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For your holiday shopping: The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)
Wow! It's December..... It's about time to dive into the 2018 Earie Awards! Is this the third annual Earier Awards? I think that's right - maybe fourth annual - who knows... As always, it will different than prior years and I'll be making it all up as I go along...
But first, we missed last Music City Monday - so let's do this. As always, this shuffle comes from my epic (and ever growing) Music City Monday Spotify Playlist - The playlist is new and classic albums and songs from artist and bands who have or have had some connection to Nashville. As you might imagine, it is a diverse combination of all kinds of music from musical friends, musical heroes, and the like.
Let's shuffle!
"Fluorescent Light Blues" by Tommy Womack
I don't know if I should call Tommy Womack underrated... I guess it depends on who is doing the rating. To the people who know, he is highly rated. This is a track from his 2007 album, There I Said It! - which was a comeback at the time. Will Kimbrough and Lisa Oliver Gray are here. Womack got his start with Government Cheese - a band that some of us remembered and that some know because of a book he wrote about the band called, The Cheese Chronicles: The True Story of a Rock n Roll Band You Never Heard Of. Now, he's written a new book: A memoir called Dust Bunnies. I'd say, he's only underrated by those who never heard his songs.
"My Sweet Love Ain't Around" by Steve Young
Steve Young spent many of his final years in Nashville - hanging at places like Springwater Supper Club. (which sounds far more elegant than it is) - a still active - vital part of Nashville's musical legacy. Best known to most, for "Seven Bridges Road" which The Eagles made a hit. This is a Hank Williams' cover from Young's debut album from 1969. Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons, and Gene Clark all appear on his album -Rock Salt and Nails.
"Diamond Sky" by Steve Forbert
Steve Forbert was hailed as the "next Dylan" (one of many to be handed that somewhat dubious designation). He is best known for his hit song, "Romeo's Tune" from his 2nd album, Jackrabbit Slim. His next two albums did not fare as well commerically, and he settled into a long career. This is a track from his most recent studio album, The Magic Tree - which was released earlier this year. The album is filled with outstanding songs - like this one.
"Mile High Rider" (Live) by Cloverbottom
Cloverbottom lay claim to being Nashville's first punk band and one of the first original rock bands. They formed in the late 1970s and released only one 3 song EP- called Anarchy in Music City. Their legacy lives on. This is live performance from that Return to Elliston Square Live 2008 which was recorded at Exit/In - a release show for the Return to Elliston Square 1979-1989 (an essential compilation of Nashville's 1980s music scene).
"Cardboard Boxes" (Live) by Loudon Wainwright III
I have been on a major Loudon Wainwright III kick of late. If you don't know, Wainwright's Nashville connections run deep. His 1973 album, Attempted Mustache - features one of the Edgehill Polar Bears on the cover. This live recording is taken from his recently released compilation, Years in the Making - the song itself (about moving) was originally released on his 1984 album, I'm Alright.
"Spring Cleaning in the Wintertime" by Anne McCue
Like Tommy Womack, Anne McCue is a WXNA DJ in addition to being a brilliant singer-songwriter. This song comes from her Blue Sky Thinkin' album. McCue is a native of Australia (where she is also a DJ), but she is 100% claimed by East Nashville (and the larger city).
"First Apology" by Allen Thompson
Allen Thompson is one of the handful of people who immediately come to my mind when I hear "East Nashville" uttered. It's hard to imagine a better combination of a big heart and immense talent, and it's hard to imagine East Nashville over the last decade or so without his presence and his music. This is a track from his Salvation in the Ground album (2012).
"Ruby Falls" by Bill Lloyd
Bill Lloyd is a long-standing part of the Nashville music scene. From rock to country to pop, he has been a part of it all. He just recently released his latest album, Working the Long Game. This track is from his 2017 album It's Happening Now. The song references both those ubiquitous signs painted on barns throughout Tennessee and the Mel Tillis song made famous by Kenny Rogers.
"Call Me Up" by Julie Christensen; Stone Cupid
Julie Christensen's life in music has been memorable and it is not over by a long shot. From the Divine Horsemen to Leonard Cohen and more. She has been a part of the Nashville music community for the last several years. This is from one of her pre-Nashville album, Weeds Like Us.
"Little Matchstick Girl" by Joshua Black Wilkins
Along with Allen Thompson, Joshua Black Wilkins is another whose name comes to mind when I think about East Nashville. In addition to being a talented singer-songwriter, he is also an incredible photographer/artist. His latest release is called Valentine Sessions. This is from that release. I saw him this summer at Muddy Roots Festival.
"Off My Back" (2013 Version) by Becky Warren
Becky Warren recently released her latest album Undesirable. This alternative take is from the Deluxe edition of her last album War Surplus. Warren has recently played shows with Indigo Girls.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG. So far, I have completed nine - January - October 2018. These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months. If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below) and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.
JUST ADDED! August and September 2018 Playlists!
E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018
E2TG September 2018
E2TG October 2018 (NEW!)
E2TG November 2018 (Coming Soon!)
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