This years Hoedown is almost upon us. Three nights, three venues, over 25 different artists.
Night 2 - the Hoedown returns to it's roots at The 5 Spot in East Nashville. One of the featured performers for Night 2 is Chip Greene.
Raised on the southern outskirts of Nashville, Chip Greene grew up with a very different kind of Music City looming in the distance. The construction cranes and high-rise condos— now a ubiquitous part of Nashville’s ever-growing skyline — wouldn’t pierce the horizon for another decade or more, and creative-minded people were still in charge. It was there, in a city fueled by art and filled with starry-eyed musicians, that Greene launched his career as a piano-pounding songwriter, reshaping the influences of his childhood — including Billy Joel, Charlie Rich, U2, and Bruce Springsteen — into his own brand of smoky, salt-of-the-earth rock & roll.
Today's Music City Monday playlist covers songs spanning a decade of Nashville music representing a variety of genres.
Made it through another weekend. Honestly, I am trying to keep my spirits up, but it is hard - when I am seeing our country rolling headlong into fascism and dictatorship, when a virus - which has been controlled in other parts of the world is raging out of control - due to a disinterested government and people.
And, when the most important things have been stripped away...
Music - as it does - sustains me, but even live music has been taken away - for now - but with no end to the now in sight.
The election seems so far away and the inauguration even further - and I have fear and uncertainty about the security of the election and whether the results will be accepted or not by the people currently in power...
Ah, but even without live music - there is a ton of music to keep me going...
Our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist continues. We pick up at song #9 and continue through song number 15.
9. "Broke Down in the Fast Lane" by Red's Blues
We start this segment of music with the title track from the brand new album by Sacramento based blues band Red's Blues. We featured an instrumental track from this album last week. Today, we have a song that showcases the powerhouse vocals of Beth Grigsby-Reid.
10. "Seventeen" by elkyn
Another new release that we previewed last week... beech - the new EP from 22 year old UK singer-songwriter Joseph Donnelly who records as elkyn. Wonderful stuff.
11. "The Soul Singer" by The Waterboys
Using my prerogative, to featured a brand new single from one of my all-time favorite bands. I have been a fan of Mike Scott and The Waterboys for over 35 years, and they have continued to make music while constantly exploring and expanding on the sound. I am really digging this new single.
12. "Same Old, Same Old" by No Party for Cao Dong
Next up, we have a really cool new single from the Taiwanese rock band No Party for Cao Dong. The band made a big splash touring the UK last year, and this new single hits hard.
13. "Girl in the Mirror" by Abigail Fierce
Next up, we have a new track from a 19 year old singer-songwriter and actress from Los Angeles. This is a lovely song about negative self-image and not liking the person who confronts you in the mirror. Abigail plays Wendy in the Hulu series Love, Victor.
14. "Heaven Sent Delinquent (Electric Single Mix)" by Shawna Virago
Next up, we have a new single from transgender pioneer solo artist Shawna Virago. Virago has been performing as an out trans artist since the early 90s. Musically, she is associated with both punk and anti-folk music. This is a powerful song about escaping from small-town prejudice.
15. "Ma jolie petite fille" by Michot's Melody Makers
We close this segment of music with a track from the new Cosmic Cajun music album from Michot's Melody Makers. Michot is Louis Michot of the Lost Bayou Ramblers. The album was recorded live at the Saturn Bar in New Orleans' 9th Ward last December.
I realized that I failed to include the Tornado Relief Resources in my blog post on Friday. This is an on-going need that likely will not be going away anytime soon. The need is far-reaching across the city and across the state. Communities, businesses, people are affected.
There have been and are going to be numerous benefits shows going on in the days and weeks to come. I wish I had the ability to link to everyone. For now, I will stick to the "Check Your Local Listings"
Some general things:
Double check before you donate. Unfortunately, there are scammers out there.
