibatsu

Some crunching, industrial-like sounds from Zero – the latest album by this Italian progressive rock band. 

“Col. Ratvurst Causes An Eclipse by Accident” by Balu and de Surfgrammeln

Keeping things European with another track from Los Chicharrones del Surf – the latest record by this Austrian surf rock band.

“Ruler of my Heart” by Luella

Luella (formerly of Luella and the Sun) doing her version of a song by the late great Allen Toussaint. This song is from a homemade sampler CD.  For more information check out Luella’s Facebook Page or you can come out to The 5 Spot any given Friday for Tim Carroll Rock ‘n’ Roll Happy Hour and hear Luella do great songs like this and maybe pick up your own copy of this CD.  The video was (I think) done by Earie award winning Paul Zografi.

“At Once” by Beirut

A track from No No No – the bands fifth and latest album which was released in September 2015.  It was their first album since 2011.

“Eye For An Eye” by Ben Lowry

Our second listen to Somnium from Bang Ok Bang front-man, Ben Lowry.  I really like the sound here, and as with the music I have heard from Bang Ok Bang – the songs are strong.

“Running Away from Me” by Sara Syms

Keeping it local, we have another song from Sara Syms’ most recently album, Way Back Home.  This is one of my favorite tracks on the album. 

“Space Song” by Beach House

Now, a track from dream pop duo, Beach house from their fifth studio album, Depression Cherry which was released in August of 2015. The band have already released their sixth album, Thank Your Lucky Stars, which was released just two months after this one.

“Run Run Run” by Michelle Lewis

This is not a cover of the Velvet Underground song, but it is an really lovely song by Boston-based singer songwriter Michelle Lewis which I got on a live album called, Live at Club Passim.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Joe’s Birthday Week – Tuesday Night 1/12/2016

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Ug!  I had a doctor’s appointment this morning and a busy day, and I’m heading back out for the fourth night of my birthday week – so I am going to have to punt on the shuffle today.  Sorry.  All the songs (which were really awesome) will go back into the hopper for another day.

Here is a recap of last night’s musical adventures…

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After that, I headed across the river to $2 Tuesday with Derek Hoke.  This is one of East Nashville’s best events. I have never once been disappointed.  Last night was exceptional.  I had heard about Ian Fitzgerald from a number of my songwriting friends, and I pleased to find out he was on the bill.  Ian is from Boston, and I really dug is songs. 

Ashleigh Flynn had also been recommended and introduced to me.  Backed by fiddle player, Kathryn Claire, Flynn said her songs were mostly about whiskey and women.  I particularly liked the song she wrote after playing an open mic night at the Bluebird Café. Some great humor and the music was smoking.  A magical moment happened when Ashley Flynn noting a poster over the bar, launched into an awesome cover of Todd Snider’s “Play a Train Song”, and Snider wandered on stage to sing along with the refrain.

Next up was Derek Hoke – who sounding amazing as always.

Suzy Oleson and her band sounded fantastic.

Special note: DJ Tim Hibbs played songs with the theme of Heroes and Outcasts in honor of David Bowie, and as only he can moved with ease from Bowie to Charlie Rich with Red Simpson song honoring the country music legend who passed away last week. 

The night ended with Jon Langford (The Mekons, The Waco Brothers) playing his first ever show at The 5 Spot (I think that is what he said), and it was hands down one of the best sets I have seen a while.  He had an awesome band that included Grant Johnson, Pete Finney, and Paul Burch.

An awesome night three of my birthday week, and I got to see several good friends along the way.  The trip continues tonight with two stops – I will back at The 5 Spot early (6-8) for the second installment of the Jason Ringenberg Residency – his guest tonight: Peter Cooper!

Then, I will head to Mad Donna’s for Brian Langlinais, Renee Wahl, and Simon Reid.

Shuffle returns tomorrow….

Saturday Shuffle – Getting Stuff Done Mix

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Hey, I needed to get some “stuff done” today, and I decided to shuffle some music while I got the “stuff done”.  So, welcome to a rare Saturday shuffle.  Limited descriptions  – just a ton of cool tunes.

As I mentioned yesterday, E2TG’s reigning Artist of the Year was selected by Nashville’s Lightning 100 to be their Artist of the Week.  As part of that, he played a free show yesterday evening at Soulshine Pizza, and he played one of the best shows I have ever seen him put on. I could not have been more proud.

“Bluebird” by Brian Wright and the Waco Tragedies

The title track… one of the best songwriters I know!

