Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Time Heals, Time Forgets Mix

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Time rolls on, and suddenly it is Thursday – that means tonight is Week 2 of the Campfire Propaganda residency at The 5 Spot, followed by Coverfest at The Basement East.

Shuffle time!

“Tara” by Roxy Music

We begin the brief and beautiful instrumental from one of the best albums of all time (Avalon).

“Two Sad Tales” by Bang OK Bang

The first of two songs in the shuffle from the Nashville-based Heavy Rockers. This is from a recently release live album – Live at East Nashville Underground. It was recorded at The East Room back in the spring. Bringing some heaviness into the shuffle for a Thursday of what has been a pretty crappy week so far…

“The Matador” by Gretchen Peters

The always amazing Nashville singer-songwriter with a track from her 2012 album, Hello Cruel World.  By the way, the title song from the album is my default ringtone – kind of a pessimistic view of calls from numbers I generally don’t know.

“Time Heals” by Gear Daddies

Another track from the album Billy’s Live Bait… “You should smoke those goddamn cigarettes…”

“All the Lonely People Left Behind” by Bang OK Bang

The second track of the day from the live album. I really dig this song a bunch. 

“Ambition” by Velvet Elvis

Velvet Elvis were a band from Lexington, Kentucky that caught the attention of Mitch Easter (of Let’s Active) whose production credits included the early albums by R.E.M. Through Easter, the band caught the attention of Enigma Records which released the Easter produced self-titled album in 1988.  Great to hear this song again.

“Amazing Grace” by Cora Fluker

From the Music Maker Relief Foundation… A stirring and powerful version of the spiritual classic sung by the late singer who was born in Alabama around 1920.

“Wehmut” by Tess Parks and Anton Newcombe

Our second listen from the album I Declare Nothing by Canadian singer and the founding member of The Brian Jonestown Massacre.  Good stuff…

“Physics of Form” by The Vigilance Committee

Time to close out this Thursday shuffle with a track from Exit a Hero from the Progressive rock band from Long Island.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – The Whole Thing in the Middle Mix

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14 Years… I have read some really powerful things today about THAT day. What I remember is some sense of unity… if nothing else, for a moment or moments, many of us were united… if in nothing else, then in fear and confusion and uncertainty. In degrees and over time, that unity has mostly dissipated… into conspiracy theories and feelings about the events that followed about the need for security vs. the importance of freedom. I was at work, and getting my news in fits and starts on a slow internet connection and the radio. 

What I remember… I was taking part in an drama workshop put on by the Parks Department.  Of the course of the workshop, we learned acting techniques, but our main goal was to create an original production which would then perform.  If I recall correctly, the second class was on September 11, 2001. The class was held as scheduled, though I remember thinking it might be cancelled, and we spent much of that class talking about what had happened. It was a pretty diverse group of people and there were a variety of different feelings being expressed, and of course, the day ended up greatly shaping the production we created.  Our production included adaptions of Brecht’s The Good Person of Szechwan and Beckett’s Waiting for Godot – as well as some other elements – all subtly adapted to speak to the events of 9/11/2001.

I don’t know what THE lesson of that day is supposed to be… maybe it’s still too soon, or maybe there is not one lesson.  For me, today at least, I am going to try to remember how fragile life can be and make the most of every moment and treat people with as much kindness as I can.  I will probably fall short of that… I probably already have… but I am going to keep trying. 

“Montgomery” by The Vigilance Committee

We start off with another track from Exit a Hero from the Long Island based Progressive Rock band.  I have been spinning this record for several months, and I am still liking the sound of it.

“I Owe It All to You” by Dale Watson

Call Me Insane but Dale Watson has made one of the best albums of the year. He is a real deal Traditional County singer who was once told he was too country for Nashville. Whatever! Driven by those comments, he eventually founded a whole new movement called, Ameripoitan (Outlaw Country, Honky-Tonk, Rockabilly, and Western Swing).

“Human Condition” by The Naddiks

Somehow this song seems like a good fit for 9/11. The Naddiks are a young, uplifting indie band from Australia. The record is called 21CB (21st Century Boy).

“The Spring” by Dan Martin

Just over a week ago, on the suggestion of my friend Mary, Dan Martin gave me a copy of his CD – Hoka Hey at the 5 Spot for the 1st Week of the David Olney Residency.  I finally got to give it a spin over the weekend, and I really liked what I heard. This is the first track to appear in a shuffle, and more will be forthcoming. Dan Martin is from Oklahoma. The music is well-written, well played country influenced music.

