E2TG 8/06/2020 - Glimmer - Love Life Mix (Whippoorwill Remix)

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Looking for a glimmer of hope where I can find it.. There is nothing wrong with hope, but hope cannot be a passive thing. Hold on to hope, as you face a daunting task and work against the odds. 

Lately, it seems like every glimmer of hope is quickly dashed by some bit of bad news. Or maybe, I look for trouble... maybe hope scares me because to hope is to risk being disappointed. Maybe... but, man, living in a negative, fearful, resigned, defeated place is tiring and unsustainable... so hope is a reprieve even if it is temporary.  

"It will all work out in the end..."  I am sure I have used those words and heard those words which are meant to offer comfort. But, in my more cynical moods, I wonder - what does "work out" mean, when is "in the end".  Does "in the end" possibly refer to come afterlife or heaven?  Does "it will all work out" really promised anything?  Work out - how? for who?  The other expression is everything happens for a reason - I used to say that,too, but I have amended that to "there is a way to find meaning in everything that happens"

Music time!

Well, we've reached the end of this week's Featured Friday Playlist, and as we like to do, we go out on a high note with five more great songs.  I have started building next week's list, and so far it is shaping up to be a good one. You can follow the E2TG Featured Friday Playlist on Spotify. If you follow E2TG Joe on Instagram, I usually add a story around midnight indicating that the new list is available.  But, before all that, here are songs 23-27 of this week's list.  If you are reading this on Thursday August 6, you can check out this week's list now -otherwise, scroll back through posts to read about the songs featured. 

23. "Little Things" by Sunny Gable

First up today, we have a lovely track from the self-produced EP by Colorado singer-songwriter Sunny Gable. The EP was made during quarantine, and it sounds fantastic.

24. "Vampire's Ball" by Sluka

Next up, we have a single from San Diego art rock band Sluka -led by Christopher Sluka - who was released eleven albums.  His career began in New York in the 1980s, and he has a large following all over the world. 

25. "Uncovered" by Max Helgemo

Next up, we have the new single from Nashville based singer-songwriter Max Helgemo. The song represents Helgemo's introduction to his new city - an imagined naked run through the streets representing his desire to open himself up as an artist. 

26. "Mr. Rain" by The Kondoors

Next up, we have the return of UK husband and wife duo, The Kondoors to the Featured Friday Shuffle. Their latest single was just released. The Kondoors is Gavin Conder and Jessica Greenfield (Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds). The song is a powerhouse rock duet - and stands in contrast to "Good Times" the first song by the duo we featured. 

27. "Our Moment" by Adrift

And, we close out this segment and this week's playlist with a wonderful new track from Toronto based producer and artist Adrift. The song is electronic based indie rock with a positive vibe. A very cool way to close out this week of music. 
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2019 Recap - Part 9 - Shine On Mix (Toxic Remix)

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Time is short!  Here is the Shuffle for today!



"Do the Damn Thing" by Tino Drima (from Suitin' Up)

"Can't Get Enough of You" by Reckless Johnny Wales and His Trans Genre Orchestra (from End It With a Love Song)

A year with new Reckless Johnny is a good year.  This time, he is in a bit of a romantic mood. 

"Ghost" by Rod Picott (from Tell the Truth Shame the Devil)

So pleased to get to cover Rod Picott's excellent album this year.  One of Nashville's absolute finest. 

"Josh Gibson" by Coyote Motel (Ted Drozdowski) (from Coyote Motel)

Ted Drozdowski takes things in a new direction with the first of two albums released by his new Coyote Motel project. 

"360 No Scope" by Ghost Town Remedy (from 360 No Scope - single)

We got the chance to premier this fun video from a great Nashville rock band. 

"Nothing To Do With You" by Charlie Hager (from Truth and Love)

Charlie Hager may have moved to Vegas, but make no mistake - this is a REAL Nashville album.  He remains an important part of the community here. 

"Ginger Ale and Lorna Doones" by Amy Speace (from Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne)

Sometimes I get lucky and get invited to CD release parties and sometimes I get really lucky and that party is for the new album by the one and only Amy Speace. 

"State of Mind" by Eye Said So; Taeryn Rayne (from Eye Said So)

"Who Cares" by David G. Smith (from Who Cares)

"Shine On" by Steve Poltz (from Shine On)

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - The Far Side Mix (Mortal Flames Remix)

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  *Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is ever included.


And we are back after an extra long weekend.  Time for a Trending Tuesday shuffle.

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Super Size Me Mix

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  *Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is ever included.


The E2TG 8th Anniversary is now only SIX DAYS away!  

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo

October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb

I am getting very excited for the E2TG 8th Anniversary Residency.  We have big announcement coming very soon!

Time to dive into the Trending Thursday shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Loaded and Rollin' Mix

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  *Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is ever included.



