Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Life's on that Phone Mix

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In this day and age, I am always happy when things in the news inspire me and give me hope. That is happening today, and just for this moment, I am pleased.

Remembering Stephen Hawking who is now up in the stars.

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In case you missed it:  #E2TG premiered a new song by Lottie this morning.  Check out "Pretending" HERE 

Meanwhile, the week reaches its mid-point, and that means it is time for Wild Wednesday Shuffle... reminder, this is where we shuffle all the songs in my phone memory and see what transpires...

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Say What I Have to Say Mix

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So - I'm gonna let today's shuffle do the talking...

but, I do want to report on another long but excellent night of music at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.

D.L. Duncan continued his month-long residency playing some great blues-based music. First playing accompanied by a snare drum - and then by a full-band including a wonderful horn section.  Duncan was joined for several songs by the legendary guitarist Jack Pearson.

The late show featured several favorites of mine beginning with Taylor Alexander - back by Jess Perkins on pedal steel, then Rocky Bottom, the always incredible Rayvon Pettis, and The Big Dumb - featuring Javi Jones and Anna Joy Harris.  I had never seen Javi in this setting, and I have to say I loved it.

Tonight, the Smoky White Devils wrap up their residency with guest Ted Drozdowki's Scissormen (next Thursday will be the 25th Anniversary of Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau.)

Onward to Topical Thursday on E2TG.  I really should write this disclaimer and save it and copy and paste each week... but here goes...

I selected a topic (its a a very loose topic) and I went through my list of songs and picked out songs that fit (seemed to fit) or at least struck me in the moment of selection as fitting the topic. I created a playlist with those songs, and every Thursday I randomly shuffle up songs from that playlist. At some point, I may change the topic.

Rule/Disclaimers:  I do not expressly state what the topic is nor do I explain why a particular song fits.  I am not in any way implying nor should you infer that the songs' writers would intend or necessarily approve of their song being applied to this topic. All connections are (or were) in my head. I also will not confirm nor deny if you  try to guess the topic.  Just sit back - enjoy and let you own mind make the connections (or not);

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - An Unmade Bed Mix

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Man, it felt awesome this morning - July 2, and there was an ever so slight chill in the air. 

Let's get right into the music...

Pre-Shuffle... I hit shuffle, and the first track up was "Lanquishing in Lower Chakras" by The Gabriel Construct from Interior City. This track begins with some minimalist piano. The track is eleven minutes long and features some spoken dialogue. It was truly a great way to start the morning.

In an odd sort of way, the second song of the mix, "Colonizer" by Canopy Climbers from Miles, fit well coming on the heels of The Gabriel Construct. I think it was the piano sound. Even though the use of the instrument could hardly be any more different, it still served as an effective bridge between the two songs.

Next up "Cup o' Tea" by Austin band, Little Radar.  Their new album is not due out until next month, but they currently have a sampler up on Noisetrade.

Lambchop is a band from Nashville. They are awesome. "Chelsea Hotel" is a classic song by Leonard Cohen.  It is awesome.  Lambchop covers "Chelsea Hotel" and faces will be melted and brains will explode.  Shari Lewis was not involved, but she did have a puppet named Lambchop.

Among the several albums we are anxiously awaiting, one that has us especially excited is the new record from Great American Novel. To help us all wait, the band recently made their last album Kissing available as a Free (Name Your Price) download via bandcamp. "I Want You" hits all the right notes.  They also have two tracks from the new album available.  Hit them up. 

Another day, another Ramones song.  This time we have "Outsider" from Subterranean Jungle.

We close the pre-shuffle with some "old school" Cee-Lo Green.  "Evening News" is on his second solo album Cee-Lo Green...Is the Soul Machine.

SHUFFLE UP NEXT

From the Woods to the Basement....

Due to circumstances blah blah blah.... no music shuffle this a.m.  Too bad, 'cause I added some cool new songs to the mix, but we'll get back to it in the morning.  In the meantime, I wanted to take the opportunity to catch up something. First and foremost, something I should have written a week ago:

Sunday March 11, I headed over to The Basement where a mere $5 got me in the door. The Basement is literally the basement of Grimey's New & PreLoved Music. I arrived about 15 minutes after the announced 7:00p.m. showtime, a woman wearing a leotard with face make-up and feathers in her hair and a guy also with make up and feathers but no leotard were on-stage not yet playing.   A decent crowd assembled (decent for a Sunday night show).  I was hoping to meet Matt from No Country for New Nashville, but unfortunately I never determined who he was.

Anyway, a while later the show started.  Without an introduction, the previously mentioned duo began playing.  It was a beat-heavy electro-pop dance music. Not my favorite genre of music, but the female singer had a good voice and the songs were pretty good. After the first song, the singer introduced herself, but I couldn't really catch it.  I found out later (yes cluelessness is one of more charming features) that this was Casey Desmond who was on The Voice last season. From what I read later this was actually a ASCAP showcase for Ms. Desmond, and also apparently some other Voice contestant's where in the small club, too.  Now, I have to say, unless Cee-Lo had walked in in full peacock regalia, I'm not sure I would have realized anyone from the Voice was there.  All in all, I'd have to give passing mark's to Casey Desmond. It was fun, she's (obviously) got a great voice, and the music had enough of an edge below the pop to keep my attention.

 Next up was Battle Ave. from upstate New York.   Battle Ave. on Facebook name their genre as Rat Punk, Noise Bambi, and Pastoral Epic. I agree and then some. For me, noisy bands can go either way.  Battle Ave. fall on the good side of the coin, and I think I know why.  First, they have a great rhythm section: Samantha Niss on Drums and Max Schwartz on bass. What they also have is a unique vocalist (Jesse Alexander) and Alexander and Adam Stoutenburgh make loud noises on guitar. I hate to use fun in two straight reviews, but it fits. I just had a great time watching this band, and I wanted to hear more which is telling because the band I came out to see was up next.

After Battle Ave., I moved up closer to the stage and prepared myself to be blown away.  Having absorbed The Amboys' Led into the Wood EP and checked out some of their live performance videos, I had high expectations for this show. I was not disappointed!  The band, nay, the movement called The Amboys exploded and if a typically reserved Nashville audience didn't dance and crowd the stage as one would hope, I can guarantee that everyone who was alive in the club was moving their feet. 

Look, I love The Amboys and they killed it. You get that right. As I watched the show, and yes thought about what I was going to write, I was reminded of my stated reason for writing this blog in the first place. Namely, that there is tons of great music out there and tons of music fans thirsty for great music, and the internet, for all it's ubiquitiousness, can be a great tool, but it can also be overwhelming.  So, I hear music that excites me, and I write about it, and maybe somebody reads what I write and checks out the band. Cool. So, I'm writing this not just to tell you that I had a blast at The Amboys' show, but to implore you, if/when you get the chance, go see The Amboys - 'kay.  And if you do, and are as blown away as I think you will be, drop me a line and let me know - deal?

Epilogue: (Where the writer reveals his unhipster-like lameness): There were two other bands on the bill Goldrush and Andrew Leahey, but with a sick wife and child at home and having to get up post-daylight savings at an ungodly hour, I bowed out after introducing myself to the Amboys. I think they hung around so, ask them about those last two bands.