Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - I'm Wide Awake Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Today I'm mostly gonna let my Topical Thursday playlist speak for me.  I will say that the world and history and many Americans are watching.  We are seeing those who are in positions to do something about the corruption and nepotism and dishonesty and... - and who are doing nothing.  Meanwhile, many, many people who are not in positions of power are actively resisting.

Last night, another really excellent night of music at The 5 Spot. Beginning with a full-band set from Adrian + Meredith followed by TV Mike and the Scarecrows (who were fabulous), Quinn Deveaux (who is now local - after leaving LA) also wonderful, and ending with the triumphant return of Buck n Stuff. I even got a shout-out from the stage before they did their version of "A-11", This will likely be the last time I see this band for a while - as 2/3 of the band are headed to Europe next week.  The American Legion recordings are being worked on - so maybe some Buck n Stuff recordings are out on the horizon somewhere.

Well... Nashville is staring down the barrel of some potentially bad storms this afternoon and evening.  But...

Tonight at The 5 Spot. Richie Owens and The Farm Bureau are celebrating 25 years of great music with appearances from the many members over those years.  As an added bonus, The Movement are said to be reuniting to open the show.  The last - and only time I saw The Movement live was Labor Day Weekend 1985, when my friends Boyd and Ron along with a younger guy named Greg drove from Cookeville to Cat's Records on West End (there is a bank or something there now) to see The Movement, Tim Krekel and the Sluggers, and Jason and the Scorchers.  I sure hope the weather cooperates and that I am not huddled in an interior space.

After that show, the Family Wash is to be my destination to see Russell Thompson, Megan Palmer, and Sergio Webb.

Okay - time to move on to the Topical Thursday shuffle.  Usual disclaimers... I have a topic in mind, but I'm not explaining it.  The songs may only fit due to an alternate interpretation of the title, or some loose connection in my mind, or they may explicitly fit the topic.  In all cases, I am not implying in any way the artists/writers/performers share any particular view point.

Also, I think there may be some repeats from previous Thursday shuffles - I refreshed the playlist and may have added some songs back - whatever- they are all good songs and they all still fit the topic. Other than that - enjoy.

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Almost Home Mix

Tweet #E2TG

It's Thursday.... let's have a shuffle...

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Fox the Fox Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Bloody hell, it's Thursday!

Greetings and Welcome to Ear to the Ground, where we listen to music and tell you about it. Then we let you listen, too.

We have a rather interesting mix of music today - so let's jump to it....


JUMP

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - That Bangle's Song Mix

Tweet #E2TG

The sun is hiding. Rain come down.

Cold fronts and a chill in the air

winter's last gasp? Hope springs.

The gloom overshadows all

of the hope and all of the choices

In the end, we all wait patiently

La La La (and whistle in the dark)

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Producer with Computers Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Well, it's Monday.  This morning we have eight songs that cross over genre lines, decades and degrees of popularity/obscurity/awesomeness. Taken individually, the songs featured are sure to evoke feelings of nostalgia, joy, revulsion and confusion. Put together as a single shuffle, they are sure to amaze and amuse in equal measure.  Oh heck, here's the shuffle dig on it if you will....  Jump first!

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Line, Lion, Lyin' Mix

So - have you checked out our featured artist's for September?  There is a link over =====>

Or you can click HERE

These next couple of weeks are going to be pretty exciting here at Ear to the Ground.  A week from tonight E2TG favorite Jo Wymer is playing a solo set here in Nashville.  She's coming into town for the Americana Music Fest and Conference as is our friend Sloane from Country Fried Rock. If anyone else is going to be at the Americana Music Festival let me know.  And the following week current Featured Artist Man on Earth is playing here in Nashville.  Which provides a neat segue into today's Shuffle:


The aforementioned Man on Earth is up first with A Birthday Song from their 2008 album A Time Spent Wondering.

Here is a pic/link to Amazon, but it does not appear the album or song are available there.  To purchase the CD use the linked album title above.

   

Here's the video for All We Want from the same album

 

Next we have another of our fantastic featured artists for September.  The Great American Novel released You and I (which is not to be confused with our good friends Val and James  aka You and I) in September 2011.  The lead track from that album is Vonnegut and Morrissey.  The album is available for Name Your Price at Bandcamp.

