Well, we are almost through another week and another month in the new reality. I feel so much uncertainty and anxiety. It does feel easier for me to stay in and limit social interactions, but I do miss people. I have very little confidence that things are not going to get worse. I no longer expect a return to "normal" anytime soon, but I also see people who are trying to force that return and it frightens me.
I am dismayed again at where we are as a nation when it comes to a lot of things. I try to identify and recognize privilege, but I suspect I don't always do well at this. I struggle with knowing when and how to speak up while acknowledging that that struggle is a function of my privilege.
Someone how, I still believe that most people are basically good, but I also believe that it takes more than being good to counteract the people who are bad.
I recognize that critical thinking is a sadly lacking skill, and that emotional intelligence is also sadly lacking in many people. I fully support freedom of thought and freedom of expression, but I recognize with that freedom come responsibility, and that many want the freedom without the responsibility.
I think the real danger lies with the apathetic and not the zealots.
And now, as we prepare for a brand new Featured Friday Playlist coming tomorrow, we conclude our review of this week's list with songs 18-22:
18. "Forget Me Nots" by Town Meeting
Town Meeting is a folk rock band from Ayer, Massachusetts. They are a fast rising band who have opened for Bob Dylan, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson and more. Digging the sound of this band's evocative and rich sound.
19. "Cama" by Dru Flecha
Dru Flecha is from Caracas, Venezuela by way of Paris, France. A rich combination of sounds combined with a killer hook and a smoldering passion.
20. "Regional Diction" by Miss Rayon
Miss Rayon is from Portland, Oregon and they have been releasing a song every week during the pandemic. Really digging this track which reminds me of a modern take on new wave music.
21. "Emptiness" by Lékan Tella
Lékan Tella is a New York based singer-songwriter with a funky R&B, soul vibe. A great addition to this week's Playlist.
22. "I Know" by CLOUDNINE
Last, but not least, we have a track from CLOUDNINE who is a singer-songwriter based in France. A really cool song to close out this week's list.
I am back after an extended weekend. I went out of town this weekend, got back yesterday and immediately went to a show. So, I don't have a ton of new content today. ICYMI, check out the Featured Friday Playlist that refreshed on Friday.
I caught Jesse Dayton, The Mastersons, and India Ramey last night at City Winery (it was a show sponsored by a radio station that is not the one I am on). Three great sets.
Let's see. My second show of Greetings from Nashville is coming up on WXNA Thursday morning.
On Double Shot this Saturday, also on WXNA, we revisit the Instrument focused show on Pianos.
I listened to an audio book on my drive this weekend that was music related. Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid - is a fictional account of a Seventies rock band - told via interviews with the band members and other people associated with the band. It was really enjoyable. The audio book was a full cast recording.
More to come!
Featured Friday Playlist
Tuesday Shuffle:
A mixed bag shuffle - kind of a fun one.
"Marian" by Wayne Hussey (from a sinlge)
Originally a double A side - Record Store Day release from 2016 by the frontman of The Mission.
"So Have I" by Bill and Colleen Cade (from Bill and Colleen Cade)
"One O'Clock Jump" by Count Basie (from Basie Boogie)
"Gimme a Beer" by Diamond Rugs (from Voodoo Doll Sampler)
A supergroup featuring members of Deer Tick, Los Lobos, Six Finger Satellites, Dead Confederates and more.
"Smashed My Guitar" by Tate and Silas (from Third: Nothing to Lose)
More from the Connecticut duo known for their outrageous live performances.
"Saint Carrie of the Storms" by Jane Kramer (from Valley of the Bones)
"Find a Way" by Benny Basset (from Words for Yesterday)
"Doggone Long Gone You" by Davis Raines (from Turquoise and Silver)
From the recently released album by the Nashville singer-songwriter.