“Bright Dreams, Lonely Days” by Sara Syms

“Earie” Award winner from Way Back Home

“The Pilgram  (Chapter 33) by Paul Burch

From Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down – a tribute to Kris Kristofferson. Burch is doing a residency at The 5 Spot in February. 

“Oh, The Places” by Fendrick and Peck

From Lucky Penny

“Dying Oceans, Poisoned Seas and You” by Bashful Hips

From Too Old for a Coming of Age Story

“The Marriage of Coyote Woman” by All Them Witches

From Lightning at the Door

“Way Back Home” by Sara Syms

The title track…

“Mountain” by All Them Witches

Another from Lightning at the Door

“I Love My Dad” by Sun Kil Moon

From Benji

“All Across the World” by Dan Coyle

From Random Thoughts and Incomplete Sentences

“University Blvd.” by Los Straitjackets

The seminal modern day surf rock band!

“For the Swans” by Bosveld

Another from Velbrand

“Backstreets” by Bruce Springsteen

From Born to Run

“Hang Me in the Tulsa County Stars” by John Moreland

From High on Tulsa Heat – one of the best of 2015.

“My Mother’s Son” by All the King’s Men

From the EP Making My Escape

“Old England” by The Waterboys

From This is the Sea

“Honky Tonk Moan” by Cale Tyson

From Introducing Cale Tyson

“Eunice Two Step” by Beausoliel

Some sweet Cajun music – this is from the World Cafe Sessions

“I Don’t Think They Understand” by Tom Schreck

A favorite of mine.  From The Added Glory EP (aka Added Glory) (not aka The Added Glory – EP)

“Coming Soon” by Brian Keenan

From Fits and Starts

“Problems of an Atheist” by Bashful Hips

Another from Too Old for a Coming of Age Story.  Atheists have problems, too.

“Only the Sad Songs” by Brandy Zdan

From her self-titled album

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Featured Monday Music Shuffle – Fell Down on my Knees Mix

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Welcome back!  I trust everyone had an okay weekend… Winter seems to have put in an appearance here in Nashville with our coldest morning of the season…

Music around town is still heating up.   Friday night, I caught a trifecta of great shows.  Joey Kneiser had part one of his album release show at Grimey’s New and Used Music.  Great stuff, and be sure to check out his new album.  Next, Nellie Clay opened for Will Kimbrough downstairs at The Basement.  Nellie sounded awesome, and Will Kimbrough melted faces with his songs and his playing.  After that, I booked it across the river (following the lead of Mary Sack) to The Family Wash for Tommy Womack’s birthday show.  Tommy, who is well on his way to full recovery from his car accident at the beginning of the summer, pulled together an all-star band (Mark Robinson on guitar, Ross Rice on keyboards, Daniel Seymour on bass, Brad Pemberton on drums, and Lisa Oliver Gray).  They ripped through an impressive set that opened with a version of the Velvet Underground song, “Sweet Jane” and closed (before an encore) with Dylan’s “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”.  In between, Womack hit some of his best songs – like “Alpha Male and the Canine Mystery Blood”, “90 Miles an Hour Down a Dead-End Street”, and “Nice Day” and more.

Saturday, featured another really entertaining Mark Robinson Band show at The 5 Spot.  Back by Daniel Seymour and Rick Schell. Robinson showed off his incredible blues rock guitar chops.  Honestly, one of the best live bands around.  That was followed by a short trip over to the Family Wash – this time to catch Knoxville living legend, poet, and songwriter R.B. Morris. Morris also put together an amazing band  (Greg Horne on guitar, Daniel Kimbro on Bass, and Paul Griffith on drums).  Morris was in rare form as he tore through a set that besides his original music included covers of Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits.  Morris will be back in Nashville one week from this coming Saturday for the 10th Annual Get Behind Mule Tom Waits Tribute and Benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank.

To the shuffle – partially because Friday was so much fun and also because this is a short work week plus to help clear out some of my Featured playlist – I have made the executive decision to do all Featured Music shuffles this week.

“Crossroads” by Sara Syms

We open up the shuffle with Sara Syms bold take on the classic Robert Johnson song, “Crossroads”.  Syms adds her distinctive touch to the song, and as a result, it is a central part of her new album. 

“Pinyin” (DJ Mankiewicz Remix) by Batkhi Dahn

Batkhi Dahn from Connecticut has a new single called, “Pinyin”.  The download includes a few different mixes and versions of the song – including this one.  I continue to be amazed by the growth being shown by Batkhi Dahn and by all of the artists on the Dord Music Group label.  In the video playlist, we have a brand new video for Batkhi Dahn’s song, “Yip” which gives a good look into the mind of Batkhi Dahn mastermind, Hayden Nork. 

