Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Usually From a Can Mix

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Had a good time last night celebrating Andrew Leahey’s birthday at The 5 Spot.  Darrin Bradbury was on point with a set that featured some old favorites and some excellent new (and newish) songs.  Lauren Farrah was most excellent – I have been fortunate enough to catch her a few times recently, and she kills it every time.  And the birthday boy rocked this house with his incredible band, The Homestead – playing several songs from his record which is due out in April.

On to the shuffle: Almost every Friday is Featured Friday on #E2TG.  Which means, I shuffle songs from a playlist (a subset of the regular playlist) loaded with songs from artists/albums that I want to spotlight.  Here is the latest….

“Making My Escape” by All the King’s Men

All the King’s Men are a Manchester band who offer a kind of modern take on classic rock (in the best sense of that term).  This song is the title track from their new album which I believe will be released at the end of this month. 

“Your Own Best Friend” by D.L. Duncan

We have another song from D.L. Duncan’s awesome self-titled album. I really love this song.  It is “feel good” music of the highest caliber. I can’t remember if I mentioned it yesterday, but Sonny Landreth also contributed some awesome slide guitar on this album.

“Franklin Town” by Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau

Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau released Tennessee well over a year ago, but I really wanted to feature it now, because I want more people to check it out.  This is the second track on the album – which is a history lesson about the Volunteer State set against a grooving roots rock soundtrack.

“Nimbus (Ta-Ku Interpretation)” by Rich Robbins

Today we have the title track from Rich Robbins amazing debut album, Nimbus.  Robbins has a way with words, and I really love what he is doing here.  I feel utterly unqualified to comment on this as a hip hop record, I just know that I love it.

“Swan Jeremy” by The Foresters

Another one from Sun Songs, the stunning recent album by The Foresters of Bethany, Connecticut.  The growth and maturity of this young band over the last couple of years that I have been following them, is nothing short of unbelievable.  Forming after attending a Green Day show and initially writing and recording some excellent pop/punk music.  The hard work and dedication they seem to be putting into their art and their craft is inspiring and admirable.  The result is that Sun Songs is at once one of my favorite records of the year and clearly just a taste of what we can hope to see in the future from the band.  

“Picture Perfect” by The Poorhouse Says

Our friends from St. Louis return to the shuffle with another track from their album As Patterns Go.  I highly recommend checking out the band and the album.  Hearing this reminds me that I am very overdue to reply to a message from these guys. Sorry and expect something this weekend.

“The Fearless Seed” by The Unravelling

Another dose of progressive metal from Tear a Hole in the Collective Vision.

“The Trouble with Drinkin'” by Aaron Lee Tasjan   

And, we close out the shuffle and the work week with the lead track from In the Blazes which upon its release transitioned from being one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year to one of the best.  There are just a handful of writers working today to write songs that are funny, intelligent, moving, and that leads you to tell everyone you know to check it out. Aaron Lee Tasjan is at the top of that list.  He will be in Memphis tonight.  His performance with an all-star band at the Americana kick-off event and more recently at his Nashville release show at The Basement provided some of the best and most entertaining music that I have ever experienced.  And this song! window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;

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Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – The Black Bruce Wayne Mix

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Well… another work week is just about done… Since it is Friday, it means it is time for Featured Friday in which we shuffle songs from a smaller subset of our usual playlist. This subset includes mostly songs from albums released this year which have been sent or given to me to include at Ear to the Ground.

Let’s just do it….

“Big Star” by The Poorhouse Says

Another track from as patterns go, the most recent album from St. Louis based, The Poorhouse Says. I am continuing to enjoy this record.

“Want” by [debut]

Our final track from Postcards from Berlin… some really cool electronic music from Los Angeles.

“Hammer” by Angela Easterling

The opening track from Angela Easterling’s new album, Common Law Wife.  I mentioned that I got to meet and hear this song and others on Tuesday night at The 5 Spot. Angela and her common law husband and guitar player Brandon Turner sounded great, and this is a wonderful album that features many of Nashville’s best musicians backing it up.