"Cold and Bitter Tears" by Kasey Chambers (from Cold and Bitter Tears: The Songs of Ted Hawkins)
The title track from a compilation album featuring various artists covering songs by Ted Hawkins)
"Public Image" by Public Image Ltd. (from First Issue)
Debut single - written by band leader John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) when he was still a member of the Sex Pistols.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Recent and Upcoming Releases:
Recent: 1/06 - Francesco Mariano - "Room 107" (single) 1/07 - The Singing Butcher - "Top 40" (single) 1/08 - Luis Mojica- Shaman Food (LP) 1/10 - Palm Ghosts - "Wide Awake and Waiting" (single)(E2TG First Impression) 1/10 - Mary Bragg and Drivin' N Cryin' - "Don't Walk Away" (cover) (single) 1/10 - Them Airs - "Food Pyramid" (single) 1/10 - Lilly Hiatt - "Brightest Star" (single) 1/10 - Strange Majik - "Lo-Fi Hi" (single) (E2TG First Impression) 1/10 - Dean Fields - "Armadillo" (single) 1/10- Chicago Farmer - "All in One Place" (single) 1/10 - Surrija - "Nothing Love" (single) 1/10 - RB Morris - Going Back to the Sky (LP) 1/10 - Guided By Voices - "Volcano" (single) 1/10 - Sunshine Boys - "Infinity Girl" (single) 1/11 - Dolour (Shane Tutmarc) - "The Snake Eye" (single) 1/12 - Francesco Mariano - "Nine Lives" (single) 1/13 - Lauren Anderson - "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (cover) (single) 1/14 - Drive-By Truckers - "Thoughts and Prayers" (single) 1/16 - Margo Price - Stone Me (single) 1/17 - Mark Hummel - Wayback Machine (LP) 1/17 - Jonny Polonsky - "The Weeping Souls" (single) 1/17 - Them Airs - Union Suit XL (LP)(E2TG First Impression) 1/17 - Innocence Mission - See You Tomorrow (LP) 1/17 - David Dondero - The Filter Bubble Blues (LP) 1/17 - MONO INC. - "Warriors" (single) 1/17 - Damen - "Americana" (single) 1/17 - The Singing Butcher - "Circus Girl" (single) 1/19 - Merrill Beach - "Geen"/"Marimba" (single)(E2TG First Impression) 1/21 - Broads and Milly Hirst - "Happisburgh" (single) 1/22 - Davis Raines - Turquoise and Silver (LP) (E2TG First Impression) 1/24 - Kailey Nicole - Kailey Nicole (LP) 1/24 - Mrs. Henry - Live at the Casbah (LP) 1/24 - Aeronautical Pioneer - "Hop High" (single) 1/24 - Three Rivers Project - Confluence (LP) 1/24 - MONO INC. - The Book of Fire (LP) 1/24 - Dispel - Lore (LP) 1/24 - The New Nostalgia - "Nothing is New" (single) 1/24 - The Heliocentrics - "Burning Wooden Ship" (single) 1/24 - Electric High - "Harder to Justify" (single) 1/24 - J. Luke Cloutier - Drown (LP) 1/26 - Nik West - "Tears" (single) 1/28 - Motihari Brigade - Power from Below (LP) 1/29 - Remington Super 60 - NEW EP (EP) 1/31 - Eric Brace and Last Train Home - Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows (LP) 1/31 - Nick Pagliari - Midway (LP) 1/31 - Black Paisley - "Dreams" (single) 1/31 - Jolie Holland - Esconidida (Vinyl Reissue) (LP) 1/31 - John Dennis - Mortal Flames (LP) (E2TG First Impression) 1/31 - Emma Hill - How Could I Have Been So Wrong (EP) 1/31 - Ryan Sobb and the Dead Mall - Concrete Feelings (LP) (E2TG First Impression) 1/31 - Alexander Hacke (Einsturzende Neubauten) + Danielle de Picciotto (Crime and The City Solution) - The Current (LP) 1/31 - Drive-By Truckers - The Unraveling (LP) 1/31 - Kristen Englenz - "Rebound" (single) 1/31 - Damen - "Disco" (single) 1/31 - Tinsley Ellis - Ice Cream in Hell (LP) 1/31 - The Singing Butcher - "Coming Home" (single) 2/01 - Glenn Jones - Ready for the Good Times (LP)
2/02 - Karabas Barabas - Degenerate National Anthem (LP) 2/04 - Mayflower Madame - "Vultures" (single) 2/05 - Joseph Mooradian - "We all Work Too Much"/"Dash My Dreams" (single)
