E2TG 3/4/2020 - East Nashville Strong/Nashville Strong/Tennessee Strong - Glass Window Mix (Black Flag Remix)

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The tornado that ripped through North and East Nashville and across Middle Tennessee in the early hours of Tuesday morning did considerable damage and left over 20 people dead across the state. 

The East Nashville music community with which I have aligned myself (and been accepted into) over the last five or so years was hit hard. In addition to the well-publicized major damage at the Basement East (I am so thankful all of the employees made it through okay), musicians and members of the extended community suffered damage to their homes, cars, and places of employment - all of which puts their often perilous financial situations into more dire straights (I will accept responsibility for that "Sultans of Swing" earworm.)  

Already, the resilience and spirit of community have been heartening (but not unexpected).  If I could only say one thing about this community, it would be about how they come together in times of loss and through difficult times. I trust that we all will come through this stronger than ever with a heightened sense of community. 

All that, however, is not meant to minimize the difficult days, weeks, and months ahead. I encourage anyone reading this who has been affected in any way, to reach out for help.  In situations like this, people can be affected in many different ways and it can affect all parts of the community - perhaps none more than our most vulnerable citizens. We (which I use in the community sense) are fortunate enough to have some great community partners who do great work every day, and who have already stepped up. 

To anyone who feels called to help out, seek out legitimate organizations to support. I have compiled a brief list of ways to help. The list is growing constantly, but I hope this provides a good place to start. 

E2TG has always and still believes in the healing power of music. So, we will proceed with our regularly scheduled programming. 

 How to help:

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Gideon's Army (Coordinating Donations and Support on the North side)

Go Fund Me for Service Industry Workers in East Nashville

Volunteer with Hands on Nashville

Community Resource Center for Donations of Items 

Here is a Nashville Scene Article with many resources for helping or getting help

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wednesday Morning Shuffle:

Sorry this list isn't more diverse... (just kidding)... enjoy, I sure did. 

"Black Flag Blues" by Adam Carroll (from Live at Flipnotics)

One of my favorite Adam Carroll songs - ask Scott Nolan about the Pecan Logs from Stuckey's.

"Empty Your Head" by Smokey the Firebear (Teshio Democracy EP)

Before he was in Them Airs - Cade Williams put out experimental music under the moniker Smokey the Firebear. This is from one of his many releases no longer on-line. The Video Playlist has a different track substituted.

"Glass Window View" by Triggers and Slips (from The Stranger)

Looking forward to seeing Triggers and Slips in April at the Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown V (Just announced: the show will now be a benefit for Tornado relief - details to come). The Stranger was among my favorite albums of 2019.

"Raglan Road" by Ricko Donovan (from Full On)

On-time Nashville resident  - who I met on our shared birthday four years ago. He is singer-songwriter and hammer dulcimer player. 

"I-i Thina Lapha Esishupekayo" by George Sibanda (from Guitar Music of Africa/Recordings 1950-1955)

Some seminal 1950s African guitar music. Sibanda was from Rhodesia - which is now called Zimbabwe. 

"Weekend Brawl" by Jerry Castle (from Not So Soft Landing...)

Nashville based singer-songwriter with a track from his 2016 album.

"Walking Shoes" by Duke Dickson (from Gonna Make it Alone)

"Miss Globule" by Pas Musique (from The Phoenix)

"Pulling Me Down" by Brandi and the Alexanders (from How Do You Like It?)

"I Can See For Years" by Good Field (from Surface Tension)

"Dusk" by Moonshine Booze (from Desert Road)

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Recent and Upcoming Releases:

Recent:
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)
1/17 - Damen - "Americana" (single)
1/17 - The Singing Butcher - "Circus Girl" (single)

1/17 - Simen Lyngroth - "Morning Light" (single)

