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 Soltykevych: Jan Lisiecki with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, “Piano Concerto #2 Op 40” by Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn composed his second piano concerto while on his honeymoon in the summer of 1837. Calgary-born pianist, Jan Lisiecki, made his orchestral debut at age nine. In 2013, he made his debut at the BBC Proms. That same year he signed with Deutsche Grammophon. This year, he has recorded this, his fifth CD, with that label.
Baba: The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, “If You Wanna Get to Heaven 20/20”
I’m a fan of the band! It’s a Hellraiser of an infectious version. I think CKUA might also referenced here somewhere, “But I heard it in the alley, On a weird radio”. This is our Rock ‘N’ Folk.
Lionel Rault: Bruce Hornsby, “Cast-off”
Bruce Hornsby finds vindication and renewal with a new generation of musicians on his new album, Absolute Zero. Here he teams up with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver fame.
Mark Antonelli: Yo-Yo Ma / Anthony McGill / Gabriela Montero / Itzhak Perlman, Air and Simple Gifts by John Williams
Based on a very well-known, shaker hymn, quoted by Aaron Copland in his ballet, Appalachian Spring, this is an evocative piece written for the inauguration of Barack Obama. The performance during Obama’s inauguration seemed to underscore the fact that something rather ground-breaking was happening. I’m wondering if it would make good theme music for Sunday Breakfast: very well-played by a top notch quartet of musicians!
Lisa Wilton: Jade Bird, “Side Effects”
Jade Bird is a 21-year-old, powerhouse vocalist. She can blow out windows when she gets going. Unfortunately, sometimes that comes at the expense of nuance. This song, however, sees the British singer reign in the booming elements of her voice, or rather use it more sparingly and to better effect. If you like driving pop-rock with a dash of roots, this track is for you. You can catch her at the Commonwealth in Calgary on October 14th and the Starlite Room in Edmonton on October 15th.
Bob Chelmick: Patty Griffin, “Burgundy Shoes”
A favourite spring song — a poetic memory cascade from childhood — leaves green like a baby, a new dress, special shoes, mom with red lipstick and that sun, sun, SUN.
Roy Forbes: Rolling Stones, “Walking The Dog”
Take a moment to check out this scrappy young bunch of blues fanatics, circa 1964. From the Stones’ first LP, England’s Newest Hitmakers. Strong stuff.
Grant Stovel: Marvin Gaye, “Where Are We Going?”
How in the world do you just not release a finished album by one of the greatest geniuses of soul and pop music, created at the very zenith of his powers? Well, it’s said that Motown founder, Berry Gordy, didn’t see eye-to-eye with Marvin on some of the social and political messages contained in this record. And so, the album was shelved. Indefinitely. Until now! After a long 47 years years in the vault, You’re the Man has finally seen the light of day. Recently released at long last, in honour of the 80th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s birth. It was intended as the follow-up to “What’s Going On?”, which is most pointedly, and poignantly, clear on this track.