!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”); Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
Ug… is it Monday already? Okay… I have to be quick as I have some errands to run.
I hope everyone had a good Easter Sunday no matter what or how you celebrate or not…
Monday, as our new custom demands, is dedicated to artists who have some connection to Nashville, TN (aka Music City USA).
“Hold On” by SHEL (featuring Gareth Dunlop)
A song from the motion picture soundtrack for The Best of Me featuring the band of sisters, SHEL, who divide their time between Nashville and their hometown in Colorado. On this track, they are joined by singer-songwriter Gareth Dunlop from Northern Ireland.
“Bird on a Wire” by Brian Wright and the Waco Tragedies
From the album, Dog Ears. I am really glad to have gotten hold of a bunch of Brian Wright music – I always dig it when one of his songs come up in the shuffle. This is not a Leonard Cohen cover (in case you were wondering).
“High Roller” by Sugar and the Hi Lows
The title track and single from the 2015 album by this Nashville duo.
“Hey Algernon” by Chris Gantry
Chris Gantry has been a key figure in Nashville songwriting circles for more than four decades. I was fortunate enough to see him recently as part of an incredible round at Douglas Corner. He sang this song that night – a touching story of two homeless gentlemen who freeze to death and find themselves in heaven. Gantry is a long time advocate for individuals who are homeless.
“The Last Song” by Crazy Aces
A sweet, instrumental from one of Nashville’s premier instrumental rock bands.
“Keep on Goin'” by Tim Carroll
A standard of Tim Carroll’s Friday night Rock and Roll Happy Hour set. Don’t ever stop… from a sampler CD that you can get when you see Tim live.
“When You Hear of My (Home Going)” by Luella
I believe this is a traditional African American spiritual (or else I could not find the composer). This was one of the first songs I heard Luella sing when she first started singing with Tim Carroll at Fran’s in late 2014/early 2015. Luella, as she does on all of the songs she covers, makes this all her own. From a sampler you can get from Luella at one of her performances. Come to The 5 Spot any given Friday and see Luella to get your copy of her sampler and Tim’s sampler.
“Play a Train Song” by Todd Snider
The late Skip Litz was a notable character around East Nashville who would always direct the band to “play a train song”. This iconic song comes from Sniders classic album, East Nashville Skyline, an album that is at least partially responsible for a large number of songwriters moving to this cultural center.
!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”); Be sure to “Like” Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
Kind of a dreary, post-time change Monday in Nashville – although the sun was out this morning enough to blind me as I drove in to work.
It’s a another Music City Monday – time to feature songs some how, some way connected to Nashville, Tennessee.
Darrin Bradbury is playing tonight at the fairly recently reopened 12th and Porter… Busy week of music coming up… more later…
“Former Queen of Spain” by Brian Wright and the Waco Tragedies
Pretty cool way to start of the week, one of my favorite Brian Wright songs from his live sets from the album Bluebird with his old band, the Waco Tragedies.
“Songs from Beneath the Lake” by The Shakers
This is the title track from the album by this band that featured Robert Logue and Oscar Rice of Royal Court of China. The band created a unique and wonderful mix of southern gothic mysticism and atmospheric folk music – Rebecca Stout provided haunting vocals that served as another instrument. One of my favorite bands from the late 80s to early 90s Nashville music scene.
“Thought You Needed Me” by Carl Anderson
Nashville by way of Charlottesville, VA – another excellent track from Risk of Loss which was one of my favorites of 2015.
“Everything It Takes” by Loretta Lynn feat. Elvis Costello
There is so much Nashville here… let’s start with the song which was written by Lynn (who has been called the Queen of Country Music) and Todd Snider (one of the founding fathers of the “new” East Nashville music scene). The song comes from Lynn’s new album Full Circle which was produced by Lynn’s daughter and John Carter Cash – at the Cash Cabin Studio. The song is also a duet with Elvis Costello whose own Nashville roots go back to 1981 when he recorded his Almost Blue album at Studio B on Music Row.
“The Other Man” by Tim McNary
Careful and long time E2TG readers will remember we featured several McNary tracks a few years ago. Well, he is back with an excellent new album called Above the Trees. The album is due out on April 8, but you can get a 4 song sampler at Noisetrade right now.
“Glory Hallelujah” by Brian Wright and the Waco Tragedies
My cup runneth over… a second Brian Wright song on the shuffle and it another one of my favorites from his electrifying live sets. Wright is a vital part of the Nashville music community, and a heck of a nice guy.
