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: Rosanne Cash, “A Feather’s Not A Bird”
A well-written song with a great vocal performance and superior production!
Terry David Mulligan: The Beatles , “A Day in the Life”
Why? Long after most of their songs have faded, “A Day in the Life” will stand as a monument to the craft of songwriting: melody, lyric and personal statement. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is one of music’s greatest achievements. The last chord continues long after the song is over. Brilliant.
Baba: Supertramp, “The Logical Song”
Deep, timeless philosophy in a perfect little pop song: “I know it sounds absurd Please tell me who I am?”
Kodi Hutchinson: Renee Rosnes, “Goodbye Mumbai”
The 2017 JUNO Award winner for Solo Jazz Album of the Year, Written in the Rocks, from top Canadian pianist Renee Rosnes. Originally from Saskatchewan, she is now one of the most revered players in the world. She will be back to perform one show in Calgary on June 17th for the JazzYYC Summer Festival (www.jazzyyc.com).
Lisa Wilton: Ray Davies, “The Deal”
Ray’s sardonic wit shines in this ‘ode’ to Los Angeles. His wry observations on living among movers and shakers, or wannabe movers and shakers, are a big reason why this is my favourite track from his latest album, Americana.
Plus, it’s got a pretty catchy chorus, which is always a plus in my books.
Bob Chelmick: Harry Manx feat. Sydney Lyric Quartet, “Summertime”
For the solstice, a new version of one of the top- ten, most-often-recorded songs from Gershwin’s 1935 Porgy and Bess.
Amy Van Keeken: Gene Clark, “So You Say You Lost Your Baby”
One of the genius songwriters of 20th-century, American music, Gene Clark is well-known for his stint in The Byrds. However, he also had a fab solo career. In February 1967, he released his debut solo record, Gene Clark With the Gosdin Brothers, featuring this track, “So You Say You Lost Your Baby”, which is as perfect a jangly gem as anything I’ve ever heard.
Oskar Zybart: Hooverphonic, “Vinegar & Salt”
“Vinegar & Salt” was one of the first masterpieces of 21st- Century pop music. It has remained brilliant in subsequent years. The Belgian group, Hooverphonic, wrote the track. They have produced several arrangements and recordings over the years from the trip-hop drive of the original version found on the LP, The Magnificent Tree, to this chamber-pop reinterpretation found on the LP, Sit Down and Listen To Hooverphonic. One of my all-time favourite songs, and always spectacular to experience.
Grant Stovel: Kacy & Clayton, “Light of Day”
This is our first taste of the new album by these young, second cousins from southern Saskatchewan. The Siren’s Song, due out in August on New West Records, is produced by one of Kacy & Clayton’s biggest fans: Wilco front-man, Jeff Tweedy.
Monica Miller: Cody ChesnuTT, “Africa The Future”
After taking four years off to, among other things, devote himself to being a father to his family, ChesnuTT returns inspired! On this tune from My Love Divine Degree, his heart, his soul and his politics shine on through.
Mark Antonelli: Maurice Andre and Raymond Andre; Jean-Francois Paillard Chamber Orchestra, “Johann Melchior Molter: Double Trumpet Concerto in D, MS 330: Mvt 1”
I had this piece on a cassette tape more than 30 years ago. Maurice Andre was one of the great trumpet players. His brother Raymond was also top-notch. The two didn’t record together that often. The interplay between the two in this movement is amazing! Originally out back in 1971 and re-issued on CD as part of Erato’s Bonsai series.
Cam Hayden: Harrison Kennedy, “Who U Telling?”
A great song from an accomplished artist — the title track from this new disc of the same name by a solid, Canadian acoustic blues artist
Kathryn Calder: Dionne Warwick, “Walk On By”
The pairing of the incredible Burt Bacharach and Hal David songwriting team with Dionne Warwick’s exquisite voice brings out the best in everyone involved. The song moves and changes in surprising ways. It not only has unusual chord changes but also bursts of new melodies arriving all the time. One of the greats, for sure!!