“Revolutions” by Grumsling

This is the last song on Oakland based Grumsling’s album called, Full Coverage. The band call their sound New Classic Rock and Story Rock.  I really dig the band’s sound which is pretty unique. And as I’ve mentioned before, they have their own character (mascot???, avatar???) that looks pretty mischievous.

“uMakemeFeel” by Rich Robbins (feat. Janel Leea and Taniesha Broadway, prod. Since ’93)

Another great track from Nimbus – the debut album by Rich Robbins – a young hip-hop artist who is from the suburbs of Chicago by way of other places and who attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison on a hip-hop scholarship.  How cool is that?  This is one of my personal favorites from the album.  A killer hook and some great voices backing up Rich Robbins.

“Common Law Wife” by Angela Easterling

Back to Angela Easterling – this time with the title track of her new album.  She did this one, also, on Tuesday.

“Tyger Bay” by Reckless Johnny Wales

The enigmatic troubadour is back in the shuffle with another track from his new album American Heart.

“Celestialism” by The Foresters

It seems fitting to end the week with a track from the new album, Sun Songs, by The Foresters of Bethany, Connecticut.  We have had different artists from the Dord Music Group in our shuffles all week long, and The Foresters are the first and foremost Dord Music Group artist.  To recap for the uninitiated.  Several years ago, Jack Nork took his three young sons to a Green Day concert, the boys came home and wanted to start a rock and roll band. So their parents bought them instruments. That the kids had talent was apparent to me and many others the first time I heard them – back in 2012.  They generally played Pop Punk music heavily influenced by the band that got it all started.  At the time, I made a joke that the band’s average age was just over 10 years old, but that they played their music at 11… Flash forward three years, the band is older, and as a good listen to Sun Songs reveals, the band’s sound has evolved and broadened.  “Celestialism” is the penultimate song on the album.  A gorgeous instrumental rock song that seems a million miles away from their (albeit awesome) Pop Punk roots. With multiple side projects and a laser-focused dedication to music, the future looks bright for The Foresters.  (the recap of the Foresters’ history is mine based upon a shoddy memory of things I have read.  It was probably way cooler than I made it out to be, and possibly different.)

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Pretty Vacant Eyes Mix

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Okay… so I’m running late with today’s shuffle, but I have a good reason.  At lunch, when I usually finishing writing this thing and get it posted to the Ear to the Ground Facebook Page (which you should “Like” if you haven’t but I digress), I went to the Downtown Public Library to see a songwriting round with Marshall Chapman, Mary Gauthier, and Malcolm Holcomb – because that is what we do at lunchtime in Nashville….

Onward, I have to be quick – I’m heading out in a bit to see three people I’ve featured on Ear to the Ground at $2 Tuesday at The 5 Spot in East Nashville – Joe Nolan, Angela Easterling, and Carl Anderson are all on the bill.  Did I mention it’s $2 Tuesday?

“Doing Laundry Late on a Cold Southern City Night” by Bashful Hips

Another from the album, Too Old for a Coming of Age Story… I think the song title pretty much sums this one up.  Dig it.

“Davisville” by Jelena Ciric

I connected to this through some of my Toronto friends – like Valued Customer (but I cannot remember who posted it).  Gorgeous music.  Really! Check it out!

“Radio Love” by The Poorhouse Says

Another from the St. Louis band. The album is called, As Patterns Go, and I recommend it.  Crisp Americana/folk-rock stuff.

“Everything Changes” by Judah and the Lion

This band is enthusiastic and youthful, and singing about the passage of time and how things change.  Just wait… just wait. From a Noisetrade Sampler.  The song is on their debut album, Kids These Days which was released just about a year ago. I’ll bet a bunch has changed since then.

“Pretty Vacant” (live) by Sex Pistols

Because it seems almost obligatory to have a bootleg quality live Sex Pistols track in the shuffle at some point, and why not now? “We’re so pretty…” 

 

“Little Tiny Lady in a Big Black Vest” by Batkhi Dahn

I have a bunch of Batkhi Dahn and other assorted Hayden Nork side projects in my playlist, so no you are not imagining that one of them comes up just about every day.  Like the first song in today’s shuffle, this title pretty much tells the story of the song… or does it?  

