Category: Victoria Williams

Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Cobwebs and Twisted Dry Bones Mix

So… for those who love Halloween, you will notice the way I mashed up some song titles from today’s shuffle into a Halloweeny sounding  “Cobwebs and Twisted Dry Bones” subtitle for this shuffle.  For those who dislike Halloween, there are no real Halloween-themed songs in this shuffle. 

Boo!

“Ballad of Treason” by Abigail Washburn from City of Refuge

The amazing Abigail Washburn with another fine song from her City of Refuge album which we have been featuring of late.

“Keep!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”);Sweeping Cobwebs off the Moon” by Victoria Williams from Sings Some Ol’ Songs

Here is Victoria Williams’ remake of a hit song from the late 1920s.    window.amznpubstudioTag = “eartothegro00-20”;

“Old Postcards” by Amelia White from Old Postcards

How about we present the title track from the latest album from East Nashville’s own Americana icon – the incredible Amelia White!

“Мексиканские напевы” by Orera from 1970

And why yes, I think we will present some Mexican Tunes performed by a Georgian Folk/Jazz band.  And yes, that is Georgia the former (although at the time of this recording it wasn’t former) Soviet republic.  This is awesome stuff.

“(I’m Not In) Prison” by The Jayhawks from The Jayhawks (aka The Bunkhouse Album)

I really can’t help myself, when I go into a thrift store, I just have to take a look at the CD bins.  Last weekend, I had to make some returns, and I left with some clothes and the debut album (1986-87) by The Jayhawks. 

“Who Woulda Thunk It?” by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik from Punishing the Myth

Grant Peeples doing a Greg Brown song? Why yes I will take that.

“Same River Twice” by Matt King from Raw

Another Nashville artist.  Matt King with a song from his album Raw.

“Dry Bones” (Acoustic Noisetrade Exclusive) by Heath McNease from Fort Wayne (songs inspired by the film)

Heath McNease sometimes does hip-hop, somethings does indie/folk, and somethings does what ever he wants… He does them all very well, and this acoustic arrangement from his Fort Wayne project (film/album) is a good example.

“Twisted Kinda” by Sidestreet Reny from Tonal Tonics and Musical Elixers  

Today we finish up the week with another superb track from this album by Sidestreet Reny.

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Turtles, Roses, and Kisses Mix

I failed to post a shuffle yesterday – I listened to a shuffle and it was a good one, but time didn’t allow me to post – so the songs go back into the hopper and will come out in some other interesting combination.

Truth be told – life is unpredictable and pretty darn right amazing when you stop to pay attention to the seemingly random occurrences which are going on around you every day. Truth be told – I would never have placed my self voluntarily in the situation in which I currently find myself, but since I’m here… I have to say…. I’m right in the place that I am supposed to be…

A pretty sweet evening/night of music on both side of the river in Nashville on a Tuesday in October.  Saw a song swap featuring two of my musical heroes from my college days – Bill Lloyd and Webb Wilder along with the always amazing Tim Carroll.

Crossed the river for some Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie and a Pint of fine beer to check out some amazing music including: Drew Kohl, Julie Christensen and her band, and the Dan Montgomery Band.

Let’s do this shuffle thing – okay?

“Threads of Measure” by Brown Bird from Fits of Reason

The first of three great songs by this amazing band.  The death of David Lamb was a great loss to the world.

“Turtles All the Way Down” by Sturgill Simpson from 2014-05-13 – Grimey’s Records – Nashville/Metamodern Sounds in Country Music

One of my favorite songs from the latest Sturgill Simpson album – done live at a Nashville record establishment.

“And Roses And Roses” by Victoria Williams from Sings Some Ol’ Songs

Victoria Williams doing a song made famous by Andy Williams.

“Something in Blue” by David Olney from When the Deal Goes Down

Another incredibly great song from this awesome album – co-produced by E2TG favorite Mark Robinson.

