E2TG 6/11/2021 - Featured Friday - Longer Short-Sighted - Cemetery Blues Mix (8:30 Remix)

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So, here is the deal.  This week's Playlist is a little shorter than the past few, and I am going to be out next Thursday and Friday, so I'm extending this Playlist over the next two weeks. Stay tuned and follow the Featured Friday Playlist.  

Short-Sighted People in Power (Deluxe Edition)

One of my favorite releases of 2020 was Short-Sighted People In Power by Nashville's My Politic. The duo just announced a deluxe edition of the album which can now be pre-ordered on vinyl.  This edition includes two new songs, and you can get a digital download now if you pre-order HERE

One of the new songs, "Driving Around", adds a local touch to the album while maintaining the consistency of the theme and the concept.  You can check it out below

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 5/13/2021 - Figuring it Out Along the Way - Plum Mix (I Woke Up Remix)

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In the 10 year existence of E2TG, change has been the operative word. The blog and how I do it have undergone many changes - usually driven by some change in my circumstance or schedule etc. Now, with going out to hear music becoming a thing again, I am realizing that I made changes over the last 13-14 months that are going to be difficult to maintain in the emerging new reality. 

I don't know yet what changes will be needed, and it may not happen overnight and the changes may be incremental. It also may take a series of missteps to arrive something that works. Bear with me and thanks as always for reading. 

Featured Friday Playlist recap Part 5 (songs 46-55):

46. "Paris" by Teresa Guidry

Nashville based singer-songwriter who was on Season 10 of The Voice with her first single of 2021.

47. "Hobo Stomp" by Razorhouse

Next up, we have the single from this alternative rock band from Chicago. A really cool song. 

48. "Through the Flames" by Empiires

Next up, we have some hard rock music from Texas. 

49. "Indigo Screams" by Pennies by the Pound

Next up, we have a Finnish band that combines psych rock with 80s college rock to great great sound. This is the lead track from their new album due out a week from tomorrow. 

50. "The Girl in the Barren Room" by Bad Dreams Fancy Dress

Next up, we have the new single from the forthcoming Bi Iconic album from this UK band that originally formed in the late 80s. Spurred on my a Facebook group set up by fans, this new incarnation of the band is doing some cool things. 

51. "Get Me Through It - Live" by The Purrs

Next up, we have a track from the new live album, We Thought There'd Be More People Here, by this dark psych pop band from the Pacific NW. 

52. "The Return" by To Twelve

Next up, we have lovely song about travelling from this duo from the Netherlands who spend time busking through Europe.  Really great stuff. 

53. "Occupied" by Dolly Ave

Next up, we have a track from the debut album, Sleep by this emerging Vietnamese-American singer-songwriter who grew up in Kansas City, Missouri before leaving for art school in Chicago. Really excited to have this song in our playlist. 

54. "Monster Tv" by Death Pop Radio

Next up, we have another debut album this from Chicago based hard pop/grunge band. 

55. "Silent Trees" by Pentral 

And we close with a track from What Lies Ahead of Us from Brazilian prog rock/metal band Pentral who worked producer Tim Palmer on this new album. A great way to close out this segment of music, and the playlist for this week. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 1/1/2021 - Featured Friday 2021 #1 - New Way of Life Mix (Feminine Walk Remix)

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Posting the new Featured Friday Playlist and recapping the first ten songs.  

Consider this a bonus post.  The first "real" post of 2021 is coming Monday. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - 56 Trees Mix

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The truth about writing a daily blog for six plus years is that you have to do it sometimes when you just don't feel like it. I have only had one significant time of not posting regularly during the entire six years of the existence of E2TG, and that was due to some significant life circumstances which forced me to take a break - and even then I tried to make some periodic posts to keep things going.  The internet is littered with blogs of all kinds that just stopped at some point.  No final post - just stopped.  Chances are the blogger thought they would post again soon and it just never happened. I get it.  I had a blog before E2TG (not a music blog - actually I'm not sure what it was) I wrote in it periodically and then at some point, I just stopped and after a time I realized it was dead.

I don't know why I am writing all this except that the past couple of weeks have been pretty stressful on several different fronts and levels, and I haven't always felt like blogging, but I have kept on. I figure, I force myself to get up and go to work, I listen to music (pretty much a given) so why not write about it. Also, I know if I give into the temporary apathy or whatever you want to call it, then I will likely start making that a habit and then one day, I will realize that E2TG is dead.

I assume that at some point I will stop writing E2TG, but I hope when I do that it is intentional and that I will go out in a blaze of glory.  Anyway, that day is not today.