“Cold Black Pitch” by The End Men

In just a couple of months, I will have known The End Men for 4 years. In 2013, I named them my Band of the Year, and everything they have done since has served to confirm that decision.  Terms and Conditions, the album they released earlier this year, expands on their signature hard blues rock sound with Matthew Elia’s sax providing a strong counter-point to Matthew Hendershot’s Waitsian vocal growl and guitar godliness and Livia Ranalli’s powerhouse drums.  Beyond all of that, they are generous and kind people.  Oh, and they melt faces live!

“Piece By Pieces” by Indigenous Engines

Andrew Adkins is a busy man with a lot going on.  He released two EPs this year under the Indigenous Engines moniker.  This track is from Witches.  A great song.

“Life is Hard” by Darrin Bradbury

The Bonus Track from The Story of Bob.  Otherwise known as “The Ballad of Jack Kerouac, Lenny Bruce, and Daffy Duck”.  Darrin was my 2014 Artist of the Year.

“Magnolia” by Pony Boy

From Pony Boy’s new album Blue Gold which was produced by the Adam Landry and Justin Collins – best known for their work with Deer Tick, Diamond Rugs, and T. Hardy Morris and to E2TG readers as the producers of Black Vincent. The song is a homage to the late Magnolia Electric Company frontman Jason Molina. It is a powerful, moving, and gorgeous song.  

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Noisey Mix

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Well… let’s just jump into today’s shuffle!

“186” by The Vigilance Committee

From the album Exit a Hero – some most excellent, proggy sounding, Indie Rock out of Long Island, NY. 

“Watching the Sun Go Down” by Kevin Gordon

We’ve started listening to Kevin Gordon’s forthcoming album, but this one goes way back to his 2005 album called, O Come Look At the Burning.  We got it off a Noisetrade Sampler that this still available at that site.

“Trap Door” by Stars

Stars are from Canada.  Their Facebook Page lists their genre as Melodramatic Popular Songs, Amazon lists it as Alternative Rock.  E2TG doesn’t care too much for genres.  Pretty upbeat fun sounding music. 

“SGS” by Grumsling

Another track from our new friends from Oakland, California.  Grumsling are one of my favorite “discoveries” of the year so far.  This song is from their 7 song release from 2014 called Full Coverage

“Noise” by Jesse Terry

Connecticut based singer-songwriter Jesse Terry with a track from his latest EP called, The Calm and The Storm. This is one of those  gorgeous songs that seems like it should have always existed.  From some reason, it struck me that this song would not be out of place on Billy Joel’s classic Cold Spring Harbor – and I mean that as high praise. 

“Pictionary” by APE MEN

“Edgy indietronica formed on the post Iron Curtain fringe of the European Union.”  From their debut EP Zero which was released earlier this year. Pretty cool sounds… and a fun reminder of when me and my sister ruled at Pictionary the game.

“Destroy Me” by The Naddiks

The Naddiks are a high energy Alternative band from Canberra. This is the opening track from their EP called 21cb. 

“Mama’s Don’t Let Your Cowboys Grow Up to be Babies” by Dale Watson

So far, the shuffle has moved between singer-song writers and alt/prog/indie bands from all over the world.  Let’s bring this whole mess together as only E2TG can… with Dale Watson covering Tony Joe White’s answer to the Ed and Patsy Bruce song made famous by Waylon and Willie.  This song is on Dale’s latest album Call Me Insane.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom Mix

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As I stumble, unwillingly and unwittingly into another work week, I am grateful for a pretty sweet music shuffle to get things rolling…  In this shuffle are some classics, some obscure stuff, and some pretty new stuff.  It is all worth your attention.

“I’m in Love With a Girl” by Big Star

“I never travel far, without a little Big Star….”  Never a bad way to start a week, the legendary Memphis band from their 2nd album Radio City. Power Pop at it’s absolute finest.

“Atlantic City” by Ben Arthur

Another track from Call and Response… Ben Arthur swings for the fences and answers the Bruce Springsteen song from Nebraska.

“When We Was Young” by Black Vincent

This has become one of my favorite albums of the year so far, and I really dig this track.

“Gum in Your Hair” by A Color Engine

A lost classic? Perhaps.  As the long wait for the new Don Ryan album continues, we dive back into this release from his old band with Eric Burchfield of Elephant Goes West.

“Suboceana” by Tom Tom Club

“Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom!”  We complete our revisit to the classic 1988 album by the band lead by the rhythm section from Talking Heads.

“Vigilantes” by The Vigilance Committee

Progressive concept album.  This track really reminds me a lot of the Accomplices EP series from Gypsy West. And that is a very good thing.

“Tiene Cabeza de Palo” by Dale Watson

Another from Dale Watson’s new album, Call Me Insane, and a reminder why Google Translate is your friend.

