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It’s been a weird week filled with annoyingly insignificant snow “events”, a day off, a significant life event, just one (so far) live music night, and some pretty cool shuffles…
Shuffle…. pretty cool….
“Benedikt’s Blues” by Steve Wynn
Whether as a member of the Dream Syndicate, as 1/2 of Danny and Dusty, as part of The Baseball Project, or just as Steve Wynn – Steve Wynn’s music has been a significant part of my music universe for a very long time. This song is the title track from a recent release which is a “Sonic Companion to Season 4 of Dag”. “Dag” being a Norwegian television series. This track features Wynn’s wife Linda Pitmon and Scott McCaughey (both of The Baseball Project).
“Radar” by Brian Wright
From the Café Rooster Sessions Vol 1 – the most recent release by Brian Wright. I am looking forward to seeing Wright open for Dan Baird and Homemade Sin on Sunday at The Basement East.
“Parents” by SuperCrashingStar
A whimsical tune and our second listen to this New York band. I am really digging their music.
“Cross Paths” by Brian Keenan
Our second Brian in the shuffle, this one is a singer, songwriter from Brooklyn. His latest album is called Fits and Starts. A really good tune.
“She’s the One” by Bruce Springsteen
The studio version from Born to Run. Fun fact, I sometimes peek ahead to see what the next song (after the last) in a shuffle would have been and to see how it might have changed the overall tone of the shuffle. Today, had the shuffle continued past the Killing Kuddles song below, the next song would have been a live version of this song from the Chicago show.
“Be My Enemy” by The Waterboys
Another track from the classic This is the Sea album. “If you’ll be my enemy, I’ll be your enemy, too.”
“Dirty Mouth” by Killing Kuddles
From Sinking Ships. Shhh…. don’t tell Elwood’s mother, but I hear he has a dirty mouth.
“Close your eyes, breathe slow, and we’ll begin…” – from “The Pan Within” written by Mike Scott and recorded by his band, The Waterboys from their album This is the Sea.
Last night I took the Blackstone Bus to Music City Roots at the Factory in Franklin. I think the bus is one of this town’s best kept secrets. Every Wednesday, the bus departs from The 5 Spot in East Nashville makes a stop at Soulshine Pizza in Midtown and then makes its way down I65 to Franklin.
Reasons it is such a cool, awesome deal: 1. The ride is free. You pay your (usually $10) Roots ticket, select the Blackstone Bus option. 2. They serve samples of different varieties of Blackstone Beer (the longest currently operating local brewery). 3 You get some free hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Monnells. 4. There is usually awesome live music on the bus and 5. You don’t have to drive.
About #4 – the scheduled music performer was under the weather, but because Nashville – it turned out that The Worry Dolls were on board. The Worry Dolls are recent transplants from London. I had seen them at a showcase during Americana, and they graced us with some songs on the bus. I nice treat to be sure.
This weeks Music City Roots was pretty eclectic. Host Jim Lauderdale opened the show with a song from his new album – which I now really want to check out. A bluegrass band from Italy played one song. I really dug them a bunch – they are called La Terza Classe. The Orphan Brigade played next, they are a really interesting group of experienced players with a pretty fascinating story. They completed their current album in Kentucky at what is called the Most Haunted House in America. I really liked their music which is kind of moody roots music – I guess. LynnMarie was next with her polka band. They won me over by opening their set with a cover of The Who’s “Squeezebox” and a song written about LynnMarie’s son who has Down’s Syndrome. The latter song really spoke to me.
Amy Black was up next – backed by some of the players who joined her when I saw her CD Release show at The Bluebird Café and supplemented by a horn section and noted Nashville bassist Hags Haggerty. They sounded fantastic.
Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen played the final set of the night and did what they do best – bringing the authentically original take on psychedelic North Mississippi blues music. And for those who read yesterday’s post – no, the MCR stage could not contain Ted Drozdowski. Drozdowski is a phenomenal guitar player and his band provide some amazing support.
The closing Music City Jam featured a pretty awesome version of a song Muddy Waters recorded called “Rollin’ and Tumblin'”. It was amazing to hear the different takes from everyone on stage.
