Category: The Grey A

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle – Marshall Tucker on My Stereo Mix

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Back at it on a Monday!   Had a good time Friday at The Country (after checking in with Tim Carroll and company at The 5 Spot) – Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau  + Saint Luke’s Drifters.  Richie and company have a new album out now.  Saint Luke’s Drifters are finishing up their new album.  If you get the chance to see either one or both of these bands, I highly recommend it.

Tonight: My recommendation is Matt Phillips and the Philharmonic from 7-9p.m. at Charlie Bob’s on the eastside.   Here is the Facebook event, if you Facebook.

This is definitely prime season for new music – look for some awesome new albums coming up in the next few months – I think I got at least 5 albums to listen to and possibly review over the last four or five days.

Shuffle:

“Down The River” by Ben Lowry

Another track from Somnium, the solo album by Ben Lowry of the band Bang OK Bang.  For some reason  (the banjo and vocals and lyrical content) this song reminded me of Hallowed Ground, the much maligned sophomore album by Violent Femmes.  In the face of widespread criticism, I am a proponent of the Femmes album. No, I do not think it is better than their seminal debut, but it is bold and in its own way subversion.  That being said, even if you aren’t a fan of the Femmes album, you will probably dig Lowry’s album.   

“I’m Gonna Love You Forever” by Carolina Story

From the Chapter Two EP.  Carolina Story are about as damn good as it gets.

“Theme from Crazy Aces” by Crazy Aces

Instrumental Rock from Nashville’s Crazy Aces… it’s their theme song!

“You Could Be My Baby (Samuel Stewart Remix)” by SHEL

The remix of the first single from SHEL’s forthcoming album, Crazy Enough. We featured the unremixed song earlier.

“Jesse” by Tom House

From Winding Down the Road – an album that was produced by Brock Zeman.  Tom House is a Nashville treasure.  Check out his music.  

“40 Miles” by Zachariah Red

E2TG debuted this song when it was released. It was the first single off of Zachariah Red’s EP Backbone. A driving, roots rock song of the highest caliber.

“WHIP” by Ricca Vita

Okay – this right here is why I love Nashville (and love my random shuffle function).  Ricca Vita’s music could not be any different  than Zachariah Red’s music.  So, that in and of itself, makes the transition here really cool – showcasing the diversity of music being made here in the home of the Grand Ole Opry… but wait, there is more.  Timothy Ryssemus – the mastermind behind Ricca Vita – also happened to have co-produced Zachariah Red’s record. Any way, I love the Ricca Vita album, and this track is just so damn good.   

“Promise Me Beautiful” by Lori Kelley

Moving on, another awesome song from songwriter Lori Kelley’s album, More.  Gorgeous vocals and great songs – a great combination.

“Swimming New Orleans” by The Grey A

Okay smartypants!  The Grey A are a Washington DC band.  But Grey Jacks used to live down here, and this album was recorded in Middle Tennessee and features a lot of local folks including Kelly Smith, William Tyler, and the Nashville Horns.  You may recall, I reviewed the My Country album when it was released in late 2014. “Swimming New Orleans” was released as a single (a wonderfully packaged vinyl 45) in 2015, and ahead of the forthcoming release of the next single (watch this space), I thought we would add this song to the playlist.  So, yeah, I stand by it’s inclusion in the Music City Monday playlist.  E2TG trivia gurus already know that Howard Rabach (who was probably one of the first ever readers and supporters of this blog) plays bass with The Grey A, who have some great shows coming up in support of their new single – including a date  with Austin Lucas +  Joey Kneiser and Kelly Smith (who Grey Jacks played with in Glossary at one point).

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Wild Winnebago Mix

Had a good time at The Western Shore CD Release party thing last night.  Charlie and Kalee sounded great, the right-wrong Isaac was awesome, and it is always a great joy to see and hear Aaron Lee Tasjan. 

Well, we made it to Friday, and I think I am still breathing, so that has to be a good sign.

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The Grimm Generation’s songs are like a seedy conversation, in a seedy spot, with a seedy stranger, and realizing you are exactly where your seedy self needs to be.

“Eastbound 94” by Heath McNease from Fort Wayne (Music inspired by the Film)

I’m a sucker for songs about driving…  Heath McNease has a pretty diverse and extensive repertoire, and this may just be one of my favorite songs of his. 