“Walter Reed” by Ben Arthur

Our second Ben Arthur song of the shuffle – this one is an “answer” to the Michael Penn song, “Walter Reed” which is on his album Mr. Hollywood Jr, 1947.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Call of the Wild Mix

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Well…. we made it to mid-week.  Last night was a blast.  I walked down from work to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum for the CD Release Show for the Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats (the 2 CD Set accompanies the exhibit currently running).  Bill Lloyd and the phenomenal Long Players served as the core band and were joined by an all-star lineup that included some of the players on the original recordings (like Al Kooper) as well as family members like John Carter Cash, Jamie Hartford, Britt Ronstadt.  Charlie Daniels, Michael Nesmith (Monkees), Julie Christensen, Kathy Mattea, Radney Foster, Jason Ringenberg and many more made for a memorable event.  A brief rain delay did not seem to chase to many people away.

After that show, I headed to the Hi Watt to catch Heathen Sons (who were really good) – they are competing in Music City Mayhem for a slot playing Live on the Green so check them out and give them a vote if you can.  Benchmarks were next.  Formerly known as Todd Farrell and the Dirty Birds, Benchmarks just recently released a new EP which we will be presenting soon.  The band had not played together in a few months, but they really sounded good to me, and as always, the songs were excellent.  Todd Farrell pulled double duty, joining headliners Two Cow Garage on guitar.  It was the last night of a month long tour for the long running Ohio band, and they did not hold back – offering a full-frontal assault of their unique brand of rock and roll.

Now, to this mornings shuffle….

“Promised Land” by Tom Schreck

Nashville singer-songwriter, Tom Schreck leads off today’s shuffle with another track from his album Save Your Glory. 

“Out My Window” by Tiffany Huggins Grant

Another Nashville singer-songwriter, Tiffany Huggins Grant is up next with another song from her new album Jonquil Child which was released yesterday.

“Rock of Ages” by Grant Lee Buffalo

Grant Lee Buffalo covers Def Leppard… not really… from the album Mighty Joe Moon which I came across in a Goodwill bin, this “Rock of Ages” is an original and a really cool song.

“Call of the Wild” by Tom Tom Club

From Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom which has been in our playlist for several months.  After this, we just have one more from that album which we have not featured in a shuffle. In case you don’t know, Tom Tom Club is lead by the husband and wife rhythm section from Talking Heads (Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth).

“Alonely” by Bob Lewis

Last week, Bob Lewis (yet another Nashville singer-songwriter) opened up for Darrin Bradbury and Austin Lucas at The 5 Spot, and I was impressed enough to grab some of his music.  This is the first official E2TG listen.  The track in on his 2011 album, NOw here…  I could not find a video of Bob Lewis so here is “Alonely” via Bandcamp.

http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1679989784/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/track=1644483499/transparent=true/

“The Warmth of the Sun” by The Beach Boys

The latest Feel Bad for You mixtape features “Summer” songs and includes this Beach Boys track which appeared on their 1964 album Shut Down Volume 2 and it was also the B-Side to the single, “Dance, Dance, Dance”.

“Exit a Hero” by The Vigilance Committee

The Vigilance Committee is a indie/punk band from Long Island. Exit the Hero is the title and final track of the band’s latest release – a concept album which details events in 1800s San Francisco. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Those Who Do Not Play to Lose Mix

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Made it to mid-week.  I am seriously thinking about finally producing Volume 2 of Ear to the Ground Presents… details coming soon…

Shuffle!

“East of West” by The End Men

The End Men from Brooklyn were the 2013 Ear to the Ground Band of the Year, and they remain the most mentioned artist in the history of the blog.  The just released their latest album, Terms and Conditions, and unfathomably they have managed to top themselves again.  Augmented the sax work of Matthew Elia, the band digs deeper into the rough hewn, dirty blues which first caught my attention, while also expanding their sound into exciting and interesting new directions.  I got to listen to the whole album last night, and I was blown away.  Meanwhile, this song from that album showed up first on the shuffle this morning.  Visit their website for all the fine print.

“Song for Buck Owens” by David Dondero

You don’t know how glad I am that Darrin Bradbury turned me on to the music of David Dondero.  How exactly had I not known about this before now?  How did you? Now, you know.  Go check it out.  I love this song for the one and only Buck Owens.

“Running for Cover” by Ivan and Alyosha

At the risk of ruining my reputation of being well read, when I first heard about Ivan and Alyosha, I thought they were a male (Ivan) and female (Alyosha) duo. (The name comes from The Brothers Karamazov – Ivan and Alyosha are the two youngest brothers) which I owned but never worked up the courage to read.   The band is from Seattle and they make music that is far less intimidating than a Russian novel, but pretty awesome nonetheless.

