E2TG 9/23/2020 - Busy Week - Some Days Mix (Silent Alarm Remix)

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This has been a very busy week so far, and for a variety of reasons, I have felt constantly short on time. Yesterday, I intended to write a bit about being a contrarian, and then time slipped away. 

In short, the last six and half years (or more) have been about coming to accept the parts of me that are fundamental while simultaneously trying to change parts of myself that are acquired. I keep going back to the Serenity Prayer. Grant me the serenity to accept the things, I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.   And that is the challenge of realizing what I can (and should change) vs. what I need to learn to accept and even appreciate and nuture.

One conclusion I have is that I am a contrarian. The best way to get me not to do something is for a large number of people to tell me I should do it. Sometimes, I am proud of this trait - I see it as a mark of my individuality and independence. But, it can be annoying when something really interests me but because I am hearing a constant refrain that I "must do this or watch that or listen to this" I resist and refuse. 

And it isn't just the nameless, faceless masses that elicit this response - even if it is people whose opinions and tastes that I respect - I will still get this reaction. But to clarify, it is different if someone makes a recommendation of an artist - shoot, I am not sure how to explain this... 

I guess television (under which I include streaming services). That buzz worthy show that you call think the best and that you insist that I watch (and by that I don't mean directly insist that I watch it - but you know... "everyone must watch this" - well the chances are I am not going to watch it until the buzz has died down. Even if I really want to watch it. And that is where this is annoying. It is not an intentional action - it just seems to be a part of who I am. 

Another more cogent example... E2TG occasionally leans heavily toward roots/Americana music. I am in Nashville and a lot of my friends play this type of music, I once wrote for No Depression, I like a lot of music that falls under this moniker. I have a lot of friends whose tastes run toward this (admittedly broadly defined style of music) and I have made some great connections through this type of music. However, anytime, I feel that E2TG is starting to go to far toward being an Americana/roots blog - I have an almost automatic reaction and start seeking out metal and punk and darkwave and shoegaze and indie pop. This is not to say that my interest in these other genres and styles is not genuine - it very much is. But, I sometimes, I think I end up unintentionally alienated some people. 

But, it all comes back to what is a behavior that I can (and want to change) and what is a behavior that is just who I am and which I need to learn to accept and appreciate. No answers... just endless questions.  

Onward - we have five more songs to feature from this week's Playlist - songs 19-23

19. "Northern Song" by The Asteroid No. 4

San Francisco based Psych band The Asteroid No. 4 return to the Playlist with the title track of their new album. The band originated in the 1990s in Philadelphia. They have a great sound, that I am happy to have in the Playlist. 

20. "Some Days" by Wayne Graham

Kentucky based rock band Wayne Graham also make a return visit to the Playlist with a track from their forthcoming (Nov. 13) album 1% Juice. The band is led by two brothers: Kenny and Hayden Miles. This is a wonderful song. 

21. "Silent Alarm" by Fabian Jack

Next up, we have the new single from London-based five piece band Fabian Jack. The song is warning about the dire state of the environment. 

22. "Milk" by Wynnm

Next up, we have a really lovely track from an artist who has roots in the American Southwest (born to a harmonica playing father and a 1st generation Korean-American mother. Wynnm currently resides in Amsterdam. The music is rich and diverse and everything I love for my shuffle. 

23. "Myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol" by HMS Morris

The title may have given this away, but HMS Morris is an art rock band from Wales. This is a great way to close out this segment of music. By the way, the title translates to "International Students". 

         

    Featured Friday Playlist

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - What Have I Become? Mix

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Well... here we are at the penultimate shuffle of the year, and the penultimate Earie post (not counting the "Golden Earier" posts. 