“Lower You Can Go” by Tim Carroll
Speaking of vital and nice guys. Tim Carroll’s long running Rock and Roll Happy Hour (every Friday 6-8:30p.m.) has been heating up in recent weeks. I think is one of the best deals in this city and always a good time. A great way to kick off the weekend. This is an inspirational song taken from a recent CD sampler that you can only get at a Tim Carroll gig. Remember, if you are feeling down, there is always lower you can go!
“Isn’t It Strange?” by Charlie Hager
We have another track from Charlie Hager’s new album American Saga. The Nashville CD Release Party will be held Thursday night at the Crying Wolf in East Nashville.
My sincere hope is that a large number of people saw John Moreland on Colbert last night and became instant fans. I realize that the possibility of seeing Moreland at The 5 Spot or the backyard at Fond Object may be less likely, but in my opinion this is important music that needs to be heard. One thing I try to do (both for myself and others) is just appreciate that someone discovers great music for themselves and not worry about when they made that discovery. For me, I am glad I discovered John Moreland’s music when I did (which was somewhat before anyone who discovered him last night and somewhat after a lot of my songwriter friends).
Let’s move on into the shuffle:
“I Don’t Care” by Tim Carroll
Tim Carroll has digitally released some new songs and new versions of older songs with his new band. Three of those songs ended up on a homemade CD, which you can pick up most Fridays at The 5 Spot where Carroll and Luella and band hold court from 6-8:30. This is one of my favorite of the new songs – although all of Tim Carroll’s songs (and he has a bunch of them) are excellent. The video we’ve included was directed by “Earie” award winner, Paul Zografi.
“At This Midnight Hour” by Tomas Doncker Band
Big Apple Blues was Tomas Doncker’s ode to New York City. The album was released last year and features Pulitzer Prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa. From that album, comes this track which sets a mood and groves.
“Over and Again” by Brian Wright and The Waco Tragedies
From the 2007 album, Bluebird… sometimes you things go on even when they are cracked and broken.
“Some Ol Dolls” by Tomas Doncker
Tomas Doncker’s follow up to Big Apple Blues is The Mess We’ve Made – a powerful commentary of the what’s going on. Social and racial injustice – again with a true groove that few can do as well as Tomas Doncker. Doncker is a veteran of the New York No Wave scene, and he recently completed six sold out nights with James Chance and the Contortions in Tokyo.
“The Cardinal” by Stone Cupid
The powerful and devastating lead and title track from the brand new album by Stone Cupid – the band fronted by Julie Christensen. The song is filled with brilliant imagery, and it is epic in its scope.
From The Foundry EP. Another awesome song from the Brooklyn based indie-folk/Americana band. I am electing not to comment on the sentiment of the song, but there is a chance I may or may not subscribe to it. I can neither confirm nor deny.
“Hot Party Dads” by Whiskey Shivers
Another from the wildly entertaining Austin old-time/bluegrass/folk/traditional band. A short, but sweet rave up from the self-titled album.
“Swimmin’ Time” by Shovels and Rope
And we close out the day with the title track from the 2014 album… It’s up above 70 today in Nashville, and it seems like Swimmin’ Time is just around the corner. Ah, but winter is not over by a long shot.
Today’s “Earie” Award category is either called, “The Hall of Fame Part II” Award or the “E2TG Survivor Series” Award or something. Over the 4 1/2 year history of E2TG, I have been fortunate to get to know and write about a ton of really awesome and talented artists. As most people reading this know, making music and trying to be heard in 2015 is a challenging proposition. It is easy to get burned out or for more lucrative opportunities to take precedence. This award is meant to recognize long time favorites of this blog who are still out there doing their thing and making vital and interesting music.
1. Killing Kuddles – from Atlanta – Elwood “Killing” Kuddles first caught my attention a few years ago with his blending of punk and folk or folk and punk – which I hereby dub.. “Polk” (because “Funk” means something else). In 2015, Kuddles released the Sinking Ship EP which pushed his signature sound forward. I love his slightly twisted humor and the way his music makes me happy. Very happily, I made a Black Friday purchase that included a Killing Kuddles t-shirt, stickers, patches, and buttons.
