Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Hurricane in My Pocket Mix

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So, Americana Fest 2016 is winding down... what's that? It's just Thursday morning... oh good god!

Night 2:  After work, I made about a fifteen minute pit stop at my home to change clothes and grab a bite before heading to The 5 Spot to catch Renee Wahl and The Sworn Secrets open up Amelia White's Residency. Renee is one my absolute favorites, and I could listen to her all day long.  Next up, Ted Russell Camp played a few and then joined the Blu Souvenirs for Amelia White's set. This week, Amelia was joined by Jon Byrd for several songs, and this is a combination I definitely want to hear more often.

As that show was ending, I headed across the river to The City Winery Nashville. There was a large East Nashville-centric contingent in the audience for Darrin Bradbury's Official Americana Fest Showcase debut. He was backed by a killer band - Derek Hoke, Megan Palmer, Cameron Carrus, and Matty Alger.

If I may... So, Darrin and I often recall the night we first met in person (at Bongo East) - he had just recently moved out of his car and into an apartment (which he would soon have to vacate after coming home from a tour and finding a bullet hole in his wall), and I was entering a new and uncertain phase of my life. But, last night I was recalling and even earlier time.  As I have mentioned, I had written about Darrin's old band - Big Wilson River a couple of year previous to all of this, but they were in the process of breaking up, and I didn't connect with Darrin at that time.  In November of 2013, my friend and fellow music blogger David Horton sent me a message and said that Darrin Bradbury was moving to Nashville, and that I should look out for him. Around that same time, a friend on Facebook posted something about how there weren't any "pure" songwriters like John Prine/Guy Clark etc.... these days... while today, I would have many examples to give him - I just didn't at that time.  But, after David Horton's message, I went on-line and checked out Darrin's music.  One of the first things I listened to was a (now unavailable) collections called The Almost Great Crepes (Demos).  As I listened, I immediate knew that my friends observation was dead wrong. I began writing about Darrin - a lot, and after our initial meeting, in the first six months or so after that, I probably saw him play on average 3 or more times a week. I heard "True Love" and other songs more times than I could count, and I knew I was in the presence of greatness - even when I was watching him with 10 or 12 other people in some sketchy venue.  Yesterday, Darrin played a song at The Country Music Hall of Fame and (finally back to my original post) had an official AMA Showcase at The City Winery (a decidedly unsketchy place), and I watch a whole group of people experience his music for the first time, and you know what, they got it! The same way I got it almost three years before. And they got it because Darrin Bradbury owned the moment - as he usually does regardless of the venue or the number of people).  His performance of "Elmwood Park" was, I think, a watershed moment for him - and all of the record labels that passed on his latest album should be kicking themselves hard.   "Elmwood Park" is the title track to Darrin's latest album which was recently released by Cafe Rooster Records.  I know I am gushing just a little, but I had goosebumps watching the performance last night - even hearing "True Love" for probably the 900th time.

James McMurtry was up next, and he was as incredible live as he has been the other times I have seen him.  "Choctaw Bingo" "Painting By Numbers" etc.  Incredible.

After his set, we headed back across the river and back to The 5 Spot to catch the tail end of Tim Easton's Showcase and to hear his duet with Megan Palmer who also crossed the river.

I am running on fumes today, and I have a full night ahead of me.  It all begins at 5:00pm at The 5 Spot for the fourth week of The Mark Robinson Showband and Rhythm Revue Residency which happens to be an official AMA event this year.  Mark and his incredible band - Daniel Seymour and Rick Schell will be joined by David Olney and RB Morris - two of the absolute best poets/songwriters I have ever heard. I know there is a lot going on - but seriously this is one that I am not going to miss.

After that, my plans are kind of still up in the air - as I am overwhelmed by choices.  I will alert you that Austin Lucas is playing ACME Feed and Seed at 7pm and that Jon Latham will be singing a song or two with him.  Also, Brian Wright showcases at The Basement East at Midnight. After seeing him destroy with ALT and Friends on Tuesday, I am thinking this is going to be an epic night. Green Room Music Source is hosting an AMA Showcase night at the American Legion Post 82.  Tommy Womack is heading a non-official night at Mad Donnas. Other non-official shows at Douglas Corner.  Official shows all over town - including John Moreland, Wanda Jackson and more at 3rd and Lindsley... and far to many other things to mention. Which is why I am overwhelmed.

It's Thursday - let's throw things back with a shuffle that is part Americanaesque and part not Americanaesque.

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Some Sign of Pursuit Mix

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It was one of those early shows at The 5 Spot in East Nashville where you could have put together one hell of an all-star band just from the people in attendance. But, truth be told, there was no need for that because David Olney was on the stage, and he was, as I have come to expect, out of this world. Where else could you hear The Bee Gees and Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the same set? Backed by Ward Stout, Justin Amaral, and Daniel Seymour, it was captivating and amazing.  Olney has one more Wednesday to go in his month long residency, and I highly recommend your attendence next week if at all possible.

The week rolls on, and suddenly, we find ourselves at Thursday.  This week we throw things back with an interesting collection of songs... check it out...

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.

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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 Morning Music Shuffle - Lingerer Mix

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We go stumbling forward into our week. Unsure of our direction and our destination, but ever mindful of the composition of the surface of the road we walk upon.  

MP3 player is now fully reloaded, and we are ready to shuffle  through some of the songs most recently added.

We start out with a cover of an iconic song from the 1980s.  August Featured Artist, The Holograms - featuring our friend Galen Wade - are back with a post-modern version of  the Talking Heads classic, Burning Down the House .

Next up, we have a song by the band Superdrag, the Knoxville, Tennessee based Alternative band.  Superdrag front man John Davis was recently a guest at the Big Star tribute show during the Americana music festival.  This one goes back to 1995 and the band's first full length album The Fabulous 8-Track Sound of Superdrag. The song is called Sugar.

Next up we have a song from the most recent album by first wave punk pioneers, The Mekons, who are celebrating their 35th year as a band this year.  The band's 2011 album is called Ancient and Modern and the song today, Geeshie, has a old-timey feel to it.

Finally, we have Canadian Corb Lund from his recent album Cabin Fever with a song co-written by Jason Boland of the Stragglers and Texas singer-songwriter Hayes Carll, and performed by Lund and Carll. Bible on the Dash off the album Cabin Fever, is a great example of the Country side of Americana music. 

 

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