1/17 - 100 Mile House - "Worth the Wait" (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) (E2TG First Impression)
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)
1/24 - J. Luke Cloutier - Drown (LP)
1/26 - Nik West - "Tears" (single)
1/28 - Motihari Brigade - Power from Below (LP)
1/29 - Remington Super 60 - NEW EP (EP)
1/31 - Eric Brace and Last Train Home - Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows (LP)
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) (E2TG First Impression)
1/31 - Emma Hill - How Could I Have Been So Wrong (EP)
1/31 - Ryan Sobb and the Dead Mall - Concrete Feelings (LP) (E2TG First Impression)
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)
1/31 - Damen - "Disco" (single)
1/31 - Tinsley Ellis - Ice Cream in Hell (LP)
1/31 - The Singing Butcher - "Coming Home" (single)
2/01 - Glenn Jones - Ready for the Good Times (LP)

2/02 - Karabas Barabas - Degenerate National Anthem (LP)
2/04 - Mayflower Madame - "Vultures" (single)
2/05 - Joseph Mooradian  - "We all Work Too Much"/"Dash My Dreams" (single)

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 - Christopher Paul Stelling - Best of Luck (LP)
2/07 - HMS Morris - "Babanod" (single)
2/07 - Tiny Fighter- "Strangest Thing" (single)
2/07 - Wynnm - "Fire on the Moon" (single)
2/07 - The Golden Cage Society - Mira (Mini EP)
2/07 - Alienbaby Collective - "Degenerate Moon" (single)
2/07 - Eric and the Anti-Vaxxers - Timeshare Girlfriend (EP)
2/07 - Sammy Brue - "Teenage Mayhem" and "Crash Test Kid" (singles)
2/07 - Lucille - "Kerikeri" (single)

2/07 - Jon Magnusson  - Always a Rebel (Live in Studio Silverräven) (single)

2/07 - Thomas Passon - "Über" (single)

2/07 - BisonBison - "Hover" (single)

2/07 - BisonBison - Hover (LP)

2/13 - Little Triggers - "Bang" (single)

2/14 - Grant Peeples - Bad Wife (LP)
2/14 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/14 - Johanna Kuvaja - "Back for Good" (single)
2/14 - Sarah Reynolds - "I Need Love" (single)
2/14 - Afterimage - "Six Seconds" (single)
2/14 - Kalee Smyth - "Bring Our Love Down" (single)

2/14 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single)

2/14 - Kid Be Kid - "Blood" (single)

2/14 - Chris Maxwell - New Store No. 2 (LP)

2/18 - David J - "I Only Hear Silence Now" (single)

2/19 - Paisley Fields - "Ride Me Cowboy" (single)

2/19 - Tom Cridland - "The Laws of Success" (single)

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)
2/21 - Arkane Skye - "Don't Ask Me Out" (single)

2/21 - Easy - "Crystal Waves" (single)

2/21 - Blue Lucas - "Train Station" (single)

2/21 - Stumbleine - "Supermodels" (single)

2/21 - Jesse Blake Rundle - "The Death of a Soldier" (single)
2/21 - Whitney Shay - Stand Up! (LP)

2/21 - 100 Mile House - "Test the Timber" (single)

2/22 - Charlotte Eagle Sings - Embracing the Old Ways (LP)

2/24 - Jon Magnusson - "Set Me on Fire (Live Silverraven Sessions) (single)

2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP)
2/28 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "All or None" (single)2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP)
2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)

2/28 - Scenius - "Glass Rain" (single)

2/28 - Jeffrey James - East London (EP)

2/28 - Charmless i - "Long Time Coming" (single)

2/28 - Gallary 47 - "I Wish I Was" (single)

2/28 - Xirita - "Don't Go" (single)

2/28 - Son of David - "Carry On" (single)

2/28 - Harry Stafford - "Painted Ocean" (single)
2/28 - Strange Majik - "World On Fire" (single)

2/28 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP)

2/29 - Jimmy Who and the Night Creatures - Tinker's Blues (EP)

This Week

3/04 - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Chameleon (LP)

3/04 - Iron Mike Norton - "Help Me Make It Through the Night" (single)
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)

3/06 - The Mystery Plan - Ballad of JC Quinn (LP)

3/06 - Brian Wright and the Sneakups - "Patrick's Crossing" (single)

3/06 - Jonny Polonsky - Kingdom of Sleep (LP)

3/06 - Tiny Fighter - "Perfect Game" (single)

