As we settle into this new normal, it seems as if nearly every aspect of our daily lives is disrupted. The virus and the efforts to contain it are having major effects on many peoples livelihoods and lives. E2TG is a music blog, so my focus, but I want to make it clear that I am not dismissing what many, many people outside of music are going through.
We are all faced with difficult decisions. I mentioned last week that my favorite regular hang out made the decision on Thursday to close for at least a month. This was not an easy decision, and it would have been understandable if they had chosen not to do so. On Sunday, the Metro Nashville Health Department and Mayor - declared a health emergency and asked music venues to close and restaurants to reduces capacity. A group of downtown honky-tonks decided to file suit to remain open.
Now, I have friends who make a living playing music on Broadway, however, I do find it interesting that one small venue made the decision to shut down voluntarily - while other (larger) venues are fighting in court to stay open. To me, it is further evidence that the tourist parts of Nashville are not really a part of our community. Maybe that is harsh, and I do acknowledge that many Nashvillians work and perform at these venues.
I don't know - I think trying to reduce the number of deaths, trying to protect vulnerable parts of our community is important and I applaud those who are doing their part, and to the best of my ability I want to support those folks. I will share again the GoFundMe for The 5 Spot.
Many artists are starting to do virtual shows on-line with venmo, paypal etc for tip jars. Check those out. If you hear your favorite artist doing a show - consider a tip - even if you aren't able to tune in. As I mentioned before, buy merc, buy physical copies of music (even if you plan to keep listening on a streaming service). Find a way to support these independent artists and venues at least to the extent you would if the venues were open. And for goodness sake, stay in if you are able, practice all of the guidelines if you do have to go out.
Music is my primary community, and I hope my community sticks together and supports each other through this time. Meanwhile, E2TG will keep doing what we do. Enjoy.
I have a bad tendency to put things in a box - and consider it bad or good - when in reality things are almost always more nuanced and complicated.
Last night, I attended a book signing for John Partipilo's new book Rancho Beyondo - his second book. John is a true visionary artist and journalist (the two don't have to be mutually exclusive). John and the book's designer Beth Inglish talked a bit about John's artistry, and the point was made (and taken - by me at least) of the importance to staying true to your vision as an artist. We are all given many chances to compromise our vision. Advise from well-meaning friends and family, unappointed arbiters of societal norms and literary (or other conventions).
(I need to point out that I am expounding on the words that were spoken - offering my own thoughts - not implying that either John or Beth said these specific things - just that their comments led my mind down these paths). As an artist (of whatever medium) my job is not to help people remain comfortable. I think the Cesar Cruz quote: "Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable". John's photographs are not staged and although he does sometimes photograph musicians, he does not usually capture them on stage but rather in quiet moments.
So, the event last night was at a boutique hotel in East Nashville. This location was the inspiration for my first sentence. From the outside, I probably would consider this spot - fancy, expensive cocktails, pricey rooms (only eight total rooms) - to be part of the problem with all of the changes. But, it was a lovely event and the expensive cocktail I had was delightful. And the hotel seems really interesting (out of my price range but interesting). John Partipilo in discussing his book - which contains images of ordinary and extraordinary people and situations.
John said that he loves Nashville and reflected on his responsibility to report everything he sees. It struck me, because it is so easy to reflect on all the changes and just to see the negatives or just bemoan the losses. Through John's lens, it is possible to see the glorious shades of grey (literal and figurative) that as a whole create the Nashville of 2020.
The crowd that gathered included some heavy-hitters from all walks of Nashville life, and also some of the people who appeared in the book (in some case both in one person).
I kind of got side-tracked from my thoughts about art. The line between art and commerce are sometimes razor thin (or at least seem to be). I know, I see musicians struggling with making the art they want vs. trying to make some sort of viable living doing what they love and often what they are best suited to do. It is easy to sit on the outside and say, "always keep art pure, stick to your vision, don't compromise", but it isn't that simple and it is not fair to put that simplification on others. I do know, however, that the pure pursuit of art (or as pure as possible) is important and needed in the world. I guess I don't have an answer, but I am grateful for this book signing in a fancy, boutique hotel with delicious, expensive cocktails for triggering all of these thoughts in my head.
Featured Friday Playlist Final day to check out this week's list
Thursday Morning Shuffle:
A timely statement from Steve Earle, a few live cuts and more...
"City of Immigrants" by Steve Earle (with Forro in the Dark) (from Washington Square Seranade)
"All of us are immigrants"
"Oklahoma Blues (live)" by Watermelon Slim (from Traveling Man - Disc 2 - The Depot)
The inimitable Watermelon Slim with our first listen to his forthcoming double live album.
