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
Orest Soltykevich: Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, “Springtime in Alberta”
An arrangement of Ian Tyson’s song, “Springtime in Alberta” for soloist and male chorus by Larry Nickel — very suitable for this time of year!
*This song is not available on Spotify.
Mark Antonelli: Jim Moray, “Black Is The Colour (Folk Cafe Version)”
I heard portions of this song in the background on a TV spin-off of Doctor Who called The Class. It blew me away. I tried to find it on-line, but no luck. Now, months later, it shows up on iTunes! I’ve always loved the song but there’s something about this version that really hits me. The album includes two versions of the song — bonus!
Amy Van Keeken: The Flat Five, “This is Your Night”
It’s no secret that I am immensely fond of easy listening, vocal groups from the ’60s, like Sergio Mendes, Brasil 66, The Fifth Dimension, etc. Chicago-based supergroup, The Flat Five, is very much in this vein. On their record of last year, It’s A World of Love and Hope, they deliver a slice of the smooth sounds of yore that does not disappoint. Listen for sassy contemporary references peppered throughout the lyrics.
Lionel Rault: Memoir, “Los Angeles”
An evocative vocal performance with a catchy melody and lyrics — it’s got the beat!
Tony King: Sean Rowe, “Newton’s Cradle “
The chocolate effect to quote Sean Rowe: “Matt Ross-Spang (Grammy-Winning engineer of Jason Isbell’s Something More Than Free, one of my favorite records of last year) is a musical Willy Wonka, and his Chocolate Factory is the legendary Sam Phillips Studio in Memphis, TN. This place has an unmatched soul and a vibe that stems from the history of Memphis as a haven for many of my musical heroes.”
Oskar Zybart: Richard Hawley, “Tonight the Streets Are Ours”
A rare, uptempo tune from the man I consider to be England’s greatest modern balladeer. Melodic and triumphant, it sets a perfect tone for the excitement of CKUA’s upcoming Touch the Transmitter tour of Alberta.
Monica Miller: Five Corners Quintet, “Straight Up”
Chasin’ The Jazz Gone By would make the list of my Desert Island Discs and “Straight Up” is a standout. Club culture meets jazz in Finland.
*This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to it here.
Lark Clark: Las Cafeteras (de east L.A.), “La Bamba Rebelde”
Everyone in the world knows La Bamba: it dates back to the 1700s, except now it’s an anthem whose relevance grows every day: “fronteras (borderlines) yo crucere (I cross them)”.
Kodi Hutchinson: Big Miller and Tommy Banks, “When Sunny Gets Blue”
A fantastic, new, classic album, Legacy, was recorded back in 1989 and just released this month showcasing two of western Canada’s jazz greats: vocalist Big Miller and pianist Tommy Banks. The album has been released in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Yardbird Suite in Edmonton. www.yardbirdsuite.com
Baba: Melanie, “Brand New Key”
“Brand New Key”, aka “The Rollerskate Song”, is about freedom, innocence and coming of age — a great song every which way.
Cam Hayden: Steve Kozak Band, “Kiddio”
*This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to it here.
David Ward: Jeb Loy Nichols, “Regret”