“Morphine” by The Oxford Coma from Morphine

I am a proponent of the Oxford comma.  Likewise, I have become a big fan of The Oxford Coma.  Sometimes, I need a little Heavy Psychedelic Metal in my life. This is the title track to their forthcoming EP.

“Play the Greed” by Dar Williams from Occupy this Album

IMHO, the Occupy movement (and I do realize it still exists on some level) was a great idea done-in by internal problems along with  “freedom” and “constitution” loving right wing governments quashing free speech.  In any event, I still support many of the principles of the movement, and even removed from the context of Occupy, this Dar Williams song is a timely and accurate description of the state of this nation. 

“Long Time Ago” by Golden Smog from Another Fine Day

We roll on with another cool song from Golden Smog.

“Infrastatic (Thanks Uncle Sam)” by The Oxford Coma from Morphine

#2 of the day from The Oxford Coma.  An odd brief track from The Oxford Coma with found sounds?/spoken word stuff… Nice

“Wanted (or Waiter There’s Some Soup in my Flies)” by The Style Council from The Singular Adventures of the Style Council

A non-album cut released between the band’s 3rd and 4th studio albums.  The band’s interest in American soul and Rhythm and Blues music is clear on this track.

“Every Breaking Wave” by U2 from Songs of Innocence

A bit muddled perhaps, but I still really dig this cut from the latest U2 Album.

“Mule in the Badlands” by Darrin Bradbury from A Car Becomes a House

Darrin Bradbury is hard at work on his latest proper album, but in the meantime, he recently dropped another swell collection of demos which includes this song about the American West and the native Wild Winnebago herbs which use to roam the landscape. 

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A gorgeous song from Brown Bird…

“It’s All Been Done” by The Grey A from My Country

And, we close things out with another great track from the album My Country by The Grey A.  They have a new video coming out next week for the new single Dumb Fool – another timely song for this crazy age…

VIDEOS

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Danglin’ Mix

Yet another rainy morning in Music City USA – home of the Ear to the Ground Morning Shuffle (patent pending but not really) and some other music related stuff, I guess… 😉


“My Country Song” by The Grey A from My Country

A great way to start the morning off.  I freaking love this song, and this album.  Remember this? No Depression!

“Talk to God” by Tim Carroll from Opening Up/Look Out!

One of my favorite songs, but as my friend Lindsay says, all of Tim’s songs are hits…  Gonna miss him tonight at Fran’s (Columbus, Ohio – he’s all yours for tonight – don’t miss out!) but super-stoked to see Darrin and my friend Zach Red playing there. Fun starts at 9:00.  Tim will be back in time for his weekly Happy Hour at The Five Spot.

“Millennial Backlash” by The Jason Drug Reaction from Down on the Pharmacy

This song makes me want to slam dance.  I like songs that make me want to slam dance.  I also like songs that make me want to slam dance that have great hooks.  This one has a great hook!  The Jason in the bands name is Jason Krug of The Grimm Generation.  Dig it! 

“Been to the Deep” by Linear North from The Entrée (Built4BBQ Sampler)/Singles

When The End Men passed through Nashville last month, I got my hands on the latest compilation from the Upstate New York-based collective Built4BBQ.  I dig just about everything they put out, and I love Linear North.  They are from Albany, NY, and play some awesome Psych Blues…

“On and On” by Straightjacket Escape by!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);The Entrée (Built4BBQ Sampler)

Two in a row from the Built4BBQ folks.  Some old school PUNK Rock is just what the doctor ordered!  From what I can tell, they are underground in the very essence of the word – no Facebook, no website, no damn Twitter – but just based upon this track, I can tell you that they ROCK!  If you ever happen to be in Upstate New York and find out they are playing – then get yourself there right away!

“Upper Right” by Heath McNease from Fort Wayne (Songs inspired by the Film)

Another track from Heath McNease.  I really like this song about distance and geography and change.

“I Got Nothin’ by Shabbadoo from Pajama

And yet another great track from this nearly 8 year old bit of Memphis musical history.  This one has words…

“Danglin'” by Hugh Trimble from Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen – Section 5/neighborpoem

Another New York state based musical collective that never fails to deliver the goods – This Section 5 from Mama Coco’s just keeps offering up great song after great song.  Hugh Trimble is currently based in Chicago, but recorded this song at Mama Coco’s.  I really, really love this song, and my next order of business is to grab some more music from Hugh Trimble.  It’s Indie Folk of the highest caliber.  Dig it!

