Tweet #E2TG
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
Hey! It is Tuesday night, I have been catching up on laundry and trying to catch up on e-mail. My inbox has been flooded with a ton of great music - some of which you will be hearing here on Ear to the Ground, so of which will be coming your way soon.
In the midst of the excitement of scrolling through pages of unopened e-mail (sorry), I got a call from the 2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham. That is how he is tagged in my phone by the way... "2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham". He filled me in on a project he has in the works.
Returning to Fort Dakota Studio, Jon has recorded five solo acoustic songs all of which were also recorded on video. The recordings were a reunion of sorts with Fort Dakota's mastermind, Josh Morris who produced Jon's album, Real Bad News.
Look for an EP of those sessions coming your way soon, in the meantime, I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to present the very first video from that session.
When Jon and I talk, we often talk about music. As I have said before, Jon is extremely knowledgeable about a pretty wide variety of music genres - including some bands that I would not expect someone his age to know (thank you Michael Latham).
Inevitably, we talk about songwriters. Names like John Prine, Steve Earle, and Guy Clark come up quite often. We have discussed the importance of Guy Clark to much of the best music being played in songwriter rounds around this fair city.
"LA Freeway" has long been one of my favorite Guy Clark songs, and I really like Jon's cover of that song here - recorded at Fort Dakota.
A little trivia: Steve Earle sang background vocals on Guy Clark's recording of this song from his debut album, Old No. 1. Steve Earle, as you may recall, is prominently referenced in the opening seconds of Real Bad News.
Without any further ado: Here is "LA Freeway" by Jon Latham
Showing posts with label Cover. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cover. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Opening Day Mix
Tweet #E2TG
Well, it's back to school time, which means my morning commute reverts back, and the Morning Mix of Music goes back to a more manageable length - or something...
Let's get to it - after the jump...
Well, it's back to school time, which means my morning commute reverts back, and the Morning Mix of Music goes back to a more manageable length - or something...
Let's get to it - after the jump...
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - In the Backroom Mix
Tweet #E2TG
Heard Walk on the Wild Side on the radio this morning. It's going to be a good day.
Today's shuffle includes some old friends and a pretty weird ass mix of some pretty bitchin' tunes. It's all after the jumpy thing:
Heard Walk on the Wild Side on the radio this morning. It's going to be a good day.
Today's shuffle includes some old friends and a pretty weird ass mix of some pretty bitchin' tunes. It's all after the jumpy thing:
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - The Icestorm Cometh (or Not) Mix
Tweet #E2TG
Here we go... I'll plug the Sandy Hook single again. Really, check this out and buy it. $1.29 - just don't super-size your fast food meal for one day. ;-)
Our shuffle is all over this this a.m. - check it out - after the... wait for it... jump:
Here we go... I'll plug the Sandy Hook single again. Really, check this out and buy it. $1.29 - just don't super-size your fast food meal for one day. ;-)
Our shuffle is all over this this a.m. - check it out - after the... wait for it... jump:
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Easy Listenin' Mix
Tweet #E2TG
Well congrats again to Walking for Pennies and Nena Anderson for being voted Bands of the Months for November/December combined. Next, we turn our attention to the 2nd Annual Ear 2 the Ground Band of the Year Poll. Throughout this year, we've had some epic battles for Band of the Month. Who can forget the nail biting photo finish from January when the mighty, mighty MAKAR edged out The End Men, so the battle between South of Ramona and Sci-Fi Romance with the boys from Utah coming out on top. Or the no-holds-bar Texas death match when Upstate NY band Skeletons in the Piano narrowing defeated Georgia's own Killing Kuddles. Well, soon all of these bands and more of your favorite E2TG featured Artists will be pitted in a Battle Royale. Remember, no biting, eye gouging or hitting below the belt. And mostly remember, our main purpose is to have another opportunity to present some of the great music that has reached our ears this year. So keep it clean and have fun.
Before we jump into the Band of the Year battle, we'll take a look back at our inaugural Band of the Year Poll.
But, now, we have a Morning Shuffle to present so, let's stop jibber jabbering and get to it...
Shuffle after the jump...
MORNING SHUFFLE
I tend to think of The Sea and Cake as Easy Listenin' Music for the cool kids. And, I don't mean that in a bad way at all. There is an appeal to music that mellows you out. It's why so many alternative boys and girls take guilty and secret pleasure in listening to the classic Easy Listenin' songs from the 70s. The Sea and Cake provide the mellowness free of any guilt. Up on the North Shore from 2011's The Moonlight Butterfly is a good introduction to the band.