If you choose to volunteer, I recommend going through a organized effort - like Hands on Nashville. If you drive to one of the affected areas - be mindful of where you park - do not block roads - even if there appear closed at the time of your arrival.
If your home is damaged, don't make hasty decisions about seeing - again, there are vultures waiting to take advantage of the situation.
Give what you can, do what you can do, and don't feel guilty about what you can't do.
It does seem like the last 3 months or so have been filled with loss and difficulties. It does have an impact that can be or seem to be cumulative. A small difficulty can feel like it will do you in (following on the heels of bigger losses). So, again, a reminder to talk to someone - get help if you need it, and for goodness sake be good to yourself and to each other.
Tonight, is the celebration of life for David Olney. One of those losses, many of us have experienced. It is a "Celebration", and I intend to celebrate his life and his art - which moved me so much. But, it will likely also be another reminder of what we have all lost.
Now on to the Music City Monday Shuffle!
Featured Friday Playlist
Music City Monday Shuffle:
A nice fun list for a Monday morning - overcast and warm...
"Dream Dreamer" by Aaron Lee Tasjan (from Karma for Cheap)
First of two tracks from ALT.
"Teenager's Lament" by Loudon Wainwright III (from Years in the Making)
Man, Wainwright captures teen angst pretty well.
"Devil's Hand" by Jonell Mosser and John Hall (from Little Black Dress)
From the same album that played on Greetings from Nashville. Again, ask Sue to tell you a Jonell Mosser and John Hall story if you find yourself beside her at a bar.
"Stay Calm, Get Low" by Becky Warren (from War Surplus)
"The Killing Floor - Live" by Walk the West (from Return to Elliston Square Live at Exit/In 2008)
Untitled by Justin and the Cosmics (from Hangin' Out in My Body)
The untitled final track from the classic album that gave Justin Collins his social media handle.
"Whatever Keep You Love Around" by The Singing Butcher (from The Butcher Papers)
Our last track to feature from The Butcher Papers, but we have some new music from Timothy George.
"Flat Out Gone" by The Bluefields (from Pure)
From the debut album... new music is on the way, and some can be heard on the band's website.
"The Rest is Yet to Come" by Aaron Lee Tasjan (from Karma for Cheap)
"Our Lady of the Well" by Mary Bragg (from Our Lady of the Well - single)
Single from last year by the singer-songwirter.
"Cowboy Jack Clement's Waltz" by Todd Snider (from Cash Cabin Session, Vol. 3)
Recent release from Todd Snider - recorded by the famous Cash Cabin.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Recent and Upcoming Releases:
Recent: 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)
1/17 - Simen Lyngroth - "Morning Light" (single)
1/17 - 100 Mile House - "Worth the Wait" (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 - 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)
2/13 - Little Triggers - "Bang" (single)
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)
2/14 - Chris Maxwell - New Store No. 2 (LP)
2/18 - David J - "I Only Hear Silence Now" (single)
2/19 - Paisley Fields - "Ride Me Cowboy" (single)
2/19 - Tom Cridland - "The Laws of Success" (single)
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)
2/21 - Blue Lucas - "Train Station" (single)
2/21 - Stumbleine - "Supermodels" (single)
2/21 - Jesse Blake Rundle - "The Death of a Soldier" (single) 2/21 - Whitney Shay - Stand Up! (LP)
2/21 - 100 Mile House - "Test the Timber" (single)
2/22 - Charlotte Eagle Sings - Embracing the Old Ways (LP)
2/24 - Jon Magnusson - "Set Me on Fire (Live Silverraven Sessions) (single)
2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP) 2/28 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "All or None" (single)2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP) 2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/28 - Scenius - "Glass Rain" (single)
2/28 - Jeffrey James - East London (EP)
2/28 - Charmless i - "Long Time Coming" (single)
2/28 - Gallary 47 - "I Wish I Was" (single)
2/28 - Xirita - "Don't Go" (single)
2/28 - Son of David - "Carry On" (single)
2/28 - Harry Stafford - "Painted Ocean" (single) 2/28 - Strange Majik - "World On Fire" (single)
2/28 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP)
2/29 - Jimmy Who and the Night Creatures - Tinker's Blues (EP)
3/04 - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Chameleon (LP)
