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Hey ho! It’s Trendy Trending Tuesday at E2TG. This will have to be a quick one. Lots of music and not much time.
“Black Butterflies” by Angeline
French-born, London based singer-songwriter with a beautiful track from her EP Back to Pike Place.
“Like Thelma and Louise” by Lori Kelley
One of my favorite songs from the More album by Nashville songwriter-singer Lori Kelley.
“Unwanted Man” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
One more from Love and Life – trippy blues that seems to drip with honeysuckle and humidity.
“Napoleon” by Angela Burns
Angela Burns is from Austin – she has some impressive film credentials. This is her debut musical release – a mixtape called So That You Can Feel Better. A very unique style. I like this quite a bit.
“Game Over” by Jeremy Nash
Another track from Getaway Driver, the recent album by Nashville/New York singer-songwriter Jeremy Nash.
“Shadows Past” by Elephant Revival
From the live project, Sands of Now – Colorado Americana/Indie Folk band Elephant Revival.
“Let’s Stick Together” by Luella
Another from Luella – here dueting with Tim Carroll on a cover of a Bryan Ferry song that was a cover of a Wilbert Harrison song. Luella and Tim make it all their own.
“What They Gonna Say” by Nellie Clay
Another great song from Never Did What I Should Have Done. Nellie came to Nashville from Oklahoma after a several year stop over in Alaska. Great music from a really cool person.
“Ride the Dragon” by Iced Ink
Ride the Dragon is nine seconds long. Sounds like a pretty good rodeo ride… From Willie Nelson Prince.
“On Its Way” by Outta the Furnace
Our second listen to these hard/blues rocking Virginians.
“Rainbow Over The East-Side” by Amelia White
A gorgeous song from Home Sweet Hotel. The video is from last summer at Music City Roots. A bunch of familiar faces in the band.
“The Great Space Fight” by Discount Ravioli
Once again, since Discount Ravioli seems to eschew videos, I found a 7 year video of the Nork kids. This one an interview at a corn maze. 🙂
So… Nashville had a light layer of ice this morning followed by a dusting of snow. To translate for those of you in colder climates: NASHVILLE WAS HIT BY A MAJOR WINTER STORM TODAY! EVERYONE PANIC NOW!!!!!
So, when I made to the office (where attendance is very light today), my phone decided to turn itself off and back on which means I lost the record of the shuffle. I was able to remember all of the songs – I think, but the order is screwed up… then again, you would never have known that if I had not told you… shoot, I wish there was a way to erase that, but I heard things on the internet cannot be truly erased…
I am getting really excited for tomorrow night. At the Family Wash – dual CD Release shows happening with two of my favorite people here in town. Stone Cupid (Julie Christensen’s band) is celebrating the release of The Cardinal and Amelia White is celebrating the release of her new album Home Sweet Hotel. Should be a great time!
On to the approximation of this morning’s shuffle….
Maria McKee has been one of my favorite voices since she was with Lone Justice. This is a favorite of mine from her self-titled debut album.
“Baby Please Don’t Go” by CJ Chenier
A zydeco flavored version of the blues standard via The World Café Sessions.
“Let’s Go to Memphis” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
Some new blues from Nashville’s own Scissormen off of the album Love and Life.
“Fake (About 10 or 12 Cows)” by Discount Ravioli
Discount Ravioli have a new album, but this is off their first which was called Robin Schultz and the 21 Prayers. I still cannot find a Discount Ravioli video (but I did find lots of videos about how to make ravioli which is better than when I tried to find a video of another Dord Music Group band called 100% Beefcake….). I did find a video for another band from that label called Urinal Cakes. Discount Ravioli are on bandcamp. How to explain their sound…. imagine what it would sound like if you gave a group of musically talented but offbeat kids a bunch of caffeine and let them stay up way too late and then recorded the results. Something like that. It’s fun for sure.
“Walt Whitman’s Haversack” by Fendrick and Peck
Another lovely song from the Lucky Penny album by the Nashville-based, hard travelling duo.
“Valley of Rain” by Giant Sand
The lead and title track from the 1985 debut album by the long running Tucson, Arizona band fronted by the great Howe Gelb. The first album featured piano by Chris Cacavas of Green on Red. Over the years, the band has gone by the names Giant Sandworm and Giant Giant Sand.