Former Drive By Trucker, Jason Isbell along with his fabulous band, the 400 Unit, are tearing it up on the Americana rock circuit. In the shuffle today, we have a bonus track from the Deluxe edition of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit album - a cover of Big Star's When My Baby's Beside Me which was on Number 1 Record.
We'll close out today's Morning Shuffle with a Classic from Hank Williams - Hey Good Lookin'.
Well congrats again to Walking for Pennies and Nena Anderson for being voted Bands of the Months for November/December combined. Next, we turn our attention to the 2nd Annual Ear 2 the Ground Band of the Year Poll. Throughout this year, we've had some epic battles for Band of the Month. Who can forget the nail biting photo finish from January when the mighty, mighty MAKAR edged out The End Men, so the battle between South of Ramona and Sci-Fi Romance with the boys from Utah coming out on top. Or the no-holds-bar Texas death match when Upstate NY band Skeletons in the Piano narrowing defeated Georgia's own Killing Kuddles. Well, soon all of these bands and more of your favorite E2TG featured Artists will be pitted in a Battle Royale. Remember, no biting, eye gouging or hitting below the belt. And mostly remember, our main purpose is to have another opportunity to present some of the great music that has reached our ears this year. So keep it clean and have fun.
Before we jump into the Band of the Year battle, we'll take a look back at our inaugural Band of the Year Poll.
But, now, we have a Morning Shuffle to present so, let's stop jibber jabbering and get to it...
Shuffle after the jump...
MORNING SHUFFLE
I tend to think of The Sea and Cake as Easy Listenin' Music for the cool kids. And, I don't mean that in a bad way at all. There is an appeal to music that mellows you out. It's why so many alternative boys and girls take guilty and secret pleasure in listening to the classic Easy Listenin' songs from the 70s. The Sea and Cake provide the mellowness free of any guilt. Up on the North Shore from 2011's The Moonlight Butterfly is a good introduction to the band.
By 1987s See How We Are, Billy Zoom had departed from X and was replaced on the album by ex-Blaster Dave Alvin. Alvin left shortly after that and was replaced by Tony Gilkyson for a subsequent tour. See How We Are found the band fully embracing the emerging Americana/Alt-Country sound which had been hinted at in their earlier. (I contend that even their early punk days, Billy Zoom's rockabilly guitar style was a natural precursor to the later more explicitly countryesque sound). Today's shuffle contains When It Rains from See How We Are.
Could not find a video for When It Rains - here is an early version of the album's title track
Monday, October 1, 2012
Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Controversial Mix
Tweet #E2TG
Well, here we go. We ended up with a tie for Band of the Month! Our crack legal staff are currently reviewing the results. I went to bed before midnight, and the poll format we are using does not automatically cut-off voting at any particular time. It has to be done manually. So this morning, we had a tie, however, a few votes were received after midnight. We will be reviewing to make sure we were clear enough in setting the deadline. In the meantime, what I can tell you is that And the Giraffe and The Great American Novel have both earned a spot in the Band of the Year Poll which will be kicking off in just a couple of months. Congrats to both of those great bands. We will post an official Band of the Month announcement once we have made a final determination.
Second, I'm pleased to reveal and announce our Featured Artists for October. I think we have a another great and diverse group of bands and artists. Again, we will have an "official" Featured Artist announcement soon, but in the mean time, go HERE to check out the 10 Featured Artists for October.
We are in a brand new month which means tomorrow (if all goes as expected) we will be posting a shuffle of a brand new playlist of songs. Before we do that, though, we created a Highlights Playlist of songs we added to our database in July and August but have not yet had the chance to present to you. So, today's shuffle includes 4 songs from that Playlist.
First up, we have a song from OK, the debut EP from Mr. Kind. Mr. Kind is the new band featuring July Featured Artist Brian Bergeron. The song we present today is a nifty number called, The Artist.
And finally, we have an awesome cover of one of my all-time favorite songs. On October 26, 2010, 50+ Bay Area bands got together and played a live tribute to the seminal album The Velvet Underground and Nico. From that show, we have Meklit Hadero - an acoustic soul singer/songwriter performing I'll Be Your Mirror.