Moving onward.  Time is a bit short - so, let's just jump right into our Trending Tuesday Shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Which One Am I? Mix

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On we go.  As you know, if you read E2TG on any sort of regular basis, I make a concerted effort not to be a (fill in the blank) music blog.  While, I frequently feature singer-songwriter/folk/Americana style music - I regularly cover about every kind of genre imaginable and few you might not have imagined. My rule is if I like it, I write about, and I have a diverse pallet of music I like.

Anyway, I think this Trending Tuesday shuffle is bear that out.

Trending Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Who Cares Mix

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Okay - so Trending Wednesday doesn't really make sense, but since I need to clear space in my "New/Trending Music" Playlist and since there will not be a shuffle tomorrow - I went ahead and shuffled from that playlist today.   We will return with a new shuffle on Friday!

Another Tuesday night out in Nashville and another reminder of why despite the growth and changes and loss of venues and all, Nashville is still a great music city. E2TG Artist of the Year 2015 Jon Latham joined Jon Byrd and Paul Niehaus for their weekly show at Dee's in Madison. Nice to see Jon and Jon playing together and it is always a pleasure to see Paul play. Jon Byrd plays a few weekly shows around town, and if you ever get the chance to see him - go.

After that, I headed to The 5 Spot for $2 Tuesday hosted by Derek Hoke.  Congratulations to Derek and The 5 Spot for 9 years of this Eastside tradition. Chris Moyse (one of my favorite local songwriters) opened the night, followed by Thor Platter, Derek Hoke and band (with Jules Belmont - who was fantastic - on guitar), and Chip Greene rocking the late night hour.  Jon Latham joined Greene to do Zevon's "Lawyers, Guns, and Money".  As always Tim Hibbs was spinning tunes between sets and doing a fantastic job. 

Now, let's shuffle!

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - With Exceptions of Course Mix

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Farce: a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations.

I will just leave the definition here... and only add that farce is far more fun to watch than it is to live.
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It was really great to drag myself out of my air conditioning to check out Ben de la Cour and Tommy Womack at The 5 Spot last night.  Ben de la Cour (who I first discovered through Couch by Couch West) is a relative newcomer to Nashville (well with the rapid influx of people, he maybe not be considered a newcomer) and Tommy Womack is a long-standing member of the Nashville music community.  I love it when the best of "old" and "new" Nashville share a bill.  As a bonus, I got to hang some with Too Much Country - a fellow music blogger/fan (who also writes about NASCAR and Schaefer Beer.

Tonight, a full-plate.  Kristen Englenz and Sean Quinn are at The 5 Spot early along with Lady HD from Philly.  I managed to snag a ticket to the Sold Out Oh Boy Records presents The Songs of John Prine at the Basement East.  If you didn't get tickets to that event, worry not, Jon Latham and Andrew Leahey are wrapping up their residency at The Family Wash - beginning around 9.

Don't forget Mark Robinson is having his CD Release Party at The 5 Spot on Saturday.

Well... we've sweltered through this hot week and made it to Thursday.  We call it Topical Thursday, and of late, that has meant that we delve into the music that has made E2TG what it is over the past six years.  We have a great mixed bag today, so let us dig in...

Theme Thursday Morning Shuffle - That Son of a Gun Mix

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So, I was thinking - I tend to do that quite a bit... These days so many of us are angry or scared or outraged or appalled or depressed or otherwise distressed... basically anyone who cares about: people with disabilities, the education of our children, healthcare, the environment, people of color, people who look different, the LGBT (etc.) community, the free press,  this country, the world... is likely feeling any one or more or all of those emotions just about every day.

And we are - and we are spurned to actions - however much or little we are able to do... but in the midst of calling our leaders and signing petitions and writing letters and protesting and creating art and writing about things we normally don't write about... take the time to love.  Love everyone. Love generously, love without limits, love yourselves...

It is okay to be afraid.  Fear is not the problem.  Acting based upon fear is the problem.  So if you are afraid - try taking some action of love - however small.  It helps.  (This self-reminder is a public service announcement from me)...

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I had a blast at the final edition of Brian Langlinais' residency at The 5 Spot. Brian is awesome and he put together a killer band.  Adrian + Meredith and Fifth and Main provided support. The Gumbo and King Cake were incredible. The company was great.

Tonight, it is the 10th Anniversary of Jon Byrd's album, Byrd's Auto Parts at The Family Wash.  Should be a blast. Jon Byrd "Doesn't Rock Ever" but he does what he does better than anyone else.

It is Thursday - we continue our "Theme Thursday" series.  Songs loosely connected to an unstated central theme (even if the connection is all in my head).  Let's go!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Things Come to Me At Night Mix

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Greetings and salutations...   It is Tuesday!