“3000 Miles” by James Tomberlin

Songwriter, James Tomberlin is greatly missed here in Nashville, but I, for one, and happy that he is pursuing his goals.  I am also very glad that Josh Morris managed to get James into the studio before he left to record this wonderful EP, “Still Life with Orange”.  This song is about a long distance relationship, and it shows off Tomberlin’s adept word play and songwriting.

“I Really Don’t Care” by Dan Coyle

Another track from Random Thoughts and Incomplete Sentences. This album and some other Dan Coyle music can be found on Noisetrade.

“Bright Spot in a Bad Year” by The Deadline Shakes

This is the lead track from the debut album by Glascow band, The Deadline Shakes.  It features some pretty infectious music.  Look for more from them forthcoming.

“Real Bad Low” by Sara Syms

Another great song from “Way Back Home”.  If you missed it, this might be a good time to read my review of the album.  HERE

“Goodbye” by Dan Coyle

Our second song of the day from Dan Coyle’s Random Thoughts and Incomplete Sentences.  Dan Coyle is a consistently great songwriter. The stuff on Noisetrade would make a good jumping on point if you want to check him out… which you should.

“Lay My Head Down Easy” by Tom House

Another track from Tom House’s album Songs Like Dreams… More Like Blood.  An authentic and original voice from a long time Nashville songwriter.

“Call” by New York Tourists

We close out with the a single from an alternative band that is neither from New York nor tourists.  I really like this song a lot.  It has been described as Queens of the Stone Age meets The Foals.  I will leave it up to you to decide if that is accurate.  It’s a really groovy song, though.  Check it out.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – The Rainbow Didn’t Bring Me No Luck Mix

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Welcome back… No shuffle yesterday because I was off work for Veteran’s Day.  Lot’s to recap…

Tuesday night, I attended the weekly $2 Tuesday show at The 5 Spot.  As it always is, it was a great time at a great price.  Included: a second opportunity to see Brock Zeman and Blair Hogan – who killed it.  Bob Lewis with great band that included my old friend Joe Bidewell plus Lemuel Hayes and Issac Anthony.  Plus Derek Hoke’s always awesome set, and the late night spot was rocked hard by new Nashvillian K. Phillips whose band included by friend Steven Cooper.

Since, I was off I got to hang out in the studio and observe the making of Darrin Bradbury’s next album.  A lot of people are going to be surprised by his turn toward gangsta rap, but I never question an artistic genius.

Last night, a great night of songwriters at Mad Donna’s featuring the always awesome Kiely Schlesinger who was backed by Drew Kohl – who did a killer version of Springsteen’s “Atlantic City”, Violet Delancey who was backed by a great band that included Andrew Leahey on guitar, and Lindsay Ellyn who was awesome as always backed by Raun Schultz and Buddy Woodward and for the first time by fiddle player – Holly Parks. 

In the midst of all that, I wrote a review of the (still fairly new) Sara Syms album, Way Back Home.  The title track (coincidently) showed up in the shuffle today, so I will post the links when I get to that song…

On to the shuffle

“Frying Eggs (The Roadkill Song)” by Darrin Bradbury

Decades from now, musical historians will look back and note that this was the first sign of Darrin’s eventual turn toward gangsta rap… what is more gangsta than singing about a dead raccoon?  Seriously, this our last track to post from The Story of Bob – the record which made my face famous…  By the way, I did not find a video of this song, but I did find a nine year old clip of Darrin.

“Saint Francis” by Gretchen Peters

Another from Hello Cruel World. Gretchen Peters is, hands down,  one of the best songwriters  working today.

“Side of the Mountain” by Carl Anderson

Another chance to talk about Carl Anderson’s amazing album Risk of Loss. The year is almost over and this is still on my mind as one of the best of 2015.

“Goodbye Marie” by Gear Daddies

Billy’s Live Bait – along with Let’s Go Scare Al – were part of the soundtrack of particularly interesting portion of life.  I think the songs (as all great songs do) have held up well in the decades since they were released.

“Florida Water” by Jesse and Noah

Another from Jesse and Noah – this one is from their Driven Back album of original songs.  It is a tribute to their home state.

“Way Back Home” by Sara Syms

As I mentioned in the Intro – I have written a review of Sara Syms’ awesome new album, Way Back Home.  This is the opening and title track which sets the tone for the album.  My review can be found on No Depression and right here on Ear to the Ground.