-->
Well, here we go. We ended up with a tie for Band of the Month! Our crack legal staff are currently reviewing the results. I went to bed before midnight, and the poll format we are using does not automatically cut-off voting at any particular time. It has to be done manually. So this morning, we had a tie, however, a few votes were received after midnight. We will be reviewing to make sure we were clear enough in setting the deadline. In the meantime, what I can tell you is that And the Giraffe and The Great American Novel have both earned a spot in the Band of the Year Poll which will be kicking off in just a couple of months. Congrats to both of those great bands. We will post an official Band of the Month announcement once we have made a final determination.
Second, I'm pleased to reveal and announce our Featured Artists for October. I think we have a another great and diverse group of bands and artists. Again, we will have an "official" Featured Artist announcement soon, but in the mean time, go HERE to check out the 10 Featured Artists for October.
We are in a brand new month which means tomorrow (if all goes as expected) we will be posting a shuffle of a brand new playlist of songs. Before we do that, though, we created a Highlights Playlist of songs we added to our database in July and August but have not yet had the chance to present to you. So, today's shuffle includes 4 songs from that Playlist.
First up, we have a song from OK, the debut EP from Mr. Kind. Mr. Kind is the new band featuring July Featured Artist Brian Bergeron. The song we present today is a nifty number called, The Artist.
Next up, we have Jackson Cage the third song on the first disc of Springsteen's epic classic, The River.
Next, we have a song from June Featured Artist, Shayfer James off of his 2011 Counterfeit Arcade album - L.V.S. (Your Lady Waits). Right here is why we love Shayfer James:
And finally, we have an awesome cover of one of my all-time favorite songs. On October 26, 2010, 50+ Bay Area bands got together and played a live tribute to the seminal album The Velvet Underground and Nico. From that show, we have Meklit Hadero - an acoustic soul singer/songwriter performing I'll Be Your Mirror.
Here's another cover by Meklit Hadero
And here is another cover of I'll Be Your Mirror
-=======-------------=-=============----------------------------------=============
-->
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Granny Glasses and a Cardigan Mix
Many, many exciting things are happening around the Ear to the Ground studios*. And, I'm not just saying that.
Next week, we are looking forward to bringing you a video premier from one of our Featured Artists (Cosmonauts). That is on Tuesday.
The Americana Music Conference and Festival is just weeks away, and Ear to the Ground will be your ear on the ground with highlights and who knows what else.
June Featured Artist Jo Wymer is coming to Nashville for the Americana shindig, and she will be playing a show at the Red Rooster on Wednesday of that week.
Another featured Artist, The Raindoggs are going to hit Memphis in November.
A Band of the Week alumnus and great friends of the blog are plotting out a tour for early 2013, and we have fingers crossed for a Nashville stop. We will have lots more on this when it becomes available.
Today is the 35 anniversary of the day Elvis died.
I will be unveiling the Band of the Month poll soon - I promise.
In the meantime, we have a morning shuffle to get out - so let's not delay any more....
First up, we have Party Generation from Dar Williams' 1997 album End of the Summer. I don't have much hope that we are actually at the end of this summer, but we are experiencing some cooler than normal temps, so it's not impossible to imagine the end of this season.
And finally, we close out the day with a famous song which comes from Coldplay's 2008 fourth album, VIva La Vida or Death and All his Friends. Viva La Vida is the song. Do I need to say more?
===========================================================================
Next week, we are looking forward to bringing you a video premier from one of our Featured Artists (Cosmonauts). That is on Tuesday.
The Americana Music Conference and Festival is just weeks away, and Ear to the Ground will be your ear on the ground with highlights and who knows what else.
June Featured Artist Jo Wymer is coming to Nashville for the Americana shindig, and she will be playing a show at the Red Rooster on Wednesday of that week.
Another featured Artist, The Raindoggs are going to hit Memphis in November.
A Band of the Week alumnus and great friends of the blog are plotting out a tour for early 2013, and we have fingers crossed for a Nashville stop. We will have lots more on this when it becomes available.
Today is the 35 anniversary of the day Elvis died.
I will be unveiling the Band of the Month poll soon - I promise.
In the meantime, we have a morning shuffle to get out - so let's not delay any more....
First up, we have Party Generation from Dar Williams' 1997 album End of the Summer. I don't have much hope that we are actually at the end of this summer, but we are experiencing some cooler than normal temps, so it's not impossible to imagine the end of this season.