Here is the video for another song from the album
 

Next, breaking up our run of Featured Artists is one of our all time faves. We dig deeper into Damien Jurado's latest Maraqopa with a song called Museum of Flight.

And finally, we get back to a September Featured Artist.  We have a track from The Grimm Generation from their 2011 release The Last Record Party and a song called The Definition of Love which feels to me like walking into a smoky cabaret and finding that the house band is original and talented.  Ordering a drink of your choice and just sliding into the groove.

 

  

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

__________________________________________________________________________
 

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Losing Grounds Mix

Well... some bummer news yesterday.  It appears that one of our Featured Artists from July - The Raindoggs are going on indefinite hiatus due to some personnel issues. We will keep you informed, but let's hope they come back soon with some more amazing music like this:

Well, let's get to the shuffle:

First up, we have a song from the latest album by Damien Jurado.  We recently featured Arkansas from his next to latest release, St. Bartlett.  This time we have Working Titles off of his fabulous Maraqopa.

 

 

Next up, we have another artist we ran across over at ReverbNation.  This time it is Buffalo, New York native and current Nashville resident Chris Nathan with some sweet Southern Soul music.  The song came across on my MP3 player as Never Needed Nothing, but when I went back to find it again today, the closest I could find was a song called Nothing 'Til I Needed You and I wasn't able to listen to see if it was the same song.  Either way, check out Chris Nathan and see what think.

Here is the latest from Chris Nathan.  This EP does not contain either of the possibly two songs.

 

And here's a video for a different song

Next up we have Lookout by Orgone from their album Cali Fever.  Orgone are a Los Angeles based Funk/R&B combo who came to our attention when they played a show with Northbrook Garage around the time they were Band of the Week and then Band of the Month.

And finally, we have Run from the British  band Spiritualized's debut album, Lazer Guided Melodies which was released in 1992.  

 

=======================================================================

Grab the latest from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros from Amazon for just $5.00 bucks.

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - The Box Principle Mix

 So here we go it's Monday, and we have some good stuff going down this week.  Tomorrow, Cosmonauts are unveiling a brand new song, and we have an interview with the band to help kick that off.  Meanwhile, voting for Band of the Month is going hot and heavy. Right now, Loners Society hold a lead over Rooftop Runners followed by The Imperial Rooster.  But, we are still in the early stages of voting which will run until right at Midnight on the 31st of August. 

This morning, our shuffle takes us into our Revolving Random playlist and offers up some tasty tunes.  So, let's get to it.

First up, we have an alternate take of a classic song from the late, great Warren Zevon.  Desperados Under the Eaves   has the dual distinction of being one of the coolest songs of all time, and utilizing two words which I wished showed up in my daily life more often (Desperados and Eaves). The version today is from the Preludes collection of rare and unreleased songs.

 

 

Next, we have a sweet dose of Southern mysticism backed by now legendary jangly guitars.  We have the sounds of a band hitting their stride.  We have Maps and Legends by R.E.M. from the Fables of the Reconstruction album (1985).

 

 

Up next, we have Seattle-based singer-songwriter Damien Jurado with a track from his 2010 album, St. Bartlett. Arkansas contains the characteristic murky goodness we've come to expect from Mr. Jurado.

 

 

 

 And finally, we have a track from one of our Bands of the Week from last year. The track is on the album Dead Letters by Sealight which was the first album we reviewed here at ear to the ground.  La Nieve Del Tiempo literally translates as Snow Time, and it is chill-inducing, beautiful music.

 

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Amazon Daily Deal - Get the 25th Anniversary Remaster of Paul Simon's Graceland for $3.99.

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Go-Go Dancer Mix

First:  In case you missed it over the weekend, ETTG BOTM for May, South of Ramona, dropped a new EP called Step Inside yesterday. Read my review here. Hit it up the Band's Website for more information.  Please notice the kind words about yours truly.  Remember, a good review cannot be bought, but I never turn down free beer!

Also, yesterday we unveiled our Featured Artists for August.  Check them out here. At least two of the Featured Artists are dropping some new music today.  Check out new music from Pony Boy and from The Holograms.  This is purely a coincidence... or is it... yes, it is... maybe... probably...

