Everybody’s Talkin’ about Shady Groove Podcast #58
This week the podcast included these tasty nuggets of audio satisfaction:
Dr. John – Getaway ++ The Black Keys – Never Gonna Give You Up ++ Ben Folds Five – One Angry Dwarf And 200 Solemn Faces ++ Harry Nilsson – Everybody’s Talkin’ ++ Alabama Shakes – You Ain’t Alone ++ Robert Earl Keen – I Gotta Go ++ Dawes – Fire Away ++ Railroad Earth – Mighty River ++ Bob Marley & The Wailers – Lively Up Yourself ++ Hayes Carll – The Letter ++ The Clash – Death Or Glory ++ The Gourds – Ladies Choice ++…
Home Again: Shady Groove Podcast #57
Here ya go folks!
This week the podcast included a bunch of cool tracks such as:
Heartless Bastards – Parted Ways ++ Cake – Daria ++ Ramsay Midwood – Spinnin’ On This Rock ++ The Avett Brothers – Let Myself Live ++ Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again ++ Lee Fields & The Expressions – Faithful Man ++ Don Covay – I’ll Be Satisfied ++ The Allman Brothers Band – One Way Out (live 1971) ++ Hayes Carll – Grand Parade ++ John Prine – Illegal Smile ++ Desmond Dekker – Israelites ++ Bob Marley & The Wailers – Walk The Proud Land (live 1973) ++ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – 40 Day Dream ++ Beck – Lord Only Knows ++ Shinyribs – (If You Need The) 442
Download Shady Groove Podcast #57
The Feast Of The Passover
The Congos – At The Feast
This evening begins the Jewish holiday of Passover. Tonight we celebrate the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Freedom. Over the years there have been many ‘songs of freedom’, but today we investigate the Reggae/Jewish relationship. Both are Songs of Freedom.
The similarities of Rastafarianism and Judaism have always presented me with an interest to say the least. My love of reggae and cultural affiliation with Judaism provided enough in common to do some research.
My question was, from the words of Salvatore Caputo: “Can there be an affinity between one of the oldest Jewish observances and the music popularized by dreadlocked Jamaicans, often associated with Rastafarianism – a mystical religion that venerates the late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie as an incarnation of God on earth?”
The answer is YES. Although reggae is not solely Rastafarian music, Bob Marley, the music’s biggest star and exponent, was. His lyrics often echoed the religion’s belief in the eventual redemption of the black africans from oppression and the return of blacks to their African home. These themes clearly have a parallel in the story of Exodus.
What I’ve found is that it is evident that the similarities exist. The two religions of Rastafarianism and Judaism embody many of the same characteristics, as well as their ancestry. Although the Rastafarians, at times, inaccurately explain the bible, their belief in the Old Testament is still prevalent. Many of the customs are almost identical, but the rationale behind the traditions and laws contrast greatly.
Alan Eder has created a musical tribute to the similarities called, “Reggae Passover”. On his album Eder collects traditional holiday songs presented in reggae and West African arrangements that evolved in his celebrations over a decade.
“Passover is observed in the home,” Eder says, “so everyone gives it a personal touch. It’s not like the high holidays that are observed by 2,000 people in a temple.
“Passover is a much-more personalized holiday. Some families have customized haggadahs. Others customize the celebration with foods or procedures, according to their interests and tastes, so it’s not so unusual that I’ve customized my observance with renditions that come from my own musical interest.”
I say, “Well Put.”
From the hisidic reggae superstar, Matisyahu, to countless reggae artists worldwide, those who choose to embrace the two can celebrate to their hearts desire. There is no shortage of Jewish Reggae music out there. So here at Shady Groove I’ve compiled a few of my favorite songs in the theme of Passover. Enjoy and Have a great holiday!
Download The Congos – At The Feast
This one’s not reggae, but it fits the Passover Theme. Its a track from the great jazz guitarist Grant Green. He also gets a little help from a 19-year-old Herbie Hancock on piano.
Download Grant Green – Go Down Moses
Podcast #56: Sounds from The Big Easy
A Big hi-yo from the Crescent City from your favorite podcast, Shady Groove! NOLA is a wonderful city filled with beautiful people, many longstanding traditions, great music, and of course, great food. Crawfish pie, Seafood Gumbo, Jambalaya, Pralines, PoBoy’s, Beignets, Étouffée…. The list goes on and on. The food was decadent. The music was prevalent. Culturally, the music of NOLA has inspired many musicians throughout the world with its african rhythms, jazz standards, horn sections; a veritable melting pot of wonderful sounds. The streets are still filled with subtle sounds of trumpets and trombones and amazing folky-street-jug-bands trying to make a name for themselves and keep the music alive. I think I speak for most when I say that I had a great time in your city and I plan to come back real soon. Here’s to ‘lettin the good times roll’ in the Big Easy!
This weeks podcast included these delightfully playful, sonically pleasing musical tracks:
Dr. John – Let The Good Times Roll ++ Harry Nilsson – Let The Good Times Roll ++ Preservation Hall Jazz Band & The Del McCoury Band – Jambalaya ++ The Meters – Cissy Strut ++ Leon Russell – Delta Lady ++ Mason Porter – Delta Queen ++ Trombone Shorty – Dumaine St. ++ Phish – Gumbo (live 7.17.91) ++ Johnny Cash – Big River (live @ San Quentin ’69) ++ Creedence Clearwater Revival – Born On The Bayou ++ Johnny Jenkins – Walk On Guilded Splinters ++ Bruce Springsteen – Eyes On The Prize ++ The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Mr. Bojangles ++ King Curtis – Mr. Bojangles ++ Taj Mahal – Fishin’ Blues ++ The Gourds – Foggy Blossom (mechanical bride)
Gold Soundz: Podcast #55
Howdy all you Shady Groovers out there! Check out the fresh, Brand New podcast that was just dropped.
We hope you enjoy these fantastically crafted musical tracks:
Blitzen Trapper – Country Caravan ++ The White Stripes – Effect & Cause ++ Old 97’s – Timebomb ++ Dr. Dog – That Old Black Hole ++ The Rolling Stones – Far Away Eyes ++ Middle Brother – Middle Brother ++ My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges ++ Pavement – Gold Soundz ++ The Allman Brothers Band – Old Friend ++ Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker + Yim Yames – My Revolutionary Mind ++ Richie Havens – Tight Rope ++ Spoon – Don’t You Evah ++ Waylon Jennings – Waymore’s Blues ++ Ween – Don’t Shit Where You Eat ++ The Gourds – Do 4 U