“Benson Said Something” by Smokey The Firebear
31 seconds of found sounds, random recordings, and noises from the album BNGFKR. Smokey The Firebear’s new album Ohm Atlanta is due out on Valentine’s Day. I think.
“The Wild Side of Life” by Hank Thompson
A true classic country music song from 1952 by the great Hank Thompson. This was the song that inspired the answer song, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” by Kitty Wells which was also released in 1952.
“Time Passes By” by Don Gallardo
Despite what you may hear otherwise, true country music is alive and well here in the middle years of the second decade of the 21st Century. I saw Nashville based Don Gallardo and his band How Far West on New Years Eve Eve at the Family Wash, and they were incredible. Expect a new album in 2016. This one is the lead track from the 2011 album When The Daylight Whispers Darling…
Today’s “Earie” Award category is either called, “The Hall of Fame Part II” Award or the “E2TG Survivor Series” Award or something. Over the 4 1/2 year history of E2TG, I have been fortunate to get to know and write about a ton of really awesome and talented artists. As most people reading this know, making music and trying to be heard in 2015 is a challenging proposition. It is easy to get burned out or for more lucrative opportunities to take precedence. This award is meant to recognize long time favorites of this blog who are still out there doing their thing and making vital and interesting music.
1. Killing Kuddles – from Atlanta – Elwood “Killing” Kuddles first caught my attention a few years ago with his blending of punk and folk or folk and punk – which I hereby dub.. “Polk” (because “Funk” means something else). In 2015, Kuddles released the Sinking Ship EP which pushed his signature sound forward. I love his slightly twisted humor and the way his music makes me happy. Very happily, I made a Black Friday purchase that included a Killing Kuddles t-shirt, stickers, patches, and buttons.
2. The Danbury Lie – originating from Connecticut, I think he’s kind of a citizen of the world now. The Danbury Lie holds the distinction of being the third most tagged band in E2TG history. Like so many Connecticut artists, he is extremely prolific. In 2015 alone, he released Scattered Moments of Connection, Choose Your Delusion, Shallow Cuts (kind of a Greatest Hits collection), and the DVD (with accompanying soundtrack) called Whispers to Oblivion. And he is already at work on a new project schedule for early next year. His music is unique and amazing. It is an interesting mix of experimental metal, out there folk, and something harder to define. Whispers to Oblivion is a chronicle of his cross-country drive over the summer. It is an amazing video which manages to give the viewer insight into The Danbury Lie’s world. I would recommend it even if I didn’t make a voice-only cameo appearance.
3. Pony Boy – When I first came into contact with the music of Marchelle Bradanini – aka Pony Boy – she was in Los Angeles, and I was very impressed by both her songs and her incredible voice. Since then, she has partially relocated to East Nashville (she lives 1/2 time here and in L.A.), and she has begun to received some well deserved attention. Pony Boy released Blue Gold this year, and I have seen it mentioned on some best of lists already. And now, she has an “Earie”.
Our last featured Friday shuffle of 2015 is on deck….
“More Glue” by Tim Carroll
Tonight, as I have done many times in 2015, I will begin my Friday evening with one of Nashville’s best deals and best things. Just about every Friday beginning at 6 p.m., Tim Carroll and his band settle into The 5 Spot for an amazing Rock and Roll Happy Hour. There is no cover (but hit up the tip jar or the tip kettle), and settle in for two to two and half hours straight of some of the best music you are likely to hear. Happily, Carroll has begun to release some of his new songs which you are likely to hear on a given Friday. This is a track from his last album, Pure as Coal which is now largely unavailable.
“DMT” by Tymon Dogg
A really cool track from one-time Joe Strummer collaborator, Tymon Dogg . His latest album is called Made of Light, and you will be hearing much more of it in 2016.
“New Wave (Is this Rock ‘N’ Roll?) by Niall James Holohan
A Dublin born, London based recording artist. This is the current single, and my first listen. I like it.
“Clear Sky” by Matt Prater
Alabama-based country music singer-songwriter Matt Prater’s Tables and Chairs is a very good album. Prater makes the kind of country music that flies in the face of much of what the “industry” is putting out. That, to me, is a good thing, a very good thing.
“Dreaming On the Road” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
Earie Award winning Ted Drozdowski and his Scissormen are up next with an excellent track from Love and Life – one of my favorite albums of the year.
“Christopher” by Pony Boy
Fortuitously, Pony Boy – jumps into the shuffle on the same day that she picks up an “Earie” with a song from Blue Gold. Could this song be a reference to Christopher Thomas Howell who played Ponyboy Curtis in Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of the S.E. Hinton novel? I have no idea. I love this song, though.
