Category: The Westies

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Experience Mix

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Today’s shuffle is all about experiences (or at least I’ve tried to make it so): good, bad, past, and future… Are you experienced?  ‘Cause I am…

“Musical Mechanical Electrical Man” by Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials from Alligator Records: 21st Century Blues and Roots/Jump Start

Experience required…

 

“The  Highway” by Holly Williams from The Highway

Experience of the road…

 

“Mr. Nobody” by Deena from Rock River

A new experience… *  Fresh from my inbox to you.  Deena from legendary The Cucumbers.  (See the video of her singing with Richard Barone).

 

“Say It” by The Westies from West Side Stories

The experience of recording in Nashville…

 

“Sunshine” by LIAM from Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen: Section 5/MVRP

More Mama Coco’s experience…

 

“…And We Laughed” by Peck from Peck Sounds

Experiencing Disappointment(s) former – Chris Peck…

 

“Spilled Years” by Darrin Bradbury from True Love

Experience of youth…

 

“Swordfish” by Darrin Bradbury from True Love

Experiencing more of Darrin Bradbury’s genius.

 

“In the Crowd” by The Jam from All Mod Cons

Experience one of the best albums of all time…

 

“Are You Experienced?” (Jimi Hendrix Cover) by Marshall Crenshaw from Driving and Dreaming

Are you experienced?  Have you even been experienced?  Experience this unlikely but awesome cover.

 

“Good Clean Fun” by The Foresters from Living Hold

Relive the good clean fun experience of being young and full of life.

 

“Mostly Miss and a Hit Kinda Town” by Darrin Bradbury from True Love

Experiences of “that” kinda town…

 

“Destruction Story” by Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray from Lean into the Wind

Destructive experiences…

 

“Smithwood Close” by Tipi Valley from Blue Moon (EP)

Experience great music from the latest album by an #E2TG favorite…

 

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

Experience the latest music from The Danbury Lie… think of it like Star Wars (starting with Part IV.)

Video Playlist:

Plus a couple of videos not on You Tube:

//player.vimeo.com/video/79203294

//player.vimeo.com/video/88002250
cxcw2014 (I’m in Love) from Tipi Valley on Vimeo.

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Band of the Year and More Mix

You have before you, the FINAL Ear to the Ground of 2013, so let’s blow this thing out!

First order of business:  As promised, it is time to unveil our 2013 Band of the Year. As announced, for the first time in E2TG history, the Band of the Year will be selected by me, myself, and I.  Back in 2011, I came up with the idea of a Band of the Year, and frankly, I didn’t want the pressure/guilt in picking one band over others. So, I created a Readers’ Poll, and with a massive last minute push, UK band The Mobbs stormed to a narrow victory over underdogs Ubiquity Machine.

Following the success of that initial poll, I began running Band of the Month polls beginning with December 2011, although initially successful, the concept of pitting bands against each other began to stale.  We carried on, and at the end of last year, we had another successfully Band of the Year Readers’ Poll wherein Skeletons in the Piano were selected by popular election.

Since that time, I decided to focus on featuring as much new music as I could, and I dropped the Band of the Month and related features. Although I briefly considered another year-end poll, I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t willing to give that power away this time…. oh yeah, and the thing about bands working together for their common good….

So…. after all that background and unsolicited explanation, I am very excited to announce the 2013 Ear to the Ground Band of the Year.

The 2013 Band of the Year were selected for the following reasons:

1. They are among the coolest, most bad ass people I’ve had the good fortune to get to know as the result of writing this blog.

2. They are extremely generous and supportive of other bands and artists.

3. They released on of the best albums of 2013.

4. I got to meet them and see them blaze through an all too brief set back in early Spring.

5. They had a successful tour in the US and in Europe.

6. The followed up their amazing 2013 album with a brand new single which was accompanied by an incredible video that visually depicted their total bad-assery.

7.  Because I said so……

The 2013 E2TG Band of the Year is…..  THE END MEN from Brooklyn, New York!!!!!!

 






Congrats kids!  Here’s to an even better 2014!


Okay, we have unfinished business as we continue to feature some of our favorite music of 2013… let’s do it!



I’ll forgo a whole bunch of commentary, but I will see this extended shuffle does show off the variety of music you hear here at Ear to the Ground:


“We Got Soul” by Christian Robins (prod. Jazz Logic)
“Dropped the Pop” by Killing Kuddles
“Four Flame Candle” by Sturgill Simpson
“The Truth” by Dr. Dog
“You Can Have the Crown” by Sturgill Simpson
“Rock and Roll is Dead” by Killing Kuddles
“Black Eyes and White Lies” by Don Ryan and the Blank Canvas Movement
“From this Valley” by The Civil Wars
“Flying Over Water” by Jason Isbell
“Lost Innocent World” by Gogol Bordello
“Cleaning Your Mind” by The End Men
“Dromedary” by Dog Without Warning
“Long Way to the Ground” by The End Men
“From Afar” by Vance Joy
“Hell’s Kitchen” by The Westies
“Lollygagging” by Less Love
“Stack Chips” by The End Men
“Baby Loves It” by Penicillin Baby
“Your Dreams Will Always Follow” by prattle on, rick
“Permanent/Impermanent_1213” by Peck
“Ratking” by The End Men
“Winged Victory” by Lys Guillorn
“I Had Me a Girl” by The Civil Wars
“Clark Gable” (Postal Service Cover) by Mr. Kind + holychild
“The Lost Art of Idle/Entitled” by Peck
“Cool Kids” by Christian Robins (feat. Lord of the Fly) (prod. 5Star)
“Mercy” by prattle on, rick

NOTES:

Americana told Sturgill Simpson he was too Country for Americana.  His reply, I made a country album.