“Distant” by Heather Powell from Believe it to Life

I am so impressed by the incredible variety and volume of music being produced under the True Groove Record label.  Kudos to Tomas Doncker and Marla Mase – along with everyone else involved.  If you haven’t, check out all of the True Groove artists out… there isn’t a bad place to start so start right here.  The video I picked for this song features the amazing Heather Powell performing with the True Groove All-Stars.

“Road to Joy” by The Grimm Generation from The Big Fame

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums by some of my favorite people. It’s a Grimm season – so get Grimm.  The Road to Joy is paved with… something.  Heck, I don’t know.  But this song is great!

“Comes With Kisses” by Deena from Rock River

This wraps up the Rock River album, and it ends with this cool song.  I will be publishing my review of this album soon – so stayed tuned to Ear to the Ground.

“Seven Hells” by Brown Bird from Fits of Reason

#2 of the day from Brown Bird from Portland, Maine.

“Goldfinger” by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings from The Wolf of Wall Street Motion Picture

Let’s see… James Bond theme cover? check.  From a Leonard DiCaprio movie? check. By Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings? check.  Yep – this is cool!

“Abednego” by Brown Bird from Fits of Reason

And then there were three.  A new axiom: you can never have too many Brown Bird songs in a shuffle.

“If You Ain’t Glad I’m Leaving” by Justin Townes Earle from NoiseTrade Eastside Manor Session/!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”);The Good Life

And, we close out the day with a live recording of Justin Townes Earle recording on the east side of his hometown which happens to be the city where I live.  This song goes back to his 2008 album.

VIDEOS

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Better Than That Mix

Good Monday Morning….  E2TG is back with our Morning Shuffle to excite and delight you!

“Raised by Wolves” by U2 from Songs of Innocence

Wait! How the heck did this get on my computer?  So, basically, it’s typical late career U2. If you like late career U2, you will like this.  If you don’t like late career U2, you probably won’t like this. The video is a cover of the song done on a ukulele.

“Gimme Some Motivation” by Delta Spirit from Lost and Found/I Think I’ve Found It

Every once in a while, my music player has this odd delay where the song will change before the picture changes.  So, this song came on and when I looked at my phone, I saw the album cover for U2, and I thought, “Wow! If this was on the new U2 album, I would be excited.”  It’s not. It’s Delta Spirit. I’m still excited.

“As Time Goes By” by Victoria Williams from Sings Some Ol’ Songs

The fundamental things apply…  Play it, Sam!

“You Don’t Want Want Change, Change is for the Deranged” by The Yugos from The Yugos

Great song title by a cool young band from Kentucky which I learned about in a Facebook post by Dan Stuart (Green on Red, Danny and Dusty).

“Never Give In” by Will Hoge from Never Give In

Will Hoge is an award winning, Grammy nominated  Nashville musician/singer/songwriter.

“Wintertime” by Chris Stamey from Lovesick Blues

Damn – there was a chill in the air this morning, but I’m not ready for Winter yet… Then again, I’m not sure this song is just about the literal season, and I really, really dig this song.

“Morning Light” by The Dirty Guv’nahs from Hearts on Fire

Another grooving song from the latest album by Knoxville’s The Dirty Guv’nahs. 

“It Was My Season” by Okkervil River from The Silver Gymnasium

Will Sheff and company with the opening song from their 7th and most recent album.

“Better Than That” by Sam Davison from Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen: Section 4/Always Around

Our final track from the 4th edition of the Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen sampler, and an awesome way to close out our Monday Shuffle.  I’m a big fan of Sam Davison.

VIDEO

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Seems Like Incongruity Mix

So, I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of incongruity, and I have this theory that incongruity is a concept made up by those who cannot or will not see that everything and everyone is connected.  And that what we experience as an incongruity means that we cannot presently see the way things are connected.  Sometimes, it helps me to think that I am the one thing that connects these seemingly !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”); incongruous things.  Hint: that thought though helpful is not the truth.