Reflecting on 2017 some more (although really ready to see it in my rear-view mirror), and I see ups and downs - as with most years. To me there is a fundamental shift that happened this year. Perspective and perception are everything, and so I don't always know when my experience of something  (a year perhaps) is mine alone - or if it is shared. I can say, though, that I have heard enough people talking about this year to know that I am not alone my outlook.  That shift - is not for the best - IMHO, nor is it a permanent shift. Already, I see signs of hope.  It seems like every year, I enter the year filled with some sense of hope that I will do more or better or at least different. This year, I'm not sure I have hope, but I think I do have resolve. I don't make resolutions at New Years - I don't have much luck with those, but I do tend to see the cycling of the calendar as an opportunity to revisit and change things that aren't working. 

This is the winter solstice - the shortest day of the year. Hanukkah just ended, Christmas is coming up as is Kwanzaa. And the end of the calendar year in the west. And so, I send out well wishes to anyone who is reading this - no matter what you do or do not celebrate. In a divided nation and a divided world, I send out thoughts of reconciliation and peace and harmony.

This is just my tiny corner of the internet, but I am so grateful for all of the wonderful people I have met because of it. 

Let's shuffle:

Musique qui est nouveau Monday Morning Shuffle - It Takes a Pillage Mix

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Well... we finally got some cooler weather here in Nashville.

The world continues to be a pretty screwed up place, and I struggle to find the line between staying aware of all that is going on and maintaining my sanity.

This Saturday night, two E2TG Artists of the Year appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage (backing up Elizabeth Cook) - Jon Latham (2015) and Brian Wright (2016).  I say this just because I am really proud of those guys - not just for this but for all that they are doing.

Disheartened to see all the "Me, too" posts on Facebook from friends and people I admire. I have always believed in the basic goodness of people... and counted bad behavior as an aberration. Sometimes, I begin to doubt that.  This is one of those cases... I have a many female friends involved in  entertainment and sexual harassment and worse seems to be an almost universal experience. And it's not just the entertainment industry.  I wonder sometimes what percentage of men have done this, and what percentage have witnessed it and not spoken up. Am I in that latter group... sadly I know I am. This has to change. We need to talk about this and we need to denormalize (is that a word?) this behavior. I'll admit, I still have questions about what things I need to do or stop doing.  I need to admit that I have those questions and start conversations to get the answers.


In other news, if you wish me Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Season Greetings... heck if you say anything to me out of kindness, I am okay with that and I appreciate it.  If you say you are praying for me or sending good thoughts or sending positive energy or anything meant to offer support, I am okay with that and I appreciate it. I think the "War on Christmas" is a lie perpetuated by the far right to divide people.  That's my feeling.  Throughout this "holiday season" try to treat people with kindness, try to think of those who are alone and lonely this time of year in particular, try to give more than you receive.  Do that (or at least try) and you are okay in my back not what if or what you celebrate. 

Ug.... a lot on my mind, and I didn't really intend to write any of that, but it's what came out....

The "New Music" playlist is just under 400 songs, but I have more ready to be added.  Let's shuffle:

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Lips are Moving Mix

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All right. It's Friday....  saw Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack doing their Daddy (duo)  thing last night at The Family Wash.  Lisa Oliver Gray joined them for a couple of songs.  Always great to see the two of them.  There are working on the third DADDY record and it is open to pre-orders now - through Will Kimbrough's PayPal account.

I'm going to jump right into the Featured Friday shuffle...


"Funny Feeling" by Luxury Mane

We start things off with the last track we have to feature from Lux Runnin Out - the 2016 album by this band from St. Petersburg, Florida.  I look forward to what's next from this band.

"Gluten Farmer" by Discount Ravioli

It's becoming a regular Friday thing to have a Discount Ravioli track or two or four as part of every Friday's shuffle. This is (apparently) a sequel to the classic Circus Propaganda song, "Gluten Farm" What is a Gluten Farmer?  Check out Discount Ravioli's Baby Arm Sessions and find out.  

"I Know" by The Maxx

Next up, we have another track from Funk Box - the latest album by this long-running 70s-style funk/soul band from Atlanta. Adding some groove to my Friday commute.  