VIDEOS

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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Addicted to War Mix

Last night was so much fun…  Went to the Rocking Roots Guitar Showcase at The 5 Spot.  Four trios lead by incredible guitarists.  Nick Kane, Richie Owens with the Farm Bureau, Ted Drozdowski with his Scissormen, and Mark Robinson.  Great players with distinct and unique styles falling into the blues/roots area if labels mean much.  All of them were mind-blowingly awesome in very different ways.

Ted Drozdowski getting up close and personal at The 5 Spot


After that showcase, I stuck around to see a long-time favorite of Ear to  the Ground, Pony Boy.  She was a Featured Artist in August 2012, and since then she has spent some time in Nashville, had a song featured on the ABC show named after our fair city, and last night she played a bunch of Nashville’s hottest players.  The qualities which first lead me to her music were all present – an amazing voice, great songs (the originals and covers), and a great stage presence.  It was good to finally meet her.

Let’s jump into the shuffle:

“Devil in my Soul” by Pork Chop Willie from Love is the Devil

I got to spend part of the evening talking to Sue Havlish who sent me this record early this year.  It is North Mississippi Hill Country Blues meets Brooklyn – it somehow walks a great line between traditional and modern.  Hell, it’s a great blues record.

“Libertango” by Clocks and Clouds from The Creation of Matter

Alternative rock and classical music meld perfectly here.  It’s silly, but for some reason, what came to my mind this morning was “Football Fugue” from Pete Townsend’s Another Scoop album. 

“Caves” by Brown Bird from Fits of Reason

There is a persistence to this song that I really like… repetition with progression…

“War” by The End Men from Odds and Ends

The End Men joined by Dion Freewheelin Troubadour Power from London.  A song which unfortunately seems more and more timely every day.  Sunday Night!  Did you hear me? Sunday Night – The End Men – reigning E2TG Band of the Year, and all around awesome people will be melting faces at The Basement under Grimey’s.  There will be music there from 1pm until… come early, come often, but come on down around 9 or so to have your faces melted.  Seriously come!  There is a great line-up including Tim Easton, Blackfoot Gypsies, and Bebe Buell.  $2 draft pints.

“Twin Void” by The Grey A from My Country

I can’t believe it’s been a week… Was so glad to see the Nashville CD Release show for this album.  This song, lyrically, is one of my favorites.  And! We have now have a video for “My Country Song”.  If you are in D.C. and reading this, the band is playing their hometown CD Release show tonight at Comet Ping Pong.  The Grey A is also the newly elected Band of the Month from Washington Deli Magazine.

“Time is Not Your Own” by Solomon Grundy from Solomon Grundy

This one is from the August Feel Bad for You mixtape via the awesome Too Much Country from here in Nashville.  Solomon Grundy were a hard rock/psychedelic band from Washington state featuring Van Conner who was a co-founder of the legendary Screaming Trees. 

“Somebody Love Those Girls” by Lindsay Ellyn from Shores EP

I was fortunate enough to hear Lindsay Ellyn sing with Darrin Bradbury at Fran’s this week.  She has an amazing voice.  Glad to have this wonderful song in today’s shuffle.

“Da Doo Ron Ron/I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Dollyrots from Barefoot and Pregnant

This incredible mash-up was included as a pre-order bonus track on the fifth and most recent album by The Dollyrots.  The Crystals meet The Ramones…. lots of fun.

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This week marked the fourth anniversary of the brothers’ Nork buying their first instruments. They have come a long way in four years, and as proof – I offer this song from their latest album Living Hold.

VIDEO

Monday Morning (and Evening) Music Shuffle – Two Saints Mix

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Well, it’s late for the shuffle, but circumstance kept me from posting.  As compensation, I extended the shuffle which means tons of music and just a bit of my celebrated wisdom.  That last line is ego disguised as wry humility cleverly cloaked in a veneer of ego.

In case you missed it, the Ear to the Ground review of Darrin Bradbury’s Motel Oatmeal was featured for a time on the front page of No Depression – the preeminent Americana magazine/website,

The review is still a featured review, and you can read it here.

Now, we have a ton of music to get to….

“New Language” by Sam Davison from Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen: Section 5/Always Around

Love this song!

“Montgomery” by Tim Carroll from Opening Up/The Devil is a Busy Man

The big city won’t change me!