2/07 - Palm Ghosts - Wide Awake and Waiting (EP) 2/07 - Emily Zuzik - "Trouble" (single) 2/07 - Chicago Farmer - Flyover Country (LP) 2/07 - Surrija - "Barcelona" (single) 2/07 - The Flyin' A's - No Holds Barred (LP) 2/07 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single) 2/07 - Christopher Paul Stelling - Best of Luck (LP) 2/07 - HMS Morris - "Babanod" (single) 2/07 - Tiny Fighter- "Strangest Thing" (single) 2/07 - Wynnm - "Fire on the Moon" (single) 2/07 - The Golden Cage Society - Mira (Mini EP) 2/07 - Alienbaby Collective - "Degenerate Moon" (single) 2/07 - Eric and the Anti-Vaxxers - Timeshare Girlfriend (EP) 2/07 - Sammy Brue - "Teenage Mayhem" and "Crash Test Kid" (singles) 2/07 - Lucille - "Kerikeri" (single)
2/07 - Jon Magnusson - Always a Rebel (Live in Studio Silverräven) (single)
2/14 - Grant Peeples - Bad Wife (LP) 2/14 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP) 2/14 - Johanna Kuvaja - "Back for Good" (single) 2/14 - Sarah Reynolds - "I Need Love" (single) 2/14 - Afterimage - "Six Seconds" (single) 2/14 - Kalee Smyth - "Bring Our Love Down" (single)
2/14 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single)
2/16 - Kas Havoc - "Light'em Up" (single)
This Week:
2/21 - Sarah Morris - All Mine (LP) 2/21 - Kindergarten - Iphigenia (Reissue) (LP) 2/21 - Hot Club of L.A.- Cinema Swing (LP) 2/21 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP) 2/21 - Aaron Beckum - Songs from a Triangle Room (EP) 2/21 - Every 13 Days - Étant Donnés (Reissue) (LP) 2/21 - Seablight - High-Rise Mannequins (EP) 2/21 - Various Artists -Typical Girls Vol. 5 (LP) 2/21 - 12xPretty - 12xPretty (LP) 2/21 - Arkane Skye - "Don't Ask Me Out" (single) Upcoming:
2/22 - Charlotte Eagle Sings - Embracing the Old Ways (LP)
2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP) 2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP) 2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/29 - Jimmy Who and the Night Creatures - Tinker's Blues (EP)
3/?? - Strange Majik - 20/20 (LP)
3/04 - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Chameleon (LP) 3/06 - Surrija - "Sylvette" (single) 3/06 - Dean Fields - While the Baby Was Sleeping (LP) 3/06 - Broads and Milly Hirst - Ollust (LP) 3/06 - The Mastersons - No Time for Love Songs (LP) 3/06 - Ghostwood Development Project (Feat. Kool Keith) - "Gulley" (single)
3/06 - The Mystery Plan - Ballad of JC Quinn (LP)
3/13 - The Flatmates - The Flatmates (LP) 3/13 - Kleenex Girl Wonder - Ponyoak (20th Anniversary Edition) + BLP (demos and out-takes) (LP) 3/13 - Sandwick - Reconstruct (LP) 3/13 - Foley and the Fire - "Springsteen on the Radio" (single) 3/13 - Kalee Smyth - The Ceiling (EP) 3/20 - Matt Wilson and His Orchestra - When I Was a Writer (LP) 3/20 - Chris Moyse - Bitter Ballads and Cynical Prayers (LP)
3/20 - Samuel Boller - Kingdom of the Sun (LP)3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP) 3/27 - Mayflower Madame - Prepared for a Nightmare (LP) 3/27 - Alienbaby Collective - F I S H B O W L / T E R R E S T R I A L (Double EP) 3/27 - Mairena - "Weird All the Time" (single) 3/27 - Lucille - Come on,Fly (LP)
3/27 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "Money" (single)4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP)
4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (LP)
4/10 - Eliza Gilkyson - 2020 (LP) 4/10 - Dan Montgomery - Smoke and Mirrors (a phonographic memory) (LP) 4/10 - Pokey LaFarge - Rock Bottom Rhapsody (LP) 4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)
4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single)
5/08 - Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups - Lapse of Luxury
5/31 - Debra Power - That's How I Roll (LP)
6/05 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "None of Your Business" (single)6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)
7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)