Meanwhile don't even get me started on the latest from the Twit in Chief.

It is Wednesday. A day when we open up the barn doors and let all our horses run free... or to put it another way, we shuffle up the entire Song list in my phone and see what happens.  We call it Wild Wednesday - because things sometimes get wild and because it is like a "wild card" - it may be anything.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Milky Way Mix

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Here we go... It is Friday...  and yes, a white supremacist is still holding a position of power in the White House - along with unqualified family members of President. This is somehow okay to people who believed this president would "drain the swamp".  If any swamp was drained, it was replaced with a cesspool.  Just saying.
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Ah, but music.  Last night - one of the most rewarding and well-done shows of the year (and in a while).  Richie Owens celebrated 25 years of his band Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau.  The show opened with a reunion Owens' 1980s band The Movement. They sounded wonderful and really seemed to be having a great time.  It definitely took me back to my 30 somewhat years.

Next, the history of The Farm Bureau was told beginning with the original line-up and then past and present members entered and exited the stage playing music from every era of the band, the most recent line-up performed a few songs and then everybody returned for one of the bands signature songs that has spanned the band's history. Throughout Richie Owens narrated the shifting tides and times. Just about perfect.   The Farm Bureau will be playing Muddy Roots this fall, but otherwise, Richie will be devoting his musical time to Smokey White Devils and an acoustic project that I can't remember the name of.  So, in some ways this was a farewell show for now at least.

After I left that show at The 5 Spot, I headed down Main Street to The Family Wash in time to catch Megan Palmer with Jonathan Beam and Paul Niehaus - sounding amazing, followed by Russell Thompson with Sergio Webb plus David Conrad and Rebecca Weiner-Tompkins  (of Conrad y Skordalia), and ending with Sergio Webb backed by David and Rebecca.

The bad storms spared Nashville, and so here we are...


Show alert:  Tomorrow night - April 1 is the CD Release and Art Show for the latest album by Nashville legend David Olney.  Brock Zeman (who produced the album) will open and be joined by his regular sideman Blair Hogan.   You really want to be at this show - whether you know it or not.


It's Friday, and that means a Featured Friday Shuffle...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Keep On Goin' Mix

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First of all, I need to offer all the kind words and encouragements for my recent run of commentary. Believe me when I say this is something I would rather not do. But, I feel it is something I must do.  I have tried my best to distinguish partisan differences which will always exist and always be up for debate from the far more serious threat to our nation and our way of life. The problem, as I see it, is that the more outrageous the words and actions of the current administration get and the more deafening the silence from many of the leaders of the Republican Party (save for a few brave voices), the more difficult it is to do. It is hard to unwind abuses of power, overt racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and other forms of bigotry from the policies that arise out of those evils. More to the point, when party leaders look past or ignore fascist words and actions for the sake of their agenda - it is hard to not harden your heart to that agenda - which may or may not reflect those despicable characteristics.  We are watching and we are speaking out. Customs agents asking passengers on a domestic airline to "show their papers".  State leaders voting to effectively make political dissent illegal, Executive branch officials asking the intelligence community to discredit the free press and to produce intelligence reports that support their agenda.  An administration that has made up three non-existent terrorist attacks and yet calls America's major media organizations "enemies of the people" and purveyors of "Fake News" which seems to be defined as any news that does not support the agenda of that administration.

So, yeah, I don't see myself stopping writing these relatively brief commentaries any time soon - although I really wish my reasons for doing it would go away and soon.

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I had such a good time last night at the 10th Anniversary celebration for Jon Byrd's album Byrd's Auto Parts. The show - at the Family Wash - featured many of the players on that album.  The second set featured guest spots from David Raines, Amelia White, and Kevin Gordon. The night was a reminder of how great a music town we have in Nashville.

All right - well it is Friday and right now it is about 78 degrees on February 24 in Nashville. On Friday, we go back to our "New Music" playlist and we hit shuffle and see what happens. Here is what happened when I did that this morning....

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Sh*t Just Got Real Mix

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#Resist #Persist

Got to catch a solo set by Jon Latham last night followed by hanging with some friends and watching Aaron Lee Tasjan make his television debut on Conan.  It was great to see Brian Wright get some camera time.

It is Friday.  We have some "featured" selections shuffled from the "New Music" playlist...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - hokum Mix

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These are unprecedented times in America.

This is not about ideological differences or political parties.... it is about:

Concentration of power into the hands of a small group of extremists, demonizing "others", attempts to silence the press, attacks on the arts and academia, creating chaos, disregard for checks and balances, immediate suppression of any voices of dissent,  creating a shadow government outside of the bounds of the law. Be vigilant, resist.

