Well, 2020 is here, but we got a little behind on the 2019 recap, so we are carrying on for the next couple of days. We should wrap up the recap tomorrow and then, next week, we have some Earies to give out, but after that I am ready to jump headlong into the new year!
*Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is ever included.
Last night was my fourth night in a row out. Two more to go until I take a break (for probably one night). Last night was a really great night. The music was top notch - as I expected it to be, but the best part were the incredibly creative and kind people I got to hang out with for a bit.
The night started at Tennessee Brew Works - where our friend George Trouble - in from Asheville - joined Bob Lewis and Megan Palmer. Great to see all of them and to hang with Collins de la Cour who does a great job booking the music there. Plus, saw Erin Nelson (drummer - Nelson, Zimmerman, and Quinn) and others and Kirsten Maxwell - a singer-songwriter who I saw perform on her first day in Nashville. A lot of good conversations about creativity and following your muse.
Next, I headed to The 5 Spot. More friends there. Arrived just in time to catch Jon Latham and his band (sans Andrew Leahey who had just flown in from Europe). It was there first time playing in several months, and they sounded fantastic.
Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups were next (with Jon Latham joining in this powerhouse line-up). I think this is one of the coolest things going in Nashville or anywhere. Brian Wright's new album is being finished as I type this - it is going to be a game changer. Get on board, now!
David Newbould closed out the night in fine fashion. Newbould has a long and successful career behind him and I think ahead of him, too. I don't get to see if nearly as often as I like (my fault not his), but it was great to get a reminder of how good a songwriter and performer he is.
Let's end this week in fine fashion with a great shuffle of music!
Okay! I loaded a bunch of new songs into the playlist last night. I think only one song made it into today's shuffle - but expect some awesome new music coming up. In the meantime, we have some awesome music that we have been featuring. I have to make it quick today - so get ready!
People often ask me (not really) why I do random shuffles for E2TG. I mean, it is my blog, I could painstakingly "curate" a list of 8-10 songs and then post them every day. Why leave it up to the shuffle function to pick which songs pop up?
Never mind that if I picked the list every day, I would spend hours second guessing and obsessing over which new album I was neglecting etc. The main reason for my using the random shuffle is that I believe in the "magic" of randomness. Over the last eight years, I have seen so many weird coincidences and cool connections pop up in a shuffle. There's even one today - watch for it.
It has been a busy week, and it's not over. Last night, I stopped off on the way home to catch Nick Loss-Eaton of Leland Sundries doing a solo set at Tennessee Brew Works. You may recall, I had a Leland Sundries song in the shuffle yesterday (I had completely forgotten about Nick playing - until the event popped up on my phone) - see what I mean about randomness? Anyway, it was a good time. Hung out with Collins de la Cour (who does the music booking there) and Ted Drozdowski (who sat in on a song with Nick).
A quick trip home and then it was off to City Winery to catch a show for a review I am writing. Look for that review very soon.
Okay - I'm even more rushed than usual. So let me get right it.
Welcome to our new Facebook followers!
It is Day 3 of the WXNA Spring Pledge Drive - so if you want to give - the easiest way is to go to wxnafm.org Or you can call 615-933-9962. You can make a one-time pledge or set up an automatic monthly deduction. Either way - there is great swag and you will be helping to support an incredible community resource.
Tonight is the CD release show for Meghan Hayes excellent album - Seen Enough Leavers - at the 5 Spot at 6pm. She has a great band backing her and some cool songwriters opening the show. Seen Enough Leavers is a remarkable album.
Now Wednesday - the day we get wild and wacky! Well, I guess we do that every day... but we call it Wild Wednesday for good reason - as you will soon see.
"My Only True Friend" by Gregg Allman
We start things off with the lead single and only original song from the posthumously released final album by the great Gregg Allman. The album was produced by Don Was and recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals.
"The River (Instrumental)" by Martha Reich
Next up, we have an instrumental track from Brave Bird by New Mexico based singer-songwriter Martha Reich. The album was one we featured a lot last year.
