#E2TG Band of the Year - IV (2014/) is....

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Stumps Mix

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A great Monday night at The Basement with Sadler Vaden opening for American Aquarium.

Sadler Vaden has a great gig - playing guitar for Jason Isbell, and he makes some pretty awesome music on his own, too.  Opening for American Aquarium at The Basement in Nashville, Vaden was backed by a fellow Isbell bandmate on keyboards, Steelism's drummer, and the bass player for Sheryl Crow, and they heated up a cold, dreary Monday night.

Headliners, American Aquarium were the artist with most tour dates in 2014 according to Bandsintown app.  I understand they are expected to play even more dates in 2015.  They have a new album, Wolves, due out in February, and they treated a sold out Nashville crowd with a healthy dose of their signature high energy Alt-Country/Rock and sad songs.  If this ends up being the last live music I see in 2014, it was a heck of a way to end the year!


This year seems to be winding down.  It has been a year of changes and challenges and growth of the kind I thought I was incapable of experiencing let alone surviving.  I have good feelings about 2015, and I hope you will join me for what is sure to be an interesting year.  There are tons of new albums on the immediate horizon and as always new and old music to be discovered/rediscovered. This is the last proper shuffle of 2014, but I think maybe the year isn't over yet.  There may be a surprise shuffle and maybe even a "Band of the Year" post coming up.  Peace!

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Move over Captain America Mix

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I would like to preface today's shuffle by saying that a big pet peeve of mine are people of a certain age who loudly decry "music these days" and who pine for some different era. They usually "prove" their point by referencing some trendy pop act of today and offer up for comparisons sake some legend of a different era who has stood the test of time.  It is not only the logic that is faulty, but such statements are a sign of laziness. There is a ton of great music being made "these days" - far more than even this music blogger than cover.  So my advise to those who would rant in the manner mentioned above is either 1. Seek out music - there are far more ways to do this than there ever were or 2. Shut up and admit that you are unwilling to do so and that you prefer the music of your younger days.

All that being said,  music has a special power to evoke... music which was an integral part of the formative years of our lives does hold a special place.  It is in that spirit that I offer up today's shuffle which a total throwback to my days of yore.

#E2TG Christmas Closeout

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So, I ended up with 21 Christmas songs left on my playlist and since I'm out of shuffles, And since, I don't want to have Christmas music left over after the Holiday is over,  I thought I would post a special Evening Shuffle of music from my commute home.  This will take care of 13 songs.  Special thanks to PopaTunes aka David Horton for thinking of me - as he often does and sending me the mixtape of vintage Christmas songs.  A most interesting collection - I must say.

I'm not going to comment on these songs, I'll just post the playlist since i managed to find all 13 songs on YouTube and let you listen at your leisure.  These songs range from the sublime and spiritual to the silly and groovy,  Something for almost everyone.  Enjoy! And Happy Christmas and Peace on Earth to all no matter what you do or don't celebrate.

I intend to post the remaining 8 songs over on the Ear to the Ground Facebook page in a little bit.  So if you haven't, now might be a good time to head over and give the page the old "Thumbs Up!"

PLAYLIST

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Mambo and Lasso Santa Mix

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This is the last morning shuffle of the week, I am taking a few days off wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a joyous time...

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Endings for Beginning in Dm Mix

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So, it's the penultimate post before Ear to the Ground takes a few days off for Christmas. I'm just saying this because I like using the word penultimate. Anyway, today's shuffle is a good one, and I hope you enjoy.

Friday Afternoon Music Shuffle - What's So Funny Mix

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I took the day off work and barely saw the morning....  so no traditional shuffle but I did run an errand earlier and shuffled a few tunes.... Plus I had some other things to share:

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Like a Freebird Wheel Mix

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Today's subtitle is a tribute to the mind-blowing weekly party that goes down every single Wednesday night at Fran's Eastside Tavern in East Nashville, Tennessee. Tim Carroll and Darrin Bradbury have been doing this thing since July or so, and I've only missed a couple.  When it began, Darrin would play for an hour or so and then Tim would take over and then they would play together at the end of the evening. In time, drummer David Strayer began sitting in and then (when he returned from an extended time up North) Cameron Carrus joined in on the upright bass, and the Fran's Eastside Super High Band was formed. Now-a-days, Tim begins playing sometime before 8:30 (I don't think I've ever made it there before he began) and the band joins in as they arrive. Darrin plays (with Tim playing guitar).  Singer Luella Wood has been known to serenade us with a few songs each night, and at various times Trombones, additional guitars, and other assorted folks have joined in the party.  Special guests have been known to show up including singer/songwriter legend Dave Dondero and last night Nathan Kalish and the Lastcallers.  It's a seriously fun night and if you can handle the copious amounts of second-hand smoke, you should come on out if you are in the area. 

Last night's show ended the traditional "Freebird" and "Wagon Wheel" one-two punch which Darrin Bradbury managed to lyrically mash-up in the manner of our subtitle.

