"Our long national nightmare is over..." There is a huge sense of relief - with an acknowledgement that there is still much work to be done. President-Elect Biden's words of unity are welcome and necessary to begin the healing work ahead. However, with the current president's refusal to concede and the continued destructive rhetoric from his followers and enablers - I am reminded of the song by The Chicks...
That being said, I am most excited about the possibility of politics being something I "keep up with" but not obsess over. And, on that note, let's get to today's music...
But, first - we have some sad news to report- Bones Hillman - best known nationally as the bassist for Midnight Oil for many years - but known here in Nashville for his work with Tim Carroll, Anne McCue, and Julie Christensen's Stone Cupid - passed away over the weekend after a battle with cancer. Sending love to all who knew him and mostly to his family.
Today, we pick back up with our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs 11-16:
11. "Until There's Nothing But Air" by Andrew Leahey & the Homestead
First up today, we have the new single from some E2TG and East Nashville favorites. Another great song from Andrew and the band.
12. "2020" by Son of Bazerk (ft. Michael "Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton)
From our old friends at True Groove record... a new single featuring the hip hop legends Son of Bazerk (Tony Allen aka Son of Bazerk) introduced Chuck D and Flava Flav to each other in the early 80s. For this timely new single, they are joined by Funkadelic guitarist Michael "Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton. A hard hitting song for hard hitting times.
13. "Tear It Down" by Amy Ray
Next, we have the brand new single from Amy Ray (1/2 of Indigo Girls). Ray has written a powerful, a soul-searching examination of the racism that reminds deeply rooted in our nation and in our society. It is the same kind of soul searching need by the nation and by many of us who grew up in the South (in particular).
14. "Late Bloom" by Graber Gryass
We have been talking about and featuring Memphis band bluegrass band Graber Gryass for some time - well, their album slipped by me last week - so this week we have the title track. Great stuff.
15. "Straight to Heaven" by F. Scott and the Nighthawks
Next up, we have a fantastic song - the title track from the new EP by Toronto based outlaw band - F. Scott and the Nighthawks. This was my introduction to the band, and I am already hooked. They have a second EP set for release in 2021 (date TBD).
16. "No Justification" by Loud Apartment
And we close out this segment of music with a track from the second album by this funk fusion band from NYC. The album was produced by the legendary Bill Laswell - who also plays on the album. This is an amazing album - definitely check it out.
It is just over two weeks until the election. The current president said his opponent would listen to the scientists about COVID and that was meant as a criticism and his followers think it is. I am encouraged by the early voting numbers. I am not sure how I will handle election night (and however long it takes until result are official). I can't even thing about what will happen if the unthinkable happens.
Nashville's COVID numbers are up. I worry about my friends whose passion and livelihoods have been so dramatically impacted by the pandemic and for whom a return to normalcy is months away and filled with uncertainty about what that new normal will look like. I am discouraged by people acting as if the pandemic is over or is a fake. At the same time, I see friends tentatively playing shows with safety precautions, and although I am not yet comfortable with that - I wish them well. I am angered that some people minimize the importance of COVID-19 deaths because many of those who died were older and/or had underlying health conditions - as if either of those two things devalues a human being's right to live.
I ache for a time when politics in an occasional concern - like during a crucial Congressional vote... and not a daily reaction to the ravings of a madman.
I ache for a time when E2TG is 100% about music again.
Our Featured Friday Playlist picks up with songs 11-15:
11. "She's Alright" by Jon Worthy
Jon Worthy has been busy. This latest single was a full-band effort that he wrote, recorded, performed, and produced on his own. It sounds fantastic. Nice to hear him rocking again.
12. "You & I" by Mcclendon
We previously featured the title track from Mcclendon's Room 33 EP, and now we have another track from that release. A young Nashville songwriter that has caught my attention.
13. "How It Has to Be" by Jeremy Ivey
Waiting Out the Storm is out now! Jeremy Ivey has made an important album for our times, and he is truly one of the best songwriters around.
14. "Mississippi Suitcase (Slight Return)" by Peter Parcek
My connections to the blues world have been telling me about Peter Parcek's new album Mississippi Suitcase, so I had to check it out for myself. Wonderful stuff. Parcek is an award winning blues guitarist from Boston.