"id" by Ugggy

This is the opening track from Ugggy's May 2017 release,  STŒND ALŒN (uncollected thots), (the third of seven so far this year).  It is a fifteen second introduction to the release. 

"Stagger Lee" by Taj Mahal

or "Stack-o-Lee". The first of two tracks from the Labor of Love album released in conjunction with the Music Maker Relief Foundation. Taj Mahal originally recorded a version of this song (which dates from 1911) on his De Ole Folks at Home album in 1969.

"Warning Sign" by Black Needle Noise  with Kendra Frost

Next up, we have another track from Black Needle Noise - which features John Fryer of This Mortal Coil.  The most recent album, called Lost in Reflections features a number of collaborations included this one with Kendra Frost. 

"News Blackout" by Tim Easton

Next, we have another cut from Strange Freedom: Songs of Love and Protest which Cafe Rooster put out recently. This track was originally released on Easton's 2008 album Ammunition. The words seem pretty appropriate today. 

"Song for Brenda" by Taj Mahal with Cool John Ferguson

Next, we have an instrumental - and a cool one at that  - from Labor of Love featuring Taj Mahal and Cool John Ferguson.  Ferguson is a frequent collaborator with Taj Mahal (and others).  Taj Mahal has said that Cool John Ferguson is among the top five guitar players in the world.  He is also the Director of Creative Development at Music Make Relief Foundation.

"Nedobity" by The Foresters

And we close out the shuffle with a track from the latest album (House Stories) by E2TG faves, The Foresters. There is some crossover between Discount Ravioli and The Foresters.   Near as I can tell, "Nedobity" is a reference to something or someone or somewhere in Connecticut.  In other words, it's a Connecticut thing. Follow E2TG on Facebook and maybe someone from The Foresters camp will explain what it means or not. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Sun Blown Mix

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Hmm... I'm just not feeling like a commentary today... maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's just life... whatever... ah more time for the music... music is a constant for me.  Hot, cold, good moods, bad moods... music is a balm, it makes me think sometimes, it makes me dance sometimes, it makes me nostalgic sometimes...

Today is Tuesday so we dive into the "New Music" playlist for our Trending Tuesday Shuffle....

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Mumblin' Mix

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Running very late.... busy, busy, busy... This will be brief, but here are some cool tunes for the day!  Hopefully, I'll have a bit more time for commentary tomorrow.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Looking at Their Phones Mix

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So yesterday, as I worked, I would look out the window and sea picture perfect day while I watched the temperature on my phone rise through the seventies into the low 80s. It was the first day of Spring, and it felt like it.  I hustled home and changed into shorts, grabbed a beer, and sat out on my back deck reveling in the sun and just right temperatures. And the the clouds began to roll in, and in less than a hour it was storming.  I guess that is Spring, too.

You know, like a lot of people, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the state of the world and this country, and our government. Sometimes, as I react to some new revelation, some new affront to decency, some new outrage... I find myself questioning if I am overreacting. Or perhaps more to the point, I find myself wondering if I am reacting to the right things. As I have said before, I NEVER intended, E2TG to be a forum for my political beliefs. I have always and still believe that this country is made great not by a uniformity of opinions and tenets and beliefs, but by the differences. I believe it is possible that not every belief or philosophy of mine is 100 percent correct 100 percent of the time.  Or that the "other side" is 100 percent wrong 100 percent of the time.

So, in the past two months, I have struggled to differentiate the "normal" political issues (some of which are very important) and this new "not normal" world in which we find ourselves. It is a difficult thing to do because the two are often intertwined. The current administration's ties to Russia and white supremacists - their outright lies and attacks on the press... these and more should transcend (D) vs. (R) or virtually any other artificial division.

I don't have a neat wrap up... these are just some things that have been on my mind. ****************************************************************************

On Tuesday - we shuffle up our "New Music" playlist - that is filled with (fairly) recent (including not yet released) music that has come to me by variety of mediums and people. It is today's glimpse at what is "Trending" on E2TG.