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
Baba: Michael Rault, “I’ll Be There”
A single from It’s A New Day Tonight, out May 18, this is how rock ‘n’ roll rolls and rocks!
Bob Chelmick: Thea Gilmore and Joan Baez, “Inch by Inch”
A kind of anthem for our time, it’s easy to hear why Joan would embrace the message. As Thea said of the song: “The concept of taking things a step at a time and believing that you can make a difference no matter how small is the root of ‘Inch By Inch’.”
David Ward: Scenic Route To Alaska, “Find My Footing”
Somewhat uncertain, a little lost, wondering when things will settle down — we’ve all felt that way at one time or another. Scenic Route To Alaska’s new song, “Find My Footing”, captures some of that ennui:
“Over and over when will it blow over …
The only thing I know is that I know nothing at all
(Just give it time)”
Lisa Wilton: Cherry Ghost, “Mathematics”
England’s Cherry Ghost started off strong with their debut single, “Mathematics”, in 2007. Alas, they never quite hit the heights of fame they should have, but they did release some gorgeous orchestral pop music before calling it quits a couple of years ago. Singer-songwriter Simon Aldred’s smooth vocals soar above the band’s lush instrumentation. Just a beautiful track.
Mark Antonelli: Alvaro Cendoya, “Soledad (Solitude)” and “Amistad (Friendship)”
Some music from the South to warm us up this week. I was surprised by the similarities between Ignacio Cervantes’ music and the piano rags of composers like Scott Joplin. The album, Ignacio Cervantes: Danzas Cubanas, features 38 little pieces and it was hard to choose just two of them.
Amy van Keeken: Eric Chenaux, “There’s Our Love”
Known for his experimental DIY ethos, Eric Chenaux has a new album out on Constellation Records. It’s called Slowly Paradise and this track is “There’s Our Love”. My ear and heart are drawn to the lovely melody and golden vocals as well as all the scratchy, pulsating, warbling, buzzing happening instrumentally. A magical juxtaposition that is truly a treat for the brain and the soul.
Dianne Donovan: Kurt Elling, “A Happy Thought “
I could have picked any song from Elling’s new album, The Questions. Largely informed by the teaching of Martin Luther “and other cats”, Elling never stopped searching for answers from many sources and often ended up with more questions. The recording is philosophical, spiritual, existential, thought-provoking and yes, beautiful. “A Happy Thought” is a work that has questions and answers = acceptance. It is set to a poem by Franz Wright and the music is by Elling’s pianist-collaborator, Mindeman.
Tony King: Lolo Lovina, “Lolo Loco Kolo”
This band celebrates all thing Romany with a contemporary twist. Lolo Lovina fuses the deeply-sensuous voice of Serah Bedak with the wildly-percussive sound of Serbian drummer, Nenad Radic. The resulting brew — Lolo Lovina means “Red Beer” — is like spending an evening tucked away in an underground club in the ancient tunnels of Belgrade where influences of various Baltic musics come together in a darkly provocative absinthe of sounds.
Grant Stovel: Kiran Ahluwalia, “Khafa (Up in Arms)”
Kiran Ahluwalia’s new album, 7 Billion, is a beautiful, yearning love letter to the 21st century global village.
On this groovin’ number, along with her longtime guitar player, and husband, Rez Abassi, Kiran weaves the desert-rocking Touareg music of Saharan Africa into her lovely South Asian mosaic.
Kodi Hutchinson: John Coltrane, “My Favourite Things”
In honour of the arrival of my beautiful daughter, Avery Victoria Rose, on March 24th!