On to the shuffle: “The Pan Within” by The Waterboys
Celtic spirituality and soaring, “Big Music”… another track from This is the Sea – which was The Waterboys third album – released in 1985 (30 years ago).
“Enough” by The Regrets
The first of three songs in the shuffle by bands associated with Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen. A pretty “in your face” kind of punk song – hint: guys, you do not want to mess with this woman! This is on the latest Mama Coco’s sampler. I had to do some pretty heavy duty research, but I managed to find a video made by some of the members of The Regrets.
“Bullets and Arrows” by The Colored Parade
Andrew Atkins has performed in several different combination covering a pretty wide spectrum of styles and genres with one thing in common – well-written song with a hooky melodhy.
“The Witches Song” by Longshot Nelson and the Disjoints
Off the latest Feel Bad for You mixtape – comes this seasonally appropriate song from a band who seems to have a bunch of songs which are appropriate for this time of year. They play Scottish folk music, and this was my first listen, and I want to hear more.
“Fuck Ben’s Party” by The Dregs
Another from the latest Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen sampler. We’ve featured music by The Dregs before and probably will again. The band includes bassist Sam Braverman who we first heard with his band Logan X.
“Nevermind” by James Roquemore
Another listen to James Roquemore’s debut release, The First. You may recall that I saw James open Pat Kinsley’s album release show at the Basement. Great songs, great voice.
“Atlas” by Man Named Pearl
Another track from Quietus Make – the new album by Jesse Turits and his first under this new moniker also our third Mama Coco’s associated band in today’s shuffle. This album has rapidly become a current favorite of mine.
“Will Carry On” by Elephant Revival
We close out the day with an awesome song – another from Sands of Now – the new live CD/DVD by the Colorado experimental folk/Americana band.
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Been busy this week with writing and getting ready to write. There is a pretty good chance that I won’t have time to post a shuffle tomorrow or Friday, but if I can I will. In any event, expect some other kinds of posts to even things out. I am finally going to be getting out and about a bit tonight – at least that is the plan. And by the way, that “Nashville dilemma” that I have written about is still very much a thing. I’m already double booked on some live shows almost two months out. What a great problem to have.
“The Snake” by Al Wilson
Al Wilson was a soul singer born in Mississippi and later relocated to California. This song was a hit in 1968 and was produced by Johnny Rivers. Al Wilson died in 2008 at the age of 68.
“Sweet Release” by Hannah in the Wars
Hannah Curwood is from New Zealand but relocated to Great Britain and formed Hannah in the Wars. This song is the b-side to a single called, “Only Wanna Be”, and both songs can be found on the self-titled debut by the band – released earlier this year. Added from a submission – this was a blind listen today, and I really dig this.
“A Day at a Time” by Dale Watson
One more from Dale Watson’s acclaimed recent album, Call Me Insane. There is just something about Watson’s rich voice that I really love.
“EKG” by Wilco
The short opening track from Star Wars which was released for free digitally earlier this year and which is now being sold on CD and more recently vinyl.
“God and Money” by Ike Reilly
Our final track from the Ike Reilly mega download from Noisetrade, and one of my favorites. This one has been floating around the playlist for several months.
“Sing to the Mountain” by Elephant Revival
Elephant Revival released a combo live CD/DVD called Sands of Now. They are from Colorado and the live performance is from the Boulder Theater. Sands of Now came out in July, and we have been featuring songs from it for a few months now. One of a number of “Elephant” related bands which have combined to lead the website Klout to be convinced that I am an expert on Elephants. Hmm.. hit me up for your elephant related questions and problems… really don’t. #notanexpertonelephants.
“Self-Taught Learner” by Lissy Trullie
This one came to me via the Feel Bad for You mixtape – September edition. The song is the title track from a 2009 EP by this Washington DC born/New York based alternative singer songwriter.
“This is the Sea” by The Waterboys
And we close things out with the title track from The Waterboys’ 30 year old album, This is the Sea. This song probably resonates more today than it did when I first heard it . It is a stirring song of freedom and the fears and perils and exhilaration inherent in absolute freedom. “Once you were tethered, Now you are free.”