Words No Music A Reading coming Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:30pm Radio Cafe Nashville. No Cover, tips accepted and books will be for sale. We have an incredible line-up featuring David Olney, Rod Picott, Luke Powers, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and yours truly. All but me are incredible musicians and songwriters, but for this show - they will let their words speak for them without music. I will be reading from The Drift plus some selections from a forthcoming book.FACEBOOK EVENT HERE!
All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time. (From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available) If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.
I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG. So far, I have completed seven - January - July2018. 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.
Well - the election is over. The results were mixed. There were bitter disappointments, but I am choosing to focus on the positives that came out of yesterday. Moreover, I am committed to doing my part to make this a kinder nation.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is mid-week, and that means it is time for another installment of "Wild Wednesday" at E2TG. A shuffle that comes from all of the songs saved to my phone's memory. You never know what will come up. We have a pretty interesting mix that covers several different genres. Let's go!
Today on my mind is balance. It's something I very strongly believe in, and something I am shitty at practicing. Work/play, political engagement/creating and cultivating beauty, pride/shame, spending/saving... I tend to live in extremes, and based upon my observations, I do not think I am necessarily unique in that regard. To those on the front line of the resistance, my wish and hope for you is to find balance. To those consumed with fear and vitriol, my wish for you is to experience the beauty and wonder that is around us and to find love and compassion within that wonder and beauty. To myself, my wish is to figure all of this out - even if it is just for a moment.
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Whenever I allow myself to think about these things, I wonder if my diverse taste in music is off-putting to some people. I know, in the end, it really doesn't matter, but I do think about it. Fact is, as much as I love certain styles/genres of music, the thought of limiting myself to a single style/genre is wholly unimaginable.
Wild Wednesday shuffles often showcase the diversity of my musical interests, and today is actually a pretty decent example of that. The good thing about this format is that it is relatively easy to move past what doesn't interest you. My challenge, though, is to step outside of your comfort zone - even if just for a second and give something radically different a try. This is something I have been trying to do myself - because in spite of my diverse taste in music, I am aware that I have blind spots and long-held biases around certain artists and genres. But, if I give something a legitimate shot - at worst the nature of my bias will be confirmed, and at best, I may expand my tastes into a whole new arena.
Most of Nashville and the surrounding area woke up around 3:00a.m. to tornado sirens, high winds, and all manner of alarms going off. An apparent EF-2 tornado touched down just outside of Nashville, and a man was killed by a falling tree just north of downtown. For most of us it was just the inconvenience of having our beauty sleep interrupted. It was kind of interesting reading the live tweets. In addition to updates from the local news outlets, I read a fair number of tweets from Nashville-area songwriters, musicians and venues.
Seemed like an appropriate time to post this... The Doors' Riders on the Storm digitally altered from the Minor Key to the Major Key.
And now, a shuffle - after the jump:
Of late, our Morning Shuffles have increased from about 4-6 songs per shuffle to around 10. While I love being able to present more music, the posts have been taking way more time than I actually have. So, I'm going to try something new... we shall see..