3/06 - African Head Charge - Drumming is a Language (LP)

3/06 - African Head Charge - Songs of Praise - reissue (LP)

3/06 - African Head Charge - Churchical Chant Of The Iyabinghi (LP)

Upcoming

3/09 - Marco Bonvicini - "Colors" (single)

3/13 - The Flatmates - The Flatmates (LP)
3/13 - Kleenex Girl Wonder - Ponyoak (20th Anniversary Edition) + BLP (demos and out-takes) (LP)
3/13 - Sandwick - Reconstruct (LP)
3/13 - Foley and the Fire - "Springsteen on the Radio" (single)
3/13 - Kalee Smyth - The Ceiling (EP)

3/13 - Sha Davis - Songs I Wrote When You Left (EP)

3/13 - The Losing Touch - "Through the Night" (single)

3/13 - Gerry Gareau - Feet Off The Brakes (EP)

3/13 - Ayla Brook and the Sound Men - Desolation Sounds (LP)

3/13 - The Academy of Sun - "The Parts That Need Replacing" (single)

3/18 - Marco Bonvicini - Colors (EP)
3/20 - Matt Wilson and His Orchestra - When I Was a Writer (LP)
3/20 - Chris Moyse - Bitter Ballads and Cynical Prayers (LP)

3/20 - Samuel Boller - Kingdom of the Sun (LP)
3/20 - The Blam Blams - "Isabella" (single)
3/20 - Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox (reissue) (LP)

3/20 - Kid Be Kid - Lovely Genders (EP)

3/20 - Toni Sauna - Dead Flour (single)

3/20 - Ender Bender - "Star Killer" (single)3/27 - Mayflower Madame - Prepared for a Nightmare (LP)
3/20 -  Strange Majik - 20/20 (LP)

3/27 - Mayflower Madame - "Swallow" (single)
3/27 - Alienbaby Collective - F I S H B O W L / T E R R E S T R I A L (Double EP)
3/27 - Mairena - "Weird All the Time" (single)
3/27 - Lucille - Come on,Fly (LP)

3/27 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "Money" (single)

3/27 - Ben Reel - The Nashville Calling (LP)

3/27 - 100 Mile House - Love and Leave You (LP)4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP)
3/27 - Watermelon Slim - Traveling Man (Double Live LP)

3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)

3/?? - Harry Stafford - Gothic Urban Blues (LP)
4/01? - Ten Penny Gypsy - Fugitive Heart (LP)

4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (LP)

4/03 - Stumbleine - Sink Into the Ether (LP)

4/09 - Ellison - "Sing" (single)

4/10 - Eliza Gilkyson - 2020 (LP)
4/10 - Dan Montgomery - Smoke and Mirrors (a phonographic memory) (LP)
4/10 - Pokey LaFarge - Rock Bottom Rhapsody (LP)

4/10 - The Dream Syndicate - The Universal Inside (LP)

4/13 - Pilotcan - No More Shan Goodbye (LP)
4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)

4/16 - Destijl - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (LP)

4/17 - Aimee Stevens - "Hell is a Teenaged Girl" (single)

4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single)
4/24 - Ben Bostick - Among the Faceless Crowd (LP)

4/24 - Kyle Lalone - Somewhere In Between (EP)

5/08 - Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups - Lapse of Luxury

5/31 - Debra Power - That's How I Roll (LP)

6/05 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "None of Your Business" (single)

6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)

7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)

E2TG 2019 Recap - Part 2 - Last Supper Mix (Drunk Firefly Remix)

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Looking into the 2020, I want E2TG to better reflect the things happening around music that I find notable and interesting, and I want to be more responsive to submissions that fall outside of the shuffle concept.  Although the shuffle has served me well, at times, I will get a single that I am really interested in writing about but it may take a long time for that one song to come up in a shuffle.

At the same time, it has become necessary to redistribute how I use my time and it is also time for me to look into forging some partnerships to provide more content (dare I use that word?) for the site. That is where I feel I being led as we begin the 10th year of E2TG. I am excited, and I hope you will join me on this new adventure.