For the second day in a row, we have an Athens, Georgia band doing a cover song. This time, the cover stays much closer to home. The live record is called Finest Worksongs: Athens Bands Play the Music of R.E.M. Yesterday's coverers, Five-Eight are on this collection, but the track we have today is by The Observatory - a band made up of members of the Elephant 6 collective. Do some Googling to find out more about that group. In any event, the song is one of two songs left off the cover tracklist on R.E.M.'s fourth album Lifes Rich Pageant. Underneath the Bunker, the brief, odd song that closes the Dinner Side of the Record.
And finally, we close out the day with a famous song which comes from Coldplay's 2008 fourth album, VIva La Vida or Death and All his Friends. Viva La Vida is the song. Do I need to say more?
===========================================================================
Amazon Deal of the Day: John Coltrane Blue Train for $3.99
Friday, July 27, 2012
South of Ramona - Step Inside EP (An Ear to the Ground Review)
08/01/2012
Add the date above to your calendar of choice and set an alarm. I'll tell you why...
Step Inside is an invitation fraught with danger and mystery and wonder and unimaginable pleasure. It also happens to the title of the forthcoming EP from Salt Lake City band South of Ramona, and the title fits this remarkable record.
South of Ramona was our Band of the Month for May. They were also our last ever Band of the Week before we moved to the current Featured Artist format. They did all this on the basis of a 5 song Demo they they released through the fine folks at Noisetrade.
You have to understand that I loved the Demo. I mean, I named them Band of the Week off of that set. Having said that, Step Inside is a gigantic step forward. The band expands on their signature use of folk instrumentation playing rock leads with a confidence and a delicious taste of a sinister circus on the edge of the dusty plain they crossed on their Demo.
More than once, I was reminded of Ear to the Ground favorite Don Ryan.
Step Inside opens with a carny's enticing come-on. Ladies and Gentleman is a :25 second pitch which sets the tone for this tight, cohesive set.
Carnival Court (Step Inside) is a dark, sideshow tent filled with those enticing hints while delivering with the band's trademark attention to song and melody.
Night descends on Purple Sky which starts with a chill-inducing intro before kicking into a creepy groove.
The Lonesome Soul has a gypsy-like lilt, a persistent melody and a haunting vocal.
I, Narcissus starts with a nifty rock riff and breaks into a foot-stomping rave up with dark undertones. Love this song!
The EP closes with Shangri-la which opens with plaintive whistling followed by a surf-guitar ready riff and more gypsyesque melodies which will have you dancing 'round the dying embers of the campfire as the last sparks float up into the air above the tents and wagons.
So yeah, back to the date at the beginning of this post. Step Inside drops on August 1 which is just a few days off... so start saving your pennies and be the first on your block to own this record. And spread the word. Right now you can get a taste by downloading The Lonesome Soul using the widget below. And then, when that alarm you set goes off next Wednesday you can go get the whole album.
The band will celebrate the release of the EP with an international tour (note the Vancouver date) - if you are in one of these cities go see them do there thing live.
8.3 Las Vegas @ Yayo Taco
8.4 Santa Monica @ TRiP
8.6 Fresno @ Babylon Club
8.7 San Francisco @ Grant & Green Saloon
8.8 Portland @ Mississippi Pizza Pub
8.9 Seattle @ El Corazon
8.10 Seattle @ The Triple Door
8.11 Seattle @ 2bit Saloon
8.12 Seattle @ Blue Moon Tavern
8.13 Vancouver @ The Cobalt
8.14 Spokane @ The Baby Bar
8.16 Boise @ The Crux
8.17 Salt Lake City @ The Woodshed
I will leave you now with South of Ramona's take on the Jefferson Airplane classic Somebody to Love. Enjoy!
The Lonesome Soul has a gypsy-like lilt, a persistent melody and a haunting vocal.
I, Narcissus starts with a nifty rock riff and breaks into a foot-stomping rave up with dark undertones. Love this song!
The EP closes with Shangri-la which opens with plaintive whistling followed by a surf-guitar ready riff and more gypsyesque melodies which will have you dancing 'round the dying embers of the campfire as the last sparks float up into the air above the tents and wagons.
So yeah, back to the date at the beginning of this post. Step Inside drops on August 1 which is just a few days off... so start saving your pennies and be the first on your block to own this record. And spread the word. Right now you can get a taste by downloading The Lonesome Soul using the widget below. And then, when that alarm you set goes off next Wednesday you can go get the whole album.
The band will celebrate the release of the EP with an international tour (note the Vancouver date) - if you are in one of these cities go see them do there thing live.
