Category: The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Bad Boys and Transference Mix

Well… Couch by Couchwest 2015 kicked off yesterday…  So far, I have seen videos from Science! who has been featured recently on E2TG, plus my friend Drew Kohl of Young America (who coincidently are releasing a 3 song EP today), The Foresters, Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray, and I have a bunch I need to catch up on eventually.  Keep on couchin’!  And if you haven’t submitted a video, there is still time!

“She’s My Lowcountry” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

This is the last song we have to feature on Familiar Fevers, but who knows, I might reload and start over… I can do that… it’s my blog!  Anyway, I love this song.  In honor of CXCW, I picked 2013 submission from The Lucky Jukebox Brigade to lead off today’s video playlist.

“Bad Boys and Painkillers” by James Dean Bradfield

 From the 2009 album, The Great Western… James Dean Bradfield is the lead singer and lead guitarist of Manic Street Preachers.  I really love this song – it rings very true and sounds pretty darn fresh.

“It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way” by The Tourists

From Should Have Been Greatest Hits… originally the lead track for Reality Effect (1979).  Even if the production does sound dated, the song is top notch…

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Some psychological music from Matt Phillips and his band The Philharmonic…

“On the Riverside” by Boy Named Banjo

My first listen to Nashville Americana band, Boy Named Banjo.  I like it a bunch, and look forward to featuring some more from them soon.  Thanks to my friend Boyd for pointing this out to me. From the album, Long Story Short.

“Spooky Boots” by Reverend Horton Heat

From the album REV!  It’s the Rev, doing what they do best… psychobilly at it’s finest.

“(Quicksilver Daydreams of) Maria” by Townes Van Zandt

From the live recording, I got hold of on TVZ’s birthday. Further evidence (as if it was needed) that Townes Van Zandt was and is a giant among songwriters. This song was originally on his 1968 debut album, For the Sake of the Song.

“UP” by The Renaldo The Ensemble

I am so glad to have The Renaldo The Ensemble back in the shuffle.  They are delightfully offbeat and impossible to classify, and who wants to waste time classifying anyway?  Just sit back an enjoy the show..

“The Unanswered Question?” by Syd Straw     window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;     

Even since I first heard this record way back in the day, I’ve always felt there was an other worldly quality to this music.  Like hazy fever dream of a great pop song…. From Surprise. For a treat, since I couldn’t find a video of this song, I picked a video from the very first episode of MTV Unplugged (according to the Youtube description) with Jules Shear, Chris Difford and Gleen Tilbrook (Squeeze), Elliot Easton (The Cars) and Syd Straw doing “I’m A Believer” (the Monkee’s hit song, written by Neil Diamond)…http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js
VIDEO PLAYLIST

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Maybe Longer Mix

Last night I got to see an artist I featured here on Ear to the Ground a couple of years ago, Callaghan, kick off her album preview tour at 3rd and Lindsley.  If you want to know what I thought about it, you can check it out at No Depression.

We have a pretty nifty shuffle for you….

“Voodoo Doll” by Diamond Rugs

This new supergroup has been getting quite a bit of well deserved press lately, and I will jump on that particular band wagon right now.  The band includes John and Robbie from Deer Tick, T. Hardy Morris of Dead Confederates, and Steve Berlin of Los Lobos as well as some other great players from other great bands. Their album Cosmetics is out now.

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From their album Easy Weather which is available on a Tip/Share basis on Noisetrade.  They are from Denver. The music is fresh and diverse and worth giving a listen.

“Goodbye’s All We’ve Got Left to Say” by Steve Earle

So far, the shuffle has presented us Guitar Town in order.  This is the second song on that album… a heartbreaking tale of love gone wrong…

“Feed It Back to Us” by The Ghoul Goes West

One side effect of my recent work with No Depression has been a sharp uptick in the volume of submissions which comes into my inbox.  I try to at least read every one, and although it is really hard to say what it is that makes me go the next step and listen, I have to say that having a name like The Ghoul Goes West helps.  Fortunately, the music lives up to the name, and it has been a real blast digging into their album Ghost and Bones and Blood and Things. 