First, though, we need to wrap up 2019 and we are doing so by revisiting some of the great music we featured during the year. Today's shuffle overall has a more experimental/alternative feel to it. Let's dig in!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Dixie Boo Mix

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In a bit of a reflective mood.  Which I say just to indicate that in the words that follow, I am addressing my self and my tendencies - not anyone else.  One thing that E2TG has helped me with is a sense of insecurity about forming original and even unique opinions about music. I remember when I was young and first getting into music - in a major way - I would hear a band I had never heard before and really like what I heard, but then I would feel a need to get reassurance from someone else that it was really "good" music. I don't think I am totally unique in this and I don't think writing E2TG has 100% "cured" me of this tendency (it is still nice to have an opinion validated by someone whose opinion I trust), but I think it has improved things.  The bottom line, as far as I am concerned, is that my opinion (and yours for that matter) is not contingent on what anyone else thinks. I guess that is why I am not a fan of trashing a band or artist just because I don't like them.

An extreme example:  When Jon Landau famously declared, "I saw rock and roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen," (ignoring for a moment the influence the statement had on Springsteen's early popularity) he was stating an opinion. And certainly, some people have a keener ability to spot talent and potential, but it was an opinion nonetheless. What if Springsteen's first album had flopped and he had given up music and disappeared into obscurity. If that had happened, Landau's quote would have been forgotten and perhaps rightfully be seen as a mistake. BUT - it would not change the feeling that spurred the statement in the first place. I have seen bands that struck a chord with me  (maybe not the future of rock n roll - but a great show) whose careers by some measure would sooner or later fizzle.  That does not mean that the feeling I initially experienced was wrong.

In terms of E2TG, I always write about music that I like or love. Always. Over the years, I some of the people whose music I love - have thrived in music (as much as any artist  can thrive these days) while others have (seemingly) mostly given up music to pursue other opportunities (and everywhere in between those two extremes).  One reason, I don't really look back but rather keep moving forward is that knowing the outcome shouldn't and for me doesn't  affect the veracity of my initial impression. I have written about bands or singer-songwriters whose music moved me deeply and who I believed should be known by a wider audience. I trust that initial feeling to be true - regardless of where that band/artist ended up.   (This is not say that my opinions may not change over time - there is music I loved in college that I don't really want to listen to now, however, that change is not in any way a reflection or result of the relative success or lack therein of the band).   (I will leave the moral/ethical questions about what to do or not do when an artist ends up being a serial killer or whatever - for another discussion).

I have to move on.  After catching Jon Byrd and Paul Niehaus at their weekly show at Dee's, I made the decision to go to $2 - where other than Derek Hoke - the line-up was mostly artists I didn't know (or at least configurations I didn't know).  Surrounding an extended set from Derek Hoke (with Paul Niehaus again and his usual band of Mark Robertson and Steve Latanation)  I saw two singer-songwriters named Mike. Mike Frazier from Virginia did a solo set and Mike Lynch - relatively new to town did a set backed by Mark Robertson (again) and I drummer whose name I missed). Great sets by both Mikes.  The late night slot was MASS - a relatively new project (drum and keyboards) featuring Jimmy Matt Rowland (who I most recently saw playing with Brian Wright) and Jon Radford - who it seems I keep running into - playing in many great combos. MASS was incredible - loungey instrumentals (but that description is lacking). 

On to the shuffle!  Wild Wednesday gets wilder!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Murder of Crows Mix

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All right, as I mentioned yesterday - time going to be short this week - so no chit-chat - let's get to the music!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - New Sheriff Mix

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The Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown IV is just around the bend!  Make your plans to attend Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27 at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  The fabulous Lady Couch will be closing out the whole she-bang on Saturday!  Here is a video of Allen Thompson and Mike Ford of Lady Couch.




Now, we have come to the last Shuffle for this week. I am off work tomorrow for Good Friday.

You know, I may need to rename my Wild Wednesday shuffle - because to be honest our regular shuffles have been pretty wild and pretty awesome. Thanks go out to the artists and publicists who continue to send me great and diverse new (and reissued) (and new to me) music.

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Blues for My Nation Mix

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Music hath charms...  Let's Shuffle!