“Betty Was Black (and Willie Was White)” by Tommy Womack

A couple of weeks ago – back at the tail end of Tomato Fest, Tommy Womack played his first official show after his serious car accident.  He was backed by the Mark Robinson Band and joined by the supremely talented Lisa Oliver Gray.  It was a pretty awesome way to end a pretty awesome day.  He did this song – which was first released on the self-titled album by The Bis-Quits, the early 90s band that featured Tommy, Will Kimbrough, Mike Grimes (of Grimey’s and the Basements (West and East)), and Tommy Meyer on drums.  Later, Todd Snider included the song on his album Happy to Be Here.  This version comes from Tommy Womack’s album Washington D.C. 

“Those Eyes” by Sammy Brue

Recently, I have had a couple of opportunities to reflect on having hope for the future based upon the incredible music being made by young people.  If I made a list, Sammy Brue would be up near the top if not at the top.  This fourteen year old singer-songwriter from Utah is not just a great young songwriter, he is a great songwriter.  He recently played showcase at the Newport Folk Fest with some of the finest people working today – like Aaron Lee Tasjan, John Moreland, and Joe Fletcher (who will be wrapping up his residency at The 5 Spot tomorrow night with Brian Wright).  I am quite sure Sammy Brue held his own just fine.  Here’s to many years of watching Sammy Brue continue to grow and improve.  It’s going to be scary good!

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Hot Where We’re Going Mix

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ICYMI,  I posted my review of For a Thousand Miles, the new album by Patrick Kinsley and A Fistful of Dollars which was released today.  You can read it by navigating to the last entry on this blog or read it at No Depression.  The No Depression piece leaves out some information of interest to Nashville readers – namely that the Album Release Show for this album will be tomorrow night (7/15) at 8:00 p.m. at the original Basement.

The shuffle today is ready, so let’s get to it!

“Don’t You Feel Like Playing” by Christopher Aaron Slade

Another track from Christopher Aaron Slade who e-mailed me a while back and introduced me to his fun brand of kitschy, party rock and roll.  (My description and meant as a compliment). 

“Drive South” by John Hiatt

One of my favorite songs from the album Slow Turning, and the source of today’s shuffle sub-title. A great song for when I drive down to visit family in Georgia.

“No Fun” by Jessica Lea Mayfield

From the 2014 album, Make My Head Sing…  which added a rock edge to her excellent songs.

“Safe House” by The Poorhouse Says

The Poorhouse Says are from St. Louis, and they formed in 2007. as patterns go is their new and first full-length album, and it was released late last month.  I have really been enjoying listening to this record, and I highly recommend it.  Great songs, a great sound, and an excellent spirit behind it.

“Lady Jane” by David Schnaufer

The late Dulcimer master takes on the Rolling Stone classic which frankly seems – here to have been written for the mountain dulcimer.

“My Intentions Were Good, But Fuck Me Part I” by Bashful Hips

Ian Fellerman aka Bashful Hips wrote the album from which this track is taken while he was living here in Nashville.  The album is called Too Old For a Coming Age Story… – it came to my attention via e-mail, and I am really digging this so far.  It seems at once to be a very personal and very political album – and seriously if politics are not personal – what the hell are they?

“Working Class Hero” by John Lennon

Up next, we have a song from John Lennon’s very first post-Beatles solo album – called John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band which was released in 1970. Really puts me in the mood for my day job…

“Railroadin’ and Gamblin'” by Carl Rutherford

Another track from the Music Maker Relief Foundation sampler we have been featuring for a few months now.  Carl Rutherford has an interesting story… all of the Music Maker artists have interesting stories. You can read more about Carl Rutherford, who passed away in 2006, here in this piece written by the great music writer (and musician/songwriter) Peter Cooper.