“Lionel II” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

We are reaching the end of the tracks on the album Familiar Fevers.  Since that album came out, the band have had a few personnel changes, but I credit them with pressing on.  They play out mostly in their native upstate New York, and if you get the chance go see them live.  I know I will.  In the good timing category, this morning, after this song came up in my shuffle, I saw a post that the band has a new drummer.  So, consider this my shuffle’s way of wishing the old drummer well and welcoming the new one.

“Take a Little Time” by Walter Trout

Walter Trout is a legendary Blues guitarist and singer who previously worked with Canned Heat, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Joe Tex, and Percy Mayfield.

“Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones

The opening track and lead single from The Stones 1971 Sticky Fingers.  This might be a good bully pulpit time to say (and I feel like I am in the minority here), but just to be honest, I really don’t get the whole Beatles vs. Stones thing.  I mean, I get that it is a forum for people who are passionate about music to get even more passionate, but I’ve never really understand why there has to be competitions… I mean the good news is that no one has to choose and that everyone is free to choose.  It can be The Beatles, The Stones, The Beatles and The Stones, or neither.  Can’t we all just get along?

“Panic Beach” by Maria McKee

I was a huge Lone Justice fan.  Their debut album is one of my favorites and I also loved Shelter.  I have to say that it has been such a pleasure rediscovering the brilliance of Maria McKee’s self-titled solo debut.  This song sets such a scene…

“Love is a Wind That Screams” by Richard Barone

Cool Blue Halo was a revelation to me when my friend Ron (aka Rex Silo) first turned me onto it some 25 years ago (is that possible???).  I had been a fan of The Bongos before, but this album, these songs just blew me away.  The video is from the 25th Anniversary show and features Garth Hudson of The Band on accordion.

 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Barefoot on the Dancefloor Mix

Traversed snow and ice and cold to witness the birth of a new East Nashville musical happening at the Mad Donna’s Loft… a super-serious, super-cool songwriting thing (the name is still being bandied about), but who needs a name when you have Joe Fletcher, Brian Wright, and Darrin Bradbury playing their awesome songs to a small but dedicated audience of super-serious music fans (including some other great musicians).  Here’s to many more of these happenings and much better weather for them.  Hats off to the awesome Terry Rickards for making this thing happen…

Since I traversed the snow last night, I kind of had to do it this morning… guilty conscience if I said I couldn’t make it to work… but I had an awesome sound track for this slippery and frigid journey…

“Back on the Wagon” by Matt Prater

Another excellent song from Matt Prater’s latest album Tables and Chairs recorded in Mussel Shoals, Alabama.

“Made to be Broken” by Soul Asylum

The title track from Soul Asylum’s second album released in 1986 one of three releases for the band in that year… 

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A brief instrumental partial title track from Scattered Moments of Connection.  In lieu of this song, I included a video of  the epic The Great Jester.  Thirty seconds for like eleven minutes seemed like a fair trade off.

“Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down” by Bark

Tim and Susan Lee could have named their side project Tim Lee 2, but they went with Bark.  This is from the debut Bark EP which is having it’s release celebrated (along with the new TL3 album 33 1/3 and the new album by Kevin Abernathy) with a triple release show at Scruffy City Hall in Knoxville this very night.  This song is an R.L. Burnside cover. 

“Revolution On the Rocks” by Gumball

A bit of 90s alternative rock from NYC, two of the members of Gumball were previously (and briefly) part of Dinosaur Jr. This was the lead track on the band’s 1994 third and final studio album called Revolution on Ice.

“Brand New Cadillac” by The Clash

From London Calling.  This was a cover of a 1950s British Rock and Roll song by Vince Taylor.

“Crazy American” by Syd Straw

From Syd Straw’s 1989 solo debut, Surprise.  Surprise is one of my favorite albums of all time.