Tonight a couple of events worth noting (among many cool things happening I am sure).

1.  East Side Storytellin' is a great series that pairs a songwriter with a poet/writer. It is held at the Post East and starts at 7:00. Tonight is their 85th edition and features writer Joshua Moore and reigning E2TG Artist of the Year Jon Latham.

2. A stellar local lineup at The Basement East beginning at 9:00.  Carl Anderson, Peyton Parker, Adrian+Meredith, and 2014 E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury fresh off his star turn on Music City Roots.   That's right, two E2TG Artists of the Year in one night.

On Tuesday, we post songs from our Trending Tuesday playlist which includes new music, songs we have decided to feature, and assorted other goodies.  Dig in!

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - The Under-Overpass Mix

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We have reached Friday... which means another featured Friday shuffle coming up...

Still dealing with a change of seasons cold, but I did get out early last night for the final night of the Paul Burch residency at The 5 Spot.  As he did the first week, Kevin Gordon played guitar with Burch and his WPA Ball Club whose new album Meridian Rising is out today.  It was a really incredible show with special guest Emma Swift.  Beginning next week, Fats Kaplin and Kristi Rose  will hold down the Thursday early residency slot for the month of March (with the exception of St. Patrick's Day).  That promises to be outstanding.  I think The 5 Spots' early residency shows are one of the best things Nashville has going on, and looking ahead to the announced and rumored shows coming up, I think you will agree.

Once again, there is a ton of great music going on tonight.  My plans include stopping by the Tim Carroll Happy Hour and then moving over to Bobby's Idle Hour to see the Dark Horses of East Nashville (Amelia White, Julie Christensen, and Sergio Webb) and then to see how time and my cold are doing after that.

I am thinking about some tweaks to the E2TG format.  This is not E2TG v. 3.0 (that will come soon enough hopefully), but consider this E2TG v. 2.2 (or at least v. 2.1.1). I will work on that this weekend.

Shuffle time!

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - In My Room Mix

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Good morning. It was a cold one here in Nashville. 

I am back after a day off and still recovering from my 8 Day Birthday Week.  I had a total blast, and I am so grateful for everyone who helped me ring in the next 50 years of my life.  In all the tally was: 8 Nights, 7 different venues, between 25-30 acts (depends on how you count them), tons of friends seen, and a bunch of fun had.

Since I last reported:  Friday night, I visited one of my regular haunts and one of the best weekly events in Nashville - Tim Carroll's Rock and Roll Happy Hour at The 5 Spot.  Great time. I was beat after that and I had to call it a night early.

Saturday:  The Country on the west side. For the Zachariah Red CD Release show with Jon Latham opening with Neo Tundra Cowboy and Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars also on the bill.  Great performances all around and a wonderful time to be had.

Sunday: Acme Feed and Seed to see Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau.  The band have never sounded better and the atmosphere was pure party - a great way to wrap up the week!

Whew!  With the birthday week over, I enjoyed a day off work, did a pilot/audition tape with Sue Havlish for WXNA (Nashville new community radio station).  Then, I made my way to The Basement East to catch Megan Palmer, Michaela Anne, and Darrin Bradbury for Week 3 of Darrin's residency!  I stuck around to hear Darrin and band kick off the David Bowie tribute in fine fashion.  The Basement East was jam packed and the music was kicking, but my 9 nights out caught up with me and I had to bail fairly early.

On to the chilly morning shuffle filled with some classic and newer tunes.

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - 100 Miles Mix

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I am desperately in need of a second, third, or fourth wind as my Birthday week rolls on.  Last night was so much fun. The newly opened The Pub at The Basement East has it's Grand Opening last night, and as always Grimey and company know how to throw a party better than just about anyone I know.  A ton of cool people doing covers... CCR style. I missed a ton of great music socializing and eating and stuff, but what I saw and heard was amazing. Grimey and Friends opened with a set of CCR songs and others followed with covers of bands whose names start with either C or R.  Grimey's guests included Bill Eberle and Alanna from Alanna Royale.

The night ended with an out of this world set of Clash and Replacement songs by an ad-hoc band fronted by the legendary Joe Blanton and with the equally legendary Jonathan Bright on guitar.   It was a great way to end my birthday rocking out to some of the songs that helped shape my musical tastes.

Tonight: I will somehow suck it up and make two more stops on my birthday week tour. First of all I will be at the Happiest Place on Earth... no not Disney - Tim Carroll's Rock and Roll Happy Hour at The 5 Spot.  Next, I will head over to The Basement East for Coverfest. More cool covers from some of Nashville's best.

ICYMI: I posted my review of Zachariah Red's new album, Backbone which was released today.

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Adventure and Fun Mix

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This crazy time of year... Here I am posting this on a Thursday evening.  Circumstances, blah, blah, blah... Any way, let's get to it...