Peck is Chris Peck who we first met as part of the Brooklyn-based The Disappointment. He is releasing his new album one song at a time, at we have two of those songs in today’s shuffle.

Confession: I didn’t think I liked Dr. Dog. I lumped them in with a bunch of “Jam” bands that just weren’t my cup of tea (actually tea isn’t my cup of tea either, but that is another story). Anyway, so I got the chance to actually listen to some of Dr. Dog’s new music this year, and believe it or not, I dug it.  Go figure.

Penicillin Baby are part of the growing and impressive Jeffery Drag Records family and like the other Jeffery Drag artists they offer a nice counter argument to any one who says all Nashville indie bands sound alike. 

I don’t know if The Civil Wars are finished. I hope they aren’t, but if their 2013 self-titled album is the swan song, it’s a hell of a swan song.

In addition to their new EP, Mr. Kind released a series of cover songs wherein they teamed up with other indie artists to cover indie rock classics.  Here they team up with fellow California band holychild to cover The Postal Service classic.

SHOP
 
WATCH

 



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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Freaks Mix

Busy, busy… A few things before we jump into the shuffle…

First, a reminder that next week we begin our very #E2TG approach to The Best of 2013.  Stay tuned for that.

A couple of live videos hit our inbox this week and wanted to share…  The Mad Doctors are from Brooklyn and they kick some major butt.  Check out this performance from 11/30/2013.

 

This next video is from our Nashville friends Year of October.  We are looking forward to a new album (fingers crossed) for 2014.  Meanwhile, this past weekend, they did a mini-tour which included a stop in Louisville which is where this next video was filmed.  Check it out!

 



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On to today’s mixture of mixed musical melodies….

EXTRA BITS:  “The Remainder” by Andrew Ferris    “Freaks” by The Hawk in Paris   “Jealousy” by Chamberlin  (note: read the band’s Facebook Page Biography)    “Sunday Morning” by The Velvet Underground (and Nico)     “Hold Tight” by Fats Waller   “Cold Chicago” by Humming House   “Refuse to Hide” by Jenny Leigh   “Viet Nam” by Minutemen   “R*A*M*O*N*E*S” by Motorhead   “Sweet Head” by David Bowie  “The Wheels of Love” by Terminal Gods 

Our twofer Thursday Tracks (okay I made that up and I know twofer should be on  Tuesday but whatever):

“Nothing Indeed” and “Take 5, D.” by the Minutemen (from Double Nickels on the Dime.)

SHUFFLE:

“Sex” by The 1975 (from The 1975.  A band and album that made some year end lists.  I like what I’ve heard so far.)

“Cold Blooded” by American Babies (from Knives and Teeth.  A Philadelphia band.  Another band that I’m just getting acquainted with, and I like what I hear)

“Fox” by Cloud Gavin (from Posture.  This song has become a world-wide sensation and it’s dance inspiring video  has become an internet hit.  This is a really cool Rock song by a band from Illinois.  No silly dances were inspired by this song.)

“Whatevering” by The Great American Novel (from 😦  . A stand-out track and a great introduction to the musical and humorous style of this New York band.)

“Fallen” by The Westies (from West Side Stories.  This album is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine.  Just pure honest songwriting, well played and sung.  Really… that’s all it takes.)

 
 
 
WATCH
 


“Nothing Indeed”

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Waiting For My Man Mix

Time, Time, Time, see what’s become of me…

Last week, I managed to move the overall current stuff playlist to down below 400. I’m planning to add more tunes tonight, so let’s make another dent today.

EXTRA HELPINGS:

“You’re Cordially Invited to My Backyard Passout Fest” by Darrin Bradbury     “After the Fight” by Jars of Clay    “Are You Listening” by Kopecky Family Band (from their excellent 2013album, Kids Raising Kids)    “She Still Loves Me” by SOJA (featuring Collie Buddz)      “Victory” by Junior Murvin  (who sadly past away last week. He co-wrote the song “Police and Theives” which was covered by The Clash on their self-titled album)    “Gypsy Django” by Humming House    “Bars” by The Westies    “‘A’ Bomb in Waldour Street” by the Jam    “I Like Beer” by Tom T. Hall  

TRANSITIONALLY SPEAKING (the track to move us from the Extra to the main shuffle):

“Headed To The Promised Land” by James Crawford (from James Crawford.  A definite stand-out track from one of my favorite albums of the year.)

SHUFFLE PROPER:

“I’m Waiting for My Man” (live) by Lou Reed (from 1974-05-14 Stockholm. “First thing you learn is you always gotta wait.”)

“Age of Immature Mistakes” by Jars of Clay (from Noisetrade Eastside Manor Session. originally released on Inland. Haven’t we all been that age? Wait when does that age end?)

“Tower Park” by Humming House (from Humming House. “Western swing and reception drinks
A two-step smile and a foxtrot wink  As the bandstand plays, the wedding march.” A gem from the self-titled debut by this fast-rising Nashville band.)

“Swamp Song” by Nava Hotel (from Never Loved You. Oh yeah! Some nasty delta blues riffs delivered by this hard rocking band from Nashville.)

BLOGGERS NOTE:  Just noticed… from this Nashville-based music blogger who rarely blogged about bands from Nashville (or semi-rarely at most)… 10 of today’s 14 songs are by Nashville based artists or at least that have a strong connection to Nashville. Just saying…

 
WATCH

 

 


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