Now to the shuffle:

First up we have legendary singer-songwriter, J.D. Souther with House of Pride from his 2008 release, If the World Was You. 

Here's Souther performing a different song in one of my favorite places - San Juan Capistrano.

Next up we have Don't Say from the eponymous album by the British Indie band of the same name.  It's Scars on 45.

 

Next we have One Way Train which the title track from to the 2011 EP by WPB, FL singer-songwriter Alex Bennett.

 

Alex covering Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine

  

Finally, we offer you, Seattle-based singer-songwriter, Damien Jurado from his most recent release Maraqopa which is out on the Secretly Canadian label. The song is Life Away from the Garden.

  

====================================================================

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Day after Day Mix

Raining in the city today.  A good steady rain, and I didn't even mind (much) that my poor battered umbrella gave me fits on the walk up the hill this morning...

A good mix of music helped ease my dampness:

First up, we have a song from Ken Stringfellow (Posies, R.E.M., Big Star).  This one is called Any Love (Cassandra Et Lune) and it is on his 2004 album Soft Commands.

Next up, we have the title track from Seattle-based singer/songwriter Damien Jurado's latest album, Maraqopa. I have been a big fan of Damien Jurado for a while, and his unique voice and beautiful songs seem to find a place in my heart and soul.

New York-based Alberta Cross have a brand new album due out next week.  It's called Songs of Patience.  Magnolia is our first listen.

You can get Magnolia and a bunch of other cool songs by downloading a free ATO Records Sampler at Amazon. 

And finally, we close with Nashville Skyline Rag off the classic Bob Dylan album Nashville Skyline. You know sometimes I get down on my city of residence for the past 20+ years, but when you look at the history of great music of all genres which has been recorded here, and the amazing music still be made here, it's actually a good place to be a music blogger. The Nashville Skyline has changed a bit since a much younger Bob Dylan wrote this song... we have the Batman Building and the Pinnacle Tower among others, but it's still a pretty cool sight to see...

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Return to Sender Mix

Let go - Some music news (feeling like Kurt Loder):

Bon Voyage (or how ever you say that in Italian) to The End Men has they embark on their 2012 European tour. 

The Nearly Deads are on MTV part of MTVu Freshmen 5.  Go here to vote for them and push them over the top. 

Reminder that Sci-Fi Romance's album The Ghost of John Henry drops today.  See my recent review with all the details for how to grab your own copy.  And then go grab your own copy (digital or CD formats).

Now to the shuffle:

First up, we have Chevrolet from the 2006 Re-release (with extras) of Gather in Song by Damien Jurado.  I am a huge Damien Jurado fan, and I love this song. 

 

A video of a different Damien Jurado song cause I couldn't find one for Chevrolet...

Next we go deeper into the fabulous Heart of Texas album by 2011 Band of the Year finalist Taco Land. Today, we have Find My Run which shows off this band's sound which manages once again to confound expectations of what an album called Heart of Texas by a band called Taco Land would sound like while at the same time meeting or exceeding those expectations. 

The video is for Wonderful Rain off the fabulous Heart of Texas album. Couldn't find Find My Run

By a technicality, the third song should not be included in today's shuffle.  Due to some technical problems, the MP3 didn't play, but I had to post anyway.

Coldplay honored Adam Yauch (MCA) with a piano-led cover of The Beastie Boys classic (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!).   Check out the chilling, slow cover and go grab the Boys classic Licensed to Ill album. 

 

And finally, we got one of the new tracks by Stomacher from their forthcoming album.  Moonlight Blues finds the band continuing to explore the darker reaches with their usual flair for the melodic. The new album, Clara, is set to drop in June.  Check out some of the tracks as well as the band's back catalog - here.

=========================================================================

Affiliated Links:

Damien Jurado We believe it is important to preserve what makes music special, and make it easy to craft listening experiences. At MOG, browse millions songs and play them instantly. Or just turn on radio where you can stop and replay songs. You can also create playlists for any occasion, and even download songs to your mobile. We are dedicated to employing the cleanest but most powerful technology so you can enjoy music as much as ever.