"The One" by Bridge 19 (from In the Afterglow)
"Hot Cha (live)" by They Might Be Giants (from Flood Live in Australia)
One of my favorite albums, Flood, turned 30 years old back in January. This is from a live performance of the album released for free by the band (I don't think it is still available).
"Don't Do It (live)" by Mrs. Henry (from Mrs. Henry Presents The Last Waltz)
Another track from that The Last Waltz tribute by L.A. band Mrs. Henry. We have some new, original music from them.
"Shootin' For The Moon" by Sonny Landreth (from South of I-10)
"Showboat" by Josh Ritter (from Gathering)
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Recent and Upcoming Releases:
Recent: 1/07 - The Singing Butcher - "Top 40" (single) 1/08 - Luis Mojica- Shaman Food (LP) 1/10 - Palm Ghosts - "Wide Awake and Waiting" (single)(E2TG First Impression) 1/10 - Mary Bragg and Drivin' N Cryin' - "Don't Walk Away" (cover) (single) 1/10 - Them Airs - "Food Pyramid" (single) 1/10 - Lilly Hiatt - "Brightest Star" (single) 1/10 - Strange Majik - "Lo-Fi Hi" (single) (E2TG First Impression) 1/10 - Dean Fields - "Armadillo" (single) 1/10- Chicago Farmer - "All in One Place" (single) 1/10 - RB Morris - Going Back to the Sky (LP) 1/10 - Guided By Voices - "Volcano" (single) 1/10 - Sunshine Boys - "Infinity Girl" (single) 1/11 - Dolour (Shane Tutmarc) - "The Snake Eye" (single) 1/12 - Francesco Mariano - "Nine Lives" (single) 1/13 - Lauren Anderson - "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (cover) (single) 1/14 - Drive-By Truckers - "Thoughts and Prayers" (single) 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) 1/19 - 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 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single) 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)
2/14 - 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)
2/16 - Kas Havoc - "Light'em Up" (single)
2/18 - David J - "I Only Hear Silence Now" (single) 2/19 - Paisley Fields - "Ride Me Cowboy" (single)
Tomorrow:
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) Upcoming:
2/22 - Charlotte Eagle Sings - Embracing the Old Ways (LP)
2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP) 2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP) 2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/28 - Scenius - "Glass Rain" (single)
2/29 - Jimmy Who and the Night Creatures - Tinker's Blues (EP)
3/?? - Strange Majik - 20/20 (LP)
3/04 - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Chameleon (LP) 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)
3/09 - 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)
3/18 - 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)3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)
3/20 - Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox (reissue) (LP)
3/20 - Kid Be Kid - Lovely Genders (EP)3/27 - Mayflower Madame - Prepared for a Nightmare (LP) 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)4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP) 3/27 - Watermelon Slim - Traveling Man (Double Live LP)
4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (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)
4/13 - Pilotcan - No More Shan Goodbye (LP)4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)
4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single)
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)
Look - I HATE talking about politics but as I have repeatedly said, to me the current administration has transcended politics. The incompetence, corruption, deceptions, and overt xenophobia and several other isms and phobias should be something that most Americans can agree upon. As left and right, Democrat and Republican, Progressive and Conservative - we can and should debate things like economic policies, immigration policies, foreign policy... and though we may fundamentally disagree of these issues - we should be able to stand united toward some basic principles of ethics, decorum, legality, and national security. And please do not misunderstand - part of the (largely peaceful) protests are about disagreements over policy (and yes the right and importance of those protests should be one of those basic principles on which we should all agree), the more troubling facts are the repeated and unapologetic lapses in those basic principles. I am talking about making up terrorist attacks, verbally attacking members of the judiciary, using the office and position of the Presidency for personal gain, collaborating with foreign powers to undermine the electoral system etc.
Oh yeah, and the last time I checked, there is still a white supremacist with unchecked powers in the top rungs of the Executive Branch.
So yeah, I HATE talking about politics. This is not politics. #Resist #Persist
******
Time is moving along! It is Monday February 13! First off, I have a major announcement coming soon about E2TG and our 6th Anniversary will is coming up in May. Stay tuned!
Monday - we always (for the past several months at least) feature great music connected to Nashville, Tennessee - aka Music City USA).
Hey ho! It is the last day of my work week. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving or if you are outside the US I hope you have a great Thursday.
Since it is Thanksgiving time, I want to take second to say that I am extremely thankful for you - my constant reader, and I am thankful for all of the blessings that my obsession with all things music-related have brought into my life. I can truly say that the course of my life has been altered because I decided to start writing Ear to the Ground in May 2011. It is just about inconceivable for me to try to imagine my life without the people I have met directly or indirectly because of E2TG. So Thank You all!
Let's take this week out in style and get wild on a Wednesday! Shuffling from the entire list of music on my phone.