“Azmari Man” by Tomas Doncker from Power of the Trinity

Tomas Doncker is a Global Soul master!

“With Every Beat” by The Features from Old Familiar Melodies – 2008-2013/The Features

Tennessee band that done good – The Features!

“When the Pumps Run Dry” by Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray from Lean into the Wind

Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray are awesome people.  I couldn’t find a video for this song so I went way back to CXCW 2012

“Mirage” by The Queers from Surf Goddess/Beat Off (Tommy James and the Shondells Cover)

Punk rock!

“Crippler King” by Delta Spirit from Lost and Found/I Think I’ve Found It

Delta Spirit!

“Confederates” by Michael Rank and Stag from In the Weeds

One of two North Carolina artists – Dig this song! I wanting to hear more.

“We’ll Take It From There” by Deena from Rock River

My next E2TG Review – it’s in the can – waiting for the right moment.

“Quiet (St. Francis)” by The Grimm Generation from The Big Fame

First of two Saints in the mix… thus the Two Saints Mix….  Good friends, awesome band

“FOH” by Superchunk from Merge Records Summer Sampler 2013/I Hate Music

#2 from the Tar Heel State…

“Woah-oh” by Francie Moon and the Great Outdoors from Francie Moon and the Great Outdoors

Another from Francie Moon – I couldn’t find this song on video so I picked a video done here in Nashville.

“I Miss the Zoo” by Joseph Arthur from Redemption City

Joseph Arthur recently did a Lou Reed tribute album – the Lou Reed influence is strong on this recording – I think,

“House Drinks” by The Grimm Generation from The Big Fame

#2 from the fabulous Grimms of Connecticut.  Drinks are on the house!

“You’re the Best Thing” by The Style Council from The Singular Adventures of the Style Council/Cafe Bleu(UK)/My Ever Changing Moods(US)

This is what smooth sounds like!

“This Disorder” by The Features from Old Familiar Melodies/The Features

Dig this song. The core of The Features are from the next town over from my hometown.  Coincidentally, that is near where The Grey A’s new album My Country was recorded.  Plus The Grey A recently opened for The Features… Hey, wait a minute is that really a coincidence? I don’t know….

“Tree of Evolution” by The Grey A from My Country

Speaking of The Grey A.  They were the subject of my first No Depression featured review – back when it was exciting,,, yawn… I kid! A song about Evolution that you can and should dance to…

“It’s About Soul” by Lael Summer from Burden to Bear

Another from Lael Summer’s awesome True Groove released Burden to Bear album,

“St. Catherine’s Statue” by The Minus 5 from Through a Faraway Window: A Tribute to Jimmy Silva (Jimmy Silva and the Goats cover)

Groovy song from The Minus 5.  I couldn’t find a video so I included a video of The Minus 5 doing some covers with special guests Mike Mills and Bill Berry, and a video of the late Jimmy Silva and the Goats.

“Class Historian” by BRONCHO from An Introduction to BRONCHO/Just Enough Hip to be a Woman

And we close out with a song from the forthcoming album by Oklanhoma band BRONCHO.  This my first listen, and I dig it!

Hopeful Resignation: An E2TG Review of My Country by The Grey A

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the%20Grey%20A

The facts:  The Grey A is a band from Washington D.C. fronted by Grey Jacks who used to be in the Murfreesboro, Tennessee band Glossary.  The Grey A is releasing their debut album My Country on September 2.  The album’s recording took place in Middle Tennessee not too far from my hometown along the banks of Center Hill Lake, and many amazing Nashville players make appearances on this album including William Tyler (Lambchop), Jimmy Matt Roland from Caitlin Rose’s band, and even the Nashville Brass.  Current The Grey A bassist Howard Rabach has been a supported of this blog for about as long as anyone, and his band Ubiquity Machine were the runners up for the inaugural Band of the Year contest way back in 2011.  He joined the band after the recording of the album, but he was kind enough to pass this along to me.