“Train in Vain”  by The Clash

Originally a hidden bonus track on London Calling (subtitled Stand By Me in the US because we Yanks were too dumb to handle a song whose name wasn’t the most repeated phrase). Also not called “Stand by Me” because everyone is too dumb to figure out it is not the Ben E. King song.  Man I love this song!

“This…” by fIREHOSE

A mellow side of Watt, Hurley, and Crawford… from Ragin’ Full On.

“Blue Sky Mine” by Midnight Oil

The “sort of” title track to the 1990 album Blue Sky Mining.

“The Eye” by Brandi Carlile

An absolutely gorgeous song from Brandi Carlile’s album The Firewatcher’s Daughter which was released this past Tuesday.

“The Bedlam Express” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

An awesome rave-up and one of my favorite songs on Familiar Fevers.  The source of today’s Shuffle subtitle.

“White Gardenias” by Justin Townes Earle

Finally, we close out the shuffle with  a song from the 2014 album Single Mothers which was the predecessor to Justin Townes Earle’s latest album Absent Fathers.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Don’t Need a Hammer Mix

Today’s shuffle is a pretty nice mix of friends and heroes with a “new to me” band thrown in for good measure….

“If I Had to Guess” by Hugh Mitchell

I met Hugh hanging at some of the same places I hang – usually Darrin Bradbury is involved. I had never heard his music; so, I located his bandcamp page and grabbed a couple of tunes.  This is a single from 2012, and I like it a bunch.  I hope you do, too.

“Ipana” by Batkhi Dahn

Another track from The Foresters’ bassist Hayden Nork’s solo project.  Hayden is thirteen and started playing music a few years ago after attending a Green Day concert with his Dad and brothers. This is definitely not Pop-Punk… it is experimental and weird (in the best possible way), and pretty amazing. I noticed on his You Tube page that he has been posting some Daniel Johnston.  All I can say, is keep it up, kid.

“Mission” by Joe Nolan

Fresh out of my inbox from the forthcoming remastered release of Joe Nolan’s 3rd album Blue Turns Black.  This sounds amazing, and I look forward to sharing more in the near future.  Great song.

“I’m Not Ready” by CHAPPO

This one comes to me from a NoiseTrade compilation called Best of What’s Next which is available now and has tons of great music on it.  CHAPPO are a garage psyche rock band from Brooklyn.  A nice introduction for me, and I will listen for more. From their EP Celebrate.

“Rush Hour Blues” by Joe Nolan

One good Joe Nolan tune deserves another.  This one is off of his Plain Jane album, and it sounds like it could be a lost song from a great 1970s singer/songwriter.  A nice tune for my morning drive – although it was just work waiting at the end of my drive.

“Gilbert Takes the Wheel” by Guadalcanal Diary

A fine instrumental from one of my favorite bands.  From their album Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man.

“Brave Captain” by fIREHOSE

The first song off the very first fIREHOSE album Ragin’, Full On.  After D. Boon’s tragic death, a persistent Ed Crawford drove to Pedro and eventually got Mike Watt to listen to him, and the rest was history.  I am a big Minutemen fan and a big fIREHOSE fan, and I’ve never understood people who put so much energy behind comparing… I was fortunate to see fIREHOSE play back in the day, and they were amazing.

“Lionel I” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

Our second instrumental of the day, and the first of two Lionel songs on Familiar Fevers.  I was half way up the hill when this song came on, and I kind of felt like I was in a New Orleans funeral… or something.  Dig it.

“Nail it Down” by Meat Puppets

Meat Puppets.  This was the album that immediately preceded the band’s appearance on MTV Unplugged with Nirvana which helped deliver to the band to a much wider audience.  This was their major label debut after releasing several albums on SST Records.

“Radio Free Europe” (Original Hib-Tone Single) by R.E.M.