“Walking Down the Road” by Tymon Dogg

Tymon Dogg is a stalwart of the London underground music scene – whose credits include being a part of Joe Strummer’s last band, Mescalero’s.  He also contributed to Sandinista! and Combat Rock by the Clash.  Made of Light is the name of his new album which was released last week. Check it out!

“Tears Fall the Same” by Tiffany Huggins Grant

We return to local favorite, Tiffany Huggins Grant with another track from her album, Jonquil Child which also has to be on my list of favorites for the year.

“Motel Matches” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

And, we close out the shuffle with some classic Elvis from Get Happy!  Get Happy! was Elvis Costello’s fourth album – his third with the Attraction, and it was released in early 1980 and remains one of my all time favorites.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Home Coming – An E2TG Review of Way Back Home by Sara Syms

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On Sara Syms’ new album, Way Back Home, the Nashville based singer-songwriter creates a rich lyrical and musical landscape onto which she explores and evokes the complex concept of “home”.

Way Back Home was recorded in Brooklyn where Syms lived before moving to Nashville, and it was produced by Chris Cubeta and Nick Africano who both provide vocals and instrumentation to the project.

The album has a definite autumnal feel to it, there is a relaxed, comfortable mood evident in music from the opening notes of the first and title track.  Syms’ smoky, earthy voice contributes to the feeling of crisp air and colorful leaves and long drives to get back to a place or person or an idea.

On the title track, Syms sings, “when the days are long (so long) and the night so cold (feel a shiver)/ lie inside all those memories in your arms/thinking of you to find my way back home.” The words, Syms’ vocals, and the music paint a very familiar picture of being far away from “home”.  The song is effective no matter how one considers the concept of home.  A child spending a first night away from their house and family, a young person living  in another city or state, or someone who feels separated from their own emotional/spiritual center – the song speaks to all of those and more.

“Running Away from Me” speaks to the latter concept of being far from home.  The music is more upbeat but maintains the casual, hazy mood. “Sometimes it feels my life is running away from me” speaks to life in the early part of the 21st Century and the idea of excessive busyness that tries and fails to fill up one’s life.  The song ends up being at least somewhat hopeful with words like “wish upon whatever star” and “promise take good care of me” offering solace if no clear cut answers to “life’s revolving door”.

The album strikes a delicate balance between offering a diverse collection of songs while maintaining a unified feel throughout. One highlight of the album is  Syms’ bold reworking of the classic and often covered Robert Johnson song, “Crossroads”.  Syms imaginatively remakes the song to fit squarely within the framework of the album while necessarily and successfully maintaining the core of the legendary song. The track that follows – kind of a companion piece – “Land Where the Blues Began” – masterfully paints a gorgeous picture of a scene of loss and letting go of painful memories.

The album closes with “In Time”.  It is a slow, down beat song that utilizes a pedal steel to bring to mind heartbreak while the lyrics return to a feeling of loss and disconnection from self and purpose before leaving the listener still on that long road home, but with the optimistic line “I’ll find my way in time” echoing like an affirmation.

Way Back Home is out now and available through most of the usual sites.

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Just Like a Bee Mix

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Greetings…. Let’s get right to today’s morning music shuffle… enjoy!

“Tip of My Tongue” by Dan Martin

To start things off, we have another great song from the album Hoka Hey by Oklahoma singer/songwriter Dan Martin.

“Magnet” by Punch Brothers

The Punch Brothers are the progressive bluegrass/modern classical band formed by Chris Thile in 2006.  “Magnet” is a track on their fourth and most recent studio album, The Phosphorescent Blues, which was produced by T Bone Burnett and released at the beginning of this year.

“Country Music, I’m Talking to You” by Darrell Scott

This pointed, timely, and truthful was written by the late Ben Bullington – a country doctor and songwriter who spent the last year of his life living out his dream of playing music. Darrell Scott recorded a tribute album called 10: Songs of Ben Bullington and released it earlier this year.  I was fortunate enough to attend the release show at City Winery Nashville which included an all-star cast each doing one song of Bullington’s as well as one of their own.  It was a wonderful celebration of song.  In the video playlist, we have a video Ben Bullington doing this song as part of a writer’s round at the Station Inn in Nashville. The round was a fulfillment of a dream for Bullington and featured Darrell Scott, Will Kimbrough, and Rodney Crowell.   We also have Darrell Scott’s version in the video playlist. 

“Can We Hear It?” by The Little Unsaid

The Little Unsaid are from the U.K.  This song is the lead single from their third album, Fisher King.  The band mixes folk, alternative, and electronic influences for a wonderfully unique sound.  John Elliott is the driving force behind The Little Unsaid, but the work is collaborative in nature.  This was my first listen, and I definitely want to explore more.