Here is what Ear to the Ground has to say:

My Country Song – The website of The Grey A boldly declares, “This is the new sound of a middle ground.”  And this lead off track is a gently expressed, but boldly stated manifesto from this middle ground. Soaring vocal with slightly fuzzy but ringing guitars. “My country’s fast asleep.” This first line is a simple statement that is hard to argue, but it continues “And they don’t notice Higher Power as they beat/ The brains of anyone who guides the flow of capital with downward thoughts.” Ah, and  now we see where this is going. An infectious groove, chiming keyboards, and glorious background vocals directs a stirring Pop anthem of the people. The message turns inward as a call to unity with pointed warnings of the dangers of hate. The Nashville Brass add their sonic signature to a stirring bridge that leads back into a reprise of the opening of the song which ends in a note of hopeful resignation.


People Happy – This track begins with a sharp acoustic guitar playing a countryish melody.  The amazing vocals introduce a 21st Century highwayman who entertains with a virus.  And I understand this is the bill of goods so many of us have bought into in this day and age.  Then the chorus kicks in…oh this glorious chorus. “People Happy everywhere I see” it such an upbeat and catchy chorus this could be a song of the summer.  We are all happy – right?  “There’s people happier than me.” Right, because when I turn on Facebook my newsfeed is literally filled with people whose lives are so much better than mine. They are more successful, take more trips, have cooler things, know cooler people… But is this real?  Maybe the real message here is that “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” can be a noble intention for an individual, but for a collection population it can be the tool of the few who tell us, “we’re handling everything”.  And the question of the song almost seems left for us all to answer.  “Can I believe ‘em, do you believe ‘em, should you believe ‘em, can you believe?”


Unusual as Usual – Begins with thunderous bass/guitar line that runs counter to the previous tracks. This track’s insistent intensity drives a strong minded message that seems to suggest blending in as a way of making real change from within a twisted and broken system.  Playing a part – maybe with eyes wide open to the lies being told to our faces and the theft going on right underneath our noses.  Hidden in plain sight as it were by the blandness and ordinariness of it all. Truthfully, I don’t know if I completely understand this song, but I got something out of it, and as with the rest of the album so far, it is so infectious and  enjoyable… it’s like a really great teacher who imparts wisdom in an engaging way, and you listen, you soak it in, and you trust that even if every meaning and truth is not clear today that it’s all going in to be processed later as you go on through your life.


Dumb Fool – A funky,sultry indictment of present day American electoral processes.  The hopeful resignation I mentioned in the opening track – well maybe it’s resigned hopefulness – whatever it is, the tension it creates are what makes this music so powerful.  It’s a tension I know all too well when I look out at the state of our country and our world.  At times, I feel moved to some kind of action, and at times it all seems so pointless…  And this conflict doesn’t necessarily get wrapped up in a 30 minute sitcom storyline or in a 3 minute Pop song, and I think that’s okay.  As long as we acknowledge and continue the conflict we can maintain the thread of hope even if it is tempered at times by a sense of resignation.
Until They Find Us – I really like this track.  It begins by suggesting a pause button on politics. The music is powerful.  The lyrics seem to suggest the covert rebellion hinted at earlier in the album.  The words “You know I don’t think we’ll be emancipated” are sung with a confidence as if they were saying the opposite.  Maybe as in there’s a certain type of freedom in knowing that no knight in shining armor is going to show up on his white steed and lead us to freedom.


It’s All Been Done – a brief song.  Water is rising and when we try to offer a warning, we are told that it has all been done before…  perhaps this song is an intro to the next song…


Swimming New Orleans – This may be the standout track of the whole album.  A funeral procession – New Orleans-style for the post-climate change era.  A vision of the city of grand wickedness submerged by rising waters, and yet like a New Orleans funeral, there is this joyful exuberant hope of building a new New Orleans.  I have a spiritual connection to the city of New Orleans, and to me this track really captures that spirit.


Dead Mans Cause – “I call on on my citizens…”  This slow but strong track is a call to arms of sorts. What I take from the line that we all have faults – is a continuation of the message of the collective power of a group of broken, imperfect citizens united behind a noble purpose… that’s my take.


In Remembrance – another short song with the Nashville Brass adding a powerful jazzy underscore to an appropriately somber instrumental.


Tree of Evolution – One of my favorite songs…  wow! An extremely groovy song that I find it almost impossible to to move to, and a thorough and effective explanation and defense of the Theory of Evolution all in about 3:45.  I love it!


Twin Void – a necessary come down musicially speaking.  A slow song, and I’m just going to flat out admit, I don’t think I caught the the meaning behind this song.  Are the twin boys and twin girls metaphors? Underneath the shine, something lacks the glow.  Maybe it’s resisting the temptation to fall for surface images that belie the twin voids of the title.  I think I will keep listening.  