We close things out with original version of R.E.M.’s iconic first single.  A different version would later appear on the band’s first album Murmur which was released on IRS Records.  This version would reach a wider audience when it was included on the retrospective final IRS release Eponymous.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Mambo and Lasso Santa Mix

This is the last morning shuffle of the week, I am taking a few days off wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a joyous time…

“Santa Do the Mambo” by Big John Greer

Because Santa should do the Mambo. From 1954.

“Yardsale” by Darrin Bradbury

A song about looking for a lost love at a yardsale… “Tacky knick-knacks on a shelf, thought of your Mom, I hope she’s well…”  — In the playlist is the video for the crowd favorite, “Let’s Get Stoned and Go to the Zoo”. Warning: Professionals, do not attempt any of  the activities described here. From the collections, When a Car Becomes a House.

“Aimless Breath” by The Torn Images

Another great song from the California Alt-Rock band, The Torn Images. From Reviver.

“Bitter End” by J.R. Wyatt

I always dig discovering new music. A couple of weeks or so ago, I went out to hear some friends play and was introduced to the music of J.R. Wyatt. This is from his release called The Empty Room Sessions which was recorded in an empty room.  I really dig his music, and I hope to see him play around town more in the future.

“I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus” by Brenda Lee

Little Brenda Lee was twelve years old when her second single was released.  What a great song and a great sentiment.

“The Wolves” (Live) by The End Men

One of the best performances for this past years Couch by Couchwest and a killer live version of a stand out track from Odds and Ends.  Featuring the Sax work of Matthew Elia who manages to make one of Ear to the Ground’s favorite bands sound even better.  I regret that I missed (by a day) seeing him play with the band here in Nashville. (what a horrible sentence that I am too lazy to rewrite, but will take the time to explain – I saw The End Men in Nashville, but Matt Elia had to go back to New York that morning.)  This version is on the latest Built4BBQ sampler.

“Cat Bowl Blues” by Stacy Mitchhart

A great Blues instrumental from the Nashville Blues master. From Live My Life.

“Life On Standstill” by The Torn Images

#2 of the day for The Torn Images.  I really dig the sound on this track. Another from Reviver.

“Deal and Hand” by J.R. Wyatt

One of my favorite songs from when I say J.R. Wyatt live, and I really dig the echo-y sound of this recording. Empty Room Sessions indeed.

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“Glamour” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

We close out with what was one of my favorite music videos of the year.  I even showed it to my Mom which I don’t do all that often.  The song captures much of what I love about this band. From Familiar Fevers.

****VIDEO PLAYLIST****


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Like a Freebird Wheel Mix

Today’s subtitle is a tribute to the mind-blowing weekly party that goes down every single Wednesday night at Fran’s Eastside Tavern in East Nashville, Tennessee. Tim Carroll and Darrin Bradbury have been doing this thing since July or so, and I’ve only missed a couple.  When it began, Darrin would play for an hour or so and then Tim would take over and then they would play together at the end of the evening. In time, drummer David Strayer began sitting in and then (when he returned from an extended time up North) Cameron Carrus joined in on the upright bass, and the Fran’s Eastside Super High Band was formed. Now-a-days, Tim begins playing sometime before 8:30 (I don’t think I’ve ever made it there before he began) and the band joins in as they arrive. Darrin plays (with Tim playing guitar).  Singer Luella Wood has been known to serenade us with a few songs each night, and at various times Trombones, additional guitars, and other assorted folks have joined in the party.  Special guests have been known to show up including singer/songwriter legend Dave Dondero and last night Nathan Kalish and the Lastcallers.  It’s a seriously fun night and if you can handle the copious amounts of second-hand smoke, you should come on out if you are in the area. 

Last night’s show ended the traditional “Freebird” and “Wagon Wheel” one-two punch which Darrin Bradbury managed to lyrically mash-up in the manner of our subtitle.