Last night, I had a blast - another great show at The Basement (the original one).  "Earie" Award winners, Richie Owens and  the Farm Bureau put on another outstanding show that included a version of "Can't Be Satisfied" featuring Richie Owens on the lap steel.  Bassist John Reed and stand-up drummer Brian O'Hanlon were in fine form.  I also got to see Saint Luke's Drifters for the first time.  They called their sound Rockified Country. Songs ranged from high energy rockers that brought to my mind the Scorchers to some very honky-tonkish country songs. Vocal duties were shared and each singer brought something unique to the band's sound.  I really enjoyed myself, and I hope to hear much more.

So, by my rough count, there will be seven more regular E2TG posts before the end of the year - not counting any weekend or holiday bonus posts.  My plan is to hand out "Earies" each of those days with Wednesday December 30, being reserved for the 5th Annual Ear to the Ground Artist of the Year. Which I will for the first time dub, the "Golden Earier" Award.

But, I am getting ahead of myself.  We have some "Earies" to give away today.

Prologue:  I have been having a really good time handing out these awards.  Even though the categories are sometimes a bit silly, the sentiment behind them is very real.  I really want to write about and honor artists who have made a big impression on my in 2015 (and before in some cases). I could have just made a list or handed out awards without giving them names, but really, this is more fun isn't it?  I say all this to preface the fact that I have struggled a bit with what to call this next award.  Flippantly, I thought about the Six Degrees Award - as my having met these remarkable people has moved me up a few degrees of separation from some of the my all-time favorite artists (and some of the most famous in the world). But, really that name would only serve to diminish the extraordinary artists they are in their own right.

So - I hereby name this award the "Legends in Their Own Right" Award.  And I am going to just get to it before I overthink it and decide to change the name again....

1.  Reckless Johnny Wales -  The first time I encountered Reckless Johnny, I did not know who he was, but I suspected (correctly it turns out), that I was in the presence of someone remarkable. The next time, and when I finally got to meet him, I was standing on what can only be called Hallowed Ground - namely the Cash Cabin recording studios... if those walls could talk... and even though I did not hear the walls talk that night (although it would not surprise me if some who have been there have heard stranger things than that), I did get to hear some of Reckless Johnny's stories about meeting Johnny Cash and many others.  More importantly, as a result of that meeting, I received a copy of Reckless Johnny Wales' American Heart, and any doubts that I might have had (I didn't really) were tossed out the window.  The music on that album demonstrates that the remarkable storied life (lives?) can and were translated into some memorable music.  I have a full review in my plans for early 2016, so I will stop here for now.

2.  Bebe Buell - Speaking of a life filled with stories...  As perhaps one of the world's most famous groupies, Bebe Buell experienced first hand some of the defining moments of the rock and roll era. I will leave it to you to read more about her remarkable life, but for me the most important thing is happening now.  Throughout all of those interactions with rock and roll royalty, Bebe Buell was paying attention.  Having relocated to Nashville a few years ago, Buell is now focused on her own music pursuits. I first saw her performing Tom Petty songs with the amazing Long Players, and then I saw her own show at 3rd and Lindsay, and I was impressed by her music and her stage presence. That night and again at the end of October, I also saw that she is still the ultimate rock and roll fan - which is obviously when she talks about and dances to the music of the Blackfoot Gypsies.

3.  Julie Christensen (Stone Cupid) - Julie Christensen is another fairly recent transplant to our fair city.  Christensen's musical career includes being a part of one of the pioneering Country/Punk bands, The Divine Horsemen with her husband at the time, Chris Desjardins founder of the legendary Flesheaters - a band whose membership history reads like a role call of the very best of Los Angeles music of the late 70s to early 80s.   Later, Christensen spent several years as a featured background singer with Leonard Cohen.  She reunited Cohen for the now legendary I'm Your Man concert film and album.  Upon, relocating to Nashville (and even before), Julie Christensen began working with some of the finest writers and musicians this town has to offer.  Her band, now called Stone Cupid, features an incredible line-up.  Sergio Webb and Chris Tench are two of the finest guitar players in a city that has a few... and the rhythm section features Steve Latanation (Agent Orange) and Bones Hillman who was member of Midnight Oil throughout there was most successful years. (UPDATE: There is reason I do not usually post late, I totally forgot to mention Stone Cupid's new album The Cardinal which will officially be out early in 2016.  And I wanted to mention, that Stone Cupid played during the final week of the original Family Wash, and that show was one my favorite live shows of the year.)

On a personal note, having met them all, I am I find myself more interested in the people they are and the music they are making now than I am in their remarkable past.  But, to be honest, I will not walk away from a great story about some of the most important musical giants of our time...

To the shuffle (before it is Friday): (a regular shuffle - we'll hop back into the season music next week).