8.3 Las Vegas @ Yayo Taco
8.4 Santa Monica @ TRiP
8.6 Fresno @ Babylon Club
8.7 San Francisco @ Grant & Green Saloon
8.8 Portland @ Mississippi Pizza Pub
8.9 Seattle @ El Corazon
8.10 Seattle @ The Triple Door
8.11 Seattle @ 2bit Saloon
8.12 Seattle @ Blue Moon Tavern
8.13 Vancouver @ The Cobalt
8.14 Spokane @ The Baby Bar
8.16 Boise @ The Crux
8.17 Salt Lake City @ The Woodshed
I will leave you now with South of Ramona's take on the Jefferson Airplane classic Somebody to Love. Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Ragin' Full On Mix
I love warm summer nights... especially being outside and hearing the sounds of the world around me - natural and man-made. Crickets and train whistles and cars on the highway just on the other side of the hill and music coming from somewhere and the laughter of children and unidentified sounds that provide a thrill of fear or of wonder.
Have you ever stood alone the in the dark Under the Willow and just let your mind run wild with possibilities?
Shayfer James from Counterfeit Arcade (One of our featured Artists for June).
Have you ever stood alone the in the dark Under the Willow and just let your mind run wild with possibilities?
Shayfer James from Counterfeit Arcade (One of our featured Artists for June).
"It leaps beyond its legs
It reeks of lemon pledge
in a cold fire
it’s a cold fire mother
the muppet and the midge
the leaks beneath the fridge
in a cold fire
it’s a cold fire and one
digs on the morning bloodlight
dig on the after after
even the shyest mouse with his head stove in"
The Hunting Accident from Trees and Parks 10"
"
I love the instrumental track
there’s no words that I gotta sing back
no “peace on earth,” no hippy shit
it’s best if you just got over it
I keep pressing repeat
cuz the instrumental track
can’t be beat"
no “peace on earth,” no hippy shit
it’s best if you just got over it
I keep pressing repeat
cuz the instrumental track
can’t be beat"
The Joy of Painting from Asterisk
Born in the USA was released when I was eighteen years old - around the time I graduated from high school. Some of the themes of the album were beyond my experience, but I got I'm On Fire. Springsteen in his words and his vocals and the understated music captured effectively the unrequited desire that dominated that portion of my life. The L.A. band Brown Shoe recently recorded a cover of the song for Daytrotter. We told you about it here.
The Gift Horse from Brown Shoe
==============================================================
Affiliated Links:
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Are you Sure? Mix
Greetings from Thursday! The month is almost half over. Look for a Band of the Month poll to roll out within the next day or so. In the meantime, I know I've been slacking off on the Featured Artist posts - so I hope to have one this afternoon.
This morning, we have an eclectic mix of music. And here we go...
Slowcore band Codeine broke up in 1994 after three releases. The New York band recently announced a reunion gig at the I'll Be Your Mirror festival in London, and the band's catalog is getting the reissue treatment with some bonus material. A download of one of those bonus tracks is out. The song, Median is from a Peel Session, and according to the information I've seen, it will appear on the reissue of the band's first EP Barely Real. Stereogum can hook you up with a download of Median.
This morning, we have an eclectic mix of music. And here we go...
Slowcore band Codeine broke up in 1994 after three releases. The New York band recently announced a reunion gig at the I'll Be Your Mirror festival in London, and the band's catalog is getting the reissue treatment with some bonus material. A download of one of those bonus tracks is out. The song, Median is from a Peel Session, and according to the information I've seen, it will appear on the reissue of the band's first EP Barely Real. Stereogum can hook you up with a download of Median.
When you are named after the late and great Townes Van Zandt and are the son of the great Steve Earle and decide to get into music, you have some pretty big shoes to fill and some huge expectations to fulfill. Fortunately, Justin Townes Earle rises to the occasion and in the process makes you forget everything but his music.
Maria is a track on Justin's most recent album, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now.
Black on Blues is a forthcoming (July 17) Black Keys tribute album. The album will feature everyone from Cajun artist Doug Kershaw, Tab Benoit, Albert Lee, and Pat Travers. First up though and out for your preview is a pretty straight-on cover of the first Single from the Black Key's latest album, El Camino. Lonely Boy is covered here by head Stooge, Iggy Pop and ex-Cream and Blind Faith drummer Ginger Baker.
And next, we have track from the new album by Nashville Rock Supergroup - The Bluefields which is on the band's first album - Pure. Our track today is called Nobody Loves You.
.
___________________________________________________________________________
Affiliated Links:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)