“Mirror Black Mirror” by Indigenous Engines
Another “Earie” award winner – Andrew Adkins released a pair of EPs under the Indigenous Engines moniker. This track is from the EP called Witches. Ominously wonderful music.
“I Ain’t the Sharpest Marble” by D.L. Duncan
And yet another “Earie” award winner! With the lead track from his self-titled album. The title of this song makes me smile, and it is a really cool blues song.
“American Night” by Benchmarks
Todd Farrell and The Dirty Birds changed their name in 2015, and released their self-title debut as Benchmarks. This is a very summery album which was a great choice for this cold morning. Benchmarks are currently working on their follow-up, and I for one can’t wait. This is the kind of song that is needed to steal back the concept of driving down some desolate country road and partying with your friends from those bro-country bozos. The video in the playlist for this song is from a show that I attended – wherein Micah Schnaubel of Farrell’s other band (Two Cow Garage) jumped stage to join in.
Well… It’s Friday! By my estimates, there are eleven work days left in 2015. I am going to have to huddle up with the awards committee* over the weekend to take stock of where things stand. I know I will leave somebody important out, so expect some adjunct awards early in 2016. *I am the awards committee, by the way….
Now to today’s “Earie”Award.
The Award: the “There Going to Put Me in the Movies” Award aka the “Act Naturally” Award aka the “Buck Owens” Award….
The premise: No premise really, just a way to connect two awesome songwriters/musicians so that I can give them both an award for being awesome.
The Awards go to:
1. Joe Nolan – Joe recently signed a new publishing agreement with Creative Songwriters Music which is hopefully mean we will be hearing some of his great songs in movies and television shows soon. In addition, Joe Nolan is by the best definition I know, a true modern day renaissance man. In addition to his extensive journalistic work – among other things he is the arts editor for the Nashville Scene, a regular blogger, etc. etc. etc. He was recently awarded a commission by the Metro (Nashville) Arts Commission to create a song based upon a piece of public art, and he has an on-going Nashville Public Radio series about Nashville’s many “Pikes”. Makes me proud to be a “Joe”.
2. Andrew Adkins – Andrew has an excellent track record of having songs used in movies and trailers. Most recently, one of his songs was used in the trailer for Colin Hanks’ film about Tower Records, All Things Must Pass. This was cool to me for two reason, 1. Tower Records played an important role in my musical development – particularly in the early 90s. 2. Colin Hanks was in Orange County and he’s Tom Hanks’ son. In addition, Adkins has kept busy making music under a variety of names before consolidating it all under his own name. Semi-coincidently, he just released the first single from his forthcoming album, Glass Castles (which will be released the day after my birthday). The single is called, “May the Stars Fall At Your Door” and it marks a bit of a departure from the kind of music Andrew Adkins has been doing.
On to the shuffle:
“This I See” by Dan Coyle
Another track from Dan Coyle’s Random Random Thoughts and Incomplete Sentences. The album is a few years old, and maybe shouldn’t be on my “Featured” playlist, but hey, it’s new to me, plus it’s my playlist, my blog, my rules.
“Oklahoma” by Nellie Clay
I got to hear Nellie Clay perform some of her music Wednesday night at the Family Wash and then I ran into her last night. She is one of my newest favorite local songwriters. Originally from Oklahoma, she moved to Nashville from Alaska. Her new album is called Never Did What I Should Have Done.
“Write it Down” by Tom House
The first of three songs from Tom House’s latest album, Songs Like Dreams… More Like Blood. The album features a cover image shot by E2TG favorite Brock Zeman. Tom House is hands down one of Nashville’s best songwriters and I am glad I finally caught on to his music. This song really speaks to me as a creative person.
“The Sky is the Color of Wow” by Tom House
I love almost everything about this song. The title is great. Some of the lines just blew me away to the point that I wanted to go back and hear them again to get the full impact. The subtitle of this post comes from a line in this song.
“True North/Magnetic North (Metro North)” by Smokey the Firebear
Yesterday, Smokey the Firebear posted the following:
The rough mix of Ohm Atlanta is finished! I now have two months to wear myself out over every little detail and probably rerecord half if it
This track is one of the rough mixes which is available on Bandcamp. Today, Smokey the Firebear tweeted that tomorrow is the one year anniversary of Smokey the Firebear. I currently have almost 40 Smokey the Firebear songs in my playlist. As I have said before, these Connecticut kids don’t mess around.