I’m not sure what it is about round numbers… zero is a round number. We all seem to like lots of zeros. Why zero? Why not nine? or eight? Ah well, who am I to blow against the wind?
So this is post number 1000* for Ear to the Ground. Quite a milestone, I suppose, and I am really thankful for everyone who has read, shared, commented over the years. I am been introduced to a lot of great music and met a bunch of really awesome people as a result of this blog. I certainly did not expect that happen when I began. I mean I hoped someone, somewhere would read theses rambling posts, but it has been a great ride so far.
*1000 posts on Blogger. The first six or seven months of Ear to the Ground were on Posterous. A few entries were cross-posted but some were not.
Ear to the Ground is for one thing, a way for me to share my experiences with the music of my life. From the beginning, I knew that I could not cover all of the music being made – that I would not compete with the Brand-X music blogs with their top ten lists and clickbait headlines… In my daily shuffle, I strive to keep a good mix of old and new music from a variety of genres and movements.
I cannot really say for sure why music has become such an important part of my life. I just remember the joy of discovery I experienced when music like Velvet Underground or The Jam or The Clash or Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen first came into my consciousness. Music is filled with connections and if you follow those connections you often are lead down rabbit holes and find yourself in places you never could have expected. I think life can be like that, too. I hope I never lose that spirit of discovery – again. I lost it once, and I was lucky enough to have it revived.
Been in a nostalgic mood… last night I took the Music City Roots bus from The 5 Spot in East Nashville to The Factory in Franklin for a special Music City Roots show. It was a benefit from Tommy Womack who was seriously injured in an automobile accident earlier this year. The show was filled with iconic figures from the Nashville Rock music world that I first experienced (from the perimeter) back in the mid to late 1980s. Dan Baird opened his set with “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” which became a massive hit single for Baird’s old band, The Georgia Satellites. Beginning in February 1985 and ending sometime in early 1993, I kept a journal which basically would have probably been a blog or at least a Livejournal in a later time. Just random thoughts, and I quoted song lyrics quite often. From the moment I first heard, “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” – it made it’s way into my brain and I quoted it often in my journal. It was almost surreal watching the song move from this (sort of) local college radio song to the top part of the nationwide singles charts. Dan’s set included material from his brand new record as well as a way too cover of Springsteen’s “Johnny 99” from Nebraska – which by the way was the first album I ever bought on CD.
Webb Wilder – so many great shows over the years, and his set was filled with songs from his brand new album. Will Kimbrough – I remember a sput-of -the-moment drive to Nashville with my friend Boyd to see Will’s old band Will and the Bushmen. I remember Bill Lloyd joining them on stage that night. Lloyd was there, too last night.
Jason and the Scorchers tore up the stage and 30 something years later – Jason Ringenberg and Warner Hodges still defy gravity and still careen around the stage like an out of control whirling dervish. I first saw the Scorchers live almost exactly 30 years (give or take a few weeks) ago, and “Broken Whiskey Glass” still gets me every time.
So – let’s get on with our shuffle for post number 1000. It isn’t a shuffle of a specially prepared playlist.. like almost all of my posts – the music player shuffle picked the tunes and placed them in a certain order… and here we go.
“The Return of Jimi Hendrix” by The Waterboys
I love music that references other artists and their music. I love songs that are about dreams. I love The Waterboys and I love Jimi Hendrix. This song is from The Waterboys 1993 album Dream Harder and the version I heard was from the 2005 live album Karma to Burn.
“The Old and the Young” by Midlake
Midlake are a folk band from Denton Texas. This song is from their fourth and most recent studio album Antiphon.
“All Along the Watchtower” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Speaking of Hendrix… the recording I heard was from the Atlanta Pop Festival in 1970. Bob Dylan has indicated that when he plays this song (which Dylan wrote) he performs it as a cover of the Hendrix version.
“Enjoy the Rise” by Saint Cole
We have a sneak peak of from forthcoming album Within the Skin from this electronic dance/indie pop band from the UK. Great sounding, accessible electronic music.
“Waterfalls” by Crow and the Canyon
Crow and the Canyon are an acoustic folk band from Portland, Oregon. I love this song.