On to the shuffle:

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Matt King has his feet planted both in New York and in Nashville which makes him doubly appropriate for Ear to the Ground.  Thanks to the shuffle his songs make a neat frame around the rest of the shuffle today.  This first one is a song about coal mining and Harlan, Kentucky.  I’ve actually been to Harlan which I think gives me some authentic Country/Americana street cred. Right?

“Future Tidings Shall Sing” by Batkhi Dahn

Batkhi Dahn is the side project of The Foresters Bassist Hayden Nork.  It’s a pretty whacked-out Christmas number, and I mean “whacked-out” in the most complimentary way possible.  It’s trippy and a whole lot of fun. Somehow, in my mind, I picture a conversation like this:

Hayden: I have a new song for The Foresters

Evan and Liam: um… well it’s cool and all, but… um…

Hayden: Fine, I’ll just start a side project!

It’s not easy being a middle child – believe me, I know. 

 

“Coming Through the Pines” by Blackfoot Gypsies

A song from their debut album and once again the shuffle provides some excellent timing as I prepare for tonight’s Lockeland Springsteen Christmas show at The Five Spot which featuring Blackfoot Gypsies, Alanna Royale, Cory Branan, and others.

“The Masque of the Red Death 1964” by Sci-Fi Romance

I’m going to keep posting these awesome songs until I’ve posted them all.  Sci-Fi Romance/Vance Kotrla sat down to watch a marathon of classic horror films and ended up writing a song about each of the films and recording the songs in a very lo-fi way.  In lesser hands, this could be a great concept that ended up kind of stilted and cheesy, but these are not lesser hands and the result are some incredible distillation of classic stories into highly original and surprising songs.

“Blind Fascination” by The Torn Images

Another great rocker from The Torn Images full-length debut. Coincidently, we had two Southern California bands that are essentially solo projects. Briand Arabaca is the solo artist behind The Torn Images.

“Northern Lights” by American Aquarium

I don’t know how many ways to say how great I think American Aquarium are.  We have featured several songs from Burn. Flicker. Die and we still have a couple more to go.  There isn’t a bad song in the bunch and almost all of them are truly great songs.

“Fire on a Sunny Day” by Ben Arthur

If You Look for My Heart is the title of the new album by New York singer/songwriter Ben Arthur. It is also the title of his new novel. The two works are interrelated but independent, and you can get them both at Noisetrade.com.  The album features guest appearances including Rachel Yamagata and Aesop Rock.  Fire on a Sunny Day is a dark, disturbing, and awesome song about obsessions. I look forward to bringing you more of this album.

“The Kiss” by Judee Sill

One of the ever-present themes of Ear to the Ground is that of connections.  Most of the time, I try to let the shuffles speak to this theme without explicit comments, but I have been known to post lengthy commentaries on how all music and indeed all humanity is interconnected. This idea was reinforced for me recently and it involves the late tortured folk/pop singer Judee Sill. I was turned onto Judee Sill by my friends in Valued Customer and soon grabbed this song off of the website Freegal. A few weeks later, I went to a show by the awesome Aaron Lee Tasjan, and he performed a song that was dedicated to Judee Sill. The song was incredible and I was blown away by the seemingly mystical forces which tied this connection together for me.  If pressed, I think I would have a hard time drawing connecting lines from Valued Customer to Aaron Lee Tasjan (other than the insane amount of talent they both have), but lo and behold, Ms. Sill whose truly tragic life ended in 1979 completed the puzzle and it suddenly all made sense. 

“Santa Came Home Drunk” by Clyde Lasley and The Cadillac Baby Specials

A Christmas song that’s lyrics consist mainly of types and brands of booze. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.

“Howl” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

Another appearance by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade. A song title which lead me down a rabbit hole which resulting in my downloading of a poem written and read by Allen Ginsberg which will be in a forthcoming shuffle I’m sure.

“Before It’s Gone” by Matt King

Completing the frame we circle back around to Matt King and another brilliant song from his Raw album. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Fairytales and Other Legends Mix

I’m short on time and don’t really have much preliminary banter… so let’s just get to the shuffle – we have a good one today!