1. Song: Living In The 80's Artist: Zero Boys Album: Decade of Disaster - The Toxic Shock Years (Originally released on Vicious Circle (1982))
Old school punk from Indianapolis
2. Song: Heart is Strange (Active Child Remix) Artist: School of Seven Bells Album: Disconnect from Desire (orginal verison on this album) (2010)
First of two remixes in a row. School of Seven Bells is an indie rock band from Brooklyn. Active Child is an electronic music artist named Pat Grossi. The Amazon widget actually includes a different remix of the same song.
3. All to All (Spirit If Remix) Artist: Broken Social Scene Album: Forgiveness Rock Record (original version) (2010)
Okay let's get this straight. All to All is a song by Broken Social Scene from their record Forgiveness Rock Record. Spirt If... was a band presented solo record by Kevin Drew of BSS. This remix was done by Kevin Drew and Ohad Benchetrit. The used the name of the solo album for this radical remix. The remix is not on the Spirit If.. record. Got it?
4. Song: Is that Clear Artist: Nick Waterhouse Album: Time's All Gone (2012)
Jazzy R&B from the full-album debut of this talented L.A. musician.
5. Song: Trees and Parks Artist: The Hunting Accident Album: Trees and Parks (2012)
A Band of the Week in 2011. Made up of members of Piebald and Arlo. L.A. indie rockers.
6. Song: Ten Commandments of Love Artist: Bob Marley Album: Trenchtown Days: The Birth of a Legend (orginally appeared on The Wailing Wailers (1965) )
Do-Wop originnally by The Moonglows. A great history lesson on the early career of this music legend.
7. Song: Wet and Rusting Artist: Menomena Album: Barsuk: 2009 Amazon Digital Sampler (orginally on Wet and Rusting EP (2006))
Portland Oregon indie rock band
8. Song: Shanghai Cigarettes Artist: Caitlin Rose Album: Own Side Now (2011)
Flat out one of the best songs ever. Nashville's own. I saw her at Grimey's Record Store Day celebration this past spring.
Hesitation Blues is an American standard which has been recorded and adapted by dozens of artists since the original lyrics were published nearly a century ago. Today's version is by Doc Watson and his son the late Merle Watson and was released on their 1984 album Down South (which you can purchase by clicking on the picture above - Amazon). I ripped the song from one of the Rykodisc Steal This Disc compilations.
Mike Scott is a musical genius. Be My Enemy comes from The Waterboys 1985 album This is the Sea, and in retrospect serves as a bit of a bridge between the bands Big Music sound and the traditional celtic feel of their later work (Beginning with the follow-up album 1988s Fisherman's Blues). It's a rousing number which makes it a great fit for a sleepy walk to work. Get This is the Sea via Amazon by clicking the album cover above.
Red Bank Boogie is a Count Basie song about his hometown Red Bank, New Jersey. Count Basie led his Orchestra for nearly 50 years and worked with many, many legendary singers and musicians. I've been a fan of 50s era jazz since the late 80s when I first got into Charlie Parker through a Louis Malle film. Check out The Count Basie Story on Amazon via the album cover above.
Pretty in Pink before it was a 1986 John Hughes film starring Molly Ringwald and that guy from 2 and 1/2 Men (not Charlie Sheen or Ashton Kutcher) was a stand out track on the Furs 1981 sophomore effort Talk Talk Talk. No sophomore slump evident here. I really didn't like the recorded version of the song for the movie soundtrack, but the original is still a classic. Talk Talk Talk via Amazon can be yours for a click and a credit card purchase.
before it was a 1986 John Hughes film starring Molly Ringwald and that guy from 2 and 1/2 Men (not Charlie Sheen or Ashton Kutcher) was a stand out track on the Furs 1981 sophomore effort Talk Talk Talk. No sophomore slump evident here. I really didn't like the recorded version of the song for the movie soundtrack, but the original is still a classic. Talk Talk Talk via Amazon can be yours for a click and a credit card purchase.