“Hoka Hey” by Dan Martin
We close out this milestone post with the opening and title track off the current album by Oklahoma musician Dan Martin. Maybe my favorite song on the album, and I dig all the songs from Hoka Hey – the album.
It is a rainy day in Nashville… You know what I like on a rainy day? Music!
“Memphis Bound” by Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau
Richie Owens was an important part of the 1980s Nashville music scene that I became interested in during my musical formative years. Back in those days, he lead a band called The Movement. That band’s song, “Lost Horizon” seemed to be in my ears or stuck in my head almost constantly during that time period. When the once promising Nashville Music Scene of the mid to late 80s crashed and burned – overcome by poor decisions and excesses of various kinds – Owens left for the West Coast. Thankfully, he came back and his current band, Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau are making awesome music and putting on great shows. You can catch them most Tuesday’s at Drifters in East Nashville. The band’s most recent album, Tennessee, is filled with songs based upon stories that Richie Owens heard growing up or in the case of the song we are featuring today – the song was inspired by a invitation and trip to play a Blues Festival in Memphis. The video is awesome!
“Come On” by Hoodoo Gurus
From Blow Your Cool! “Well come on!”
“Rattle That Lock” by David Gilmour
Rattle That Lock is the title track of the brand new album by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd fame. It is his fourth solo and his first studio solo album since 2006’s On An Island. Expect a US tour next Spring.
“Slap and Tickle” by Squeeze
A funky fun track from Cool for Cats. Seriously, I know they were very British in some respects, but I really don’t understand how Squeeze were never completely massive here in the U.S. Suffice it to say, they were very massive in my circle of friends. I am thrilled that I got to see them in 1985 on their “reunion tour”.
“Old Rugged Cross” by Carl Rutherford
What kind of psychopath follows up “Slap and Tickle” with “Old Rugged Cross”? Seems like another great time to point out, again, that the shuffle function on my phone orders the songs – I am just the messenger. That being said, it has great having so many tracks for the Music Maker Relief Foundation come up in the shuffles of late. This is a devastating take on the Inspirational classic from the late Carl Rutherford.
“Plaster Shoes” by Atticus Floyd
Plaster Shoes is the single release from Atticus’ 7 song release, We’ll All Come Down. Atticus just released a new song, “Walking into Murals”. The video is a repeat, but it is one I love – an animated retelling of Atticus Floyd’s first show.
“Don’t Look That Way” by Shelly Poole
This is a song from British singer/songwriter Shelly Poole’s 2006 debut album, Hard Time for the Dreamer. I’m honestly not sure where I got this song, but I really dig it. It’s my first listen to Shelly Poole.
“Peace and Happiness” by Evan Felker
Another track from the Ted Hawkins tribute album, Cold and Bitter Tears. Evan Felker is best known as a member of the Oklahoma Red Dirt band Turnpike Troubadours.
“East vs. West” by Units
Another from the 13 O’clock compilation by PPNW Records. Units were an electronic band from San Francisco, active in the late 1970s to early 1980s. East V. West is from 1979 and it is a sturdy electronic rock instrumental. This compilation has introduced me to a several bands that I missed out on the first time around.
“Trumpets” by The Waterboys
One of my favorite tracks from This is the Sea. “Your Love Feels, Like Trumpets Sound”.
“Leave a Trail” by Dan Martin
And we close out the day with another track from Dan Martin’s album Hoka Hey. A great way to close out another wildly diverse shuffle of music.
Well, back to reality and back to our daily shuffle. More recaps of AMA 2015 will be forthcoming.
Suffice it to say, I had the time of my life – hearing tons of great music, seeing and meeting people, and sharing some once in a lifetime moments.
It is Monday and that means, I am back to work and we have a nifty shuffle to kick off the post-AMA hangover week…
“Yuma” by Justin Townes Earle
We start of this week with the devastating title track from JTE’s debut EP (2007).
“Missing” by Manilow
I didn’t realize we still have some Manilow in the shuffle. This is some badass UK punk rock.