The Bomb Stops Ticking – The album ends with a stirring and gorgeous ballad to the “end of the human race”.  The utter hopelessness of the line. “No one’s listening and the bomb stops ticking and we’re gone” is offset by this subtle yet sure sense that maybe just maybe we still have time to wake up and start listening and diffuse this course which seems so inevitable.

My Country by The Grey A stands apart from much of the music being made and played today.  It is not cheery optimism and it is not nihilism. I don’t know if the hopeful resignation (my words) is even an accurate representation, but those words kept coming back to me as I listened.  This is not disposable “pop music”, but in the best sense of the word this is Pop music, and it is meant for repeated listening and maybe an open-minded willingness to have ones mind changed  evan about the meaning of these songs.  Is my review a fair and accurate accessment of this album?  Probably not.  If I reviewed it again tomorrow or next week, I may hear something else, and that’s a good thing.  I strongly recommend buying this album. You can Pre-order and get a t-shirt for $5.00 off by visiting The Grey A website.

The Grey A will be hitting the road in support of My Country, and if they come your way, I recommend you check them out.  I will be there September 12 when they play The Stone Fox in Nashville.  I looking forward to finally meeting Howard, and there are rumors that some of the guests from the album may make an appearance. I don’t know any details but The Stone Fox is co-owned by William Tyler…  Glossary and an acoustic duo of members of Glossary will be opening.

Here is a schedule of up coming shows:




Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Adjustable Rod Mix

Not much pre-shuffle commentary today.  It is Friday ahead of a three day weekend here in the States, and this is the last Morning Shuffle of August. We have some real gems in the shuffle today, so let’s do it!

“The Second Renaissance (Part III)” by The Danbury Lie from Fourth Time’s a Charm

Working our way backwards through The Second Renaissance series of tracks (we previously have presented part IV and Parts I-II are still to come).  The enigmatic The Danbury Lie offer up a prime example of what they do so well in this instrumental track that transitions effortlessly from gentle folk to progressive metal.

“Thinking Out Loud” by Ron Sexsmith from Other Songs

Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith is up next with a song from his second major label album.  This song really resonated with me this morning.  “But it’s hard to think with all the racket Going on inside our heads”

“Grampa’s Got the Marshall Out Again” by Tim Carroll from Opening Up

Just a fun song – one of the highlights from seeing Tim down at Fran’s. Maybe he’ll do this song with a full-band tonight at The 5 Spot for his Rock ‘n Roll Happy Hour… Go Grampa go! Just not too far…

“If Memory Serves” by Chris Stamey from Lovesick Blues

Chris Stamey was part of The Dbs.  He has played with a virtual who’s who of my musical heroes.  This song is from his excellent 2013 solo record.

“Girl That’s Hip” by Tim Carroll from Opening Up/Not for Sale

I want a girl who’s hip, but not too hip…  #2 from Mr. Carroll. Another favorite.

“Occasional Shivers” by Chris Stamey from Lovesick Blues

I have to say this alternating tracks thing with Tim Carroll and Chris Stamey that the shuffle monster has come up with is pretty damn sweet.  This is another song that really resonated with me this morning…

“Hold Me Up” by Velvet Crush from Teenage Symphonies to God

This record is twenty years old this year, and it still sounds fresh, and it really makes a nice addition to this shuffle.

“Earthquake, Hurricane, Flood and You” !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); by The Grimm Generation from The Big Fame

Okay – so several songs are resonating with me this morning.  The mighty, mighty The Grimm Generation sum up a bunch of relationships in a way only they can do. 

“Adjustable Rod” by Joe Bouchard and Marty Carlson from $100 Guitar Project

So, as I understand it, somebody bought a guitar for $100 bucks.  Passed it around to a bunch of great players and let them play and then sign the guitar.  The resulting songs were recorded and released and feature such names Fred Firth, Elliot Smith, Henry Kaiser, and a bunch more.  This track features Joe Bouchard who was in Blue Oyster Cult from 1971 until 1986, and Marty Carlson. 