2. The Danbury Lie – originating from Connecticut, I think he’s kind of a citizen of the world now. The Danbury Lie holds the distinction of being the third most tagged band in E2TG history. Like so many Connecticut artists, he is extremely prolific. In 2015 alone, he released Scattered Moments of Connection, Choose Your Delusion, Shallow Cuts (kind of a Greatest Hits collection), and the DVD (with accompanying soundtrack) called Whispers to Oblivion. And he is already at work on a new project schedule for early next year. His music is unique and amazing. It is an interesting mix of experimental metal, out there folk, and something harder to define. Whispers to Oblivion is a chronicle of his cross-country drive over the summer. It is an amazing video which manages to give the viewer insight into The Danbury Lie’s world. I would recommend it even if I didn’t make a voice-only cameo appearance.
3. Pony Boy – When I first came into contact with the music of Marchelle Bradanini – aka Pony Boy – she was in Los Angeles, and I was very impressed by both her songs and her incredible voice. Since then, she has partially relocated to East Nashville (she lives 1/2 time here and in L.A.), and she has begun to received some well deserved attention. Pony Boy released Blue Gold this year, and I have seen it mentioned on some best of lists already. And now, she has an “Earie”.
Our last featured Friday shuffle of 2015 is on deck….
“More Glue” by Tim Carroll
Tonight, as I have done many times in 2015, I will begin my Friday evening with one of Nashville’s best deals and best things. Just about every Friday beginning at 6 p.m., Tim Carroll and his band settle into The 5 Spot for an amazing Rock and Roll Happy Hour. There is no cover (but hit up the tip jar or the tip kettle), and settle in for two to two and half hours straight of some of the best music you are likely to hear. Happily, Carroll has begun to release some of his new songs which you are likely to hear on a given Friday. This is a track from his last album, Pure as Coal which is now largely unavailable.
“DMT” by Tymon Dogg
A really cool track from one-time Joe Strummer collaborator, Tymon Dogg . His latest album is called Made of Light, and you will be hearing much more of it in 2016.
“New Wave (Is this Rock ‘N’ Roll?) by Niall James Holohan
A Dublin born, London based recording artist. This is the current single, and my first listen. I like it.
“Clear Sky” by Matt Prater
Alabama-based country music singer-songwriter Matt Prater’s Tables and Chairs is a very good album. Prater makes the kind of country music that flies in the face of much of what the “industry” is putting out. That, to me, is a good thing, a very good thing.
“Dreaming On the Road” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
Earie Award winning Ted Drozdowski and his Scissormen are up next with an excellent track from Love and Life – one of my favorite albums of the year.
“Christopher” by Pony Boy
Fortuitously, Pony Boy – jumps into the shuffle on the same day that she picks up an “Earie” with a song from Blue Gold. Could this song be a reference to Christopher Thomas Howell who played Ponyboy Curtis in Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of the S.E. Hinton novel? I have no idea. I love this song, though.
“Mirror Black Mirror” by Indigenous Engines
Another “Earie” award winner – Andrew Adkins released a pair of EPs under the Indigenous Engines moniker. This track is from the EP called Witches. Ominously wonderful music.
“I Ain’t the Sharpest Marble” by D.L. Duncan
And yet another “Earie” award winner! With the lead track from his self-titled album. The title of this song makes me smile, and it is a really cool blues song.
“American Night” by Benchmarks
Todd Farrell and The Dirty Birds changed their name in 2015, and released their self-title debut as Benchmarks. This is a very summery album which was a great choice for this cold morning. Benchmarks are currently working on their follow-up, and I for one can’t wait. This is the kind of song that is needed to steal back the concept of driving down some desolate country road and partying with your friends from those bro-country bozos. The video in the playlist for this song is from a show that I attended – wherein Micah Schnaubel of Farrell’s other band (Two Cow Garage) jumped stage to join in.
Monday! It is AMA week in Nashville… which means it is like a typical music week in Nashville on steroids. Welcome everyone visiting our fair city this week.
The week got off to a rousing start with East Nashville Songwriters Club in loft at Mad Donnas on the East side. Sammy Brue pretty much blew everyone away with a late addition opening slot. He was followed by the regularly scheduled Brian Johannesen, Joshua Black Wilkins, and Kristina Murray who all absolutely killed!
Tonight is the Kevin Gordon CD Release Show at City Winery Nashville with Sarah Potenza opening and lots of special guests.
Let’s get this week started right with a shuffle…
“Kicked Around” by Telepathic Teddy Bear
Our second to the last song from the album Forgiveness. I dig this song – as I do almost all of what Telepathic Teddy Bear does… and what a great name!