“Fighter” by Tiffany Huggins Grant
Another great song from Tiffany’s Jonquil Child album – one of my favorites of the year.
“Don’t Bang the Drum” by The Waterboys
A swelling, expansive track from This is the Sea.
“Railroad Bill” by Etta Baker
Some Piedmont Blues via The Music Maker Relief Foundation. If I am not mistaken, Taj Mahal plays on this song.
“I’m Poor” by Supersuckers
My Americana experience this year began with a fund raiser for Supersucker Eddie Spaghetti at The Basement East – last Tuesday. Today, we have a track from a compilation called Their Sympathetic Majesty’s Request.
“When Tomorrow Never Comes” by Pony Boy
We have another track from Pony Boy’s brand new record, Blue Gold.
“Slow Motion” (Sylvan Esso Remix) by PHOX
We close out the day with a remix of a song from the Self-Titled album by the indie band based out of Wisconsin.
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Welcome to Saturday, and a ultra rare Saturday shuffle – live blogging experiment. Enjoy…
3:09p.m. Hit Shuffle
“Vincent Black Lightning” (Richard Thompson cover) by Fendrick and Peck
My friends, Fendrick and Peck have a brand knew album called Lucky Penny. This is the last song and only cover on the album. One of my all-time favorite songs, and I really dig this cover.
“Too Much Out of Line” by The Colored Parade
Next up, another friend – Andrew Adkins with his band, The Colored Parade with a song from their album …And the Walls of the City Will Shake
“Medicine Bow” by The Waterboys
This is the Sea is 30 years old this year. I hope I still sound so good when I get to be 30…..
“Gingerbread Boy” by Miles Davis
From the Miles Davis at Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4… a Jimmy Heath composition (I think). Nothing wrong with Miles Davis on a lazy Saturday afternoon at the end of Summer. Or any other time for that matter…
“Eastwood Outlaw” by Crazy Aces
Crazy Aces are an instrumental rock band from Nashville. I experienced them live for the first time last night, and I had to have this albun. Awesome stuff!
“Champions of Red Wine” by The New Pornographers
A track from the latest album by The New Pornographers, Brill Bruisers, which was released about a year ago… a pretty cool song. I like it. I could listen to Neko Case sing all day long.
“Song About My Friends” by Atticus Floyd
From We’ll All Come Down… a cute little songs about friends who are monsters who died.
It is now 3:44p.m. and we move on…
“Royal Wedding” by Kronos Quartet
From a Sampler of the Big Ears Music Festival which held in Knoxville, Tennessee earlier in the year. Kronos Quartet class up the shuffle in the coolest way possible…
“Lost in a Crowd” by Fantastic Negrito
My first time hearing this song and my first exposure to the artist. Man, I dig this. I want to hear more! The album is listed as “Studio Paradiso 4/20/2015” on my device. Will find out more right away.
“Only Love Can Break Your Heart” by Charlie Whitten
A nice Neil Young cover… This comes from a Charlie Whitten Sampler via Noisetrade.
And we will go out with this one:
“21 Years” by James Tomberlin
Our first listen to the new record from James Tomberlin. One of my favorite writers. He recently left Nashville to pursue a law degree in Virginia, but before he left he recorded Still Life with Orange. Produced by Josh Morris and featuring Jon Latham, Cameron Carrus, and John Gentile. I love this song!
The mid-week point has been reached… A fun night at The 5 Spot last night for $2 Tuesday. Got to meet and hear Angela Easterling. Her new album, Common Law Wife – which we have featured a few songs from – is one of the best I’ve heard this year. She has a very unique and beautiful sound. Joe Nolan played a full-band set. It was the first time I saw him with a drummer, and it sounded great! Host Derek Hoke played a short set backed by Paul Niehaus on pedal steel, Steve Latanation on drums, and Mark Robertson (of the Legendary Shack Shakers) on upright bass. Then, Carl Anderson played a long set of his wonderful songs. Not a bad $2 show…
Tonight, Brian Wright opens up the last week of the Joe Fletcher residency at The 5 Spot. I had to miss the first two weeks, but I will not miss this one. Two of East Nashville’s finest writers.