15. "Sensitive Souls" by The Mastersons
Among the shows I saw in 2020 before the lock downs and quarantines - was a show at City Winery that featured The Mastersons. Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore can often be found backing Steve Earle has long-time members of his band The Dukes. On their own, they make powerful and wonderful music. Some people like shouting "Shut up and sing", and so The Mastersons join in the growing ranks are artists who are speaking out with their songs as well as their words. Red, White & I Love You Too is the name of their new album, and it should be heard.
Well, we are back after the weekend. Fortunately, nothing of substance has occurred in the world since we were last together....
Crazy times for sure... I am struggling to see the path forward from here - except, I do know it starts with a decisive electoral victory over evil. Today is last day to register to vote in Tennessee for November 3. I urge everyone reading this to make sure you are registered and then make a plan as to how you are going to vote and vote safely.
Before we get to today's Music City Monday Shuffle - we need to pick back up on our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist. Today - Songs 9-12!
9. "Yellow Frames" by The Jensen Sisters
To start things off we have the title track to the debut album by this young Minnesota based country duo. Kendra and Kansas Jensen are just 17 and 20 years old. They were named new artist of the year at the Midwest CMA awards, and they recently celebrated the third anniversary of their Gypsy Outlaw Radio show.
10. "Dangerously High" by The Wheel Workers
Up next, we have a track from the newest album by the long-running Texas rock band. It also happens to be their oldest album. I remastered version of their heretofore unreleased 2003 debut album. At the time the album was made, the band was knows as The Wheel Works, and they were based in Austin. They are now based in Houston. I had not read the e-mail before I listened, I don't believe I would have suspected this was made seventeen years ago. Great stuff.
11. "Brain Dead" by Worthless Commodity
Music comes to be in a variety of different ways. Sometimes, professional publicists send me e-mails or even CDs, back when I went to shows are the regular, I would sometimes discover a band at $2 Tuesday or opening for a band I already knew. Sometimes musicians post about their friends. And sometimes, my best friend and long-time musical partner in crime meets two kids at a comic convention in Fort Collins, Colorado and tells me about their band. Anyway, that is how I first heard about Worthless Commodity - a young hardcore band from Fort Collins. This is a track from their 1/2 of a split EP. Their songs are short and profanity-laced and a lot of fun.
12. "In the City" by Leron Thomas (Feat. Iggy Pop)
A few week's back, we featured Leron Thomas' stunning single "Endicott". Now, the album, More Elevator Music is out. This track features Thomas' previous collaborator Iggy Pop, and it is an equally stunning track. I don't unnecessarily kick myself for being late to the game on great artists, but I do feel grateful when I do finally catch up. Leron Thomas is fantastic.
I'm going to pick up the Featured Friday Playlist recap tomorrow - because this week's list was shorter than usual, and because I forgot to write it last night...
Some good news from the Supreme Court today regarding LGBT+ rights. I understand that there was some bad news on another front, but I have not had time to dive into that so I won't comment and just celebrate a victory for human rights.
Well, let's get right to the Music City Monday Shuffle!
Time marches on... we are now into the final week of April, and although so the decision to start reopening some things is happening in some areas, we are still a long way off from many music related functions from opening, and that is assuming that we do not have a resurgence in cases.
I know many people and small businesses are suffering. For those us who are faring relatively well, the need can be overwhelming. My best advice is to support the venues and artists that mean the most to you and do so in a way that makes sense for your situation. I have tried (emphasis on tried) to match my giving to the money I would have been spending if I was able to out. Everyone's situation is different, and so there is no wrong answer here.
Mostly, what I want my readers to hear - is that regardless of the orders and openings in your area, it is important to be safe and to still stay home as much as you can. No matter which models or philosophies that you chose to believe, it is clear that we are not at the end of this pandemic, and the possibility exists for a comeback. At a minimum follow the guidelines of health officials regarding masks and social distancing. We are all restless and eager to get back to "normal", but to rush this will only delay things and will likely cost people their health and their lives.
Meanwhile, I am going to do my part to feature some new and not so new music here from the comfort of my home.