“Rain” by Ron Muga

New York songwriter Ron Muga is up first with another lovely track from his Wonderful Doom album. Muga is the driving force behind the No Country Project which is dedicated to deconstructing about every genre of music which is descended from American Roots music. 

“Leaves” by The Western Shore

Fresh off their killer appearance at Monday night’s E2TG Presents event, comes one of East Nashville’s best… This song appeals to me because my (currently unpublished) novel, The Drift uses leaves floating down a stream as an metaphor at an important moment in the book.  This song is on the excellent album, Thunderstorm.

“heavy sleepers” by Dead and Lovely

Brand new Nashville residents, Jayda Hampton and John Levan are Dead and Lovely.  Naming your band after a Tom Waits’ song sets up some high expectations, and as I can attest after seeing them perform at an Eastside Invasion round at Bobby’s Idle Hour, they meet or exceed those expectations.  A pair of unique voices singing excellent songs.  It is great to have their music in the shuffle. This is from their album Heavy which is on their bandcamp page. 

http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3199444926/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/artwork=small/transparent=true/

“God Only Knows” by She and Him

As heard on the hit Fox TV series, The New Girl – because Zooey is adorkable, and because it’s a freaking Beach Boys song… jeez!

“Meridian” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade

Although more and more Nashville music is making its way into the shuffles, I remain grateful and loyal to the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut bands that helped Ear to the Ground to be named “The Best Nashville-Based Music Blog that focuses primarily on music from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut – 2012 and 2013)*  The Lucky Jukebox Brigade on one of the most original and one of my favorite bands. If you haven’t gotten you copy of Familiar Fevers (the album which includes this song), I advise you to do so immediately.

*As voted on by a panel of absolutely no one since it’s a self-proclaimed title, but basically undisputed… 

“Fairytale of New York” (Pogues cover) by Paleface!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”);

An excellent cover of the Holiday classic made famous by The Pogues and the late, great Kirsty MacColl by enigmatic American singer/songwriter Paleface.  I posted this song last year as a Bonus Track, but this is the official shuffle debut. In my hasty research, I could not find out who sings with Paleface on this song, so if you know, please let me know.  I also could not find a video of the Paleface version, and I posted the Official Video of the original song – because The Pogues and Kirsty Maccoll!

“so what?” by Dead and Lovely

How about another from Pennsylvania transplants, The Dead and Lovely with another from Heavy.  They also have some songs up on Soundcloud, so if you like what you hear, head over there as well.

“Little Trip to Heaven (On the Wings of Your Love)” by Tom Waits

It seems appropriate to follow up a song by Dead and Lovely with a Tom Waits song, so it’s a good thing my shuffle function did just that.  This one goes way, way back over 40 years to Tom Waits’ first album Closing Time.

“Just Me and These Ponies (For Christmas)” by Corb Lund

A new Christmas song from a brand new compilation called An Americana Christmas put out by New West Records.  The album features new and classic tracks from artists like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Nikki Lane, The Old 97s, The Band, John Prine, and Valerie June.  Corb Lund’s contribution adds to the long line of sad Holiday songs which validates the experiences of many around this time of year.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Doing the Horizontal Mix

A frustrating morning commute – made all the better by an eclectic ten song shuffle… enjoy…

“Waffle House” by Darrin Bradbury from When a Car Becomes A House (Demos)

“I’d like to know what I want without it being advertised.” A beautiful song of the road from the one and only Darrin Bradbury.

“Moons of Jupiter” by Ron Muga from Wonderful Doom

Another lovely song this one from Ron Muga.  I had some technical difficulties before, some I glad to be featuring these songs finally.

“Truckin’ Trees for Christmas” by Red Simpson from Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree – A Vintage Holiday Mixtape/Truckers’ Christmas

Is it a coincidence that there were two country music singers named “Red” who were notable for Trucker songs?  This one goes out to all those who drive long distances day after to day so that we can conveniently get the things we want and need.