3/04 - Iron Mike Norton - "Help Me Make It Through the Night" (single)
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)
3/06 - Brian Wright and the Sneakups - "Patrick's Crossing" (single)
3/06 - Jonny Polonsky - Kingdom of Sleep (LP)
3/06 - Tiny Fighter - "Perfect Game" (single)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Drumming is a Language (LP)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Songs of Praise - reissue (LP)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Churchical Chant Of The Iyabinghi (LP)
This Week:
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)
3/13 - Ayla Brook and the Sound Men - Desolation Sounds (LP)
3/13 - The Academy of Sun - "The Parts That Need Replacing" (single)
Upcoming:
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) 3/20 - The Blam Blams - "Isabella" (single) 3/20 - Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox (reissue) (LP)
3/27 - Mayflower Madame - "Swallow" (single) 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)
3/27 - Ben Reel - The Nashville Calling (LP)
3/27 - 100 Mile House - Love and Leave You (LP)4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP) 3/27 - Watermelon Slim - Traveling Man (Double Live LP)
3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)
3/?? - Harry Stafford - Gothic Urban Blues (LP) 4/01? - Ten Penny Gypsy - Fugitive Heart (LP)
4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (LP)
4/03 - Stumbleine - Sink Into the Ether (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)
4/10 - The Dream Syndicate - The Universal Inside (LP)
4/13 - Pilotcan - No More Shan Goodbye (LP) 4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)
4/16 - Destijl - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (LP)
4/17 - Aimee Stevens - "Hell is a Teenaged Girl" (single)
4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single) 4/24 - Ben Bostick - Among the Faceless Crowd (LP)
4/24 - Kyle Lalone - Somewhere In Between (EP)
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)
We are back! If you haven't had a chance to do so, please check out this week's Featured Friday Playlist on Spotify. Thanks to everyone who has followed the Playlist so far. Please give it a follow, if you are so inclined.
Also, be sure to check out the recent and upcoming releases at the bottom of every daily post. I have been a little slow getting additional information up, but there is a ton of great music being released.
The Featured Friday Playlist and the New Release Listing are my primary methods of highlighting new music.
In the past, the daily shuffle was used for this purpose. The morning shuffle has gone back to its original intent - an eclectic mix of old and new music - just a daily dose of what I listen to on my way to work each day.
Couch by Couchwest continues... head over to the Official Couch by Couchwest site today has already featured a world premier by our friend Vance and his band Sci-Fi Romance plus tons of other great artists. To see my mini-review of E2TG favorites from Days 1 and 2, click HERE. We have 10 videos in the daily Ear to the Ground You Tube playlist which is embedded at the bottom of this post. 6 songs from the pre-shuffle and 4 from the shuffle. Pre-shuffle:
"She's So Sick/100 Watt Girl" by The Bluefields (who's new album dropped on iTunes today.
"Lovers Lane" by Hunx and His Punx
"Rave On" (Buddy Holly Cover) by Julian Casablancas
"What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had to Go This Way) by Wolf Parade
Well, here we go... another week... I am so exhausted but in a good way. The Americana Music Festival has finished up, and I was able to hear some incredible music, meet some amazing people and just generally walk around star-struck most of the weekend. I've added two posts about my experience - more to come.
But, here at ole Ear to the Ground, what we do mostly is just tell you what we are listening to everyday and a little bit about the songs and the artists. So, let's get right to the shuffle:
First up, we have a song we introduced to you back on August 21st when we talked to The Cosmonauts. Cold Harbor is the new song by the band,and the first not related to the Daniel Raincourt storyline. A video is promised soon, and there is a teaser which we have for you below:
We just are not getting tired of The Bluefields' debut album, Pure. Ain't Nothin' Wrong sounds like a great, lost Royal Court of China song. It just seems like Joe Blanton, Warner E. Hodges and Dan Baird had a blast making this record.
