This week’s playlist is a bit of a celebration. Twenty years ago today, CKUA went off the air. What better way to celebrate the fact that we came back and are still here than with some amazing tunes? Here are the picks by our hosts this week.
The Playlist
The Picks
David Ward: Justin Townes Earle, “Champagne Corolla”
A drive-time radio show is always on the lookout for songs about automobiles. Justin’s new song celebrates the people’s car: the Toyota Corollas he would see while growing up in a lower-middle-class neighbourhood in Nashville in the 1990s.
Baba: Nick Cave, “We No Who U R”
Nick Cave is dark and deep. Meaningful lyrics have me intrigued as to the deeper meanings of the song:
“There is no need to forgive
Breathe it in”
Fully realized production
Amy Van Keeken: DIM=SUM, “Fisherman’s Daughter”
Just released, this EP features long, languid, psych-rock jams, a la Neil Young, with the original mix of “Fisherman’s Daughter” coming in at over 12 minutes long. This radio edit still gives you a taste of the gorgeous gauzy vibe of Shuyler Jansen’s gentle voice with Chris Mason of Deep Dark Woods on those magnificent high harmonies. Mike Silverman, Old Reliable, and his signature dynamic drumming paired with Jansen’s crunchy singing guitar line is pure perfection.
*This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to it here.
Oskar Zybart: The Give ‘Em Hell Boys, “I Ain’t Gonna Write (No Songs Today)”
It’s been a long wait for fans of Edmonton’s bluegrass punks, The Give ‘Em Hell Boys. This harmony-rich, new single is the first music they’ve released in the five years since dropping their award-winning debut album, Barn Burner. Through line-up changes, world tours, and more, they’re still going strong.
*This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to it here.
Orest Soltykevich: Janoska Ensemble, “Adios Nonino”
The Janoska Ensemble is a Vienna-based quartet of three brothers and their brother-in-law, all of whom hail from Bratislava. There aretTwo violinists along with a pianist and a double bass player. Here’s an arrangement of a piece that Astor Piazzolla wrote for his late father, whose nickname was Nonino.
Terry David Mulligan: The Wood Brothers, “Ophelia “
Not just a live version of The Band’s song, but a tribute to the late Levon Helm. The Wood Brothers sat in on Levon’s The Midnight Ramble Music Sessions. This album was their first time back to Levon’s Barn since his death. Feels real, like Levon. It also feels like the torch has been passed from one artist family to another. How lucky are we?
Lionel Rault: North Mississippi All-Stars, “Turn Up Satan”
A straight shot of post-apocalyptic 21st-century blues! Big fun, big time groove!
Tom Coxworth: Muddy Waters, “Baby Please Don’t Go”
Just havin’ a groove day to some ’60’s blues.
Tony King: The Suitcase Junket, “Evangeline”
“She kissed me on the lip and she caught me a trout.” The lyric says it all, raw, sensual and just dirty enough. The Suitcase Junket is Matt Lorenz: artist, tinkerer, swamp yankee, one-man band. Steeped in the hagiography of “the south,” tinged with just enough playfulness to make it delicious repast for those hungry for something different.
*This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to it here.
Lark Clark: FM Laeti w/Fatoumata Diawara, “Coco”
Two great sexy voices to follow, wherever they take you.
Lisa Wilton: Smalltown DJs feat. Lisa Lobsinger, “Erased The Night “
Calgary electronic duo, Smalltown DJs, reunite with former Calgarian, and Broken Social Scene associate, Lisa Lobsinger on this dreamy number. Layered synths, slightly off-kilter drum patterns and Lobsinger’s ethereal vocals come together seamlessly. It’s a perfect warm-up song before your night on the town. It’s also a suitably-mellow, comedown track after you stumble in at 3 a.m.
Mark Antonelli: Les Violons du Roy, “Rondo (final movement) of Horn Concerto #4”
A great, new recording of the first piece of music by Mozart I ever heard! I had the music on an old cassette tape called The World Of Mozart, which I played so many times the reels started squealing! I actually wore it out. Even now, all these years later, I still get a little thrill hearing the piece including Flanders and Swann’s comedy treatment of it known as “Ill Wind”.
Dianne Donovan: Kurt Rosenwinkel, “Casio Vanguard”
Really, it’s more about the whole new album, Caipi, a fusion of jazz and Brazilian music that sounds fresh, while being reminiscent of the ’70s. There’s a handful of vocalists breezing through the album, including guitarist Rosenwinkel himself, who does quadruple duty on a variety of other instruments.
Allison Brock: Braden Gates, “Perfect Shade Of Blue”
Just a great track from the upcoming Braden Gates release, Much Rather Be Sleeping, due out in late April!
Braden has supporting dates:
April 21: Red Deer- Jeans Joint House Concert
April 23: Canmore – Culinary Funk
April 28: Edmonton – Blue Chair Cafe
Don’t you be caught sleeping. Go out and catch him! Catch yourself a new CD while you’re there, too.
*This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to it here.
Monica Miller: Maggie Rogers, “Better”
Rogers, a folk-singer from rural Maryland, grew up without the Internet. She became a sensation last year thanks to a viral video of Pharrell Williams listening to her song, “Alaska”, during a Master Class in New York. Her EP, Now That the Light Is Fading, dropped last month. Here’s another tune from it worth sharing.
Hayley Muir: Jalen N’Gonda, “Why I Try”
Catchy-as-heck, new single, from Liverpool by way of Maryland, from soul singer, Jalen N’Gonda. Classic vibes, perfect groove.
Kathryn Calder: Morgan Delt, “I Don’t Wanna See What’s Happening Outside”
I think the melodies are great, and it has a really nice easy feel to it!
Kodi Hutchinson: Johanna Sillanpaa, “Thing Called Love”
Brilliant, new album from one of Alberta’s finest vocalists!