“Trick” by Joe Sundell from The Hat Thief

This is one of my favorite records of the year, and this lively, old-time sounding song is one of my favorites off of it.

“Santa Claus” by Thee Headcoatees from Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree – A Vintage Holiday Mixtape/Sisters of Suave

Thee Headcoatees are a 90s British Garage Rock band who sound like they could be 60s Garage Band.  This song may or may not sound like their song, “Davey Crockett”. 

“5th String is Broken” by Sammy Brue from Bootleg Sessions VOL I

For a second day in a row, we have 13 year old phenom Sammy Brue in the shuffle. Maybe Santa can bring him a 5th String for Christmas?

“Santa’s Doing the Horizontal Twist” by Kay Martin and Her Body Guards from Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree – A Vintage Holiday Mixtape/Kinky Christmas Songs

At this point, I feel compelled to point out that the shuffle literally comes from a random shuffle of songs in a playlist I curate.  So, while I must take responsibility for adding this song to said playlist.*  I cannot be held accountable for this showing up right after a song by a 13 year old boy.  Spoiler Alert: It should also be pointed out that the character mentioned in the song is not actually Santa.  *David “Popa Tunes” Horton sent me the mixtape. 😉 

“Country Nugget” by Blackfoot Gypsies from Dandee Cheeseball

I just heard that Blackfoot Gypsies are playing The 5 Spot a week from today with Cory Brannan and bunch of other folks.  I implore you to check this band out whenever and wherever you get the chance.  Also, I actually checked to make sure my Music Player was operating correctly when this song was playing.  That is a compliment.

“Fish Plant Rebellion” by Ike Reilly from Am I Still the One for You?/Poison the Hit Parade

The last time I posted an Ike Reilly song and tweeted about it, he replied and said I should make sure to tell my friends that the songs I have been featuring are all available (free and easy) via the fine folks at NoiseTrade.  If you are interested (and you should be interested), I am going to post the widget to make it even easier.

“The Shroud” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade from Familiar Fevers

We close things out with another awesome song from the way cool Familiar Fevers album by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – No Safe Harbor Mix

In a moment of extreme clumsiness, I accidently deleted the entire “Current Music” playlist from my phone.  This is was the continually evolving playlist that I use used to create the morning shuffles you have all come to love so much.  I’m not sure how it happened, but as far as I could tell there was no “Undo” button, so I set about to spend a couple of hours attempting to cobble together a new “Current Music” playlist from my memory.  I also took advantage of this minor disaster to add some Holiday-themed music to the mix.  In the course, I know I forgot some songs (which you will never know about – except that I am telling you) and I am pretty sure I added back some songs that have already been featured (which you will only know about if you have been paying very close attention – in which case, I thank you and beg your patience).

So, the new “Current Music” playlist is a couple of hundred songs short of what I deleted (I will add more as I remember), but I like to think of it as a leaner and meaner playlist.  So, behold….

“7 Come 11” by Ike Reilly from Am I Still the One for You?/Hard Luck Stories

I definitely remembered to read Ike Reilly’s recent compilation to the playlist, and I THINK I remembered which songs I had already featured.  It’s all good though.  Although I am sometimes embarrassed when I am late to”discover” an artist with a long and rich musical catalog, I am comforted by the pleasure of suddenly finding a new favorite who already has a deep well in which to go exploring.

“Nightclub Towns” by Dan Coyle from Perfect Word. Perfect Beat.

I also remembered to add Dan Coyle back into the playlist. And, I dedicate this song to all of the hard travelling musicians I know.

“There is No Safe Harbor” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade from Familiar Fevers

The first of three – count them three! songs in today’s shuffle by the Upstate New York band The Lucky Jukebox Brigade.  I “discovered” them in early to mid 2013 and this record was on my highly anticipated list for some time after that. It was worth the wait.