Onto the shuffle:
“And She Plays” by Reckless Johnny Wales
Another track from American Heart, by the man, the myth, the legend – Reckless Johnny Wales. One of my favorites from the album… a fine, fine song.
“A Sucker’s Evening” by the transcendents
From the latest EP from this uniquely wonderful band from Christchurch, New Zealand where it is tomorrow already. They already know how this day turns out, but they probably won’t tell me…
“Don’t come around here angry This is a house of water You’ll be cold and soaking wet ‘Ere you leave here”
“City of Strange Delight” by The Shakers
Another from the awesome album Songs from Beneath the Lake. This gorgeous song is one of my favorites from that album. This music transforms and transports me.
“Lavender Child” by Atticus Floyd
Another day, and more music from the good folks at Dord Music Group. We’ve featured Atticus Floyd a few times before, but this is our first listen from the We’ll All Come Down” EP which was released in June. She has promised a change of direction for her next record. In the video playlist, we have an “animated” recounting of Atticus Floyd’s first show… which included Hayden and Evan Nork of The Foresters. Speaking of Hayden, today is his 14th birthday – which I believe is about the number of bands he is or has been a part of… Happy Birthday Hayden.
“No Count Superstition” by Indigenous Engines
I ran into Andrew Adkins last night, and coincidently, we have a song from his Indigenous Engines project. Word has it that Adkins next project will have a new sound. Looking forward to it.
“Sweet Thing” by The Waterboys
We finish up our re-visit to the classic album Fisherman’s Blues. This one is a cover of the Van Morrison classic which they finish up with a few lines from “Blackbird” by the Beatles. “Take these broken wings and learn to fly…”
“Considerations” by Damfino
Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen collective just recently released their latest sampler – the first since the relocated and built a new studio space. Damfino is primary Joe Merklee and Joel Bachrach backed by many others – including some familiar Mama Coco’s names. They have a new EP called Disembodied Smile. This track is a tasty bit of power pop goodness.
“Close Your Eyes (And Count to Fuck)” by Run the Jewels (feat. Zack de la Rocha)
From a Noisetrade Bonnaroo sampler. Hip-Hop duo Run the Jewels team up with Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine for this hard hitting track. I hear that there may be a new collaboration between these three in the works.
“Through Different Eyes” by TV21
From the 13 O’clock compilation recently released by PPNW Records out of Atlanta. TV21 are a New Wave band from Scotland. They are about to release their first new record in 28 years. This is a previously unreleased track from 1981. Really dig this.
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Just as the weather is showing it’s first signs of cooling off, the music around town is heating up. Shows are stacking up, Americana Music Association Festival is just a couple of weeks ago, outdoor shows are starting to ramp up…
Meanwhile, the E2TG Random Music Shuffles roll along. We have a good one that covers quite a bit of musical ground… shall we? We shall!
“Tongues Are Turning” by Discount Ravioli
We have another (longer) track for Discount Ravioli’s new album (debut?) which is called Robin Schultz and the 21 Prayers. There are, by the way, 21 tracks on the album. This one is called “Tongues are Turning”. By the way, still no video of Discount Ravioli so I included a track by another Dord Music Group artist – The Urinal Cakes. Meanwhile, if you search for “Tongues are Turning” by Discount Ravioli on YouTube, you can find a video of how to make ravioli and video diary of someone who got their tongue pierced. Happy searching…
“Prayer for the Snake” by The Shakers
After running into Robert Logue at The 5 Spot a couple of weeks back, The Shakers have been on my mind, so I decided to load up their album, Songs From Beneath the Lake into my playlist. Prayer for the Snake is one of my favorites from that album (though to be honest, I have a lot of favorites from that album). The Shakers were not all what one might expect of Nashville music in the late 80s/early 90s, but there was a unmistakable spirit of Southern Gothic mysticism present in the ethereally beautiful melodies. Logue and Oscar Rice were part of the original line-up of Royal Court of China before leaving that band to focus on The Shakers. The influence of those two musicians on Royal Court of China is evident on that band’s self-titled debut.