“Funeral For a Great Drunken Bird” by All Them Witches

From their 2014 album, Lightning at the Door.   Nashville based All Them Witches just released their latest album, Dying Surfer Meets His Maker, and they will be holding court for a two-night stand at 3rd and Lindsley this weekend.

“Wild Honey” by Webb Wilder

Speaking of Nashville artists who have just released new album, local legend and the last of the full-grown men, we have this naturally sweet song from Hybrid Vigor.  Be sure to check out Webb’s new album Mississippi Moderne. Hope to have some songs from that in the shuffle soon.

“Dusty Wingtip Shoes” by D.C. Bloom

I have had this song from Texas singer/songwriter D.C. Bloom in my playlist for a while, and it finally came up in my shuffle.   The song comes from his 2011 album New Man.  A great song from a great songwriter.

“Almost Home” by Sara Syms

We close out the shuffle with another track from Sara Sym’s brand new album, Way Back Home.  On this song, Syms shows off her vocal abilities with a song that mixes elements of blues and soul with a more traditional singer/songwriter style.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Featured Friday Music Shuffle – Where the Blues Began Mix

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Well it’s Friday and it is All Hallows Eve Eve and it is sunny today and did I mention it is Friday!

Last night I completed my punch card and made it to all five of the Campfire Propaganda residency shows. This week Megan Palmer  and Brian Wright were back, and Darrin Bradbury was out of town on tour. Great sets of music by Tim Easton, Brian Wright (who covered Darrin’s “Blue Highways”), Megan Palmer, and then Nellie Clay played with a full (and awesome) band for her CD Release show.  She even brought up a horn section for the last two songs.

After that I decided to enjoy the crisp Autumn evening and made my way to Drifter’s BBQ to watch Tim Carroll and Luella before heading home to do some preparation for a meeting this afternoon which should help me set a course to make 2016 the best year ever for #E2TG.

We have a featured Friday shuffle that is sure to provide a multitude of treats with a minimum of trickery.

“ネオ東京 Underground” by Victor Love

We start out with some Industrial/Techno music with an accompanying video that is a tribute to the classic Manga/Anime Akira. Fun stuff – check it out. This is the lead track from an album called The Network. Victor Love is from Rome – I believe, by way of Neo Tokyo.

“Cold Stones and Rubble” by Jon Latham

We are now two weeks out from the release of Jon Latham’s awesome new album, Real Bad News. The buzz for this record continues to build, and Jon will opening up for Malcolm Holcomb in December 4 at the original Basement. 

“Silver Cigarette Case” by the British IBM

Earning their spot in the long line of awesome British Pop bands  (Pop in the best sense of that work by the way), I have been really digging on Psychopaths Dream in Black and White.  Check them out.

“If I Could Only Turn Back” by Fendrick and Peck

Fendrick and Peck are really nice people who happen to be awesome songwriters and performers. True story, I met Brian Peck the very same night that I met Jon Latham.  I had been convinced to accompany Darrin Bradbury and James Tomberlin on a somewhat sketchy drive to a Sunday night open mic somewhere way out on Murfreesboro Pike.  We ended up in this rather nice establishment in a strip mall.  The open mic featured some kids doing recital pieces, a couple doing traditional songs, and Darrin, James, Brian Peck, Taylor Alexander, Jon Latham, and Drew Kohl doing their amazing songs. Ah, those were much simpler times… (last year).  Anyway, this is another great song from the Fendrick and Peck album Lucky Penny which you should definitely check out.

“Land Where The Blues Began” by Sara Syms

Speaking of really nice people and amazing songwriters/performers…. Sara Syms is one of my absolute favorite Nashville artists.  She recently released her wonderful new album Way Back Home.  Land Where the Blues Began is as good as any place to dive into her music.  Sara makes pretty timeless yet timely music- couching her strong songwriting with some great production and instrumentation.   Check her out!

“Some Days a Dollar” by Tiffany Huggins Grant

Continuing a theme of Nashville singer/songwriters who are also very nice people… We have been featuring Jonquil Child for some time, and we still have a few more songs in our playlist.  Boasting a powerful voice and backed by talented an experienced plays, Jonquil Child is an incredible album.  #E2TG favorite, Mark Robinson produced and played on the record.

“Awful Lot” by Susan James

We close things out with our final track from Sea Glass – long time blog favorite Susan James’ new album which marked a return to her California singer/songwriter roots and which injected a decidedly Paisley Undergroundish sound to the music.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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