“A Girl Named Joy” by Hugh Trimble from neighborpoem

Hugh Trimble was a discovery I made from Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen’s latest compilation.  He’s got some new music out, but this is from his last record neighborpoem which I like quite a lot.

“Bend at the Marsh” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade from Familiar Fevers

Song #2 of the day from The Lucky Jukebox Brigade was also the second video from the Familiar Fevers album.  I remember when they had to postpone the video shoot due to weather.

“It’s Alright to Die” by Ike Reilly from Am I Still the One forYou?/Sparkle in the Finish

If Ike Reilly wasn’t cool enough, he named his band The Ike Reilly Assassination.  How cool is that?

“Moonchild” by Free Moral Agents from Chaine Infinie

Back in October, the music world mourned the untimely passing of Ikey Owens (Mars Volta, Jack White etc.).  It was only after his death that I learned of the many connections he had to some music and people I adore.  I was especially surprised to learn of his many contributions and deep connection to my friends and E2TG favorites Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray.  I came across this song from Ikey’s band Free Moral Agents and I am pleased to present it to you today.

“They Chose Rapture” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade from Familiar Fevers

Okay, I am pretty sure I have featured this song before at some point, but you know what? It’s a damn fine song, so who cares. No video was available so I added a clip from the band’s 2013 appearance on?/at? Couch by Couchwest. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Burn Thru Mix


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We are back after an extended holiday break… hope everyone is well..  I am short on time today, so let’s jump into the shuffle…

“You Make it Easy” by Golden Smog from Another Fine Day

By now, you know who Golden Smog are… if not go back through some recent posts or google it or something.  That said, this is a very Jayhawks sounding Golden Smog song to my untrained ear.  What say you?

“Hangin’ Around” by Ike Reilly from Am I Still the One For You?

Grant it… this is purely anecdotal evidence, but Ike Reilly recently made 18 songs (4 new ones and 14 from his archives) available as a free download from NoiseTrade.  AS a result, I am a new fan, and I have shared several of the songs already and will be sharing more.  I will also have an ear out (to the ground) for word of his next record. 

“Burn Thru” by Abigail Washburn from City of Refuge

If genetics mean anything at all, Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck’s child will be one heck of a banjo player. (Nature or nurture or both?)

“King of Kings” by The Jayhawks from The Jayhawks (aka The Bunkhouse Album)

A proper Jayhawks song for comparison to the Golden Smog song earlier. Some reviews I read kind of dismiss this album as a band that had not really found their signature sound as of yet.  This is one heck of a great song, though.

window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”; http://ps-us.amazon-adsystem.com/domains/eartothegro00-20_3dcd3a52-1a1a-4afe-a2fd-aaba8e251afc.js “The Boat Song (We’re Getting Loaded)” by Ike Reilly from Am I Still the One For You?

What a great song!  Give it a listen…. really.

“Kinetic” by Tesla Rossa from Deer Head Music Presents: Indie Mixtape Nashville/Tesla Rossa

A song that seriously rocks from Nashville’s own Tesla Rossa off of their self-titled first album.  Another discovery from the Deer Head Music mixtape….

“Bigger Than” by The Grimm Generation from The Big Fame

An absolute favorite band of this blog and a great source of support and encouragement. A great song from the great state of Connecticut. 

“Contortionista” by The Lucky Jukebox Brigade from Familiar Fevers

Among the most innovative and interest bands we came across through our extended interest in great music from New York/New Jersey.  They have a track on the latest Built4BBQ sampler.  This is from their latest album which is available for Free from their Bandcamp page.

“Dishonest Jenny” by The Faults from De-Fault

Another find from the Feel Bad for You monthly mixtape.  This is from a rather obscure Knoxville, Tennessee band which features several members of another Knoxville band which we have featured before (from previous Feel Bad for You mixtapes), Mic Harrison and the High Score.  I couldn’t find a video of this band so I added one from Mic and the High Score.    

VIDEO PLAYLIST