“Acceleration” by Drivin’ N’ Cryin’
The Atlanta Georgia based band, Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ last released a full-length record in 2009. Since then, they are released a series of EPs with “Songs” in the title. This track is from their 2012 EP called Songs About Cars, Space and the Ramones. Ironically, I was sitting stuck in traffic most of the time this song was playing.
“Where the Face of Angels Lay” by The Jackals
The Jackals are from Edinburgh, Scotland. This is my first listen and a track from their new album People. Some good old psychedelic-influenced rock and roll. I dig it.
“What a Way to Go” by Tim Carroll
From Pure As Coal. I count myself very lucky to have the opportunity to see Tim Carroll every week (at least once). He is one of Nashville’s best songwriters and guitarists. He also was our 300th “Like” on Facebook!
“Divisionary (Do the Right Thing)” by Ages and Ages
Another track from the 100 song World Café Sessions download – this one is the title track from the second album by Portland, Oregon band Ages and Ages. This was actually my first listen to this band, and I am interested in hearing more.
“What’s Got Wrong With You?” by Webb Wilder
Webb Wilder will be one of Kevin Gordon’s guests tonight at City Winery. From Wilder’s album, Hybrid Vigor. I’ve been a Webb Wilder fan for going on 30 years.
“Bury My Body” by Al Kooper and Shuggie Otis
From the 1969 album Kooper Session featuring the legendary Al Kooper and then 15 year old guitar phenom, Shuggie Otis – son of Johnny Otis. This song is a 9 minute long uplifting celebration of great music. A big hat tip to Sue Havlish who not only recommended this but sent me the song via iTunes.
I am reasonable certain that late teens early 20s me did not give a whole lot of thought to what I would be doing 25-30 years later. I’m pretty sure, though, that that kid would be surprised to find out that I was going to ride a bus to Franklin, Tennessee to watch Webb Wilder, Bill Lloyd, Warner Hodges, and Government Cheese, and that I would be able to drink free beer on that bus. Not to mention that the whole show was going to be broadcast to the whole world over something called the Internet. I’m not even sure what part of that would be most surprising… Nevertheless, that is what I will be doing – riding the Blackstone Bus to Music City Roots to see some true living legends who I have been listening to and watching for over half my life. It’s gonna be good. http://musiccityroots.com/ – Tune in at 7:00pm Central Time and click the Watch Live button.
“Pure As Coal” by Tim Carroll
Just about every Friday night promptly at 6:00p.m., The 5 Spot in East Nashville hosts one of the cities best recurring events. Tim Carroll and his band (which currently includes Cameron Carrus on bass, Toby Caldwell on drums, and Luella Wood on backing and lead vocals and tambourine always begin on time (Carroll carries a clock with him to every show) and they always keep playing until 8:30 (unless subsequent event forces them to stop at 8:00). No set breaks – just pure rock and roll for the happy hour so happy it takes 2 and half hours to contain. The drinks are cheap, the music is great, and the company is outstanding. Surprisingly, there is plenty of room (reportedly there is room to spin a cat but I do not condone cat spinning so please don’t try that). Anyway, this is the title track from Tim’s latest album which you just might hear if you come on down. I chose a video performance of this song from a Music City Roots set in celebration of the show I am attending tonight.
“Woman At the Well” by Israel Nash
This is the lead track Rain Plans, the most recent album by Israel Nash. The music is described as “Desert Folklore”, and I would tend to agree. This recording was one of the World Café sessions that I have been featuring of late.
“Shotgun” by Bad Cop
From the EP Wish You Well…And Goodbye. Bad Cop are a Nashville band and primarily the project of Jeffery Drag Records founder Adam Moult. Ear to the Ground has featured Bad Cop several times in the past, and I always love when one of their songs makes it’s way in to the shuffle.
“Ohio” by Darrin Bradbury
From the Tur-Lyfe album. Expect some new music from Darrin Bradbury soon. Since I couldn’t find a video of this song, I am reposting his 2015 CXCW Video of one of his newer songs, Elmwood Park.
“Back Door Front Porch” by Shelby Lynne
From her latest album, I Can’t Imagine which was released last month. Shelby Lynne is the real deal.
“Get Work, Find Plans” by Batkhi Dahn
The avant-garde Connecticut band, Batkhi Dahn is back with another track from their Play 15 album. The band cites Violent Femmes, Sleater-Kinney, and Daniel Johnston among their influences. Dig it.