Back to Tom House. Sadly, I can relate to this song, too. I posted three different Tom House songs in the video playlist but be sure to search out Songs Like Dreams… More Like Blood.
“Prayer Emoji” (feat. Supa Bwe) by Rich Robbins
Another track from Nimbus on of my favorite albums of 2015. I love the title of this one.
“Can’t Be Satisfied” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
Closing out the shuffle with two blues songs by gentlemen who know more than most about the genre. Earie Award winning Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen had been on my radar before 2015, but with the release of Love and Life and having had the opportunity to see them live a few times this year, they have jumped into my favorite artist category big time. By the way, some E2TG trivia, Ted’s Scissormen played a show up in New York with E2TG Hall of Famers and fellow “Earie” award winners The End Men – a couple of months ago. I wish I had been at that show!
“Goodnight” by Bob Margolin
Our first listen to My Road the forthcoming new album by “Steady Rollin'” Bob Margolin. Mark Robinson recently got me up to speed on Bob Margolin. I had heard the album before I talked to Robinson and I knew right away this was something special. Margolin is a legendary blues guitarist who spent of backing Muddy Waters and even appeared with Waters and The Band in The Last Waltz. Like Ted Drozdowski, Bob Margolin is a respected journalist who has been contributing to Blues Revue for many years. As I said, even without the background, one listen to My Road leaves little doubt as to the genius behind it.
E2TG moves into the mid-week. The rain has stopped for now, and I actually think I saw a patch of blue sky for a second, but it’s gone now…
We have a nifty shuffle that features some friends, a cover, a variety of styles of music, and a classic track from 1979. Boom!
“Love Remains” by Bob Lewis
Adding to the growing and awesome list of cool songwriters I know in Nashville… I got to see Bob Lewis perform a while back. Cool songs with a bit of Paul Westerberg sound… always a good thing. I see him frequently working the front door (and occasionally behind the bar) at The 5 Spot. If you ever go there and he is working, mention Ear to the Ground…. then show him your ID and pay the cover. Mentioning Ear to the Ground won’t get you anything, but hey, it always helps to have people mention your blog.
“Tupelo” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
In the random shuffle/good timing department…. Ted and his Scissormen will be will playing Music City Roots in Franklin tonight – along with another artist we’ve featured here – Amy Black. Should be a cool night of music… Interesting to see if the MCR stage can contain Ted Drozdowski… hint: Don’t count on it! This is an older song from the band which is available on a Noisetrade sampler called Stink Eye. Ted and company’s new album Love and Life is out now and you should get it!
“Cuts Like a Knife” (Bryan Adams cover) by The Hold Steady
What’s that? You’ve always wondered what it would sound like if The Hold Steady covered a big hit song by 80s Canadian star Bryan Adams… well wonder no more. No video of this, but grab your own copy of the song and other Halloween Treats in the October Feel Bad for You Mixtape which is available right now on our good friend Popa’s Tunes site. Hint: Even if you really don’t like Bryan Adams, you should check this out. Hint 2: Bryan Adams did not just release a cover of Taylor Swift’s 1989 album.
“Silk and Diamonds” by James Tomberlin
Former Nashville singer/songwriter James Tomberlin delivers the sexy with this track from his record, Still Life With Orange. The album was produced at Fort Dakota Studios by Josh Morris who also co-produced Jon Latham’s new album Real Bad News. Coincidently (or not), Jon Latham does a pretty awesome James Tomberlin impression.
“Lucky Me” by The Unravelling
Making the smooth transition from a silky smooth singer-songwriter to some progressive gothic industrial metal from Calgary, we feature another track from the album Tear a Hole in the Collective Vision.
“Never Going Back” by Samantha Crain
And we go back to some cool singer-songwriter/folk music – because that is how we roll at #E2TG. Samantha Crain is from Oklahoma, which as I have discovered of late, is home to a bunch of really awesome songwriters. I got to see Samantha in a round at The Bluebird Café earlier this year, and I was highly impressed. “Never Going Back” is from her 2013 album, Kid Face.
“Riverside” by Stone Cupid
Another day, another Stone Cupid song from the forthcoming The Cardinal. This one is a song about a Demolition Derby in Winterset, Iowa. It rocks!
