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
Terry David Mulligan: Richie Havens, “Follow “
I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time: late ’66, early ’67, programmed with John Runge Canada’s first underground FM station. CKLG-FM in Vancouver. Some records became instant classics. Two have stayed with me ever since. Taj Mahal’s first real album and Mixed Bag by Richie Havens. Taj gets played every day, but Richie not so much. Not sure why. When you go back and listen to his first real album, Mixed Bag, it’s astonishing how the songs still cut straight to the heart. Richie wrote many songs but the ones that I still hear in the wind and on the road are covers of The Beatles: “Eleanor Rigby”, and Dylan: “Just like a woman”. Both could be included on this list, but it’s the six-minute cover of Jerry Merrick’s “Follow” that haunts the space. Richie takes his time with the words, the thoughts, the tempo and the textures. It may remind some of Astral Weeks. It’s that good. FYI, this album and one other by Havens were found in the vinyl collection of his buddy, Jimi Hendrix. One last thought: it was Richie who opened Woodstock with just his voice and a guitar. Play the man — on vinyl if you can.
Baba: Potatohead People, “Quest For Love”
Very contemporary sound, short little number with interesting blend of many styles — laid back.
Meg Wilco: Sudan Archives, “Come Meh Way”
I love the way Brittany Denise Parks blends electronic beats with West African folk sounds. A self-taught violinist, Parks says her first piece of “gear” when she moved to LA was an iPad — the same one she used to produce parts of this song!
Hayley Muir: Rosie and the Riveters, “I Believe You”
This is a powerful new tune from Saskatoon’s Rosie and the Riveters. Carrying on with their strong feminist roots, “I Believe You” is a heartfelt, tender song of support for women and victims of abuse and violence everywhere:
“I believe you when the jury has failed
stand for your truth, you’re not alone.”
Kodi Hutchinson: Billie Holiday, “Lover Man”
In celebration of her birthday, I have chosen Billie Holiday, aka Lady Day. She is considered by many to be one of the greatest of all jazz singers with a unique voice that has influenced countless others.
Mark Antonelli: Vincent Lauzer, Arion Baroque Orchestra, Alexander Weimann, “Vivaldi’s Recorder Concerto in G, R.443: First Movement”, Vivaldi: Concertos pour flute a bec
Vincent Lauzer is an amazing young Canadian recorder player who burst onto the classical music scene shortly after he graduated from McGill University. I can’t even remember the last time I heard such a talented musician on the instrument. This has absolutely nothing to do with your grade five recorder class! It’s quite the musical work-out and you’ll be surprised!
David Ward: Lindi Ortega, “In the Clear”
A welcome sonic oasis for all who need a few minutes to catch their breath, slow down the pace, and consider:
“An ever-gentle breeze through the trees
An easy whisper
Sleeping underneath a starry sky
Life is but a dream”