“Hot Dang” by Dale Watson
Ameripolitan standard bearer Dale Watson released his latest album, Call Me Insane yesterday. This is our first listen to that album, but it will not be our last.
“Don’t Think About You Anymore” by Brock Zeman
Pulling Your Sword Out of the Devil’s Back is the latest album from Canadian singer-songwriter Brock Zeman. He is one of the most unique voices in music, and I had the amazing opportunity to see him play as part of a stellar songwriter’s round at the Bluebird Café last month.
“Release” by Aztec Camera
And we close out the day with another track from Aztec Camera’s fantastic 1983 debut album. “Release” is Roddy Frame at his very best – an emotionally satisfying, purely crafted pop song – simple and direct with a powerful hook.
I saw a remarkable show at City Winery – Nashville last night. It was a CD Release show for Darrell Scott’s new album which features the songs of the late Ben Bullington. You can read my review on No Depression here.
On to the shuffle…. !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”); “In Between Drinks” by Tim Carroll
My visual interpretation of the awesome song that I get to hear at least once just about every week.
“An Arrow in the Gale” by Magnolia Electric Co.
From the 2009 album Josephine. Jason Molina is very much missed in this world.
“Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)” by Warren Zevon
A song about the importance of knowing your role and waiting for the right opportunity to rise above it. Or something like that… It’s Warren Zevon singing about hockey! What else do you want?
“Sleeping Bag” by Patrick Sweany
Patrick Sweany filled in for Tim Carroll a few weeks back for the Rock and Roll Happy Hour, and he did a mighty fine job. This is an awesome song from his 2011 album, That Old Southern Drag. Sweany is from Ohio but now resides in East Nashville. He was worked with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys among many others.
“Saint Valentine” by Gregory Alan Isakov
The South African born, American singer-songwriter with a song from his 2013 album The Weatherman. This came off of a Noisetrade Bonnaroo sampler.
“Glacial Flood” by the transcendents
There is a reason I still check out as much of the music that comes through my e-mail as I can… This band from New Zealand has rapidly become one of my favorites simply because their songs and music is so amazing. They seem like descent people, too, and it will be good to know some people if I ever wake up and find myself in New Zealand…
“Love/H8” by The Danbury Lie
Interestingly, I have been reading a book written by someone named Dan Burylie. I have no idea if the book is connected to this #E2TG favorite, but the cover of the book and the cover of the album (Choose Your Delusion) are identical. So if the two works are not related there may be a lawsuit in the future… come to think of it, the title is similar, too… hmm…
Also from that Noisetrade Bonnaroo sampler. This is a band from Athens… such a great history of music from Athens – B52s, R.E.M…. oh wait, this band is from Athens, Greece. Never mind. Anyway, it some cool exotic sounding music to expand your musical vocabulary.
“Roberta Sparrow” by Grumsling
From the EP, A Church, On a Boat, In the Sea. This highly creative Oakland, California band has captured my attention in short order. I highly recommend the Philosophy of Time Travel if you want to know where the title of this song came from…
“Tying Ten Knots in the Devils Tail” by Townes Van Zandt
I kind of sort of think that maybe I featured this song before, but it may have been on one of my Facebook posting sprees… which you would know about if you “Liked” by Facebook page (link at the top of this entry).. hint, hint… either way, it is Townes Van Zandt so even if this is a repost, you know what? I don’t care… the song was written by Gail Gardner.
“Belly of the Beast” by Holy Sheboygan!
I had the wonderful opportunity to see Wisconsin based Holy Sheboygan! last month when they brought their little bus and inventive, upbeat music to Nashville. They brought everything but the kitchen sink to the stage of Foobar… and it was kind of dark, so I’m not completely sure that there wasn’t a kitchen sink.. Cameron Carrus who plays bass for Darrin Bradbury and Tim Carroll among others is a long time member of this band.
Yesterday, I posted a listing of the live music I have seen this week. Last night, I had the opportunity to visit the famous Cash Cabin in Hendersonville to meet and hear some really awesome music from a San Diego band called Talk Like June. They have been recording at the cabin with John Carter Cash producing. The music was great, and they stories and people were truly incredible. The spirit of Johnny and June Carter Cash is so present in that relatively small space.