And we close out the mid-week shuffle with the title track from one of my all-time favorite albums by one of the best bands of all time. “and I live by the river…”
Pardon my English, but screw 1,000 posts. 1001 is where it is at… plus it is a palindrome.
So, last night was the first of five weeks of Campfire Propaganda’s residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville. It was a wonderful celebration of songs and songwriters. Tim Easton, who is always wonderful, the awesome Megan Palmer, guests from Oklahoma – John Calvin Abney and Levi Parham), Nellie Clay, and Darrin Bradbury. For the rest of the Thursday’s in October 6p.m. to 8p.m. The 5 Spot is the place to be…
“agadbaagadba” by valued customer
I got another reminder of how much I love Valued Customer. The long time Ear to the Ground favorites from Toronto released Kalpa last year, and it stands a remarkable achievement and I’d go as far as to say, it is one of my all-time favorites. They have been hard at work on the follow-up which will be called hugecup. Expect that album in 2016. In the meantime, the tide us over, they recently released byugecup (the hugecup b-sides). Let me tell you right now, if these are the songs that didn’t make the cut for hugecup… then… that album will be worth the wait. I never really know how to explain Valued Customer to the uninitiated. Think really, really alternate hip-hop, with elements of avant garde jazz and classical music, trippy eastern spirituality, and a solid foundation of modern music. It is not exactly what would be considered accessible in a mainstream kind of way, but from the moment I first heard the band, I have been in to it hardcore.
“All in the Mystery” and “Goodnight Brownie Ford” by Kevin Gordon
The shuffle brings up two songs in a row from Kevin Gordon’s excellent new album, Long Gone Time. You may recall I reviewed the album and the CD Release Show for No Depression. Kevin Gordon is a Nashville and a National treasure and here to hoping his “under the radar” days are numbered.
“Get Low” by Millar Jukes and the Bandits
Our second list to Millar Jukes and his band from Australia. The new EP is called Chase the Sun, and I am really loving it.
“Black Lung Fever” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen will be playing Music City Roots at the end of this month, and I, for one, plan to be on the bus down there for that show. You may recall, I reviewed this record back at the end of July. You can check out that review – here.
“Old Soul” by Dog Without Warning
Long time Ear to the Ground faves and Couch by Couchwest alums – Dog Without Warning from the Bay Area have, in the time I have known of them, have made consistently good music that has generally not had a consistent sound. On the thematic Go Girl from 2012 was a solid indie rock album. Bark, released in 2013, was acoustic, at times almost Countryish, and really good. The band has been releasing some individual songs since April of this year (they released the latest just a day or so ago). “Old Soul” was released in May. This song plays heavy toward the direction of “nerd rock” (a description they often use). It is a really great song both lyrically and musically. Expect more of their new music to pop up in the shuffle soon.
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Heritage Blues Orchestra with Special Guest Keb Mo
Took in a great show last night at the historic Franklin Theatre in Downtown Franklin, TN. The show marked the first ever Nashville area appearance of the Heritage Blues Orchestra from New York City. Their music incorporated traditional Blues tunes with some jazz-inspired arrangements to create a very diverse and fun night of music. The guitar work of Junior Mack was outstanding, the vocals were out of this world. Special Guest Keb Mo was incredible.
To close out the week, we have pretty cool Featured Friday shuffle that is a good mix that includes songs sent to me by some of the most consistently awesome publicists from whom I get music along with some awesome songs from of the immensely talented friends I’ve made on this journey of music and life.
“Kohly” by Angeline
Angeline (with an accent mark, I am too lazy to figure out how to type) is a French born singer-songwriter now living in London. Her new EP is called, Back to Pike, and this is actually the short instrumental prelude included as the first track. I personally love having introductions and instrumental preludes etc. included in the shuffle… makes for some fun transitions. Looking forward to featuring the rest of the EP soon.
“Master Drone” by The Unravelling
Speaking of interesting transitions. The previously mentioned prelude served as a precursor to this Heavy Rocking track from Calgary based The Unravelling. The song is loud and pounding and crunching… a great way to get me geared up for my Friday work day…
“Wired for Fun” by Bark
What do you do when you are a badass bass player? You take up the drums! At least that is what Susan Bauer Lee did last year, and out of that her and husband Tim Lee formed a side project to their band, Tim Lee 3 – called Bark. Bark released their debut EP earlier this year, and Wired for Fun is on that record. I dig it.
