E2TG 11/24/2020 - The End is Near? - Roll Me Under Mix (The Worst Thing Remix)

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So with Thanksgiving approaching here in the US, I am trying to focus on the things for which I am thankful.  I am thankful for E2TG and all our readers - regular and occasional.  I am thankful for the incredible talented people I have been able to meet because of E2TG. I am thankful for the true friendships I have formed through music. I am thankful for the unique opportunities which came to me as a direct or indirect result of E2TG - including becoming a radio host/DJ, emceeing shows etc. 

In this time of uncertainty, I am thankful for relative comfort and safety and I wish the same for everyone. 

It is Tuesday, and due to the holiday this week, this will be our penultimate Feature Friday Recap post for the week - Songs 17-22:

17. "Blue Cherry" by Magic Wand

Up first is a dream-pop duo who are based in L.A. Chris and Dexy Valentine first met via MySpace when one was in L.A. and the other was in Nashville. I dig their sound. 

18. "Love or Hatred" by Tucker Land

Next up, we have the single from the forthcoming new album by this band who are based in Saskatoon. Two of the members of the band Leslie Stanwyck and Johnny Sinclair were part of the power pop band The Pursuit of Happiness who had a huge hit in 1988 with "I'm An Adult Now".  The current band has a very nice alt-country sound. I am digging this track and look forward to hearing more. 

19. "The Party" by The Last Morrell

Next up, we have a groovy new track from the debut album - Sarcasm - by this UK artist. When I say "groovy", I mean this track grooves with a Stevie Wonder song all while painting an increasing picture of a seemingly inescapable party. Great stuff.

20. "Stranger" by Pale Moon

Next up, we have a lovely new single from this indie-folk duo who are based in Barcelona. This is the first single from a forthcoming new album which was recorded in a remote part of the Spanish countryside. 

21. "Do It With Love" by Starry Skies

Next, we have the title track from the new album by this Glascow based whose members come from Scotland, England, and Australia. Their previous album was recorded the studio of Belle and Sebastian's Stevie Jackson. Very cool sound.

22. "Only A Friend - Live" by Picturehouse

And, we close out this segment of music with the lead track from 1999 - Live in Dublin. Picture House was originally active from 1996-2004 before reforming in 2014. This live recording captures the band at their peak. A great ending for this segment of music.

Tomorrow - we wrap up this week's Playlist recap and prepare for a day of giving thanks and then a new Playlist on Friday.

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/20/20 - Something to Say - Life's a Beach Mix (Birmingham Remix)

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I feel like I should always say something...But, I played Benchmark's new song "Our Finest Hour" this morning on my radio show, and one line stuck with me - "Right now, I know I still need to listen, before I speak."  It seems like there is a lot of talking and a lot of shouting and not nearly enough listening.

Look after nearly four years of the Trump regime, I think it is clear to most sane people, that he is an existential threat to this nation. I am not saying I need to listen to MAGA heads to see if they will convince me of anything. I guess I am thinking of some of the more nuanced debates (or which should be nuanced debates) between different factions of the left side of the proverbial aisle. I think social media SEEMS TO demand that everyone jump into every conversation and contribute something - so you see at lot of posts like - well, I don't know much about that but, here is what I think... 

Anyway, we have a Featured Friday Playlist to wrap up and a shuffle to get to... let's go... 

Today, we wrap up this week's Featured Friday Playlist, and we prepare the way for a whole new list. Here are the final four songs, and as usual, we save some good ones to wrap up the list.. songs 18-21:

18. "How to Fall in Love - Take 7, Acoustic" by Michael McArthur

Florida singer-songwriter Michael McArthur makes a return visit to the Playlist with the title track of his brand new EP. We previously featured his stunning cover of "Purple Rain" - here he is singing his own songs and the results are equally stunning. The plaintive opening harmonica and sparse acoustic instrumentation catches ones attention, and then his rich vocals come in and carry the listener away.  

19. "Dark Slopes Away" by Mt. Doubt

Next up, we have the new single from Scottish indie rock band Mt. Doubt. It is the first taste of their new album Doubtlands due out September 25. The song has a cool vibe that I really dig. 

20. "Firewood" by Saronde (Feat. Idd Aziz)

Next up, we have some wonderful Afro-funk - via Saronde - a Kenyan duo who founded Beating Hearts Music. The track borrows from a 50’s Kikuyu all female acapella sung by young unmarried girls as they collect or carry back home firewood and features noted African singer and musician Idd Aziz. As someone who has a deep - if shamefully underexplored affinity and connection to African music, this track struck a chord with me. Wonderful!

21. "Sauce (Took Off)" by SLiCE Bellefante 
 

We close out this segment of music and this week's Playlist with a little bit of hip hop from New Jersey. I don't have a lot of information on the artist, but I dig the vibe and I'm happy to have this track closing out our playlist. 

By way of a preview-  The new Featured Friday Playlist is already at 15 songs and over an hour of music and there are several new releases scheduled for tomorrow. So, look for the list to be much larger than this week's list. Already, I am digging the variety of the music, and we already have some favorites on board. Until then... we have another daily shuffle down below....  

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/5/2020 - After the Storm - Dead (Live) Mix (Tropical Drone Pop Remix)

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Middle Tennessee is still reeling from Tuesday Morning's Tornado touchdowns. This is not a situation that will be resolved quickly, and for some the scars will be permanent. But, we are moving forward and people are coming together.

Something that hit me yesterday.  The place where I grew up and the place where I spend most of my time these days were both hit hard by the storm.  These communities are geographically less than 80 miles apart, but at least to my eyes, they can seem light years away. In terms of how and what people believe, how they vote, their interests... BUT, what I have seen over the last couple of days are images from both communities of people coming together to help their neighbors. 

Who is my neighbor?  Not to get theological, but when Jesus as asked that question, he answered by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. As I understand it, the meaning of the parable is that everyone of - even those who I have been taught to despise are my neighbors.

We live in trouble times - we are conditions to feel animosity toward those on "the other side".  Neve mind that the idea of binary choices is fundamentally wrong - the fact remains - when something happens like these tornadoes - and someone shows up to help you, all those differences that separate us - melt away - at least for a time. You don't care who that man with the chainsaw - removing fallen trees voted for. You don't care how that woman clearing the debris feels about (fill in the blank with a divisive issue of your choice).

I know - at some point, we will go back to choosing sides and arguing on Facebook - goodness knows the next eight months will be particularly rancorous - but I wish/hope that we can at least hold on to a fragment of a memory of the unity we feel now.

Be good to each other. At least just for today.

 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 

Check out wxnafm.org for a list of resources

    Featured Friday Playlist
Almost time for an updated list!