“People Happy” by The Grey A from My Country

And we close out with another great song from the soon to be released new album from The Grey A.  I have some great lines in my head about this song, but I want to save them for the review I AM going to write this weekend.  Ah heck…. this song is what happens when to take a gentle yet sincere political folk song and incorporate it into a catchy pop song. And I use catchy pop song in the most respectful and positive way. I think too often Pop music becomes too synonymous in some peoples minds with mindless, lame, disposable music.  I tend to call those type of songs crap music. People Happy is none of those previously mentioned things.  It is thoughtful, clever, and timeless. I think (for better or for worse) this song will come off as timely and in the now as it does today.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Had it Blue Mix

Update: Apparently, I cannot spell music, which is not a good thing for a music blogger… corrected.

September is shaping up to be a great month for live music in Nashville (I’m not sure that there is a bad month for live music in Nashville, but still…).  I kicked things off a little early with a great night of music in East Nashville.  I saw the legendary David Olney (who has been a fixture in Nashville music for as long as I can remember) and his incredibly tight band (with E2TG favorite Mark Robinson standing in and killing it on guitar) doing a Happy Hour show at The 5 Spot.   Then I hopped over to East Nashville’s best dive bar, Fran’s Eastside to see another E2TG favorite Darrin Bradbury and Tim Carroll doing their weekly thing.

 

Well, we have another great shuffle of music today, so it’s get to it.

!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”); window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js “My Love” by Humming House (covering Justin Timberlake) from Humming House Party!

Nashville’s own Humming House decided to recreate the vibe of The Beach Boys’ Party!, and they threw a shindig at Eastside Manor.  You can get a little taste of what went down on Noisetrade.  The whole shebang can be had at iTunes.  Today’s track is a killer cover of a futuresex lovesounds era Justin Timberlake song.

“She Runs Hot” by Little Village from Little Village

Long before any of us had ever heard the term Americana, Little Village formed as the first Americana supergroup.  Featuring Nick Lowe, John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner; the band released one amazing album, did a tour, and then went out to continue making amazing music.

“The Wolves” by The End Men from Odds and Ends

An amazing version of this song was The End Men’s 2014 contribution to Couch by Couchwest. Man I love this song!

“People, Turn Around!” by Delta Spirit from Lost and Found

Another cool track from the new Delta Spirit outtakes sampler on Noisetrade.

“Have You Ever Had it Blue” by The Style Council from The Singular Adventures of the Style Council

After The Jam broke up Paul Weller continued and expanded on the Brit Soul sound evident in some of the later Jam music and formed The Style Council.  I think I’ve always had more of an affinity for The Jam, but I have to admit The Style Council had many great moments.

“The Bomb Stops Ticking” by The Grey A from My Country

I post this The Grey A track just ahead of the official release date of My Country and just over two weeks ahead of their Nashville release show with the realization that I have promised a full review.  I have a few full reviews I really want to do… I think it’s time to woodshed… can music bloggers woodshed or is that reserved for musicians. Should I come up with another term? plastic shedding? Anyway, this is a really great song and just one of many on a really great album which you can pre-order on The Grey A website.

“Work” by The End Men from Odds and Ends

It’s a two The End Men song day!  A not so subtle reminder this morning of where I was heading while listening to this shuffle.  I actually arrived in my building while this song was playing.

“Beggars’ Guild” (Acoustic) by Roadkill Ghost Choir from Slow Knife EP

Roadkill Ghost Choir is a great band name.  Fortunately, this Florida band lives up to the name with their great take on modern folk/rock music.  I grabbed some of their music on Noisetrade, and we will have more in the days and weeks to come.

VIDEOS

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – If I Could Mix

Francie Moon and The Great Outdoors at Fond Object 8/16/2014

Plodded my way through another week… Today’s shuffle is a strange trip… or something…

“Charm” by Francie Moon and the Great Outdoors from Francie Moon and the Great Outdoors

New Jersey’s Francie Moon and the Great Outdoors stopped in Nashville last Saturday. (Photographic evidence above)  Popa Tunes shot me a heads up, or I might have missed it.  It was a pretty nice evening.  East Nashville summer, people strolling in off the streets, great music, women dancing, a nifty shop, and I even ran into an old friend (a nice surprise).  They performed this song.

“Until They Find Us” by The Grey A from My Country

Three weeks from tonight, The Grey A will be at the Stone Fox in Nashville for release show for this album.  I will finally get to meet Howard Rabach in person. He has been a friend of the blog since almost the very beginning, and he is slinging the bass for The Grey A these days.  Nashville folks it should be an amazing night with lots of local guests who helped with the record expected to appear.

