E2TG 8/4/2020 - Keep on Keeping On - Transparent Girls Mix (Close to Nature Remix)

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Right now, today, this week, I am just pushing forward... that is it.  It is taking all my energy not to loe hope, but I can't afford to lose hope.  So, I push forward and try to find joy when I can. 

I have no idea how any of this will end - so I stay in most of the time, wear a mask - to protect others - when I go out, I watch as many, many people attend large gatherings without masks - and travel and visit without limitations...

I see a President who can barely put together a coherent sentence and who lies almost as often has he speaks, and I see a large number of people who praise him and believe every word he says - even if what he says changes from moment to moment. 

I am not someone who is a political junkie.  I try to be as knowledgeable as I can about what is going on, but I don't live and breathe by the back and forth of Washington or even State Capitol goings on. I long for the time when weeks could go by without the latest "breaking news" dominating everything. 

I am staying busy with music - as much as I can.  So, let me tell you what is on my mind today when it comes to that. 

Today, we have five more songs to feature from this week's playlist:

13. "Ugly Freedom - Toka Remix" by Vee VV

Vee VV formed in 1981 in Blackpool from the ashes of Factory Records band Tunnelvision.  Toka formed Bosh Records in 1998. Vee VV specialize in infectious post-punk, Toka is an esteemed DJ and producer.  This is a powerhouse track, and a great addition to the playlist.

14."Hunger" by Inhaler Collective

Inhaler Collective is a soul/jazz/pop outfit from Liverpool and London who have some great sounds. This is the title track from their new release.

15. "Gusta" by Herb Barclay Project

Herb Barclay is a DJ, multi-instrumentalist, and producer who blurs genre lines. This track as some great Latin/op sounds. 

16. "Breaking Free" by Leon Gill

Next up, we have a track from Master of None - a solo album from UK musician and songwriter - Leon Gill. 

17. "Live Your Dreams" by Painkillers

We close this segment of the playlist with a track from Italian punk band Painkillers. A great way to close out  this segment of music. 

Tomorrow, we will be back with the next 5 songs. Below the jump, we have today''s morning shuffle.  

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2019 Recap - Part 5 - Porchlight Mix (Arcadia Remix)

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I am back after an unexpectedly long weekend.  I was under the weather Friday and so I stayed home. 

I did make it out to the 14th Annual Get Behind the Mule: Tom Waits Tribute and Benefit at The 5 Spot on Saturday.  As always, it was an incredible event that raised money to support an organization that has been working to combat the issues of hunger in the Middle  Tennessee for as long as I can remember.  I actually have a 1985 vinyl compilation of local musicians that was done as a benefit for 2nd Harvest. 

This year's tribute featured several of my favorite local artists (like Sally Jaye - backed by Brian Wright and Jon Latham - all two E2TG Artists of the Year, and one member of an E2TG Band of the Year), Laura Rabell, Raygun, Tom Mason, Afton Wolfe, Annie McCue, Ned Hill, Anana Kaye, Kevin Gordon and more!  What a great night!

Back to the recap of 2019.  We still have 114 songs left (after today).  You can get a preview of what is still to come on these recaps by visiting the Spotify Playlist I created.

The list today is a good representation of the diversity of music we have been fortunate enough to feature over the course of 2019.  Some only made one appearance, and some are from albums that we returned to time and again. 

Let' go!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - The Devil Was a Girl Mix

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  *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.


And just like that it is Thursday!  Man this week is flying by! 

We are less than three weeks from the start of the E2TG 8th Anniversary Residency:

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo

October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb

Now, let's get moving with the Shuffle!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Dry Clean Mix

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Friday is here!

Last night, I hung out at Dee's in Madison. Saw Chuck Mead - as part of his Honky Tonk tour of Nashville in support of his new album.  His special guest was Carlene Carter.  Interesting to me, Chuck did a version of "Houston" - as song written by Lee Hazelwood and popularized by Dean Martin.  Wednesday night, I saw Rickie Lee Jones do the same song (it is on her latest album).  Interesting because one might not expect crossover between a Rickie Lee Jones show and a Chuck Mead show.  After that, I hung around for Lady Couch - who were fantastic as always.  Saw lots of friends and had a good quality hang with Ryan Sobb - all in all not a bad night.

Now, we have one last shuffle for the week!  Let's get to it!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Second Chance Confessions Mix

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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.

Now, let's get to the shuffle.

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Apathy Baby Mix

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Time is short today - so let's just jump right in!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Angels and Devils Mix

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It is Thursday.  Two more days this week, and then I am taking a few days off to recharge my batteries.

We have a ton of great new music ready to go and ready to be queued up - so let's try to make some room!