Happy Thursday... sending good thoughts to everyone in the path of Hurricane Matthew. And especially thinking about those who have lost life and property in the Caribbean.
Congratulations to WXNA-LP Nashville for finishing second to Lightning 100 in the Nashville Scene Readers Poll for Best Radio Station. A remarkable achievement for a low power station that has only been on the air for 4 month. Super proud to play a small part in the station, but props go out to our super hard working and dedicated Board and our fearless leader Heather Lose. This achievement is a testament to the impact the station has already had on the community.
Well, the Buck N Stuff show was the epic throw down that I expected. My favorite moment was the Buck Owens cover that they performed. #BuckNStuff are the absolute best. They announced last night that they will be playing The 5 Spot for New Years Eve. Make your plans now. 2017 is sure to be the Year of Buck N Stuff.
It is Thursday when we throw things back, and I think we have a really awesome shuffle today... shall we?
We have arrived at Thursday. For the daily "theme" today, I decided upon the term, "Throwback Thursday"... honestly, I'm surprised no one has come up with this sooner.... I even came up with a hashtag (#tbt) for it. Clever aren't I?
I think the concept is pretty self-explanatory. I hope to show that music in the past was extremely diverse and varied - in spite of what "Classic Rock" stations may lead you to believe....
One of my absolute favorite people and one of Nashville's best songwriters, Jon Latham has completed his first album, Real Bad News. Real Bad News is the name of the album. The fact that he has completed it is real good news! He has a Indiegogo campaign to help get the album out in physical form. Here's the details...
A great week of live music continued last night: the count: Darrin Bradbury with Aaron Lee Tasjan and Cameron Carrus backing him up, Carl Anderson, and Holy Sheboygan (an awesome band from Wisconsin) all at Foobar. Then, Tim Carroll and Luella Wood and a solo Darrin Bradbury set at Fran's Eastside.
You know the Nashville Conundrum I mentioned a couple of weeks ago? Well the is a addendum to that conundrum (or something like that).. that is... there are amazing things happening every single night of the week, and (especially if you work a day job), there are nights that you just have to stay in to recharge, refresh, and do some of your own work... Last night was one of those nights, and yes, I missed some amazing things happening around town, but I am glad that I stayed in, and I got something accomplished...
Case in point, I added a couple of things to my Soundcloud... bits and pieces from my novel-in-progress which you can check out... (there may be some NSFW language/themes, depending where or if you work...)
We've reached the end of another week. Today's shuffle is a pretty interesting mixed bag with a couple of artists making their E2TG debut, plus a few old favorites, and some of my heroes... I'm short on time, so this will be haphazard.
Last night I got to see an artist I featured here on Ear to the Ground a couple of years ago, Callaghan, kick off her album preview tour at 3rd and Lindsley. If you want to know what I thought about it, you can check it out at No Depression.
So, The 'Mats did Alex Chilton on the Tonight Show, and U2 released a new album. It's just like the late 80s again - except The 'Mats were sober, and the U2 album was "magically" added to my computer library, and I have a computer that holds most of my music collection... ah, so this is what the future looks like - says 20 year old me...
Seriously, The 'Mats were incredible, and I haven't heard the U2 album yet, but the fact that the first song name drops Joey Ramone is promising...
Plus it was cool seeing the words, "Alex Chilton is Trending" on Facebook...
Ready Set Go... well, I'm going to be out and about the rest of this week. I MAY sneak in an entry or two. In the mean time, I will leave you with another fine, fine mix of music...
PRE-SHUFFLE:
1. "Chili" by Dog Without Warning (Did I mention the latest Dog Without Warning record is bad ass? Well, it is. My shuffle mode has been digging this song and so have I.) 2."Oh Darlin'" by Mystery Twins (Happy to present another song from this Nashville-based musical side project. - two members of The Clutters) 3. "Infatuation" by Dog Without Warning (Did I mention that the latest Dog Without Warning record is really, really bad ass? Well, it really really is! This song is one of my favorites from the 'Bark' EP. Oh who am I kidding, all of the songs on 'Bark' are my favorites.)
4. "The Escape" by SkyBurnsRed (more music from this hot UK band).
5. "Sorry, But I'm Yours" by Ben Shive (Another awesome track from this unique Nashville Singer/Songwriter) 6. & 7. "Is There Anybody Out There?" and "Nothing Stays the Same" by Human Face (Really digging the Brit-Pop feel of this band) 8. "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding" by Steve Earle (covering Elvis Costello (doing a Nick Lowe tune)) (A live and loud version of the Nick Lowe classic. Trivia, Earle's son Justin Townes is in the band for this song) 9. "Bring Me Backwards" by Ellis Paul (Man oh Man, I dig this song. Came to me via the latest Feel Bad for You mixtape)
and then we transition into the Shuffle with one of the strongest cuts on the excellent new EP by Tipi Valley
Over the last week or so, I've had several friends here in Nashville mention the strange activity of our local avian population. As a fan of (and one scarred for life by) Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece, I am intrigued. Is it the above average temperatures or does it foretell some darkness to come... Who knows... we have gaggle of songs so let's get to the shuffle...