“Two Heads” by The Jackals
We have another track from Scottish band, The Jackals from their new record, People. Awesome Cosmic Rock and Roll from across the pond.
“The River” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
Remember when I reviewed Love and Life? In case you missed it, or need a refresher… here it is. It is very refreshing to hear artists like Scissormen and the Heritage Blues Orchestra upholding traditional roots music while simultaneously pushing into forward and keeping the music not just remembered but alive.
“Better Walk Right” by James Tomberlin
Still Life with Orange is both a great record (produced by E2TG fave/friend Josh Morris) and a consolation to the fact that James no longer lives in Nashville. He is off preparing to set the world ablaze with his legal brilliance. I met James a little over a year ago, when Darrin Bradbury introduced him as a great songwriter. Darrin was neither lying or overstating. James voice and guitar playing create a rich and unique soundscape for his brilliant songs.
“For What That’s Worth” by Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars
Remember when I reviewed For a Thousand Miles? Here is where to find that review. Patrick Kinsley is another of those brilliant songwriters that I have met in Nashville over the past year or so. He is well read, insightful, has a unique voice, and is backed by a great sounding band.
How goes it? A bit overcast here in Nashville with some cooler temps on the way…
Tonight is week 2 of David Olney’s month-long residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville. Interested to see what he has up his sleeves this week after last weeks excellent start.
Let’s jump into the shuffle—
“Long Way ’round” by Fendrick and Peck
First up is the opening track and our second listen to Lucky Penny the new album my Nashville-based folk duo Fendrick and Peck. A great way to start my morning commute.
“XXX-Mas (Empty, Hopeless, Irritable, Anxious, Guilty, Tired)” by Bashful Hips
We have another track from Too Old for a Coming of Age Story. This too is the opening track. An uplifting song… that I can relate to way too well…
“Mardi Gras in My Town” by Batkhi Dahn
Another Batkhi Dahn song to brighten our Thursday shuffle… This one goes back to the 4 song EP called 4 Song Delinquent EP. Continuing a mini-trend of the day, this, too, is the opening track of that release.
“American Bigfoot” by Fangs and Twang
Ear to the Ground favorite Black Jake is about to reboot things with a new set of Carnies (or at least that is my understanding). The most recent group of Carnies have a new project called Fangs and Twang. If you, like me, always wondered what these particular Carnies would sound like without Jake, we have your answer. This is the kind of heavy rock and roll that made this country great!
“Ay Manzanita” by Susan James
We dig deeper into Sea Glass the stunning newish album by another long time E2TG fave… this is just a gorgeous California Pop song…
“R.L. Burnside (Sleight Return)” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
From Love and Life (and also available on the Noisetrade only EP, Stink Eye), comes a blues infested dream about an encounter with the late blues legend. Drozdowski actually did spend some time with Mr. Burnside, so this is a dream with some basis in reality.
“Hair of the Dog” by Megan Palmer
One of East Nashville’s best. Megan Palmer frequently backs up Tim Easton, she has also backed up Darrin Bradbury on occasion, and she is currently backing Amy Speace. She does a great job backing all these folks, but if you get the chance to see her doing her own songs, please do not miss it. I have fortunately had two opportunities recently (including Tuesday night’s round at the Bluebird). This one goes back a ways, to a record she put out called Take You Away.
“Hot Freaks” (GBV cover) by Blitzen Trapper
You know what we have never had appear in a shuffle here at Ear to the Ground? A Guided By Voices cover by Blitzen Trapper. Happy to say that we can cross that one off our hypothetical #E2TG bucket list…
“Lonely Without You” by Carolina Story
Last but certainly not least, we have Nashville duo, Carolina Story with a song that was on their 2013 EP called Chapter One. Right now, you can go to Noisetrade and get Chapters One and Two and pay what you like.
We move confidently into the middle of the week, and step one day further into this September.
“You’re a Whole Different Person When You’re Scared” by Warren Zevon
How about we start off the mid-week shuffle with some Warren Zevon doing a song co-written with Hunter S. Thompson. Yeah, sounds good to me, too.
“The Bountiful Child” by Atticus Floyd
0:39 seconds of cool stuff from Atticus Floyd’s We’ll All Come Down 7 song EP.
“Chinese Dogs” by Mothers
The New York band Mothers’ album Panamanian Times has been in our playlist for a while now. This is the second to last song for us to feature. The band has an awesomely original punk rock sound.
