Theme Thursday Morning Shuffle - Just a Shot Away Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Okay - today I am mostly going to let my shuffle speak for itself... but I was thinking last night about something I wrote yesterday and something I've heard repeated,,, for many of us, as we observe what is happening in the world - in Washington. As we are horrified and angry and yes at times amused (Bowling Green Massacre), we are left to the great mystery - why are there still people supporting this administration.  Or more importantly, why/how are there people who actually think it is going well. The conclusion I came to is two-fold. First of all, they are seeing the world through a filter that makes things look very different than what I am seeing. Am I also looking at the world through a filter? Sure, I imagine we are to a certain extent. But, in most cases, that filter has limits.  In most cases, it is possible to find some common ground of agreement - but in recent times - and this did not start by any means with the election of the current President - that ability to find any common ground has seemed elusive. So, whereas I  may view a speech or a talk show appearance or a tweet - as dangerous or delusional or dishonest, someone viewing through a different filter - may see it as brave or refreshing or brutally honest.

The second thing is the proliferation of extremist propaganda outlets disguised as news sources. There is a meme going around that attempts to provide guidance in this area, and although some may argue with the placement of certain outlets on that chart, the basic premise is pretty hard to dismiss. Add to that the logarithms employed by sites like Facebook but make it less likely that you will see posts that go against your worldview. To my friends on the left (and this is to me as well), maybe - just maybe - I should read some of those far right sites - just to understand what kinds of information is being fed to those friends of ours who still support this President. Not to forgive or excuse or justify - just to try to gain some understanding...

Then, we need to find away to fight back against extremist of all kinds and shapes and the powers that shape and control those extremists...


Moving on... Had a blast at the first ever WXNA night at Kay Bob's Grill and Ale last night.  They are doing this every third Wednesday. From 5-11pm a percentage of sales goes to WXNA!


ICYMI - My review of the new album from Sean Quinn and the Tremblers was posted this morning. You can read it HERE.


Now for Theme Thursday,.... usual disclaimers apply - just songs that loosely fit a predetermined theme (unexplained). Some times - the connection is just a title that makes me think of something that fits the theme.  Also, I do not mean to ascribe any motives political or otherwise to any of the artists/songs


Let's Go!

Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Stand in Line to Die Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Greetings... I am in a much better place than yesterday.  Still a little rushed, but I can get through this shuffle...   

First up my recap of CXCW15 Day 5:  I am way behind on my couchin', but there was an awesome Irish showcase that featured the legendary Glen Hansard.  Plus videos from my friend Eli Rhodes who plays with Todd Farrell and the Dirty Birds  and also writes some amazing songs of his own.  Look for a solo record soon.  #E2TG favorites Tim Lee 3 return to the couch with another great video, and the closing video of the day came from Nashville's own Will Kimbrough playing a song he wrote with Sam Baylor from Will's legendary band Will and the Bushmen.  Sam passed away this week.  Life is short, ya'll...

Thursday (Covers) Morning Music Shuffle - Golfball-sized Golfballs Mix

First off, I have to say that the votes are pouring in for the Band of the Year.  Overnight or early this morning we had a lead change - so keep voting.  You can vote here

 

It's Thursday which means we take a randomish shuffle through our growing list of cover versions of songs.  We have a good list so let's get started:

 

The Players:

 

Coverers:

1.

2.

3.

4.

 

Coverees:

1.

2.

3.

 

4.

 

The Covers:

1.  In 2010 Jason Mraz recorded a cover of Norman Greenbaum's 1960s classic Spirit in the Sky as part of the Levi's Pioneer Sessions.

2.  Alternative Super Cover Group Me First and the Gimme Gimmes did what they do to Hall & Oates first #1 song (1977s Rich Girl)

3.  Bruce Springsteen got all rootsy and stuff and covered the Blind Alfred Reed folk song originally recorded in 1929.  How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live was on 2006s We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions - American Land Edition.  Springsteens version includes verses about Hurrican Katrina and owes more to the 1970 Ry Cooder version than Reed's original.

4.  Dusty Springfield covered Carole King's Tapestry song - made famouser by James Taylor - You Got a Friend is on her classic 1971 Dusty in Memphis which was actually recorded before Taylor's version.

 

Thursday (Covers) Morning Music Shuffle - Maybe Superman Mix

Once again, we reach Thursday and to denote the day named for the god Thor, we bring on the cover versions of songs....

The Coverers

Marshall Crenshaw once played John Lennon in an Off-Broadway version of Beatlemania. He has been making consistently brilliant records for around 30 years. In a just world, Marshall Crenshaw would be the biggest thing on the planet.

Wavves is from San Diego, California.  They play surf infused noise punk music, and in January they are going to be part of the Weezer Cruise, which sounds like a totally cool thing to me. I think they should do a remake of the Love Boat and set it on the Weezer Cruise.

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes are a cover band so it's appropriate that they are on this list.  The band includes members of Foo Fighters, NOFX and Lagwagon.

Is a South Dakota-born singer-songwriter.  She sang backup vocals on Suzanne Vega's hit song Luka. She has released 7 full length studio albums including an album of cover songs.
The Coverees

Peter Case was a founding member of the new wave band The Nerves. After that band broke up, he founded the Plimsouls who recorded one of my all time favorite songs, A Million Miles Away - among a number for great songs. In 1986, Peter Case released his self-titled album Peter Case. I can remember hearing Walk in the Woods on college radio, and picking up the cassette on a trip to Nashville, and the album being a perfect soundtrack to a drive down a state highway in the dusky dark. I eventually owned that album on CD and Vinyl as well.  Peter Case is the real deal - don't miss it if you ever get a chance to see him live.

Sonic Youth make a crazy noises. You either love them or hate them, but for better or worse they have influenced a generation of alternative bands. The band formed 30 years ago in New York City. I'll be honest, I'm not a huge Sonic Youth fan, but I recognize their importance enough to have some of their music in my collection.  Besides, sometimes, you just want to listen to wacky tunings and feedback and distortion.

Kenny Rogers has been making music for over 50 years. He was once a member of the New Christy Minstrals. He later formed the The First Edition.  During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Kenny Rogers was a fixture on country and pop radio. Jason Isbell sometimes sports a vintage Kenny Rogers tour jacket on stage.


The Police formed in 1977 and by the early 80s were the biggest band in the world. At Live Aid, the Police,  symbolically passed the torch on to U2. The broke-up a year later and their bassist and lead singer Sting went on to record an album of lute music.

The Covers



Wavves Cover Sonic Youth