because it's Tuesday - week of May 30

Did you know that Jerry Chestnut wrote "Good Year For the Roses"? He might have written it but it was made famous by the insanely awesome George Jones.  I've always loved this song, I love George Jones' voice, we grew up on a pretty steady diet of Country AND Western music in our house.

When I was a teenager, I discovered Elvis Costello and the Attractions.  Around the time I started listening to them, Almost Blue was released.  I think that their version of "Good Year For the Roses" is incredible.

The whole of Almost Blue is incredible.  After you've listened to this, treat yourself and go check out the rest of the record xo

because it's Tuesday - week of May 23

A few years ago now, Garth Hudson Presents: A Canadian Celebration of The Band, a beautiful album, was released.  Unfortunately, there isn't a video (that I could find) for my favourite song on the compilation, Mary Margaret O'Hara's version of "Out of the Blue."

Her voice is so beautiful, pure and unique. I love her so much, she's truly a Canadian treasure.

please give this one a listen, your ears and your heart will thank you xo

because it's Tuesday - week of May 16

A couple of weeks ago, I made a trip to Toronto.  This was kind of a big deal to me for a few reasons.  First of all, the purpose of the trip was to see Father John Misty.  I bought myself a pair of tickets as a slightly early 50th Birthday gift.  It was an impulsive thing and I invited my old friend Jane (who I'd not seen in years) to go with me.  I was super excited to see Mr Tillman in concert and to reunite with Jane was a wonderful bonus.

As an aside, the show was incredible.  It happened to be the first show of the tour and seeing it in the Royal Alex theatre felt very special.  The trip to Toronto was interesting.  I had never ever driven to Toronto alone before and this was first time visiting the city since Mark's death.  He was a Toronto guy, was born there, lived there for 47 years.  He shared parts of the city with me that I didn't know existed.  To say it felt odd being there without him, is a massive understatement.  I think he would have been pretty impressed that I not only got there safely but also because when my GPS failed, I was able to find my way around, get where I needed to be and do that in super heavy rains, with the threat of the DVP closing due to flooding hanging over my head.

Prior to discovering Father John Misty, I has a passing awareness of Josh Tillman and Fleet Foxes.  I got into FJM a few months after Mark's death.  It seemed like for months on end throughout 2016, it was all was listening to, Fear Fun and I Love You Honeybear.  His lyrics really spoke to me.  I was depressed, grieving, anxiety ridden.  He knew what that was like and I felt like I had found a kindred spirit.  The fun thing about not being into something from the beginning is that you get to dig around and discover all kinds of treats.  One of the things I found is the cover I'm sharing today.

To me, and certainly to Mark, some songs are sacred and should not be covered.  John Lennon's "God" was definitely on that list for both of us.  John so perfectly performed it that any other interpretations were unnecessary.  Well I thought that until I watched this clip.  It's from a club performance in London at Christmas 2015.

I think he did an amazing job on it and feel like Mark would have appreciated it too.

For what it's worth, I don't believe in Tom Petty either.

enjoy xo

because it's Tuesday - week of May 9

I feel really old saying this but about 30 years ago, when I used to go out dancing with my girlfriends, nothing would get us onto the dance floor faster than those first few notes of New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" could.

A few years later, Frente! released their severely mellowed out version of "Bizarre Love Triangle."  I immediately fell in love with it.  It isn't going to get your butt out on a dance floor anytime soon but it's certainly a lot of fun.

happy listening friends xo

because it's Tuesday - week of May 2

I have never been a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen (I know, I know, don't throw stuff at me, it happens, not everyone can worship him).  The only song of his that I actually really really liked was "Hungry Heart" (I bought the 45 of that in 8th grade I think).

Thanks to the Columbia House Record and Tape Club, I probably have a copy of Born in the USA around somewhere although I know it's not a record I would have picked up under any other circumstances than as part of a Columbia House order!!

In recent years, I've found myself enjoying The River and Tunnel of Love more and more.  Many years ago, I remember hearing "tougher than the rest" for the first time, as a cover by Everything But The Girl.  I loved their version of it.  It's a great pop song.

Another pop group, one I love love love, Camera Obscura also covered it.  It's a sweet treatment, I'm sure that Bruce himself must approve.  I certainly do.

Enjoy xo