Please understand, though, I gather no pleasure from seeing incredible live shows and meeting legendary music figures and all of that… I do it all for you dear reader – so that I may bring all of those experiences back with me and make Ear to the Ground the best it can be, It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it…
Please don’t feel too bad for me, though….
“19” by Boy Named Banjo
Nashville’s Boy Named Banjo are going to be at Bonnaroo next month. This song is from their album, Long Story Short. A shout out to my friend Boyd for the recommendation. He’s been guiding my musical tastes and experiences for many, many years, and he currently is Israel having an incredible experience I am sure.
“City of Ends” by A Color Engine
A Color Engine was a project featuring one of Ear to the Ground’s absolute favorite people, Don Ryan along with Eric Burchfield who was part of Elephant Goes West which we featured here. Don made this old project available as a form of compensation for the fact that some of us have been waiting literally a million years for a new Don Ryan record… okay maybe not literally… but you know… I dig this A Colored Engine record, but I’m still baiting my breath for the really new record.
“Hey Lawdy Papa” by The Barefoot Movement
Among this interesting people I met last night was this band newly relocated to Nashville. They have a very real interest in promoting and learning traditional music, and I got hold of some of their music. This song is from an EP called The High Road. This is a Traditional song once recorded by a blues singer named Teddy Grace.
“Fisher’s Hornpipe” by David Schnaufer and The Cactus Brothers
Speaking of Traditional music…. we have another track from the legendary Dulcimer player here with Nashville band The Cactus Brothers which started as a side project of the great 1980s Nashville band, Walk the West.
“Swarm” by Whiskey Shivers
Exposing the rowdier side of roots music, we have Whiskey Shivers from their self-titled album.
“The Way it Went Down” by Tim Carroll
One of my favorite (among many songs) by the prolific and tireless Nashville guitarist and songwriter. From his Pure as Coal album. The video was produced by students at Watkins College of Art, Design, and Film here in Nashville.
“White Flag” by John Moreland
Oklahoma songwriter John Moreland has released one of the best albums of the year and if you ever get the chance to see him live – go and be prepared to have your mind and heard blown wide open.
“Uja” by Tanya Tagaq
In our quest to make sure we leave no musical stone unturned.. some contemporary throat singing music from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut in Canada. This is actually the second track we’ve presented from her. Pretty cool stuff.
“Weirdo” by Masked Intruder
Masked Intruder are a masked Pop Punk/Power Pop band from Madison, Wisconsin. Weirdo is just a flat out awesome song.
“Tide is Rising” by Direct Divide
Direct Divide are from Seattle and play powerful Orchestral/Cinematic Rock music.
“Trustful Hands” by The Do
The Do (the o has a line through it – one of those European things I don’t know how to duplicate in typing). They are from Paris France, and I really dig this song. I want to hear more from them as soon as possible.
I posted a couple more snippets of Scent of Revelation to Soundcloud. Check them out if you feel so inclined.
In other news, it is Friday, and this will be the 900th post since I migrated #E2TG to Blogger back in late 2011. If I conservatively estimate that 90% of the posts have been Morning Shuffles and if I conservatively estimate that the Shuffles feature an average of 8 songs each, then I have featured over 6,400 songs during that time.
Here are ten more…
“Last Forgiven” by Rathborne
I don’t know much about Rathborne. Luke Rathborne is the primary member? The record is called SOFT, and I like this song quite a bit. Dig it!
“The Killer Inside Me” by Maynard and the Musties
I assume the song title is a reference to the Jim Thompson book or related film? Maynard and the Musties hail from Brooklyn. In the video playlist, we have their performance from Couch by Couchwest this year. Anyone who hangs out on the Couch is okay by me. I now must see what else I can get a hold of by this band. Like this a bunch.
“Talk to God” by Tim Carroll
Just about every Friday, Tim Carroll hosts the happiest happy hour (so happy it lasts two and a half hours) at The 5 Spot in East Nashville. This song is always one of the highlights for me. This Friday, Tim will not be at The 5 Spot (Patrick Sweany is filling in), Tim, Luella, Darrin, Cameron, and Toby are touring through the Midwest States that start with ‘I’. I think it is Iowa tonight. So, happy to hear this song in the shuffle so it will feel like a regular Friday.
“Last Days of Tecumseh” by Grant Lee Buffalo
This may be favorite song on the Mighty Joe Moon album. It’s a good one in any event.
“Frying Eggs” by Darrin Bradbury
A Darrin Bradbury fan favorite – from the Tur-Lyfe live album. I have heard the Masters from the new DB album and this song sounds amazing.
