Every week, CKUA’s hosts submit their songs for our weekly House Blend playlist. Take a look at this week’s picks: 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 Playlist
Celeigh Cardinal: Shea Diamond, “I Am Her”
This song is packed with themes of empowerment. After a childhood of abuse and the struggles of transitioning to a woman, this is the single she released in 2016 as the person she was meant to be.
Orest Soltykevych: Elīna Garanča “Marechiare” by Francesco Paolo Tosti
Paolo Tosti’s songwriting career began in Italy, but flourished when he moved to England in 1875. By 1880, Tosti was made singing master to the Royal Family. And by 1885 he was the most popular composer of songs in England. This song depicts a village near Naples. It’s from Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča’s brand new CD Sol y vida.
Baba: Twink, “Sunbeams & Moonbeams & Silver Stars”
Sprawling, hypnotic like a mantra, a song we can sing all together… Twink is the stage name of journeyman psychedelic-rock, multi-instrumentalist Mohammed Abdullah John Alder. He’s part of the rock music history. Twink was a member of Tomorrow with Steve Howe of YES, The Pretty Things during their S.F. Sorrow-era, The Pink Fairies and Stars with Syd Barrett. Here, he is collaborating with Moths & Locusts of Nanimo B.C.
Bob Chelmick: Kim Beggs, “Beautiful”
This little gem sneaks up on you. The lyric is abstract and poetic, the melody easy to like and easy going. Sweetness and light.
Amy van Keeken: Kate Davis, “Cloud”
She started out as a jazz singer, receiving accolades from people like Herbie Hancock. Now, she’s releasing her indie rock debut, Trophy out November 8 on Solitaire Recordings. “Cloud” is a single from the record. It starts out simply but then there is an unexpected chord at the end of a line in the chorus — it’s as if the sun breaks through and it becomes a shining jewel. I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the record!
Mark Antonelli: Wilson Simonal, “Nem Vem Que Nao Tem”
I heard this 1967 Brazilian song on my smartphone’s Stingray app on a channel called “The Groovy Lounge” and I couldn’t get it out of my head. A little summertime samba for you that sounds like it was recorded at the party of the season. Enjoy!
Grant Stovel: Copperhead, “Heaven”
I have always thought this was a great song — though a bit of an oddball cousin to the rest of the Talking Heads’ songbook. Now I know why! ‘Cause all along, it was destined to be interpreted by Calgary’s sultry, smoky, noir-ish, sax-infused, indie-soul-rock’n’roll band, Copperhead. It makes an absolutely heavenly kick-off to the Calgary Folk Fest’s stellar 40th anniversary covers compilation, Cover Art.
*This song is not available on Spotify.