Couldn't find a video for Ain't Nothin' Wrong - so here is Repair My Soul
Finally we offer up a Combat Rock era b-side by The Clash. First Night Back in London was the b-side to Know Your Rights and appears on the 1993 compilation reissue Super Black Market Clash.
Well, here we go... This is going to be a big week for me personally and for Ear to the Ground. Musically speaking the highlight is the Americana Music Fest which hits Nashville this week. Expect much Americana news, highlights, pics? and who knows. This will be my first foray into the Americana Music Fest and there are some epic moments coming up.
I've been working on plotting out my showcase plan and Thursday night I seem to have every spot booked from about 6:30 when the Dunwells open Live on the Green until whatever time The All-Star Big Star tribute show wraps up at The Rutledge. In between? Delta Spirit, Angel Snow, Mary Gauthier and Richard Thompson. That's all. And that's just one night.
Kicking things off, will be E2TG favorite Jo Wymer who will be part of a pre-Americanafest in-the-round on Wednesday night. There are some great AMA Fest showcases on Wednesday, but I won't be able to attend those.
More great music Friday and Saturday...
But more on that later, it's Monday and we have an honest to goodness Music Shuffle to present:
First up is a fun Nashville band called Cheer Up Charlie Daniels. Bunsen Burner Baby Blues is a cool rave up from the band's debut release, Live in 79'. I've had this band in heave rotation lately, and I hope you enjoy.
Next up is the second song we've featured from Thurston Moore's exceptional new band Chelsea Light Moving. This was actually the third song released by the band, who have been releasing one song at a time. Originally our song today, Empire of Time , was released under the title Frank O'Hara Hit by mistake. That song, was released a week later and the error was explained. Here is the link to Empire of Time.
Next up we have another great song from the Nashville area super-group, The Bluefields. Flat Out Gone is a nifty rocker off the Pure album with Joe Blanton delivering his always solid vocals backed by Dan Baird and Warner Hodges doing what they do best.
Next we have a track from current Featured Artists Grounded (who are from Tallahassee, Florida). Glimpse Of comes from the band's demo available on Bandcamp:
Here is Grounded's Steven Perez playing with another band Clouds
And finally, Dan and Warner from the Bluefields are back with the lead track off of the eponymous 2008 album by Dan Baird and Homemade Sin. Damn Thing To Be Done. Dan Baird was the front man for The Georgia Satellites and Warner Hodges was/is the lead guitarist for Jason and the Scorchers. That may give you a clue as to what to expect from Homemade Sin (hint: this ain't dubstep).
Here we go... the Olympics are over, the work week has begun again, and here I am ready to ease your transition with a tasty musical shuffle for a Monday morning.
When July had ended, we had over 80 songs left which we had added to our playlist, but which we had not been able to present to you. So, this morning, we turn the way-back machine to a couple of weeks ago, and shuffle up the remaining songs added in July.
First up, we have some perfectly obnoxiously cool punk rock sounds of Girl Scouts who are a band from the Philadelphia area. We stumbled across them as we were digging around the Bandcamp site. Superbowl Birthday Party is an fun track which you can check out using the Soundcloud widget below:
Next up, we dig deeper into the excellent Purealbum from Nashville Rock supergroup, The Bluefields. Donefeatures Dan Baird on vocals.
Here's an early promo video of the band and the album
Next up, we have the classic song, Who's Sorry Now recorded and released by Connie Francis in 1957 and is actually a cover of a 1920s song.
And finally, we have a track from the new project of July Featured Artist, Brian Bergeron. The band is called Mr. Kind, and their debut release is OK. Today, we have Take Care from that record.
============================================================================= Hey ho! Jeff Buckley's classic album Grace is available for download at Amazon for just $2.99 today:
