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There are times when the world gets me down... I try to generally stay positive about things, and I know that overall, I am definitely one of the fortunate ones. Sometimes, though, it all gets overwhelming - even the stuff I love, and I have an urge just to run away from everything - at least for a day or a week... And then, something happens to flip everything around in my mind and my psyche. Over the last couple of days, I have become acutely aware of something: relative to nothing but my own experience and life, I have gotten to know a whole bunch of people. When I go out to hear music (which you may have gathered is something I do every now and again), I usually go by myself, but I rarely stay that way. And it is not just a bunch of people I know, but it is a bunch of people that I genuinely care about. Not only that, but I have been fortunate enough to get to know some amazingly talented people, and sometimes, I get to see a bunch of those amazingly talented people make music together (or at least on the same night).
Megan Palmer celebrated the release of her new album What She's Got to Give at The Basement East. Darrin Bradbury opened the night with an inspired solo set that included the rarely performed classic, "Denim-Clad Acid-Wash Man" ("His only regret, his Steve Miller tat") and the resurrected lost gem, "Van Rock" ("'Cause gas and rent are the same in a van").
Megan followed with a full-band set (she played the new album top to bottom) plus added the favorite "Richland Woman". The band was filled with East Nashville favorites including a pretty amazing group of background vocalists - (Tim Easton, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Ariel Bui, Emma Berkey, Nellie Clay and more) - but the star of the show was Megan Palmer which was appropriate since many people know her from backing up all sorts of folks. The songs were amazing, and Megan played fiddle, guitar, and keyboards and sang beautifully. Her cover of John Hartford's "In Tall Buildings" (which is on the new album) was so incredibly moving that several people remarked that it brought tears to their eyes.
The Allen Thompson Band closed the night. I always love to see Allen Thompson sing, and the band sounded tight and loose at the same time. It was a great set to end a really incredible night that made me happy to be at the place in my life to be able to experience it.
By the way, Megan Palmer's new album is absolutely fantastic, and you really need to buy it.
So it is Throwback Thursday at E2TG... The #tbt playlist is actually the smallest of the five I have, and I guess that speaks to the amount of new music I regularly post. Still, it is fun to take a day to just take a spin through some amazing songs of years gone by. There are some classic songs from some classic albums represented in this list.. so sit back and enjoy....
Showing posts with label Richard Thompson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richard Thompson. Show all posts
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Tommy Said So Mix
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I have a lot on my mind, and I kind of feel an extended non-shuffle post coming on - when I have the time.
If you have not done so, I recommend watching the video of Michael Stipe singing "The Man Who Sold the World" on Fallon.
In short, the thoughts in mind are about the concept of limitations vs. the infinite. They are about the road to peace that is sometimes harder to walk but ultimately worth the extra effort. About the music "industry" and the value of art. About the "latest next big thing" vs. the really cool thing that may or may not someday be the "latest next big thing" but regardless is pretty amazing right in this moment.
It's all kind of jumbled in my mind, and for me the only way to unjumble it (or at least the best way) is for me to write it all down. Anyway, some jumbled thoughts may be coming.
Facebook controls what posts you see and even sometimes what pages you "like". This is why I #Crosspost links to this blog on both the E2TG Facebook Page and on my personal page. If you want to follow E2TG on Facebook, click the link give us a "Like". Even if you think (or know) that you "liked" us, go ahead and click the link and make sure you still do "like" us. Or don't. That's cool, too. Not as cool, but it's cool.
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
People sometimes ask me, "How old does a song have to be to appear on "Throwback Thursday". Usually, I just say, "Interesting question..." and wander off.. Really, though, it's impolite to ask a song how old it is, so let's just say the songs on this playlist are all of a "certain age".
Shuffle:
I have a lot on my mind, and I kind of feel an extended non-shuffle post coming on - when I have the time.
If you have not done so, I recommend watching the video of Michael Stipe singing "The Man Who Sold the World" on Fallon.
In short, the thoughts in mind are about the concept of limitations vs. the infinite. They are about the road to peace that is sometimes harder to walk but ultimately worth the extra effort. About the music "industry" and the value of art. About the "latest next big thing" vs. the really cool thing that may or may not someday be the "latest next big thing" but regardless is pretty amazing right in this moment.
It's all kind of jumbled in my mind, and for me the only way to unjumble it (or at least the best way) is for me to write it all down. Anyway, some jumbled thoughts may be coming.
Facebook controls what posts you see and even sometimes what pages you "like". This is why I #Crosspost links to this blog on both the E2TG Facebook Page and on my personal page. If you want to follow E2TG on Facebook, click the link give us a "Like". Even if you think (or know) that you "liked" us, go ahead and click the link and make sure you still do "like" us. Or don't. That's cool, too. Not as cool, but it's cool.
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
People sometimes ask me, "How old does a song have to be to appear on "Throwback Thursday". Usually, I just say, "Interesting question..." and wander off.. Really, though, it's impolite to ask a song how old it is, so let's just say the songs on this playlist are all of a "certain age".
Shuffle:
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Puff Until You Burst Mix
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Greetings from Tuesday!
First of all, I have to say how amazingly proud I am of Darrin Bradbury who played the first night of his month-long Monday Residency at the Basement East. I know I may sound like a broken record about this, but even at the end of last year, when I named Darrin my Artist of the Year, the idea of his playing a month-long residency at the largest club in East Nashville would have been almost inconceivable (unless you stopped to consider the trajectory he was on). And yet, here he was playing before a sizable crowd filled with some of the best songwriters and musicians in this town.
I was struck once again by Darrin's skill as a songwriter. Back in November of 2013, when a mutual friend (Popa Tune's) told me that Darrin was moving to Nashville, I checked out his music (I had written about his old band Big Wilson River a year earlier, but did not know much about Darrin's solo stuff). Around the time, I started listening to Darrin's songs, a friend of mine posted something on Facebook about how they don't make songwriters like they used to... or something like that. And, I remember thinking that Darrin may be the best pure songwriter I've heard in a long, long time. And, he has only gotten better since then.
Darrin was backed by the kind of band that may only be possible in East Nashville: Laur Joamets (Little Joe) from Sturgill Simpson's band on guitar, Megan Palmer on fiddle, Cameron Carrus on bass, Aaron Shafer-Haiss on drums.
The always amazing Aaron Lee Tasjan opened the night, playing some new tunes and sounding awesome even when he forget the lyrics to a song and sang it out of order.
2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham played next - confirming the wisdom of my selection. By the way, Jon was just named Local Artist of the Week at Nashville Independent station Lightning 100. His song "Anesthesia" will be in rotation this week and he will play a free show Friday at Soulshine Pizza.
For me (in kind a full circle kind of way), a highlight of the evening was Darrin leading the band through a cover of the Merle Travis song made famous by Johnny Cash, "Nine Pound Hammer". This song had been Darrin's warm-up song for all of those Wednesday night Fran's shows back in the day.
On to the shuffle....
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
Greetings from Tuesday!
First of all, I have to say how amazingly proud I am of Darrin Bradbury who played the first night of his month-long Monday Residency at the Basement East. I know I may sound like a broken record about this, but even at the end of last year, when I named Darrin my Artist of the Year, the idea of his playing a month-long residency at the largest club in East Nashville would have been almost inconceivable (unless you stopped to consider the trajectory he was on). And yet, here he was playing before a sizable crowd filled with some of the best songwriters and musicians in this town.
I was struck once again by Darrin's skill as a songwriter. Back in November of 2013, when a mutual friend (Popa Tune's) told me that Darrin was moving to Nashville, I checked out his music (I had written about his old band Big Wilson River a year earlier, but did not know much about Darrin's solo stuff). Around the time, I started listening to Darrin's songs, a friend of mine posted something on Facebook about how they don't make songwriters like they used to... or something like that. And, I remember thinking that Darrin may be the best pure songwriter I've heard in a long, long time. And, he has only gotten better since then.
Darrin was backed by the kind of band that may only be possible in East Nashville: Laur Joamets (Little Joe) from Sturgill Simpson's band on guitar, Megan Palmer on fiddle, Cameron Carrus on bass, Aaron Shafer-Haiss on drums.
The always amazing Aaron Lee Tasjan opened the night, playing some new tunes and sounding awesome even when he forget the lyrics to a song and sang it out of order.
2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham played next - confirming the wisdom of my selection. By the way, Jon was just named Local Artist of the Week at Nashville Independent station Lightning 100. His song "Anesthesia" will be in rotation this week and he will play a free show Friday at Soulshine Pizza.
For me (in kind a full circle kind of way), a highlight of the evening was Darrin leading the band through a cover of the Merle Travis song made famous by Johnny Cash, "Nine Pound Hammer". This song had been Darrin's warm-up song for all of those Wednesday night Fran's shows back in the day.
On to the shuffle....
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Adventure and Fun Mix
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This crazy time of year... Here I am posting this on a Thursday evening. Circumstances, blah, blah, blah... Any way, let's get to it...
Last night, I had a blast - another great show at The Basement (the original one). "Earie" Award winners, Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau put on another outstanding show that included a version of "Can't Be Satisfied" featuring Richie Owens on the lap steel. Bassist John Reed and stand-up drummer Brian O'Hanlon were in fine form. I also got to see Saint Luke's Drifters for the first time. They called their sound Rockified Country. Songs ranged from high energy rockers that brought to my mind the Scorchers to some very honky-tonkish country songs. Vocal duties were shared and each singer brought something unique to the band's sound. I really enjoyed myself, and I hope to hear much more.
So, by my rough count, there will be seven more regular E2TG posts before the end of the year - not counting any weekend or holiday bonus posts. My plan is to hand out "Earies" each of those days with Wednesday December 30, being reserved for the 5th Annual Ear to the Ground Artist of the Year. Which I will for the first time dub, the "Golden Earier" Award.
But, I am getting ahead of myself. We have some "Earies" to give away today.
Prologue: I have been having a really good time handing out these awards. Even though the categories are sometimes a bit silly, the sentiment behind them is very real. I really want to write about and honor artists who have made a big impression on my in 2015 (and before in some cases). I could have just made a list or handed out awards without giving them names, but really, this is more fun isn't it? I say all this to preface the fact that I have struggled a bit with what to call this next award. Flippantly, I thought about the Six Degrees Award - as my having met these remarkable people has moved me up a few degrees of separation from some of the my all-time favorite artists (and some of the most famous in the world). But, really that name would only serve to diminish the extraordinary artists they are in their own right.
So - I hereby name this award the "Legends in Their Own Right" Award. And I am going to just get to it before I overthink it and decide to change the name again....
1. Reckless Johnny Wales - The first time I encountered Reckless Johnny, I did not know who he was, but I suspected (correctly it turns out), that I was in the presence of someone remarkable. The next time, and when I finally got to meet him, I was standing on what can only be called Hallowed Ground - namely the Cash Cabin recording studios... if those walls could talk... and even though I did not hear the walls talk that night (although it would not surprise me if some who have been there have heard stranger things than that), I did get to hear some of Reckless Johnny's stories about meeting Johnny Cash and many others. More importantly, as a result of that meeting, I received a copy of Reckless Johnny Wales' American Heart, and any doubts that I might have had (I didn't really) were tossed out the window. The music on that album demonstrates that the remarkable storied life (lives?) can and were translated into some memorable music. I have a full review in my plans for early 2016, so I will stop here for now.
2. Bebe Buell - Speaking of a life filled with stories... As perhaps one of the world's most famous groupies, Bebe Buell experienced first hand some of the defining moments of the rock and roll era. I will leave it to you to read more about her remarkable life, but for me the most important thing is happening now. Throughout all of those interactions with rock and roll royalty, Bebe Buell was paying attention. Having relocated to Nashville a few years ago, Buell is now focused on her own music pursuits. I first saw her performing Tom Petty songs with the amazing Long Players, and then I saw her own show at 3rd and Lindsay, and I was impressed by her music and her stage presence. That night and again at the end of October, I also saw that she is still the ultimate rock and roll fan - which is obviously when she talks about and dances to the music of the Blackfoot Gypsies.
3. Julie Christensen (Stone Cupid) - Julie Christensen is another fairly recent transplant to our fair city. Christensen's musical career includes being a part of one of the pioneering Country/Punk bands, The Divine Horsemen with her husband at the time, Chris Desjardins founder of the legendary Flesheaters - a band whose membership history reads like a role call of the very best of Los Angeles music of the late 70s to early 80s. Later, Christensen spent several years as a featured background singer with Leonard Cohen. She reunited Cohen for the now legendary I'm Your Man concert film and album. Upon, relocating to Nashville (and even before), Julie Christensen began working with some of the finest writers and musicians this town has to offer. Her band, now called Stone Cupid, features an incredible line-up. Sergio Webb and Chris Tench are two of the finest guitar players in a city that has a few... and the rhythm section features Steve Latanation (Agent Orange) and Bones Hillman who was member of Midnight Oil throughout there was most successful years. (UPDATE: There is reason I do not usually post late, I totally forgot to mention Stone Cupid's new album The Cardinal which will officially be out early in 2016. And I wanted to mention, that Stone Cupid played during the final week of the original Family Wash, and that show was one my favorite live shows of the year.)
On a personal note, having met them all, I am I find myself more interested in the people they are and the music they are making now than I am in their remarkable past. But, to be honest, I will not walk away from a great story about some of the most important musical giants of our time...
To the shuffle (before it is Friday): (a regular shuffle - we'll hop back into the season music next week).
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
This crazy time of year... Here I am posting this on a Thursday evening. Circumstances, blah, blah, blah... Any way, let's get to it...
Last night, I had a blast - another great show at The Basement (the original one). "Earie" Award winners, Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau put on another outstanding show that included a version of "Can't Be Satisfied" featuring Richie Owens on the lap steel. Bassist John Reed and stand-up drummer Brian O'Hanlon were in fine form. I also got to see Saint Luke's Drifters for the first time. They called their sound Rockified Country. Songs ranged from high energy rockers that brought to my mind the Scorchers to some very honky-tonkish country songs. Vocal duties were shared and each singer brought something unique to the band's sound. I really enjoyed myself, and I hope to hear much more.
So, by my rough count, there will be seven more regular E2TG posts before the end of the year - not counting any weekend or holiday bonus posts. My plan is to hand out "Earies" each of those days with Wednesday December 30, being reserved for the 5th Annual Ear to the Ground Artist of the Year. Which I will for the first time dub, the "Golden Earier" Award.
But, I am getting ahead of myself. We have some "Earies" to give away today.
Prologue: I have been having a really good time handing out these awards. Even though the categories are sometimes a bit silly, the sentiment behind them is very real. I really want to write about and honor artists who have made a big impression on my in 2015 (and before in some cases). I could have just made a list or handed out awards without giving them names, but really, this is more fun isn't it? I say all this to preface the fact that I have struggled a bit with what to call this next award. Flippantly, I thought about the Six Degrees Award - as my having met these remarkable people has moved me up a few degrees of separation from some of the my all-time favorite artists (and some of the most famous in the world). But, really that name would only serve to diminish the extraordinary artists they are in their own right.
So - I hereby name this award the "Legends in Their Own Right" Award. And I am going to just get to it before I overthink it and decide to change the name again....
1. Reckless Johnny Wales - The first time I encountered Reckless Johnny, I did not know who he was, but I suspected (correctly it turns out), that I was in the presence of someone remarkable. The next time, and when I finally got to meet him, I was standing on what can only be called Hallowed Ground - namely the Cash Cabin recording studios... if those walls could talk... and even though I did not hear the walls talk that night (although it would not surprise me if some who have been there have heard stranger things than that), I did get to hear some of Reckless Johnny's stories about meeting Johnny Cash and many others. More importantly, as a result of that meeting, I received a copy of Reckless Johnny Wales' American Heart, and any doubts that I might have had (I didn't really) were tossed out the window. The music on that album demonstrates that the remarkable storied life (lives?) can and were translated into some memorable music. I have a full review in my plans for early 2016, so I will stop here for now.
2. Bebe Buell - Speaking of a life filled with stories... As perhaps one of the world's most famous groupies, Bebe Buell experienced first hand some of the defining moments of the rock and roll era. I will leave it to you to read more about her remarkable life, but for me the most important thing is happening now. Throughout all of those interactions with rock and roll royalty, Bebe Buell was paying attention. Having relocated to Nashville a few years ago, Buell is now focused on her own music pursuits. I first saw her performing Tom Petty songs with the amazing Long Players, and then I saw her own show at 3rd and Lindsay, and I was impressed by her music and her stage presence. That night and again at the end of October, I also saw that she is still the ultimate rock and roll fan - which is obviously when she talks about and dances to the music of the Blackfoot Gypsies.
3. Julie Christensen (Stone Cupid) - Julie Christensen is another fairly recent transplant to our fair city. Christensen's musical career includes being a part of one of the pioneering Country/Punk bands, The Divine Horsemen with her husband at the time, Chris Desjardins founder of the legendary Flesheaters - a band whose membership history reads like a role call of the very best of Los Angeles music of the late 70s to early 80s. Later, Christensen spent several years as a featured background singer with Leonard Cohen. She reunited Cohen for the now legendary I'm Your Man concert film and album. Upon, relocating to Nashville (and even before), Julie Christensen began working with some of the finest writers and musicians this town has to offer. Her band, now called Stone Cupid, features an incredible line-up. Sergio Webb and Chris Tench are two of the finest guitar players in a city that has a few... and the rhythm section features Steve Latanation (Agent Orange) and Bones Hillman who was member of Midnight Oil throughout there was most successful years. (UPDATE: There is reason I do not usually post late, I totally forgot to mention Stone Cupid's new album The Cardinal which will officially be out early in 2016. And I wanted to mention, that Stone Cupid played during the final week of the original Family Wash, and that show was one my favorite live shows of the year.)
On a personal note, having met them all, I am I find myself more interested in the people they are and the music they are making now than I am in their remarkable past. But, to be honest, I will not walk away from a great story about some of the most important musical giants of our time...
To the shuffle (before it is Friday): (a regular shuffle - we'll hop back into the season music next week).
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Cosmo and Seventeen Mix
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Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
PRESENTING THE 1st Annual E2TG Awards - "The Earies" (The Earies - it sounds kind of strange, but not really).
Well, it is December, and as I promised, we will begin our month long celebration of all things E2TG. Welcome to the first annual E2TG awards. Our red carpet welcome had to be cancelled due to rain in the Nashville area, plus we don't have a red carpet, and someone forgot to book the Ryman. So, this will be an on-line awards show this year...
I thought long and hard about how to begin this award month, but finally it seemed fitting and proper to begin the 2015 awards with the artist who closed out 2014 by being named the Artist of the Year.
Presenting the first award for 2015 is ..... me... Thanks, Joe. The first award to be presented is the Flattery Will Get You Everywhere Award. It recognizes the artist or artists who have realized that the blog host is basically a big ball of insecurities and self-doubt and that a little bit of flattery (even somewhat dubious flattery) goes a long way.
This artist not only routinely dedicates one of his signature songs to me, but he also included my likeness on the album cover of his most recent release. I think "Bob" is a pretty handsome guy, even if I would not say that he is short or tall. The 1st ever "Earie" goes to Darrin Bradbury. Darrin is currently on tour out West, so I will accept the award on his behalf. Also, we don't have actual
statues. Maybe next year.
Stay tuned all month for more awards....
On to the shuffle:
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
PRESENTING THE 1st Annual E2TG Awards - "The Earies" (The Earies - it sounds kind of strange, but not really).
Well, it is December, and as I promised, we will begin our month long celebration of all things E2TG. Welcome to the first annual E2TG awards. Our red carpet welcome had to be cancelled due to rain in the Nashville area, plus we don't have a red carpet, and someone forgot to book the Ryman. So, this will be an on-line awards show this year...
I thought long and hard about how to begin this award month, but finally it seemed fitting and proper to begin the 2015 awards with the artist who closed out 2014 by being named the Artist of the Year.
Presenting the first award for 2015 is ..... me... Thanks, Joe. The first award to be presented is the Flattery Will Get You Everywhere Award. It recognizes the artist or artists who have realized that the blog host is basically a big ball of insecurities and self-doubt and that a little bit of flattery (even somewhat dubious flattery) goes a long way.
This artist not only routinely dedicates one of his signature songs to me, but he also included my likeness on the album cover of his most recent release. I think "Bob" is a pretty handsome guy, even if I would not say that he is short or tall. The 1st ever "Earie" goes to Darrin Bradbury. Darrin is currently on tour out West, so I will accept the award on his behalf. Also, we don't have actual
statues. Maybe next year.
Stay tuned all month for more awards....
On to the shuffle:
Monday, November 2, 2015
Monday Morning Music Shuffle - An Angel's Kiss in Spring Mix
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Another month has begun... we celebrate with a randomly generated shuffle of music...
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
Friday, June 19, 2015
Friday Morning Music Shuffle - One More Time Mix
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Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
So... much happening. I was in a car for about half of yesterday. I have just been catching up with the news out of South Carolina. Sending out good thoughts to all those who lost loved ones. And sending out as much love as I can muster for this country in hopes that we can finally begin address some of the many issues which lead to this terrible event. I am not optimistic about things, but I remain hopeful. If that makes sense.
Switching gears... If you are in Nashville tonight, I recommend heading down to the Basement East for a benefit for Allen Thompson. Even if the music wasn't going to be good, you should support this because Allen is a great guy. But this is East Nashville and the music is going to be spectacular. Even if Allen wasn't a great guy, you should go because the music is going to spectacular. But Allen is a great guy.
On to the Friday Shuffle!
Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
So... much happening. I was in a car for about half of yesterday. I have just been catching up with the news out of South Carolina. Sending out good thoughts to all those who lost loved ones. And sending out as much love as I can muster for this country in hopes that we can finally begin address some of the many issues which lead to this terrible event. I am not optimistic about things, but I remain hopeful. If that makes sense.
Switching gears... If you are in Nashville tonight, I recommend heading down to the Basement East for a benefit for Allen Thompson. Even if the music wasn't going to be good, you should support this because Allen is a great guy. But this is East Nashville and the music is going to be spectacular. Even if Allen wasn't a great guy, you should go because the music is going to spectacular. But Allen is a great guy.
On to the Friday Shuffle!
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - This is Definitely Not Offensive Mix
Tweet #E2TG
Some pretty remarkable things have been happening in regards to me music writing. I can honestly say that I see completely overwhelmed sometimes (in the best possible way), and that I truly feel humbled. In the last day or so, I have seen words that I wrote showing up on Facebook posts and websites and other places, posted by people I respect a whole bunch. I am continuing to find my place in the crazy mixed up circus that is the Nashville/East Nashville music world. I just recently got invited down to Safety Harbor Songfest this weekend in Florida to hang out with awesome people and hopefully write some words. Gratitude is a overused, underappreciated emotion, but one that I am feeling in abundance today. I am not going to name names simply because I will leave people out, but I know for a fact that none of this would be possible but for some of the people who read this blog in the early days and connected with me so that I knew I was not writing into an abyss (or to the disproportionate number of site visitors from Russia in those early days). Nor, would I have continued with the encouragement and concern expressed by some when I had to take an unexpected break from blogging. Nor would any of these good things be happening with the friendship and support of those who helped me through one of the roughest patches of my life.
To think this whole vast empire (sarcasm intended) was built on the foundation of a random shuffling of songs... Let's shuffle, shall we...
Some pretty remarkable things have been happening in regards to me music writing. I can honestly say that I see completely overwhelmed sometimes (in the best possible way), and that I truly feel humbled. In the last day or so, I have seen words that I wrote showing up on Facebook posts and websites and other places, posted by people I respect a whole bunch. I am continuing to find my place in the crazy mixed up circus that is the Nashville/East Nashville music world. I just recently got invited down to Safety Harbor Songfest this weekend in Florida to hang out with awesome people and hopefully write some words. Gratitude is a overused, underappreciated emotion, but one that I am feeling in abundance today. I am not going to name names simply because I will leave people out, but I know for a fact that none of this would be possible but for some of the people who read this blog in the early days and connected with me so that I knew I was not writing into an abyss (or to the disproportionate number of site visitors from Russia in those early days). Nor, would I have continued with the encouragement and concern expressed by some when I had to take an unexpected break from blogging. Nor would any of these good things be happening with the friendship and support of those who helped me through one of the roughest patches of my life.
To think this whole vast empire (sarcasm intended) was built on the foundation of a random shuffling of songs... Let's shuffle, shall we...
Monday, March 9, 2015
Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Mother Knows Best Mix
Tweet #E2TG
I had the great opportunity to hear some tracks from two of my most anticipated albums of the year, and man oh man are they going to be good... keep your ear to the ground or stay tuned to Ear to the Ground for new albums from Jon Latham and Darrin Bradbury in the future.
In other news, CXCW is rapidly approaching. Get those videos made and submitted...
Now to the shuffle... as I have written on more than one occasion, I love short songs, but long songs make writing the blog easier... we have a bevy of longer songs and thus we have only six in the shuffle today...
I had the great opportunity to hear some tracks from two of my most anticipated albums of the year, and man oh man are they going to be good... keep your ear to the ground or stay tuned to Ear to the Ground for new albums from Jon Latham and Darrin Bradbury in the future.
In other news, CXCW is rapidly approaching. Get those videos made and submitted...
Now to the shuffle... as I have written on more than one occasion, I love short songs, but long songs make writing the blog easier... we have a bevy of longer songs and thus we have only six in the shuffle today...
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Leather and Chrome Mix
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Back at it after a long weekend.... some days, you just don't feel it, but you press on and music always helps.
Back at it after a long weekend.... some days, you just don't feel it, but you press on and music always helps.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Dream Too Much Mix
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Had a great time last night on my first visit to the (relatively) new City Winery Nashville. The first ever Nashville Nights featured Darrin Bradbury and Tim Easton with Megan Palmer with special guest Amy Speace. It's a gorgeous building and the music sounded great.
A bit short on time. As I do every year on this date, I begin the Video Playlist with a song (not part of the shuffle) by Cracker from their self-titled debut.
Had a great time last night on my first visit to the (relatively) new City Winery Nashville. The first ever Nashville Nights featured Darrin Bradbury and Tim Easton with Megan Palmer with special guest Amy Speace. It's a gorgeous building and the music sounded great.
A bit short on time. As I do every year on this date, I begin the Video Playlist with a song (not part of the shuffle) by Cracker from their self-titled debut.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - The Motel Angels Sing Mix
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Temperatures started plunging yesterday in Nashville, but your favorite music blogger didn't let that stop him from exploring some of the city's mid-week music offerings. And neither did I. Here's the scorecard: 1. Hanging out with one of my favorite musician's managers and a top notch Nashville singer/songwriter and watching the granddaughter of an outlaw country music legend rock the house. 2. Meeting said granddaughter and some of her band. 3. Watching three of the absolute best songwriters around kick off their tour. 4. Making triumphant return to Fran's Eastside (first time since December 17?) and hanging with some cool folks and hearing some amazing music from some of my insanely talented friends. Yeah!
This morning, it was as cold as... well you'll have to come up with your own saying, I'm still too cold to think straight. Here are the songs that valiantly tried to keep me warm... well they sure made being cold more tolerable.
Temperatures started plunging yesterday in Nashville, but your favorite music blogger didn't let that stop him from exploring some of the city's mid-week music offerings. And neither did I. Here's the scorecard: 1. Hanging out with one of my favorite musician's managers and a top notch Nashville singer/songwriter and watching the granddaughter of an outlaw country music legend rock the house. 2. Meeting said granddaughter and some of her band. 3. Watching three of the absolute best songwriters around kick off their tour. 4. Making triumphant return to Fran's Eastside (first time since December 17?) and hanging with some cool folks and hearing some amazing music from some of my insanely talented friends. Yeah!
This morning, it was as cold as... well you'll have to come up with your own saying, I'm still too cold to think straight. Here are the songs that valiantly tried to keep me warm... well they sure made being cold more tolerable.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Blue Rainbow Mix
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ICYMI (Labor Day Weekend Edition):
We created an E2TG Facebook Page - so like it please maybe?
We posted a couple of album reviews over the weekend.
1. Darrin Bradbury - Motel Oatmeal - on E2TG and cross-posted to No Depression (go visit both sites if you have time)
2. The Grey A - My Country - on E2TG and cross-posted (and currently featured!) to No Depression.
Shuffle to follow:
ICYMI (Labor Day Weekend Edition):
We created an E2TG Facebook Page - so like it please maybe?
We posted a couple of album reviews over the weekend.
1. Darrin Bradbury - Motel Oatmeal - on E2TG and cross-posted to No Depression (go visit both sites if you have time)
2. The Grey A - My Country - on E2TG and cross-posted (and currently featured!) to No Depression.
Shuffle to follow:
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Hide Like a Child Mix
Tweet #E2TG
Old favorites, classic artists, and some first time appearances make this an excellent Tuesday shuffle -
onward....
Old favorites, classic artists, and some first time appearances make this an excellent Tuesday shuffle -
onward....
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Erin go braghhhhh Mix
Good morning. Friday has arrived and I have an interesting extended shuffle for you. The Amazon links to the related albums is above. The graphical lyric chart is below that. Here are the details:
Nick Lowe - Half a Boy and Half a Man
R.E.M. - Nightswimming
Living Colour - Cult of Personality
Stevie Wonder - Superstition
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge
Jason and the Scorchers - Both Sides of the Line
Icicle Works - Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)
Mountain Man - Soft Skin
Richard Thompson - Read About Love
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Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Rebel Child in a Gilded Cage Mix
Here go again - promise of change (for the better) on the horizon. Refreshed and revitalized (at least for the moment). And, I'm ready to get into the music shuffle for another week...
Chronic Town - the first EP from Athens, Georgia own R.E.M. - is going to be 30 years old this year. We start out with the song featured in the live performance video above called 1,000,000. You can grab the whole Chronic Town EP plus a slew of early rarities from the Dead Lead Letter Office album - by clicking on the album cover below. It'll cost you less than $10 from Amazon.
Our song today comes from the band's Home in the Heart of the Beat LP. Song for an Angry Young Man. Purchase and download the album by clicking the album cover below (Amazon.com):
It's a track called Dad's Gonna Kill Me. Purchase and download Sweet Warrior by clicking the album cover below (Amazon.com)
The track is called I'll Be Waiting. You can get 21 by clicking the album cover below and purchasing and downloading the album.(via Amazon.com)
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Chronic Town - the first EP from Athens, Georgia own R.E.M. - is going to be 30 years old this year. We start out with the song featured in the live performance video above called 1,000,000. You can grab the whole Chronic Town EP plus a slew of early rarities from the Dead Lead Letter Office album - by clicking on the album cover below. It'll cost you less than $10 from Amazon.
Beat Rodeo were a massively underrated band from the 80s. They released a couple of albums on I.R.S. Records. I first caught up with them on an episode of the classic show I.R.S. Records Presents The Cutting Edge hosted by Peter Zaremba of the Fleshtones.
Our song today comes from the band's Home in the Heart of the Beat LP. Song for an Angry Young Man. Purchase and download the album by clicking the album cover below (Amazon.com):
Richard Thompson has been making great music for over 40 years now. Today's song comes from his 2007 release, Sweet Warrior.
It's a track called Dad's Gonna Kill Me. Purchase and download Sweet Warrior by clicking the album cover below (Amazon.com)
Finally, we jump into the near present with a track from the wildly popular and critically acclaimed album 21 by Adele.
The track is called I'll Be Waiting. You can get 21 by clicking the album cover below and purchasing and downloading the album.(via Amazon.com)
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Thursday, December 15, 2011
Thursday Morning (Covers) Music Shuffle - Memories of Rain Mix
Rainy morning...
Another friendly reminder, if you haven't voted in the 1st Annual Ear to the Ground Band of the Year Readers Poll (or even if you have) time is running out. At midnight tonight, 12/15/2011 (all times Central Standard Time), voting will be turned off. And precincts will begin reporting in... go here to vote.
Track 1:
Coverer: Radiohead formed in 1985 - so they had been around 10 years when I saw them live opening for R.E.M. on a rainy evening in September 1995 which happened to be C and my first night out following the birth of our twins in July of that year.
Coveree: Joy Division formed in 1976. They were a preeminent force in the new music scene of the late 70s early 80s. Lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide in 1980 just before the bands first ever US tour. The remaining members carried on as New Order.
The Song: Ceremony was actually a New Order song, but it was one of the last songs written with Ian Curtis and would have been a Joy Division song if...
The Cover: Radiohead recorded Ceremony as part of their 2007 "Thumbs Down" webcast.
Track 2:
Coverer: John Zorn is an avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer and saxophonist. He has worked with Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson and formed the jazz-punk collective Naked City in 1988. Yamantaka Eye is a Japanese vocalist and visual artist. He is a member of the Boredoms who formed in 1986 (possibly earlier).
Coveree: The Stooges (aka Iggy & the Stooges) were and are a ground-breaking band who formed in 1967 and laid important groundwork for punk and alternative music. The disbanded in 1974, but reformed in 2003. Mike Watt of Minutemen and fIREHOSE fame is currently a member of the Stooges.
The Song: T.V. Eye is a track off the Stooge's second album, Fun House.
The Cover: John Zorn with Yamantaka Eye on screamed vocals recorded a break-neck paced version of T.V.Eye which appeared on the 1990 compilation double-CD Rubaiyat for Elektra Records 40th Anniversary.
Track 3:
Coveree: The Stooges (aka Iggy & the Stooges) were and are a ground-breaking band who formed in 1967 and laid important groundwork for punk and alternative music. The disbanded in 1974, but reformed in 2003. Mike Watt of Minutemen and fIREHOSE fame is currently a member of the Stooges.
The Song: T.V. Eye is a track off the Stooge's second album, Fun House.
The Cover: John Zorn with Yamantaka Eye on screamed vocals recorded a break-neck paced version of T.V.Eye which appeared on the 1990 compilation double-CD Rubaiyat for Elektra Records 40th Anniversary.
Track 3:
Coverer: Dave Alvin was a founding member of the legendary punk-era, roots rock band The Blasters, was a one-time member of X and is a member of X side project The Knitters. In addition, he has had a prolific solo career.
Coveree: The Beach Boys formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California, reflected the California youth lifestyle of surf, cars and romance. Later, leader Brian Wilson took the band into a more complex sound.
The Song: Surfer Girl was the title track to the bands 1963 album. It was one of the first songs written solely by Brian Wilson.
The Cover: Dave Alvin covered Surfer Girl on his 2006 album West of the West which featured covers of several songs which originated from the western United States.
Track 4:
Coverer: The Del McCoury Band is a bluegrass band which formed in 1967 as Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals and solidified into its current line-up in the 1980s and became the Del McCoury Band in 1988.
Coveree: Richard Thompson was an original member of Fairport Convention, the legendary British Folk-Rock/Electric Folk band. He left Fairport Convention in 1971, released a solo album in 1972 and then begin recording and performing with his then wife Linda Thompson. Since their personal and professional split, he has had a successful solo career.
The Song: 1952 Vincent Black Lightning appeared on his 1991 album Rumor & Sigh. The song which harkens back to traditional English melodies and early 20th Century American folk songs.
The Cover: Del McCoury Band recorded a bluegrass cover of 1952 Vincent Black Lightning on the 2001 album Del and the Boys and has subsequently become a Bluegrass staple.
Shuffle through today's artists and songs:
Coveree: The Beach Boys formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California, reflected the California youth lifestyle of surf, cars and romance. Later, leader Brian Wilson took the band into a more complex sound.
The Song: Surfer Girl was the title track to the bands 1963 album. It was one of the first songs written solely by Brian Wilson.
The Cover: Dave Alvin covered Surfer Girl on his 2006 album West of the West which featured covers of several songs which originated from the western United States.
Track 4:
Coverer: The Del McCoury Band is a bluegrass band which formed in 1967 as Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals and solidified into its current line-up in the 1980s and became the Del McCoury Band in 1988.
Coveree: Richard Thompson was an original member of Fairport Convention, the legendary British Folk-Rock/Electric Folk band. He left Fairport Convention in 1971, released a solo album in 1972 and then begin recording and performing with his then wife Linda Thompson. Since their personal and professional split, he has had a successful solo career.
The Song: 1952 Vincent Black Lightning appeared on his 1991 album Rumor & Sigh. The song which harkens back to traditional English melodies and early 20th Century American folk songs.
The Cover: Del McCoury Band recorded a bluegrass cover of 1952 Vincent Black Lightning on the 2001 album Del and the Boys and has subsequently become a Bluegrass staple.
Shuffle through today's artists and songs:
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