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
Cam Hayden: Elvin Bishop
Elvin’s new CD on Alligator sees him working in a trio format, pretty unusual for him. On this track, special guest, Charlie Musselwhite sits in — blues gold!
*This track is not available on Spotify
Baba: Carmen Braden, “Small Town Song”
As a composer-performer creatively harvesting the sounds of the north, Carmen writes and performs music tied to the sub-Arctic soundscape and beyond. Her instrumental, vocal, choral, and electro-acoustic music delves into ravens, lake ice, rock, sundogs. Her jazz-influenced song-style tells of life in the north through clever story and cheeky song.
Elliott Garnier: Ween, “Mutilated Lips”
It’s hard to believe The Mullosk turns 20 this year. ‘Mutilated Lips’, in particular, is like a jolt of caffeine for the imagination. Case in point: cartoonist and marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg, creator of Spongebob Squarepants, called The Mullosk a “huge creative reference point.” Is that Mr. Krabs singing “The Blarney Stone”?
Lionel Rault, Lera Lynn, “Shape Shifter”
Cool track, up-beat, with a strong lyric
Terry David Mulligan: Bill and Joel Plaskett,
I love the calliope. (Kidding)
A mix of Zep 111 and downtown Dartmouth. Written as a miserable US election unfolded. Loudly.
Great lyrics
“You can’t get any higher
Than the climate change denier
Who Will sip his gin and tonic
While the World goes microphonic”
*This track is not available on Spotify
LIAR!!!
Lisa Wilton: The Youngest, “Built to Last”
This is a standout track from the Texas band’s sophomore album, See It Through, released a few months ago. While the rest of the album is steeped in Americana, “Built to Last” is a faster-paced, incredibly-melodic track with great harmonies that leans a bit more on the indie rock side of things. But it still fits comfortably within the roots sphere. Plus, the energy of the song makes me want to drive fast anytime I hear it in the car.
Brian Golightly: Mark Eitzel, “An Answer”
This velvet-voiced, romantic pessimist has returned full force with soaring melodies and poetic insights set like jewels. “An Answer” is a perfect example of a song and a voice getting the treatment they richly deserve.
Mark Antonelli: Grupo Experimental de Musica (GEM), Ruben Feffer and Gustavo Kurlat
Another piece from this amazing soundtrack. I haven’t been able to get the music out of my head. The flute melody is on permanent replay in my mind. I find myself suddenly whistling it a number of times every day. It’s a great “problem” to have! Even without the images and emotions from the film, the piece is captivating and a little sad.
*This track is not available on Spotify.
Monica Miller: Calypso Rose, “Far From Home”
a) There aren’t a lot of calypso legends who are also women. Now 76 years old, Calypso Rose, aka Linda McCartha Monica Sandy-Lewis, has beaten the odds in many ways. 2016’s “Far From Home” brings her out of retirement. Manu Chao joins her on this track.
b) After deep immersion in the Caribbean with Kobo Town’s Mixtape, I find myself still swimming in those waters.
c) Is winter over yet?
*This track is not available on Spotify. Hear it here:
Tony King: Will Johnson,
It’s a reminder that, with enough creative moonshine coursing through one’s veins, feral impulses still exist in smoke-filled barrooms on moonlit nights.
*This track is not available on Spotify. Hear it here:
Grant Stovel: Tinariwen,
Tinariwen’s entrancing brand of Sahara Desert root-rock is more powerful than ever on their new album, due out on Friday.
Orest Soltykevich: Piano Cameleons, Minuet in G Major
A duo of Montreal-based, classically-trained pianists who recently got together and decided to record some well-known classics, but with a distinct jazz flavour.
David Ward: Pacanomad, “Shot the Gun”
From London, Ontario, a successful blend of soul and rock with a strong lead singer, Chantel Rivard, and a tight band.
Allison Brock: Gurf Morlix, “Right Now”
“Right Now” is track five from Gurf’s new album, The Soul & The Heal. It stands out for me as Gurf is singing over a slow, reggae-style backbeat with tasty organ riffs along the way. Gurf isn’t exactly known as an “eternal optimist”, but has always preached that you should tell those you love and cherish that you do love and cherish them — before it’s too late to do so. This song is about living in the moment and, as Warren Zevon put it, “enjoy every sandwich”, as you never know when it’ll be your last slice of life. Gurf has lost several close friends over the last couple of years. He also came all-too-close himself a year or so ago when he suffered a heart attack. I for one am sure glad that Gurf is still with us. I love this song AND — I LOVE YOU GURF!
Amy Van Keeken: Not You, “haha”
I am a huge Dog Day fan. Last summer, when I saw that Nancy Urich, of Dog Day, had a new band, I immediately listened to their first single on repeat for days. Of course, it is just as catchy and perfect as every Dog Day song. This time, Nancy’s on guitar and vocals with Rebecca Young on bass and vocals, Meg Youshida on drums and Stephanie Johns on guitar and vocals.
*This track is not available on Spotify. Hear it here:
Lark Clark: Andino Suns, “La Otra Mujer”
Love this group’s multi-layered strings: cuatro and guitar, and layered harmonies. To me, they sound like a Spanish-language Crosby Stills & Nash.
Hayley Muir: The Sadies feat. Kurt Vile, “It’s Easy (Like Walking)”
Oh boy! Who knew The Sadies and Kurt Vile would make *such* a great songwriting team. I’m really excited about the direction on the new Sadies’ record, Northern Passages, given they’re working with Vile. I wouldn’t have expected these two to mash up so well, but it’s got the sleepy laziness of Vile and the pluck and cheekiness of The Sadies. Good combo!
Oskar Zybart: Doug Hoyer, “A Link to the Past”
Just picked up Doug Hoyer’s new album, Stepping Stone. This song is particularly timely. Not that any excuse is needed beyond: “Hey, new Doug Hoyer!”
*This track is not available on Spotify. Hear it here: