Every week, CKUA’s hosts submit their songs for our weekly House Blend playlist: an exciting new release, a beloved classic or just an old personal favourite. We mix it all together to create a sonic concoction that’ll help kick off your week. Check out what’s on this week’s playlist.
The Playlist
The Picks
Lionel Rault: The Jayhawks, The Dust Of Long Dead Stars”
A great lyric with a catchy beat and a nice blend of voices
Grant Stovel: Terra Lightfoot, “Lily’s Fair (live)”
This cut is from her upcoming live album, Every Time My Mind Runs Wild, bolstered by Hamilton’s National Academy Orchestra. Terra says of the recording, “For some of the songs I was actually trying not to cry. That’s how beautiful it was. It’s the violins that do it.”
Lark Clark: KutiMangoes, “Bic”
Great Afrobeat funk, ace horn section, killer rhythms
Amy Van Keeken: Carole King, “Sweet Seasons “
Happy Birthday, Carole King! Now 75-years-old, as of February 9th, Carole King was one of my mom’s favs — so I grew up washing the dishes blasting Tapestry and singing along at full volume. It’s amazing how many songs — and hit songs! and iconic songs! — she’s written since high school. A true inspiration!
Tony King: Noga Erez “Pity”
“What! Where did that voice come from — so ear arresting.” My first thought in regard to Noga Erez, an artist who grew up in Tel Aviv. She uses music as a catharsis and a portal to something more blissful than the world around her. The seeds of “Pity” were sewn after Erez heard about a court case concerning sexual assault captured on mobile phones and spread virally.
Monica Miller: Villages, “Hymn After Hymn”
Joel Plaskett produced this single and included it on his recent Mixtape. They are a band from Cape Breton, who have also recorded as Mardeen, but Villages is a fairly-new and folkier project. I chose it because I simply cannot get this song out of my head. And since I love to share, I will now embed it in your head! I hope you will thank me. And — you’re welcome.
Lisa Wilton: Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, “Something”
Georgie Fame may be best-known for his 1965 pop hit, “Yeh Yeh”, but “Something” is the superior single in my humble opinion. It’s a straight-up, northern, blue-eyed soul winner. The song showcases Georgie Fame’s Mose Allison-esque vocals and keen sense of melody. All mods to the dancefloor!
Dianne Donovan: David Bowie, “Stay”
Vintage, yep — and yet, truly timeless — it’s absolutely addictive — yearning, yearning, yearning — pointing at regret. Ah, Bowie, wish you’d have “stayed” longer.
Kodi Hutchinson: Chris Thile & Brad Mehldau, “The Watcher”
Two masters from different musical genres show what a true fusion sounds like — bringing together jazz and bluegrass.
Baba: Smog, “I’m New Here”
Smog, aka Bill Callahan, has frequently been hailed as the Leonard Cohen of his generation. He is deep, and expresses his depth with a great sensitivity. “I’m New Here” is wonderfully- and more-famously covered by the late Gil Scott-Heron, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”.
This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to it here:
Allison Brock: William Prince, “Little Things”
Why this song? Why not! Pretty much any of the 11 songs on William Prince’s 2015 release, Earthly Days, could have been my pick. It is by no means an upbeat record, but every one of the wonderfully-soulful and atmospheric songs hits you right from the first listen. William is from Manitoba. He is already a multi-award-winning singer and songwriter. He is also up for a couple of Juno Awards this year, too. I’m not thinking he’s a one-trick pony. Watch and listen for more great things from this “prince” of a man.
Earthly Days is produced by another Manitoban; Scott Nolan. It was Scott who first made me aware of the album and subsequently sent me a copy. My only beef is: “What took you so long Scott?” “Little Things” is about just that — everyday happenings between two people. The little things that make everything worthwhile because they add up to a lot. They add up to life! “Each and every’s” a lot! Wow!
Oskar Zybart: The Beatles, “Twist and Shout”
What the world needs now — is a bit of bloody joy. It’s the 53rd anniversary of the Beatles’ February residency on the Ed Sullivan Show. This song kicked off the last of their three 1964 shows. One of the best rock & roll vocals of all time. So good.
Kathryn Calder: Louise Burns, “Who’s The Madman”
Classic 80’s songwriting, Louise is a BC artist with a great voice!