"The Four Corners" by Danny Sandock
Next up, we have our old friend California (by way of Indiana - with a stop in Tennessee) singer-songwriter Danny Sandock with a track from his 2014 album Breakin' New Ground. The song is about that point where four states meet.
"Must Be Nice" by Rat Fancy
Next up, we have California twee pop punk rockers Rat Fancy with a track from their upcoming debut album Stay Cool.
"Resistance" by Lions'Den
Next up, we have a track from Songbird by Lions'Den - a project of guitarist Rhy Dongju - it is guitar driven electronic music. Cool stuff.
"I Wouldn't Buy a Used Car from Him" by Norma Jean
Next up, we have a 1965 single from country music artist Norma Jean - taken from her album Pretty Miss Norma Jean - released while she was appearing on the Porter Wagoner Show.
"Kitty Wells Dresses" by Laura Cantrell
Next up - a lovely song about another country legend - this by Nashville native Laura Cantrell. J Mar played a Laura Cantrell song Monday night while I was working the WXNA Pledge Drive, so it is really cool this came up today.
"Losing Heart" by The Secret Sisters
How about The Secret Sisters covering a modern country legend - Brandi Carlile. This is from the anniversary tribute to her album The Story - called Cover Stories which was released 2017 - 10 years after the release of the original album.
"Help Me Remember" by Suzette Lawrence and The Neon Angels
Nashville (by way of L.A.)' honky tonk angel - Suzette Lawrence is up next with a track from her album Tear Up the Honky Tonk.
"Black Flag Blues" by Adam Carroll (feat. Scott Nolan)
More Adam Carroll - this time it's one of my favorite songs of his - from his 2008 album Old Town Rock N Roll. Featuring Canadian singer-songwriter Scott Nolan. A wonderful track.
"Lightning" by Grumsling
Next up - our old friends from California - Grumsling with a track from their album A Church, On a Boat, In the Sea. It's been a little while since we've heard from them. I loved their cinematic take on rock and roll.
"Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" by Arcade Fire
And we close with Arcade Fire with a track from their 2007 album Funeral. A great track to close out the day.
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.
Today, I would like to talk about the fund raising part of the Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown IV. As I have mentioned, the show and the silent auction will benefit the Ben Eyestone Fund of the Music Health Alliance. Many of my Nashville readers know about Ben and this fund, but for those reading this who don't know, HERE is a link to some information about the fund.
I feel like this is becoming a pattern, but it has been another rough week, and I am so glad it is Friday. As I mentioned yesterday, I did add a bunch of new music to my playlist, and I did have to make some cuts to get down to 500 songs (which I have arbitrarily set as a limit for this playlist). Those songs removed are still on my phone, so they can show up on a future Wild Wednesday shuffle.
Just when I think things cannot possibly get any worse, the "President" (I use quotes because I feel the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has lost the moral authority to lead this nation) opens his mouth again. A few observations about yesterday's press conference/national embarrassment, the sitting US President used stronger words to denounce the press than he did to denounce fascists, racists, and white supremacists. He placed that same group of hatemongers on the same level as those who actively (and, yes, sometimes violently) oppose them. He did not name the victim of the fascists/racists/white supremacists but he could take the time to plug his business interest in Charlottesville.
At this point, it seems safe to say that those who still support this man will not be swayed from that support by anything. Yesterday, was metaphorically speaking - shooting someone on 5th Avenue - and while I hope he did lose some votes, it is clear that there are many who still support him.
Also, while I applaud the Republicans on the right who have denounced the President, that applaud is muted until I see action to backup that denouncement.
It seems pretty clear to me that we have a fascist executive branch that is working towards totalitarianism.
I will repeat that - yes I hold primarily leftist views - but I do respect the opinions of those on the right. I believe this nation is best when all sides work together. But when it comes to the people who want to wipe out whole groups of people and who use the symbols of hate and genocide proudly, there is not room for compromise and there are only two sides and there is not moral ambiguity as to which side is evil.
I cannot wait for the day when I do not have to write about things like this in this forum, but that day is not today.
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We have reached mid-week and Wednesday is when we let things get "Wild" at E2TG. I shuffle up all the songs currently on my phone and see what happens. I think the term"wild" fits today's shuffle pretty well.....
