It seems like almost my entire Facebook timeline is about John Prine, which would indicate that I follow my kinds of people.
John Prine's death at the hands of COVID-19 hit hard in my community and for me personally. First of all my thoughts go out to his family and close friends. For the rest of us, this was a hard loss in season of hard losses.
One thing I have learned about grief over the past nearly four months is that grief comes in waves and that subsequent losses aren't measured by a comparison of how close you were to the person who you lose. Rather, each loss is a ripple that compounds with the previous losses and sometimes the emotions of one loss (which may seem out of proportion to your relationship) are actually reflections and amplifications of other losses.
I don't know if that made sense, but I know what I am trying to say, but what I am trying to convey is that we all need to prepare for more losses over the next few weeks and to be prepared losses which hit harder than you might otherwise expect.
Stay safe everyone. We are getting through this and we will get through this.
The other certainty is that we will all be changed by this experience. It seems like a lot of out of our control. But, we can effect change on our new world. Will that new world reflect love and compassion and a priority on things that bring joy and newly honed commitment to priorities which match our values and greater self-sufficiency combined with a renewed understanding of our interdependence on each other.
It is all too much to take in all at once. So take it all one at a time and breath and focus on your breath and be gentle with yourself. Productivity within this crisis is admirable perhaps but it is not a competition and it is not mandatory. Stay connected even as you are keeping a safe distance and self-isolating.
As John Prine didn't sing, "It's a Happy Enchilada and you think your gonna drown..."
Just some observations. Once again, I was struck by the wealth and diversity of talent here in Nashville, and what a great city it is for someone who loves original live music. Adding to this feeling is knowing that there were people attending different events all over the city who were likely feeling the same thing.
Personally, I was struck by how much I have changed. I remembered going to shows in the early 1990s in Nashville. Back then, I always went to shows with a friend and never knew anyone else at those shows except for the friend with whom I attended the show. Now, I almost always go to shows alone and I always know other people.
My friends are pursuing their passions and dreams and muses the best they know how under exceedingly and increasingly difficult circumstances. And while, they sometimes express despair or frustration over circumstances, there is more often and sense of joy.
People who make their living by taking advantage of artists (or anyone for that matter) are the lowest.
Brian Wright and Sally Jaye's new project No. 1 Knife is fantastic. India Ramey is amazing. Taco Mouth is spectacular. Congrats to India Ramey on a wonderful residency that benefited some great organizations. If you don't know India Ramey, get to work on correcting that.
$2 Tuesday remains the best investment in the city. Week after week, Derek Hoke puts together an incredible show featuring local and touring artists and bands. Week after week, an interesting crowd gathers. Week after week, I get to hang out with friends and meet new people. Week after week, I am majorly tired on a Wednesday, but I have no complaints.
Featured Friday Playlist
Wednesday Shuffle:
A typically mixed bag of mid-week shuffle goodness. Spanning years and genres. Some old friends, some first listens, a great cover, and more...
"You've Got Some Nerve" by SNEW (from You've Got Some Nerve)
"Passion or Fashion" by Rusty Reid (from Head to Heart)
"I Work Alone" by Gary Daly (from Gone from Here)
From 2019 - a solo record by the China Crisis member.
"Comes Indiana Through the Smoke" by Okkervil River (from Away)
For Sue and Mark (and others) a song about Indiana. Got this from the 2016 edition of an annual mix CD put together by a friend from my hometown.
"Mack the Knife from The Threepenny Opera" by Nick Cave (from September Songs)
For Sue. Not Bobby Darin and not the McDonald's moon guy either, but Kurt Weill (not Vile) and Bertolt Brecht from The Threepenny Opera. September songs is the audio version of a documentary about Weill.
"There Will Always Be A Right Now" by Brock Zeman (from Rotten Teeth)
We recently featured Brock Zeman's album of Tom House songs. Here is one of his own songs from a favorite album of mine.
"The Spoils of Warring Hearts" by The Walla Recovery (from With Trembling...)
One of the earliest bands covered on E2TG (the 14th week of the blog they were our Band of the Week). They are/were from Dallas Texas and played cello rock music. It seems like most of the music these days is coming via member Zack Smith.
"When the Circus Came to Town" by Danny Sandock (from Breakin' New Ground)
A really wonderful song from our old friend Danny Sandock.
"Dinner With My Boss" by Karabas Barabas (from Degenerate National Anthem)
A first listen to the forthcoming (2/2/2020) album by the Brooklyn based absurbist rock band. Maybe offensive, maybe insightful, definitely funny and unique. Looking forwarding to digging deeper into this album.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Recent and Upcoming Releases:
Recent: 11/20 Brock Zeman - Hey Tom (a collection of Tom House Songs) (LP)(E2TG First Impression) 12/? - Lumiere Tales - Lunarium (LP) 12/1 - Inkraktare - We Are Not Really Here (LP) 12/2 - Terry Klein - Live at KOOP (LP) 12/6 - Beauty in Chaos & Wayne Hussey (The Mission) - "The Delicate Balance of All Things" (single) 12/6 - Beat Hotel - "Feel It" (single) 12/13 - 6TH CROWD - "Самозванцы (Samozvantsiy)" (single) 12/29 - Them Jones - "The Woman is a Poor Child" (single) 12/31 - Blackfoot Gypsies - Live at The Basement (LP) 1/06 - Francesco Mariano - "Room 107" (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) 1/19 - Merrill Beach - "Geen"/"Marimba" (single)(E2TG First Impression) 1/21 - Broads and Milly Hirst - "Happisburgh" (single) 1/22 - Davis Raines - Turquoise and Silver (LP) 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) 1/28 - Motihari Brigade - Power from Below (LP)
This Week: 1/31 - Eric Brace and Last Train Home - Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows (album) 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) 1/31 - Emma Hill - How Could I Have Been So Wrong (EP) 1/31 - Ryan Sobb and the Dead Mall - Concrete Feelings (LP) 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) 2/01 - Glenn Jones - Ready for the Good Times (LP) Upcoming: 2/02 - Karabas Barabas - Degenerate National Anthem (LP) 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) 2/14 - Grant Peeples - Bad Wife (LP) 2/14 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP) 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) 2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP) 2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP) 3/?? - Strange Majik - 20/20 (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) 3/13 - The Flatmates - The Flatmates (LP) 3/13 - Kleenex Girl Wonder - Ponyoak (20th Anniversary Edition) + BLP (demos and out-takes) (LP) 3/20 - Matt Wilson and His Orchestra - When I Was a Writer (LP) 3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP) 3/27 - Mayflower Madame - Prepared for a Nightmare (LP) 4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP) 4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)