“Waiting for the Man” by The Velvet Underground from Boston Tea Party, Jan. 10, 1969

This may be the only kind of Tea Party you will find on Ear to the Ground.  I don’t drink tea. I don’t support the political kind of tea party, and I really don’t post that much about US history.  But, when it comes to a live recording of The Velvet Underground from 1969 – well, that is my kind of tea party. “Oh pardon me sir, it’s the furthest from my mind”

“Smokestack Lightning” by Tomas Doncker Band from Moanin’ at Midnight: The Howlin’ Wolf Project

Explosive Blues guitar with a  Global Soul flair – Smokestack Lightning ya’ll… Howlin’ Wolf ya’ll…  Tomas Doncker ya’ll!

“If I Could Then I Would” by Tim Carroll from Opening Up/If I Could

Isn’t this cool, Tim Carroll covering my favorite John Prine song  playing a song he wrote that has been covered by John Prine and several other folks.  Tim played this when I saw him at Fran’s a couple of weeks ago.  Great song!

“Billie Jean 2008 Kanye West Mix” by Michael Jackson from Thriller 25 Super Deluxe Edition

Nothing to see here… just Ear to the Ground posting a Kanye West mix of an iconic Michael Jackson song.   This is what happens when I get bored and started surfing around the Freegal music site. It won’t be the last time. Deal…

“Everything Right is Wrong Again” by They Might Be Giants from First Album Live

Story of my life….  It’s been fun rediscovering how great They Might Be Giants’ first album really is and was.

“The Quiet Side of Hell” by Darrin Bradbury from Death in My Left Ear!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

Confession:  Today’s shuffle could have ended after They Might Be Giants.  I had made into the office, but then I started fixing my morning coffee, and I got distracted and I didn’t stop the shuffle when that last song ended.  And then, this song started playing, and it’s a really good song, and god knows I don’t post enough Darrin Bradbury on here – do I?

I hope you’ve enjoyed this week of music.  If you hear music you like then you need to Like/Follow/Stalk them on social media, buy their music, see them live, and/or buy their merchandise. (Except Kanye and Michael Jackson.  Kanye is rich enough and Michael is dead.)


VIDEO PLAYLIST O’ THE DAY
 
 
 

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Lose Your Teeth Mix

We have a great shuffle today with tons of E2TG favorites and a couple of cool songs….

Jump!

“Tryin’ to Get to Heaven” by Bob Dylan from Time Out of Mind

Robert Zimmerman’s 30th album… we grabbed this off the latest Feel Bad for You mixtape.  You should, too.  The video features a cover version of the song by Ms. Lucinda Williams.

“Julie Sue” by The Foresters from Living Hold

Recently, we have seen The Foresters stretch into some exciting new musical territory.  On this track from their latest album, they return to their pop punk roots with a  rocking song.  The video

“Dead Mans Cause” by The Grey A from My Country

The more I hear from the forthcoming The Grey A album, the more I like.  This is a really awesome song.

http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1913716850/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/package=3941800323/transparent=true/

“The Rider” by Dirty Old Town from Dirty Old Town

Dirty Old Town is from Denmark, but he rides a familiar dark, folk road, and he rides it well. 

“True Love” by Darrin Bradbury from True Love

You’d think I would be embarrassed by having a Darrin Bradbury song in the shuffle almost every day… you’d be wrong.  He has been releasing tons of great music over the past several months, and I’m loving almost all of it.   True Love is the title track from the album of the same name which shares the title with this song.  The album was released in February, and he has released two other records since then.

“Lone Star Souvenir” by Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray from Lean into the Wind

One of my favorite songs from the remarkable Lean into the Wind by Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray.  There is a folky theme running through many of the songs in the shuffle.  This is a great folky song.  The video we found is Miss Shevaughn by herself doing this song.

“The Great Jester” by The Danbury Lie from The Great Jester (single)!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

The Great Jester is the magnum opus from the elusive and awesome The Danbury Lie. Over 11 minutes with several movements which run from baroque sounding folk music to discordant metal and back again.  It seems cheap to try to summarize this amazing song in a couple of lines. Fortunately, you can experience it for yourself – see the video, follow The Danbury Lie Facebook page for more clues about The Great Jester… Then download the hell out of the song, and if you can, throw some $ in the virtual hat. 

VIDEO


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