“Damballah-Wedo” by The Shakers
A beautiful instrumental from Songs from Beneath the Lake. One of my favorite albums.
“If I Could” by John Prine
John Prine is one of our greatest living songwriters, and so if he covers a song, you know it has to be really, really good. From Prine’s 1997 Live on Tour album, this is Tim Carroll’s “If I Could” (You may remember Tim Carroll was our 300th “Like” on Facebook.) It is, by the way, the only cover song on that album.
“High Steppin’ Mama” by Clyde Langford
Clyde Langford was born in Centerville, Texas in 1934. He learned guitar from Joel “Thunder” Hopkins as a boy. As a young person, he would listen to the radio and imitate the songs he heard on his guitar, and he added his own spin to the songs. He never stopped making music, and the Music Maker Relief Foundation helped him to record an album (of which this is the title track) as well as helping him with medical and other expenses. This is the real deal blues, ya’ll.
“Beggin’ Jesus” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
Speaking of the Blues. We have another track from Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen from their album Love and Life. As luck would have it, I used the video for this song in the video playlist yesterday (substituting for a song that didn’t have a video), but you know what – it’s a really cool video so watch it again today!
“Cash” by APE|MEN
From their debut EP Zero – APE MEN make “edgy inditronica from the Iron Curtain fringe of the European Union.” This is good stuff.
“Ball and Chain” by Ted Zmaster and the Wranglers
Ted Z and the Wranglers are a Southern California band that play some pretty fine roots based, indie rock and roll. This was my first listen, and I like what I heard.
“Honky Tonk Blues” (Live) by Jason and the Scorchers
A live version of the Scorchers cover of the Hank Williams classic… Lord, I got ’em…
“Pretty Girls” by Joe Jackson
Another track from the Joe Jackson’s Look Sharp! album… a song about being distracted by the scenery.
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A new month is upon us! September should be a pretty crazy month around these parts. Buckle up! We start the month with some old favorites and several bands/artists making their first ever #E2TG appearances. I am pressed for time so I will keep my witty repartee to the bare minimum.
“Strays” by Indigenous Engines
My talented friend Andrew Adkins has a song in the trailer for the new documentary about Tower Records. The film looks pretty cool – Tower was a mecca for me back in the 90s here in Nashville. This is from the EP Witches by Adkin’s side project called Indigenous Engines.
“The Weather Song” by Ought
Ought are based in Montreal. I don’t know that much about them, but I like this song a lot, and I want to hear more. This song was on their album called More Than Any Other Day which was released in 2014.
“Light Enough to Travel” by The Be Good Tanyas
We have had band member Frazey Ford in our shuffle before, but if my Label tagging is to be believed this is the first appearance by this Alt-Folk band from Vancouver. Unintentional oversight. This will not be the last. I love this band.
“Django and Jimmie” by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
Proving that even heroes have heroes and that unbroken line that meets itself many times over (or something like that). The title track from the fantastic new album by Willie and Merle.
“Pumpernickel” by The Danbury Lie
Going way back to January 2015 – from the album Scattered Moments of Connection. Fun Fact: The Danbury Lie are currently the third most tagged artist in Ear to the Ground history (behind The End Men and Darrin Bradbury). It is not a coincidence. They (he) is one of my favorites.
“Josh Gibson” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
In addition to the Love and Life album (which you simply must own), Ted and company just released download on Noisetrade that includes a few songs from the album plus a couple of non-album tracks including this one about the great Negro League slugger that appeared on a limited edition vinyl release that also includes The Baseball Project and Todd Snider among others.
“Billions of Eyes” by Lady Lamb
Another first timer in the #E2TG shuffle. Lady Lamb is Aly Spaltro from Maine. This song is from the album After – released late in 2014. Another artist I need to check out more.
“My Own Saving Grace” by Andrew Bryant
Andrew Bryant is from Mississippi. Yet another first timer in the shuffle. This one came to me from the May edition of Feel Bad for You, and finally made it’s way through the grueling randomization process to make it to the shuffle. From the album, This is the Life which was released earlier in 2015.
“Santiago’s Shottis” by David Schnaufer window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;
We close out the day’s shuffle with some music to make you dance. Late dulcimer master, David Schnaufer… Did not find a video of this song, so I posted a video of the song Fisher’s Hornpipe by The Cactus Brothers (featuring Mr. Schnaufer).
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 