“irish twins” by valued customer
I have a hard time expressing how glad I am to have Valued Customer back in the shuffle. This band from Toronto have been one of my favorites for a long time. They just recently released byugecup (the hugecup bsides). hugecup is going the be the band’s next album. Seemingly, these are tracks that did not make that album. Make no mistakes, Valued Customer’s b-sides are on a level so far above most bands’ a-sides. As with most of Valued Customer music, I don’t really feel like describing or analyzing the music too much. I just kind of lean into it and let it take me higher… it never let’s me down. Superbly talented musicians, spiritual seekers, weird and mad geniuses. I guarantee you have never heard anything like Valued Customer.
As the sixties ended, and the 1970s began, Paul Revere and the Raiders decided to shorten their name and change musical directions. The resulting album, Collage, was a commercial failure, but it included some pretty cool tunes like this one.
“Wade in the Water” by The Barefoot Movement
Another track from young traditionalists, The Barefoot Movement’s EP called The High Road. This song is a negro spiritual that was first published in 1901 by the Fisk Jublilee Singers (the combo that actually gave Nashville the name Music City).
“Home Again” by Charlie Whitten
Originally on an EP called Travis County Macaroons. This one came to me via a Noisetrade sampler called, An Assortment. Charlie Whitten is from Nashville.
“I’m Not the Same” by Fritz Montana
Fritz Montana are an indie blues rock band from San Francisco. I honestly cannot remember how I came across this artist UPDATE: I remember now – this came to me via last month’s Feel Bad For You Mixtape (submitted by the one and only David Popa Tunes Horton – it all makes sense now!), but I like them a lot.
“Strange Boat” by The Waterboys
One more good one from one of my favorite albums, Fisherman’s Blues.
“Johnny Always Stayed” by Jonas Howden Sjøvaag’s Navyelectre
Another awesome improvisational track from the Large Ensemble out of Oslo, Norway. Wonderful songs and sounds.
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It was great to see three great local artist with their awesome bands last night at The Basement (Classic not New). Andrew Leahey, Mac Leaphart, and Sara Syms. Fun night!
Jumping right into the shuffle…
Disclaimer: No rabid weasels were harmed in the compiling of this shuffle…
“STSisGOLD” by Sugar Tongue Slim
Another track from the World Café Sessions mega-download. I don’t know much about Sugar Tongue Slim, but I dig this, and I am impressed by the diversity of music that World Café puts out into the world…. almost as diverse at #E2TG…
“Carousel” by Circus Propaganda
Speaking of diversity… Carousel was the very first song by Circus Propaganda. As I understand it, Circus Propaganda are no longer active as a group, but I believe all of the members are making music in various other combinations – most of which we have or will feature on Ear to the Ground. From Botany.
“Kissing in the Dark” by Eight O’Five Jive
Nashville’s favorite swingers… wait… let me rephrase. Nashville’s favorite Swing/Jump Blues/etc. band – Eight O’Five Jive are up next with a public service announcement in the form of a cover of a Memphis Minnie classic. From Too Many Men.
“Lonely Town, Lonely Street” by Bill Withers
Sometimes… sometimes… you just got to hear some Bill Withers… The lead track from Withers’ second album, Still Bill – which was the album that included “Lean on Me”.
“Play a Train Song” by Todd Snider
From the classic album, East Nashville Skyline (which was co-produced by Will Kimbrough by the way) comes this song, which I got to hear Todd Snider sing last week at The 5 Spot. I tend to thing Todd Snider is a very big part of why East Nashville music is what it is…
“Anna” by Will Butler
This is the second track and one of two singles from Policy the solo debut album by Will Butler who is in some band called Arcade Fire.
“Her Love” by Black Vincent
Another awesome song from the Black Vincent album, Teardrop Deluxe which was recorded here in Nashville with the production team behind Diamond Rugs, T. Hardy Morris and Deer Tick (Justin Collins and Adam Landry).
“Tell Her You Belong To Me” by Beth Hart
From Better Than Home – the latest album by L.A. Based songwriter and powerhouse vocalist Beth Hart.
“Spirit” by The Waterboys
Taking us out we have The Waterboys from their album This is the Sea. “What Spirit is man can be…”
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 