Today is Tuesday, and we have music that is "trending" on E2TG (aka music from our curated "New Music" playlist...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Laurel Canyon '72 Mix

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Greetings from a snowy, chilly Nashville.  Last night was yet another one of those nights that reminds me why Nashville is such a cool place to be a music fan.  First off Brian Ritchey kicked off his residency at The 5 Spot. Sheriff Scott and the Deputies opened.  I am not sure why I am just now hearing or/hearing this band, but I am a fan now. Urban bluegrass is the term, I think. Really good stuff.   Brian Ritchey is a great songwriter, and he sounded great as always. Enjoyed hearing some of his newest songs.

Next, I headed to the American Legion for Buck n Stuff. American Roommates opened the show. I really dug their energy and sound.  Another new (for me) band.  As for Buck 'n' Stuff... well, I know it is early in the year, but at this point, I think they are front runners for Band of the Year.  Seriously - because they are a serious band.  Buck Owens covers (thus the "Buck") plus a few non-Buck Owens covers  (thus the 'n' Stuff).  All of these offered up in non-traditional arrangements.

Okay, so we are ready for our first Featured Friday Shuffle of 2017.

If you are in Nashville, it sounds like the roads are getting dicey.  Be careful out there.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - All the Lonely Boys Mix

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Another long, awesome night at The 5 Spot last night.  Fats Kaplin and Gang were amazing as always.  Guests were Dominic and Rachael Davis.  There was music and magic and magical music.

The late show was the Collins Family Christmas Extravaganza which was a fund raiser for the Standing Rock protesters. Christmas music and good times that ranged from the sacred to the slightly deranged. My kind of night.

Reminder: Saturday is the Get Behind the Mule Benefit and Tom Waits Tribute at The 5  Spot. I probably screwed up the name, but you know... Tons of cool people and a good time will be had by all - I expect.

By the way, SHEL, who I mentioned are headlining Nashville Sunday Night at
3rd and Lindsley (with Don Gallardo opening) were at The 5 Spot last night for Fats Kaplin.

Earie update:

So here is the rundown.  Before this post, I have awarded 20 Earie Awards in 2017.  Some of the winners show up in this shuffle and we have a couple more to award...  Let's do it...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Kay Pasa Mix

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According to my Facebook memories, the Blogger/Blogspot version of E2TG is 5 years old right about now. (For the first 6-7 months, the blog was hosted on the now defunct site Posterous).  Just thought I would mention that.

Embedding the "Earie" Awards in the shuffles has worked well for the most part. Expect some non-embedded "Earies" as we move forward.  Also, just to address it... sometimes, a "non-winner" may tend to stand out which is not my intention.  I have a very clear (if unstated) concept of the "Earies" and it does not necessarily have anything to do with the quality of the music. Basically, I don't include music that I don't like on E2TG.  That being said, I may be spreading the awards out more thinly going forward so... if your favorite band doesn't win one day, keep tuning in.

It is Tuesday and we have some "trending" music from our "New Music Playlist"...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Static Mix

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Time keeps marching on... I took a couple of concrete steps toward my little getaway I am planning for next week.

Prerecorded another "Double Shot" show last night - it is a good one and will air on November 5.

Slowly but surely getting over the bug I had over the weekend.

Last week, I stacked up all of the new CDs that I have received in 2016 for E2TG, it's a big stack and I've received two more since then, plus it doesn't include all of the music I received on download.  It's getting really close to the end of the year, and the 2nd Annual "Earie" Awards... there I said it. I definitely have some pondering and relistening to do.

It is Tuesday, and that is when we see what the old shuffle function says is "Trending" on E2TG.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Wabi-Sabi Mix

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Here we go... it's Tuesday... I'm a little short on time so... let us jump right into the shuffle... from the "New Music" playlist...

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Kill You With Their Eyes Mix

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Well, here we are.... a bunch of things are happening... and stuff... whatever.. it is mid-week, and we get "wild" on Wednesday.  But what does that mean... this week, at least, it means we have some wildly good music to share... sit back.

Friday Morning Music Shuffle* - All Lies Mix

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*DISCLAIMER*  This post is being written on Thursday night - I listened to the songs on my way home from work.  Tomorrow promises to be a crazy/difficult day, and I'm not sure when I am going to post this, but I wanted to have it ready,,,,

*FURTHER DISCLAIMER* Also, I discovered that part way through the shuffle, the shuffle function got turned off so a part of this so-called shuffle was actually not a shuffle.  I know. What can you believe in any more.  It's all lies...