“Strangers to Ourselves” by Modest Mouse

And we close things out today with the title track from the latest album by Modest Mouse. A pretty nice way to end out the morning’s shuffle…

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Heart Space Mix

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There is a buzz of activity in the Ear to the Ground offices, but I wanted to take the time to try to help spread the word about a couple of things:

A pair of great Nashville musicians/songwriters have recently suffered some pretty serious injuries which could keep them out of commission for an extended period.  For anyone, this would be bad, but for a professional musician this can be devastating.  In both cases, friends and fans are joining forces to help. 

Allen Thompson of the Allen Thompson Band suffered a serious injury to his vertebrae.  You can help out and find out more by clicking here.

Singer-songwriter Tommy Womack (Daddy, Government Cheese) was seriously injured in an automobile accident late last week.  You can help him by clicking here.

In better news, Darrin Bradbury just dropped his latest EP, The Story of Bob.  I’ll have more on this later, but check it out here.

Finally, I have been busy on the No Depression front with several live reviews, an album review – and much more on the horizon.  I don’t cross post everything, so if you want to keep up with adventures over there.  Here is the link to my Contributions at NoDepression.com.

Now to the shuffle of the day:

Several long songs (including an 8 minute instrumental) means there are only 7 songs in the shuffle today…

“Rapunzel” by Ben Arthur

Another track from the forthcoming Call and Response album of answer songs.

“Ghost Writer” by Storm Chronicles

Another from the debut album by The Storm Chronicles, Looking Backward.  Alternative/Progressive rock songs. 

“Spirit in the Still” by The Poorhouse Says

Our second listen – from the forthcoming As Patterns Go album – due out June 27.  Dig this song a bunch. Check it out.

“As Forever Became Never Again” by Bobby Bare Jr.’s Young Criminals’ Starvation League

From the 2014 album, Undefeated.

“Three Cord Bond” by Propaganda

L.A. Hip Hop artist Propaganda with a track from his 2014 album Crimson Cord. A powerful call from mutual understanding.

“Heart Space” by Whale Fall

Eight minutes plus of cinematic, progressive instrumental goodness from the L.A. band.

“Tell Me What You Want From Me” by Good Old War

A track from the forthcoming album, Broken into Better Shape (due June 29) from the Philly based Indie Acoustic Pop band.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Masks That Pass for Faces Mix

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Well… I’m back.  After feeling less than 100% all week, the percentages dropped dramatically Wednesday night into Thursday… but I’m back to feeling less than 100%.  Actually, (knock on wood), I am feeling pretty darn close to 100%. 

So it’s time for our weekending shuffle and I think we have a good one…

“I’m Not Afraid (Doesn’t Matter To Me)” by Beat Rodeo

We are almost through the Beat Rodeo album, Home in the Heart of the Beat, but we still have a few more.   A tasty bit of mid/late 80s power pop with a bit of twang.

“My Baby Drives” by Justin Townes Earle

From the album Single Mothers.  The version I heard is from the World Café sessions playlist that I posted about earlier this week.

“Western Skies” by Hot Rize

Legendary Bluegrass band, Hot Rize, with a song from When I’m Free which was released last September and which was the band’s first new album in over 24 years.  Music to move the band into the 21st Century while staying deeply rooted in the traditions from which they arose.

“Easy Way Out” by Other Lives

A song from the latest album (Rituals was released May 4) by this alternative band from Oklahoma.

“2 Pigs in a Blanket/She’s My Little Biscuit Eater” by Southern Culture on the Skids

From Bubbapalooza Vol. 1 – a compilation that was released in 2006.  SCOTS at their rowdy, randy, and rocking best.

“All She Can Say” by American Scarecrows

An absolutely awesome song from the album Yesteryear.  American Scarecrows are opening tonight for Soul Asylum and Meat Puppets at First Avenue in their hometown of Minneapolis!

“Rules of Engagement” by The Poorhouse Says

The Poorhouse Says are a band from St. Louis.  Their latest album, as patterns go, will be released later this month.  The album release show is scheduled for June 27 at Focal Point in Maplewood, MO.   My first listen, and I like what I’m hearing.

“Forbidden Places” by Meat Puppets

Maybe a song that Meat Puppets will perform tonight in Minneapolis? Maybe?  The title track and our final from the band’s classic 1992 album.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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