“Ride” by Cletus Kennelly and Lori Kelley

In another happy shuffle coincidence, today is Lori Kelley’s birthday, so Happy Birthday Lori!   Lori is a bright light in the Nashville songwriting scene, and I am happy to be able to hear some of the music she made before she moved here.

“Just One of the Guys” by Jenny Lewis

Man I dig this song from her 2014 album, The Voyager which was primarily produced by Ryan Adams..  If you don’t know, Jenny was in the Indie band Rilo Kiley.

“Another Day” by Artur U and the New City Limits

The album is Holiday From Eternity and it was released about a month ago.  This is the lead track from that album.  Artur U and the New City Limits are from Finland, and I dig their music a bunch.  I almost made a passing comment about the abundance of great music from Scandinavia, but then I went on Wikipedia and discovered a way too complicated discussion of what countries do and do not comprise Scandinavia. So, I will suffice it to say that their is a bunch of great music coming from the European continent.

“Lesson Number One” by Marshall Crenshaw

The final track from Crenshaw’s 1985 album Downtown.  If I ran the world, Marshall Crenshaw would be one of the best selling and most famous musicians of all time.  Of course, I would likely make a bunch of stupid decisions as well.

“Expositor” by The Vigilance Committee

Another great song from this Long Island Indie band. Exit a Hero is their new album which is scheduled to drop in three days.  Check it out!

“Chains off Me” by The Delta Routine

This is the lead track from this Milwaukee Rock band’s albym You and Your Lion which was released back in February.

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We close out the shuffle with a straight ahead Rock and Roll song from this Jersey Shore supergroup which includes among its members, bassist Kenny Aaronson who has played with just about every one. Their new album is eponymously titled and is out now!

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Get up and Do Something Mix

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So… I’m having trouble thinking of  a profound intro to this shuffle…  So… it is Friday! The weekend is upon us.  Get up and Do Something!  I snatched that song from the Soul Asylum song in today’s shuffle.  Good advise, that I need to take myself sometimes…

“Song for an Angry Young Man” by Beat Rodeo

I was a young man when I first heard this song.  And, I guess I was angry in my own way.  I’m not so young anymore, and I try not to be unnecessarily angry… or at least try to keep my anger working for me rather than against… but I still understand this song, because that “angry young man” is still inside me…

“If It Takes Me to You” by Boy Named Banjo

From their album Long Story Short.  Boy Named Banjo are going to be performing at Bonnaroo, so if you are going down to Manchester in June, look for them on the Club Stage. 

“Karaoke” by Five Eight

This song was on the Athens, GA band’s 1994 album Weirdo.  They recently appeared at SXSW and this song came from a Noisetrade SXSW sampler.

“My Rival” by Alex Chilton

From Alex Chilton’s 1979 solo album Like Flies On Sherbert.

“Weekend Syndrome” by The Naddiks

Another rocking track from the album 21CB…  The Naddiks are from Canberra, Australia and the weekend is in full swing there.  This and every weekend – have fun, but be careful and act decent to people. Okay?

“An English Gentleman” by James Dean Bradfield

This song is from the 2006 album, The Great Western.  James Dean Bradfield is from the English band The Manic Street Preachers who are doing some American dates in support of the 20th anniversary of their classic album The Holy Bible. I really love this song and so far everything I heard from this record has been amazing.  I am someone who derives great pleasure from “discovering” great music whether it is new or just something I missed out on the first time around.

“Villains” by The Vigilance Committee

I am always happy when some harder edged stuff filters through my inbox.  This Indie/Punk band is from Long Island, and I’m looking forward to hearing more of their stuff.  This song is from their album, “Exit a Hero” which is a concept album about the first vigilance committee established in San Francisco in the mid 1800s.  The album is due out in a week, but you can pre-order via their Bandcamp page.

“Sometime to Return” by Soul Asylum

Damn, ya’ll Hang Time is a flat great album….

“Good Old Fashioned Pain” by Young America

Another awesome track from the latest EP  by this band who are currently split between Athens, GA and Nashville, TN.  I’ve enjoyed getting to know Taylor and Drew (the Nashville part of the band), and I am awful proud of the music they are making.  Pain Rain and the Mundane is out now – via your Normal music portals.

“Old Soul” by Sam Morrow

We featured Sam Morrow a good while back, and it is great to have him back in the Shuffle, and to be reminded of what a great songwriter he is…  from his most recent album Ephemeral.

“I Won’t Slip Up” by The Delines

From the Album Colfax, by this great Country/Soul band from Portland, Oregon. 

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