Actually, all lies are in the title.  What follows is the truth - as I see it...

WOW Wednesday Music Shuffle - Ram On Mix

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So, The 'Mats did Alex Chilton on the Tonight Show, and U2 released a new album.  It's just like the late 80s again - except The 'Mats were sober, and the U2 album was "magically" added to my computer library, and I have a computer that holds most of my music collection... ah, so this is what the future looks like - says 20 year old me...

Seriously, The 'Mats were incredible, and I haven't heard the U2 album yet, but the fact  that the first song name drops Joey Ramone is promising...

Plus it was cool seeing the words, "Alex Chilton is Trending" on Facebook...


Ah, on we go...

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Can of Carrots Mix

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Back with a shuffle, but short on time... thanks for stopping by...

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Superstitious Phobia Mix

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Here at #E2TG, we pride ourselves on bringing great music to your internets. What we lack in time and exclusive access, we try to make up for in pure quality and absolutely insane diversity.

Today's Shuffle makes a whirlwind trip from latter day Country music pioneer Sturgill Simpson all the way to a lusciously bizarre Nina Hagen cover of a Neil Diamond penned The Monkees' song.  In between, we stop in and visit with #E2TG favorites Tomas Doncker, Marla Mase, Darrin Bradbury, and twice with Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray, and we feature three Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen related artists.  Plus a bunch more... here's the list

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Two in a Row Mix

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Pre-Shuffle

“Power”/Tomas Doncker/Power of the Trinity – Global Soul….

“Ven Hacia Mi (Come Unto Me)”/The Mavericks/In Time* - Another from my friend Ronnie’s 2013 mix CD – love this!

“Feel So Down”/Solardrive/Solardrive – another great song from Solardrive – the awesome project fronted by Balthazar Getty.

“Terra Animata”/The Plum Magnetic/Terra Animata – New Orleans based World/Fusion/Rock band.


“Big Mountain Fudge Cake”/The Foresters/Living Hold – the three Nork Brothers from Connecticut continue their musical growth spurt with a Zeppelinesque rocker.

“Calypso Foam”/The Graveyard Kids/Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen: Section 5 (Graveyard Kids II) - Another great band from the seemingly bottomless wellspring that is Mama Coco’s.

“Splinters”/Austin Lucas/Stay Reckless – three time CXCW alum… shows how it’s done with a smart, heartfelt song.

“Life is Hard”/Darrin Bradbury/True Love – “It’s funny where it stops, it’s funny where it starts, and the whole thing in the middle well it’s bound to break your heart.” – such a great line in a song that name drops Jack Kerouac, Lenny Bruce, and Daffy Duck!

  “Magic and Fire”/Brave Baby/Forty Bells – another great song by this South Carolina indie band.

“Could We See”/Grounded/untitled – Grounded were first featured on Ear to the Ground back in September 2012. They have such a unique sound, and I love the acoustic vibe of this song. Trivia: This is the second time that Grounded have appeared in a Shuffle with Darrin Bradbury’s song “Life is Hard”. Their song “Break it Up” appeared with a live version of Bradbury’s song on January 9. #themoreyouknow

“The Best Record Ever Made”/Bill Lloyd/Boy King of Tokyo - a true Nashville treasure who has worn many hats in his long career, and worn them well – I may add. This homage to great records from his 2012 album – has a simply gorgeous hook.

Shuffle after you jump....

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - E2TG v2.1 Mix

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Guess what....  we have a Shuffle!  It's good to be back and I won't waste any precious time with further commentary on that.  We have a swell list of songs today - so let's get to it.

Pre-Shuffle:

“Vivid”/Rewpart/ ½

“Surrender to the Storm”/Joseph Arthur/Redemption City

“Grey (Under the Sky)”/The Jean Jackets/Field Theory Blues**

“Blood is Not Enough”/Tomas Doncker/Power of the Trinity

“Straight to Hell”/The Clash/5 Studio Album Set (Combat Rock)

“Sing to Me”/The Delta Saints/Death Letter Jubilee

“T.H.M.F.O.T.F.O.T.E.”/Sam Davison/Always Around**

“Don’t Swallow the Cap”/The National/Trouble Will Find Me*

“K’Rar”/ Tomas Doncker/Power of the Trinity

“Do No Harm”/Charles Howl/Charles Howl

“Oh Henry”/The Civil Wars/Bare Bones EP

* - from a annual mix CD by the illustrious DJ Ronnie B.
** - from Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen (more on them below)