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: Anne Akiko Meyers: “Spiegel im spiegel” by Arvo Pärt
Estonian Arvo Pärt is one of the most popular composers of our time. He is especially known for his sacred choral works, especially music based on Eastern Orthodox tradition. This piece is from 1978, just before he left his native country because of continued conflict from Soviet authorities. It depicts the idea of infinity when you place two mirrors parallel to each other.
Baba: Old Man Luedecke, “Easy Money”
Two of my favorite words: easy and money, get my attention every time. Chris Luedecke never grows old in his expressions of “philosophical joys of livin”!
Amy van Keeken: Doris Day, “Sentimental Journey”
The great Doris Day passed away on Monday, May 13th, at the age of 97. The star of many movies was also a stunning singer. Her warm, golden tone and effortless delivery will be remembered as will her passion for kindness and love for all people and especially animals. “Sentimental Journey” was her first #1 hit in 1945 with Les Brown and his Band of Renown. She says she used to listen to Ella Fitzgerald on the radio as a kid to try to “catch the subtle ways she shaded her voice, the casual yet clean way she sang the words”. Rest in peace, Doris Day. Thank you for all the music, the movies and sharing your message of kindness to all creatures.
Roy Forbes: Doris Day, “No Moon At All”
I’ve always had a secret love for Doris Day’s singing. “No Moon At All” is one of my favourite sides from her early period. According to Wiki, Doris was the first to record this ultra-cool jazz standard back in 1947. RIP, Doris.
*This song is not on Spotify. Listen to it here.
Mark Antonelli: The Peddlers, “On A Clear Day”
I have to thank The Simpsons for including this on a recent program. The Peddlers were a British jazz, soul trio formed in Manchester in the early 1960s. Their sound is described as “jazz-tinged R&B” and it really caught my ears off guard. Vocalist Roy Phillips has a rather interesting delivery and who wouldn’t want a little roller-rink organ interlude in the middle before Roy returns to take us home?
Lark Clark: Grupo Fantasma, “Cuidado”
From their new album, American Music, vol. 7, the Austin, Texas band re-works their fabulous “Chocolate”. This time with a popping bass line, but keeping the hot, hot horns and searing vocal harmonies. Caliente!
Dianne Donovan: Elisa Thorn, “Sun Shadows”
Jazz harp and vocals? Oh, yes! Selenotropic is a gentle, moody album from this Vancouver-based artist, perfect for a quiet listen in the moonlight.
*This song is not on Spotify. Listen to it here.
Grant Stovel: Lucette, “Angel”
This prodigious Alberta talent first met Sturgill Simpson back in 2013, when she was a teenager — and just before either of them had begun to make serious waves in the music world. Back then, he memorably played the title role in the highly compelling video for her breakout song, “Bobby Reid.” They clicked. This time out, Sturgill serves as producer — and his soulful band as the backing unit — for Lucette’s dynamite new sophomore album, Deluxe Hotel Room, out this past Friday.