Keep this in mind (or don’t) as you experience today’s shuffle

“Month of Bad Habits” by Andrew Combs from unreleased demo

We’re off to a good if congruous start. After all, E2TG is a Nashville-based music blog, and Andrew Combs is a Nashville singer-songwriter getting a lot of (well-deserved) attention.  This is an as of yet unreleased song which we nicked from August Feel Bad for You mixtape.

“Roll This Stone” by David Olney from When the Deal Goes Down

Thing continue – more awesomeness but surprisingly lacking in incongruity. David Olney is a case study in why Nashville is one of the best music towns in the world.

 

“Eye of Tranquility” by The Grimm Generation from The Big Fame

Okay, maybe we’re getting somewhere… Our good friends The Grimm Generation are from Connecticut so we step out from the Nashville connections…. except the record was produced by Tyler Bird who lives in Nashville…

“Colour Green” by Sibylle Baier from Colour Green

We may be getting somewhere on this seeming incongruity thing. Sibylle Baier is a German folk singer. I came to her music through the Peacefork blog run by E2TG favorites Valued Customer.  The album Colour Green was released in 2006, but the music was all recorded in the 70s. This song mentions Summer in New York City which seems about right for this day.  Peace.

“Rock N Roll Girl” by Paul Collins and The Beat from The Beat

There is no easy transition from gorgeous folk music to an outstanding California power pop band lead by Paul Collins who was the drummer for The Nerves.  They both come from the 70s – so there is that…

“Moon River” by Victoria Williams from Sings Some Ol’ Songs

Another outstanding song from Victoria Williams’ collection of old standards which simply by her amazing voice alone are transported into something amazing.  Victoria Williams was previously married to Peter Case who was in The Nerves with Paul Collins.

“Unconditionally” by Lael Summer from Burden to Bear

Speaking of an amazing voice… we have another song from Lael Summer’s Burden to Bear album and another live video of Ms. Summer with the True Groove All-Stars.

“stille nag” by velodrones from kersfees tape $

So… yeah – we move effortlessly into a version of Silent Night in Afrikaans by the truly incredible Velodrones.  Thean (I still don’t know how to do accent marks and stuff so I apologize) also makes remarkable music with Bosveld who recently completed a Bike Tour in Canada. And yeah, this is all connected – one link is Valued Customer who introduced me to this and Sibylle Baier.

“Wonderwall” by Ryan Adams from Love Is Hell, Pt. 1 (EP) (Oasis Cover)

See… You see… Ryan Adams has a new album that is really good.  Ryan Adams once had someone removed from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for yelling out for Summer of ’69 which in case you don’t know was recorded by Bryan Adams who is in no way related to Ryan Adams except as I previously mentioned everyone and everything is connected. Anyway, this is Ryan Adams doing a cover of the Oasis hit song.

“Reverse Vampire” by Pujol from PUJOL SAMPLER/Reverse Vampire Single

Daniel Pujol is one of Nashville’s best.  I’ve seen him perform twice for Record Store Day at Grimey’s and he puts on an amazing show. 

“Abstract by Alex and the Constellation (aka Livingmore) from download

Alex and the Constellations which may or may not have just changed their name to Livingmore is a collaboration of Spencer Livingston (who came into the E2TG fold back near the beginning with his band The Alternates) and Alex Moore.  They are based in Los Angeles.  I really dig this song and it’s an excellent way to end this shuffle with seems to be but is not filled with incongruity.


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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Flinty Mix

Back to a normal-sized shuffle…. we have some cool tunes – let’s go!

“Flinty Kind of Woman” by Dar Williams from The Honesty Room

One of my favorite artists of all time…  from her 1995 album.

“Blue Skies” by Victoria Williams from Sings Some Ol’ Songs

Ms. Williams part II.  Doing a heart-shattering version of the Irving Berlin classic.

“Amsterdam Moon” by The Mavericks from In Time

From their reunion album – Raul Malo and company sounding better than ever.

“Punk Rockin’ Honky Tonk Girl” by Tim Carroll from Opening Up/If I Could

Two things to share about this song – 1.  At the end of this song on Opening Up, Tim Carroll gives a brief account of his musical journey and mentions one of my favorite bands, Rank and File.  2.  Every time I hear this song, a particular memory of mine comes back to me.  This was sometime in the 80s, at a benefit show for a local club called Elliston Square (now The End).  There was an awesome lineup of some of the cool indie bands of the day, and opening the show was Marty Stuart joined by at least one of the Dillards.  As a young punk beginning to hear Country music influence in my favorite music and still trying to reconcile that to my still strong belief that Country music was for old folks – this was culture shock, and it was also pretty darn awesome. The deal was sealed for me when I saw this tall, beautiful girl in country meets punk attire dosey-doeing  to Marty Stuart. 

“Do You Want My Job” by Little Village from Little Village

One of the stand out tracks on the Little Village album.

“Can’t Stay Young” by Tim Carroll from Opening Up/All Kinds of Pain!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”);

No you can’t… but sometimes you can fake it for a while…

“Kiss and Tell” by Lael Summer from Burden to Bear

Another sultry number from Ms. Lael Summer and another video from a True Groove All-Stars show in New York.  If you’re in New York, check out The True Groove All-Stars as they continue their residency at Milk River this Thursday.

“Drifter’s Compass” by Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray from Lean Into The Wind

And this my friends, is why I love Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray so much.  This and the fact that they are such wonderful people.

“1st Assumptions vs. 2nd Doubts (remix)” by aCr from ghost note manifest

We close with some experimental progressive hard rock from Texas. aCr from the band Liquid Casing  from his recent solo project.


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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Monsterdogs and Zen Koans Mix

One thing I take pride in with E2TG is the diversity of music that I’m willing to include in my mix.  Frankly, as much as I love Americana and as much as Americana is a pretty wide ranging “genre” of music, sometimes I need some metal, some punk, some music from far corners of the world, some experimental crazy stuff, some classical…

I need to give a shoutout to my friends from Valued Customer who has done more than their fair share in expanding my mind and my musical knowledge beyond all constraints.  They have a blog of their own called P E A C E F O R K which explores some less travelled (but supremely awesome spokes in the complex web of musical styles and influences.  Some of the music they’ve been posting should be showing up here soon, and I can’t wait to share it.

While I’ve got your attention – I direct you to Valued Customer’s masterpiece Kalpa which can be yours if the price is right (or wrong).

http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=50545387/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/
On to the shuffle for today….

“I. Prologue: Monsterdogs” by Left of Logic from In Formation

It isn’t often that the shuffle pulls up a Prologue as the first song of the morning.  Ever less often that the song is about Monsterdogs. We have both from Left of Logics awesome In Formation album. (speaking of expanding our range…)

“I Need a Man” by Lael Summer from Burden to Bear

Another artist from the True Groove label. This song is sexy and sultry and Lael Summer is amazing.

“Always Maybe” by The Black Angels from Indigo Meadow

Austin based The Black Angels are based in the quest for pure sanity.

“Dizzy in my Hips Swinging” by The Grimm Generation from The Big Fame

A prime example of why I think The Grimm Generation should be huge.  They are huge – I just want more people to know it.

“Peace is Not Fiction” by Tomas Doncker from Power of the Trinity

It is entirely possible that I’ve had this song in the shuffle before. It’s also entirely possible that I don’t really care.  The world needs to be reminded of this simple  fact now more than ever.

“Scarecrow Man” by David Olney from When the Deal Goes Down

You may think it’s hyperbole for me to call David Olney a modern Renaissance man, but trust me when I say it isn’t.  In addition to his amazing recent album, he does an incredible recitation of Kubla Khan, and he wrote music and acts in The Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s current production of As You Like It for Shakespeare in the Park here in Nashville.  It runs through the 14th, and if anyone wants to see it and will let me tag along, hit me up. Seriously.  We’ve included a video promo Mr. Olney made about the production.

“Zen Koans Gonna Rise Again” by Dave Van Ronk from Going Back to Brooklyn

I really want to listen to more Dave Van Ronk.  I will listen to more Dave Van Ronk.  I deserve to listen to more Dave Van Ronk.

“I’m Old Fashioned” by Victoria Williams from Sings Some Old Songs

Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer wrote it.  Tons of people have covered it.  Since I couldn’t find Ms. Williams’ version, I posted John Coltrane’s instead.  Dig it.

“Oye Como Va” (Live at El Jefe) by Perico Hernandez from Chef Soundtrack

We close with some Latin sounds from the Soundtrack of that Jon Favreau  movie with Robert Downey, Jr.  No, not that one.  No, not that one either.  Yeah, that one!

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Blue Rainbow Mix

ICYMI (Labor Day Weekend Edition):  

We created an E2TG Facebook Page – so like it please maybe?

We posted a couple of album reviews over the weekend.

1.  Darrin Bradbury – Motel Oatmeal –  on E2TG and cross-posted to No Depression (go visit both sites if you have time)

2. The Grey A – My Country – on E2TG and cross-posted (and currently featured!) to No Depression.

Shuffle to follow:

“When the Deal Goes Down” by David Olney from When the Deal Goes Down

I had the good fortune to see David Olney at The Five Spot joined for the night by Ear to the Ground favorite Mark Robinson.  Mark also co-produced this Olney’s latest album, and it’s a good one.

“Valse de Balfa” by Linda Thompson from Evangeline Made: a tribute to Cajun Music

From the Cajun Music tribute album, the always incredible Linda Thompson.  The video is another version of this long.  Linda you may remember made a few of the best albums of all-time with her then husband Richard Thompson. 

“Pastorale” by Clocks and Clouds from The Creation of Matter

A gorgeous addition to my morning drive from the classically inspired Clocks and Clouds.

“Les Flammes d’Enfer” by Richard Thompson from Evangeline Made: a tribute to Cajun Music!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”);

Speaking of Richard Thompson – he is also on that Cajun Music tribute album I’ve been listening to of late.  The video here is of a version of the song by Jo-el Sonnier who previously covered Thompson’s Tear-Stained Letter.


“Over the Rainbow” by Victoria Williams from Sings Some Ol’ Songs

Victoria Williams recorded an album of classic songs.  This is her stunning version of the song Judy Garland sang in The Wizard of Oz.  I couldn’t find a video of her version of this song, so I’ve included a performance of her song “Crazy Mary” where she is joined by the late Lou Reed.

“Carolina Peach” by The California Honeydrops from Like You Mean It

Once again, Popa Tune’s turns me on to a band, and once again I have a new band I like. 

“Why so Blue?” by David Olney from When the Deal Goes Down

Another great track from the new album.  In the video playlist, we’ve included the latest edition of Olney’s video newsletter so I don’t have to try to write about all of his goings on -which are many and all awesome.

“When in Roam” by Delta Spirit from Lost and Found

I saw the Delta Spirit at Live on the Green a couple of years ago.  They were incredible live.  This one is from a 2006 EP.

“Astronomy” by Chris Stamey from Lovesick Blues

Another great track from Chris Stamey’s 2013 album.  Last time I posted some songs from this album, I failed to mention that a couple of years ago (the same night that I saw Delta Spirit at LOTG in fact, I saw Chris Stamey along with Jody Stephens and an all-star band performing songs of Big Star as part of the Americana Fest.

“My Own Advice” by Deena from Rock River 

And, we close out our shuffle with this song from Deena.  As the recent reception to my album reviews has been so overwhelming, I am reminded of some long overdue reviews I have to get to soon.  Including this album from the former member of The Cucumbers.

VIDEO PLAYLIST of the Day:


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