We are back! If you haven't had a chance to do so, please check out this week's Featured Friday Playlist on Spotify. Thanks to everyone who has followed the Playlist so far. Please give it a follow, if you are so inclined.
Also, be sure to check out the recent and upcoming releases at the bottom of every daily post. I have been a little slow getting additional information up, but there is a ton of great music being released.
The Featured Friday Playlist and the New Release Listing are my primary methods of highlighting new music.
In the past, the daily shuffle was used for this purpose. The morning shuffle has gone back to its original intent - an eclectic mix of old and new music - just a daily dose of what I listen to on my way to work each day.
*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.
On we go, back at it for another week of E2TG. I am hard at work developing a plan for my proposed "reboot" of E2TG scheduled for early 2020. I have some good things in mind.
Now, let's get on with the Music City Monday shuffle!
*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.
Well, my marathon week of live music is over, and although I was exhausted and as I predicted I rested up on Sunday, it was over all such an uplifting week - to spend time with people who inspire me.
Let's get straight into the Music City Monday shuffle! We have some cool stuff!
As promised, I am going to kick into a higher gear in telling you about the Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown IV - coming at the end of this month.
The show runs two consecutive nights at The 5 Spot in East Nashville. I am thrilled to be a part of this and to work with the awesome Magnolia Roads!
Both nights are a benefit for the Ben Eyestone Fund at the Musician's Health Alliance. There are some incredible silent auction items.
I will you to the Facebook event for all the details.
Today, I wanted to focus in on Friday night April 26 (right after Tim Carroll Rock n Roll Happy Hour)
The lineup for the first night includes FunkyJenn and the Fringe Benefits, Don Gallardo and How Far West, Chris Wilson and The Heresy, and The Truehearts!
Tomorrow, we will focus on Saturday April 27 - which will begin at 6:00pm and go until late. The night two headliner is the one and only Lady Couch!
Here we are at the beginning of another month. It is easy to despair in these times. Very easy to despair. I still believe that as Martin Luther King, Jr said, "...the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." It can be easy to doubt this when your focus is too narrow.
A few years ago, when we were seeing several positive developments (i.e. the affirmation of same sex marriage), I predicted that we would see counter reaction. I'll be honest, I never expected the reaction to be as powerful as it has been, but I still believe it is just a reaction to the overall progress.
This does not lessen the need to continue to fight and resist.
Well, it is Monday, and we have another super-cool "Music City Monday) featuring some of my favorite musicians (some of whom are among my favorite people). Let's shuffle!
Week 3 of the E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency is this coming Thursday. Look for an eclectic mix of of some of my favorite artists/bands in Nashville. Things are going to kick off just after 6:00pm with Brian Milligram, The Coal Men are up next, and Microwave Mountain close out the night. These are some of the best that Nashville has to offer. Admission is just $5.00, Must be 21+ (with valid ID) to get into The 5 Spot. I hope you will join us.
I will be reading another short section of The Drift, and I will have a (very) few copies of my novel for sale. (I had a great sales day last Thursday, and my next order likely will not be here by this Thursday, I hope to have them in time for the residency finale on June 28.
Well, it is Monday, and time for another edition of Music City Monday - where we shuffle up a ginormous playlist of locally sourced music from past and present. Let's jump right into the shuffle:
My weekend show recap is highlighted by a couple of new releases.
Friday - after Tim Carroll's Rock 'n' Roll Happy Hour, I stuck around The 5 Spot for the CD Release show for Maxwell Putnam's new album Ode to a Tinhorn. The line-up included a solo set from Alex of Little Bandit, Mark Fredson, a great solo set and a great full-band set from Putnam. The night closed with a typically high-energy set from Justin and the Comics.
Sunday - I attended a party for the release of Stone Cupid's new album A Sad Clown. An acoustic set with Julie Christensen, Sergio Webb, Chris Tench, and Parker Hawkins. Love the new songs - which includes a cover of Darrin Bradbury's "Exile on Myrtle Beach". The full band CD release show is set for April 9 at The Basement.
Another week, and it is time for a Music City Monday Shuffle. From the ever-growing Music City Monday playlist on Spotify, we shuffle up this collection of music from past and current Nashville-based artists and bands.
If you want to peruse the playlist on your own, it is available HERE.