On to the shuffle:

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Fairytales and Other Legends Mix

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I'm short on time and don't really have much preliminary banter... so let's just get to the shuffle - we have a good one today!

A Very Ear to the Ground Christmas

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To tell the truth for a variety of reasons, my Holiday spirit has been lacking this year, but nothing gets me pumped up for the Yule Season more than hearing some brand new Christmas songs from some of my favorite artists.

Now, these songs may still come up in a Shuffle soon, but with the number of posts before Christmas dwindling fast, I thought I would dedicate a special post...  so jump past the break and listen to Christmas Ear to the Ground style.

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Tilt-a-Whirl Mix

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Well! The impromptu debut of Ear to the Ground Presents: at The Building last night was a huge success or at least a hell of a lot of fun with some awesome music. Thanks to Darrin Bradbury for doing all the leg work, and to The Western Shore, Sarah Potenza, Jon Latham, and Darrin and The Fran's Eastside Super High Band for bringing the awesome tunes.  Hopefully, this will be a semi-regular thing in 2015.

Let's jump into the shuffle... shall we?

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - The Drifting Mix

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I am thinking about starting a new weekly post or something promoting the #E2TG recommended  shows around Nashville each week.  I have not decided upon a format or anything, but if you have suggestions or events for consideration, hit me up.

In the meantime, get ready to kick off the last full week before Christmas with a pretty awesome show at The Building in East Nashville tonight.  It is Open Road Monday.  Doors open at 7:00 with music starting at 8:00.  The show features The Western Shore, Sarah Potenza, Darrin Bradbury and Jon Latham.  An open mic follows so bring you guitars and songs down and dig it. The BLDG is BYOB or you can cross the patio to Drifter's BBQ and bring something back. The Building is at 1008 #C Woodland Street right behind Drifter's. Come out for some Ear to the Ground recommended musical offerings..


"The Drifting" by The Torn Images

The opening track from the new album by California Indie Rock artist Briand Arabaca aided by some other California Indie rock musicians. Check it out.

"Harmless Sparks" by American Aquarium

I really dig this song off of the album Burn. Flicker. Die. It's been playing quite often on my music player. It may just be my favorite track on this album which is full of great songs.

"Runnin' Away" by Heather Powell

I'm about 90% sure this was a song that I already featured that got added back when I had my playlist delete incident. If so, you may have missed it or like me, you may be very happy to hear it again.  This is from Believe it to Life.  Her latest album, A Haze of Grays and Blues is due out in early 2015 on the True Groove label out of New York City.

"Car Cleveland" by John Lurie

I am a huge fan of director Jim Jarmusch.  This track comes from the Soundtrack of Jarmusch's 1984 film Stranger Than Paradise which stars John Lurie who also wrote the music for the film. 

"All I Do is Wonder" by D.C. Bloom

This may well be one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. It is listed as Unreleased on his ReverbNation page.  If this is still the case, I hope it will end up on album soon.  In the meantime, head over to his Website and signup.

"Shores" by Lindsay Ellyn

Okay, New York, you better enjoy Lindsay while you have her because Nashville wants her back!  I have this feeling (and I am not the only one) that 2015 is going to be a big year for Lindsay.  She has new music coming out in the new year, and I've been lucky enough to have heard some of it performed live... get on board the Lindsay express early or else I will tell you that I told you so.  This one his from her Shores EP.

"It's Too Late to Live in Austin" by Grant Peeples and the Peeples Republik

Another song that has been coming up fairly often on my music player.  A great song that references a midnight show of James McMurtry and his band.  Another one from the awesome album, Punishing the Myth.

"Trim Your Tree" by Jimmy Butler

With a hat tip to David Horton (Popa Tunes) we offer up another highly suggestive and inappropriate Christmas song from days of yore. This song from the album, "I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus."  Mojo Nixon covered this song in the early 90s on his album Horny Holidays.

"Samson in New Orleans" by Leonard Cohen

And we close things out with a song from the latest album from Leonard Cohen - called Popular Problems. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

A Rare Saturday Night Shuffle - Amazon Music Mix

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I am bored and amped up on caffeine and messing around with a bunch of music I have saved to my Amazon Music Cloud.  So here you go.. I'm guessing this is kind of what they call live blogging... so yeah...

"Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor..." (Mozart) by Denis Matthews , Vienna State Opera Orchestra from Big Mozart Box

'cause sometimes I just feel like listening to classical music... is that okay with you?

"Electric Lash" by The Church from Seance

Way back when, I bought this cassette "Survival" Sampler that came in an olive green rations can with handy dandy survival guide liner notes and a bunch of cool music of the day including this one which I have loved ever since.

"Effigy" by Urge Overkill from Rock and Roll Submarine

This was the first single from the band's 2011 album, there first since 1995.

"Summer" by Katie Herzig from Walk Through Walls

Nashville Indie Pop artist Katie Herzig warms a long cold winter with this song about Summer.

"Bright Stars Burning" by Hey Marseilles from Lines We Trace

Orchestral Folk/Pop from Seattle.  A jaunty number from their 2013 album which is their most recent.