“I’ve Been Everywhere” by Hayes Carll
Hayes Carll taking on a Johnny Cash classic. What could go wrong? Absolutely nothing!
“Golden Gate” by STS9
STS9 formed in Atlanta 15 years ago or so. The name is short for Sound Tribe Sector 9. They play highly original, instrumental rock music. This track came off of a Nosietrade SXSW Mixtape. I like this a bunch.
“Clear This Pile of Ash” by Tom Schreck
Tim Carroll, Darrin Bradbury, and Tom Schreck in the same shuffle? My Nashville music cup runneth over.
“Bull Fight” by The End Men
Long time Ear to the Ground favorites and friends (and 2013 Band of the Year). The End Men dropped their latest album, “Terms and Conditions” earlier this month. This song features two elements that I love: The added saxophone work of Mathew Elia and the vocal harmonies Matthew Hendershot and Livia Ranalli.
“Come Gather Round” by John Wesley Harding
Nowadays, he records under his given name, Wesley Stace, but when Why We Fight was released he was still recording under the name taken from the Bob Dylan album. Either way, he’s one of my favorites.
A modest proposal to deal with the problem of people talking during music performances: Just let John Moreland play. I saw John Moreland play twice last night. The first was at Music City Roots where he wowed an audience mostly unfamiliar with his music. Later, he played a full headlining set at The 5 Spot in East Nashville in front of a packed house. The minute John Moreland began to play, the crowd (a bar crowd after 11:00pm) fell silent almost immediately. A friend of mine asked what it was about his music that had that effect. In the moment, the only words that came to me were the emotional vulnerability of his songs. I don’t know if that is the answer. But, it got me thinking about vulnerability, and how our society sees it as a weakness, but how in the hands of someone like John Moreland – it can be such a powerful thing.
“Heima” by Hildur Gudnadottir
Hildur Gudnadottir is a cellist and composer currently based out of Berlin. This stunning composition comes from a Noisetrade Sampler from the recent Big Ears Festival which took place in Knoxville, Tennessee. Quite an impressive line-up at that festival.
“Buddy” by The Western Shore
One of my favorite songs from the Thunderstorm album. I saw The Western Shore Monday night, and they are preparing to hit the road for a short tour which includes a couple of West Coast dates with Nikki Lane.
“Breathe” by Maria McKee
Another track from Maria McKee’s self-titled debut solo album. McKee was named among the “Top 10 Female Artists You Really Should Know” in a recent article – she was included with other great artists like Kate Bush, Alison Moyet, and Nina Hagen among others. Well deserved.
“Revelation (The Final Book)” by Jeremiah Tall
In a short time, I’ve come to really dig this guy’s music. It’s available on Noisetrade, you should really check it out. (Free – but donate if you can, and definitely share to spread the word).
“Tying Ten Knots in the Devil’s Tail” by Townes Van Zandt
A classic western poem/song performed by the legendary Townes Van Zandt from a 1973 live recording.
“The Difference” by Dan Coyle
From Perfect Word, Perfect Beat comes this song with a great doo-wop sound.
“Sharp Feathers” by Telepathic Teddy Bear
From the album Forgiveness… Telepathic Teddy Bear writes great songs and produces great sounding records.
“Don’t Make Nothin’ in the USA” by Tim Carroll
The lead track and one of my favorite songs on the new Tim Carroll album, Pure As Coal. A ton of my East Nashville friends are featured in the video including Kalee Smyth from The Western Shore who we heard from earlier in the shuffle. I was at The 5 Spot when the live performance portions of the video were recorded.
“Napoleon” by Scott Miller
Scott Miller was one of the performers at Music City Roots last night, and he was fantastic. He was previously a member of the seminal Knoxville band The V-Roys. This song comes from a compilation album called Bubbapalooza Vol. 1: Chronicle of the Redneck Underground – which also included Southern Culture on the Skids and others.
“Plight of Imemine” by Broken Guru
Broken Guru are an Alternative Rock band from New York City. Their debut album, Bent Up Halo is scheduled to be released on April 28. You can currently stream five of the songs from that album on their Bandcamp page.
“I Want the One I Can’t Have” by The Smiths
We close out today’s shuffle with a track from The Smiths’ second album, Meat is Murder. Any shuffle that includes The Smiths and Townes Van Zandt can’t be bad…
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 