Well, we're still and here and hopefully you are, too. How about some seriously cool tunes to celebrate the continued existence of this world which is clearly broken but still capable of awesome beauty when it puts its mind to it.
Quick summary of voting in our Band of the Year Poll. Total Votes: 534 Currently leading: The Disappointment Skeletons in the Piano Currently 2nd: Skeletons in the Piano The Disappointment -7 Currently 3rd: The Great American Novel -31 Voting continues until 11:59:59 on December 30 cause even I am not music nerd enough to be checking results on New Years Eve* *okay actually I am, but I don't want you to know that.
Hey ho! Time is short so we will make it sweet.... whatever.
Song #1 I Kept Watch Like Doves (Murder Ballad) from West Cross Timbers by the amazing Amanda Shires.
Song 2 is Lungs by Steve Earle from his Townes Van Zandt tribute album, Townes. Van Zandt's version appeared his 1969 self-titled 3rd Album.
Song 3 is Sympathy from one of our Featured Artists, Salt Lake City Punk/Metalcore/whatever band S3X.
Song 4 is We're Comin' Out by Bright Little Field from Treatment Bound: A Ukulele Tribute to The Replacements. Bright Little Field is Jonathan Bright and Tom Littlefield. Littlefield led the legendary 80s Nashville band, The Questionaires. We're Coming Outwas on The Replacements best album, Let it Be.
Song 5 and our final song for the day is Messin' Round by another of our featured artists for the month Pigeon Park and can be found on their 2010 album, The Sun.
In case you missed it over the weekend, we crowned Skeletons in the Piano as our Band of the Month for June 2012 after a tooth and nail fight with Killing Kuddles. I tell you the Band of the Year poll is gonna be a good one! Stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, we also unveiled our Featured Artists for July . We will have more on these great artists as the month progresses, but for now, check out the Featured Artist page to find out who the bands are and more about them.
As if that were not enough, we have a heck of a good shuffle to start the month off. Once again, we reached into our archives and come up with a cool mix of songs.
John Prine released his self-titled debut album in 1971. It's an incredible selection of songs, which I highly recommend if you haven't heard it or haven't heard it in awhile. Prine has continued to make great music and write great songs. One of his all time best, and one of my all time favorites is the lovely, Angel from Montgomery. The song has been covered numerous times both live and on record by artists as diverse as Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, John Denver and Dave Matthews Band.
Here's Prine and Emmylou Harris doing Angel from Montgomery live from Red Rocks.
Next up, we have the title-track from another debut album. Guitar Town the album was released in 1986, and established Steve Earle as part of the new breed of outsider country artists shaking up the establishment. Since this debut, Steve Earle has come through a battle with drug and alcohol addiction and made some records which have far transcended his country roots. Guitar Town for me remains a powerful record, and one I return to again and again.
Next, we have another title track. This one from power-pop master Matthew Sweet's third album - the break-through Girlfriend.
And finally, we have a song that appeared on the debut EP and in a different version on the debut album by Welsh rockers, The Alarm. The Stand is influenced by the Stephen King novel of the same name. I was a huge Stephen King fan as a teenager, and The Stand was probably my favorite novel of his at that time. So, hearing this song for the first time on MTV made a huge impact on me.
Took car for service = Got ride to work = no morning walk = no morning shuffle = a theoretical shuffle = sweet mix for you
First up is a Detroit band from the early part of this century. Ko and the Knockouts were signed to the Sympathy Record label and our track today, Black and Blue, actually comes from the compilation The Sympathetic Sounds Of Detroit which also featured a band called The White Stripes. Ko Melina is now a member of The Dirtbombs and she is also a DJ on Little Steven's Sirius XM Channel, Underground Garage. Black and Blue rocks pretty damn hard... Below you can hit up Amazon for the self-titled album by Ko and the Knockouts.
Here is another Ko and the Knockouts song from the album.
Next up with a Brooklyn band called EndAnd. The album is called Adventures of Fi in Space, and the song is Far in Between.
Next we have an acoustic version of We Can Make it Hereby James McMurtry which was on his 2005 album Childish Things. A new version with Joan Baez and Steve Earle is out on a new 5 CD release called Occupy This Album which we have linked below.
And finally, we have Peter Case covering Charlie Poole's 1926 classic Leavin Home which comes from his landmark 2001 album Thank You St. Jude.