"Rock n Roll" by Feedtime from Loss Opportunity Sampler/Shovel

Some Australian post-punk rock n roll...from 1987 or so

"Well All Right" (Buddy Holly cover) by Kid Rock from Rave On

I hope this is the only Kid Rock song in my collection.  Keeping just because it's a Buddy Holly cover... bleh...

"Tree by the River" by Iron and Wine from Kiss Each Other Clean

I can never remember which one is Iron and which one is Wine...

"Find It" by Family of the Year from Loma Vista

Who votes for these things? 

"Divertimento in B-flat Major for 2 Horns and Strings, K.287: IV. Adagio" (Mozart) by English Chamber Orchestra, David Blum conducting from Big Mozart Box 

What can I say, I am a sucker from cheap classical downloads with tons of music on them...

"Lost in My Mind" by The Head and The Heart from The Head and The Heart

I can never remember which one is The Head and which one is The Heart... oh, I used that joke already... I guess I'm just lost in my mind....

VIDEO FUNTIME SUPER PLAYLIST SHUFFLE THING 

Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Lament Mix

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It's been quite a week of shuffles and the beat goes on...  I've been really tired this whole week, so if letters just starts scrolling across the screen as I type this, someone wake me up.  We have a good one for youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu... sorry...

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Doing the Horizontal Mix

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A frustrating morning commute - made all the better by an eclectic ten song shuffle... enjoy...

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Loot in the Boot Mix

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Hey ho! It's Wednesday.  We have a pretty fun shuffle today - 11 songs strong with some real curveballs and some real treats.  Scroll down or click through for the music:

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Carry the Day Mix

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In just nine songs, with just seven different artists represented, we manage to cover a pretty wide range of styles today....  and even spread some Christmas.... er... cheer?????

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Middle Man Mix

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I am more convinced than ever that I did not delete my playlist (as mentioned Friday) through some incredibly bone-headed clumsy ass maneuver.  No, it appears that my phone is possessed.  My cell phone contract ended in November, and my now two year old phone has developed a mind of it's own.  It has begun initiating screen touch activities all on it's own... typing (and sending) gibberish text messages, taking pictures, opening applications, etc.  I think it knows that it's days are numbered.

So, until I get a new phone, any activity which comes from me should be suspect.  Including this post... am I writing this or is my phone writing this?

Friday Morning Music Shuffle - No Safe Harbor Mix

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In a moment of extreme clumsiness, I accidently deleted the entire "Current Music" playlist from my phone.  This is was the continually evolving playlist that I use used to create the morning shuffles you have all come to love so much.  I'm not sure how it happened, but as far as I could tell there was no "Undo" button, so I set about to spend a couple of hours attempting to cobble together a new "Current Music" playlist from my memory.  I also took advantage of this minor disaster to add some Holiday-themed music to the mix.  In the course, I know I forgot some songs (which you will never know about - except that I am telling you) and I am pretty sure I added back some songs that have already been featured (which you will only know about if you have been paying very close attention - in which case, I thank you and beg your patience).

So, the new "Current Music" playlist is a couple of hundred songs short of what I deleted (I will add more as I remember), but I like to think of it as a leaner and meaner playlist.  So, behold....

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - DCCC Mix

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Made it to 800!  You are currently reading the 800th post since I transferred the blog from Posterous (RIP) to Blogger.  Also, assuming a few of you read this or some other post, Ear to the Ground will reach a milestone number of pageviews (aka one with a bunch of 0's). 

It seems appropriate that this milestone (of a sort) post, contains a pretty random shuffle of some cools songs - including artists we've never featured, some old favorites, covers, pop culture references, and more.  We do this just about every day. 

In honor of post 800, I thought I would attempt to start a new hashtag meme - #twt (three word Thursday). 

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Girl in Me Mix

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ICYMI - be sure to read my review of Deena's album Rock River.   

Today's shuffle could have been subtitled "My Ever Changing Shuffle"... just saying

Deena - Rock River (Ear to the Ground Review)

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Bloggers note:  I wrote this review a couple of months ago - already long past when the album was released and too long after I received it.  I saved it, looking for the right time to post it, but you know what.  There isn't a right time.  I just re-read what I wrote and it's all true (as I see it).  So, late-ish on a Tuesday night in early December, I am posting this and I will post links on my Facebook and all that, and I really hope you read it, but more importantly, I hope you will give this record a listen.

Ear to the Ground reviews Rock River the most recent album by Deena.

Review after the jump.

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Full Grown Man Mix

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In the middle of posting this, I heard about the passing of Rock and Roll legend Bobby Keys. The long-time Rolling Stones saxophonist was a resident of Nashville at the time of his passing, and I had the great pleasure of seeing him and his band play a free lunch time show at the downtown Public Library in the summer of 2013.  RIP Bobby Keys...

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Burn Thru Mix

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We are back after an extended holiday break... hope everyone is well..  I am short on time today, so let's jump into the shuffle...