Merry Christmas To You

As the wise philosopher Bart Simpson once said, "Hey, since when is Christmas just about the presents? Aren’t we forgetting the true meaning of this day? The birth of Santa."

He's not wrong folks, this time of the year should not be about presents or who has the fanciest cookies or biggest group of folks sitting around the table with them, it's about Santa.  Poor old guy, we take him for granted and we shouldn't.

Over the past couple of weeks, you have indulged my small-ish obsession with "Last Christmas." Each day I mentioned that it was one of my top 3 favourite Christmas songs of all time.  This is a true fact.  My Christmas gift to you (although again, today should not be about gifts) today is the other two songs which round out my top 3.

The first one is by Chris Rea, Driving Home For Christmas.  The song was originally released 30 years ago, in December of 1988.  Apparently, he wrote the song about 10 years before recording it.  The inspiration for the song came from being stuck in gridlock traffic, it was snowing lightly and he noticed that the drivers around him looked pretty unhappy.  He started singing "we're driving home for Christmas" to his wife in the car, the rest, as they say, is history. 



The final song in my holiday top 3 is no surprise to folks who have been reading my blog for years.  Of course, in my opinion, the very best Christmas song ever written and recorded is, was and forever shall be "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues with the namesake of this blog, Kirsty MacColl.  Originally released in 1987 (can you see a theme here, I'm such a child of the 80's), this song, with it's accompanying video (beautifully shot in black and white) instantly appealed to me.  I wasn't the only one, in the UK, it is apparently the MOST played Christmas song of the 21st Century.

Some folks find the lyrics offensive.  Those folks can just fuck off.  It's art, it's a song, it's a story about a messed up couple, trying to drag each other through the holidays when they are down on their luck and not too sure what the future will hold.  I think it's a lot more honest portrayal of what some families go through at Christmas than any Norman Rockwell picture might.  Don't get me wrong, I like Christmas just as much as the next person (although I really just like the acts of charity, the spending of time with loved ones, the lights, music, food and fun stuff, as you know, the religious elements are lost on me) but it's a really tough time for some people and we shouldn't forget about that.



I hope you have enjoyed my little holiday music detour the past couple of weeks. I will be sharing some of my favourite stuff from 2018 over the next week.

Happy Christmas to you and yours xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 12

So here we are, Day 12 of the 12 Days of Last Christmas.  It's been fun for me (not sure about you) to find and listen to so many different interpretations of one of my top three favourite Christmas songs.

Today, I'm sharing the one, the only, the original, Wham!'s Last Christmas.

There isn't a lot for me to say about this song which hasn't been said before.  Last year, the Guardian did a great article on the song which, if you didn't see at the time, you may want to check out now:

Still Saving Us From Tears:  The Inside Story of Wham's Last Christmas

Hopefully any crazy holiday related running around that you needed do is done and you're at home, toasty roasty warm, spending time with people you like or, perhaps spending it with yourself, doing something awesome, just because you can.  I think folks should focus less on the hub bub of the gift giving and racing around like mad men and enjoy the time off (if you have some), enjoy each other, find some peace, have some laughs, treat yourself (and others) with kindness.  If nothing else, I think you should tease your hair, find a big can of Aqua Net and enjoy the original video for 1985's Last Christmas xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 11

We are getting pretty close to the end of the 12 Days of Last Christmas.

Today is day 11. I could have actually done about 3 months worth of these posts.  I have found over 100 different versions of one of my top three favourite Christmas songs of all time as I've been doing this.

The version I'm going to share with you today is an older one, by Darren Hayes.  I remember seeing him perform this on the Rose O'Donnell show back in the day.  Savage Garden were always a guilty pleasure of mine and I really loved his take on the Wham! Christmas classic.

The video quality on this clip isn't great but I thought it would be fun to actually watch him perform it (well more fun than just listening to a clip anyway).  I hope you enjoy this as much as do! xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 10

Happy Saturday!

Can you believe that it's the Saturday before Christmas already?

It's also day 10 of the 12 days of Last Christmas.  Bet you're curious about today's song huh??  As you know, I've been sharing covers of one of my top 3 favourite christmas songs of all time, the Wham Christmas Classic, Last Christmas.

Today's artist is the indie folk pop duo Fortunate Ones from St John's, Newfoundland.  I'm sort of impressed by how many Canadians have covered Last Christmas.  I really like what the Fortunate Ones did with the song.  The arrangement stays very true to the original but I dig that it's a duet.  Well done Fortunate Ones!!

So, without further adieu, here is today's cover of Last Christmas, enjoy xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 9

I first heard Barbra Lica early one morning while I was getting ready for work.  It was December 2015 and the folks at CBC's Ontario Morning were playing a cute holiday song of hers, "Christmas On the Beach."  She had just released an album of seasonal songs and "Christmas On the Beach" was getting played pretty regularly on CBC (hey, CanCon AND Christmas, not hard to figure that out). Barbra is an accomplished jazz singer and since hearing that first song, I've become a fan of hers. 
Today, because it is Day 9 of the 12 Days of Last Christmas, I'm sharing her version of one of my top three favourite holiday songs.  I really like this sort of bossa nova-y cover of the Wham Christmas Classic. 

Also, in case you were curious, today is my first full day of Christmas vacation.  I am on a lovely break and don't have to return to the office until January 7. 

Yay me and yay for Barbra Lica, enjoy xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 8

So we're up to day 8 in the 12 days of Last Christmas.

Today's version of one of my top three favourite christmas songs of all time was a surprise to me.  I knew very little about Genevieve Leclerc other than she was a French singer (and I had NO idea that she was from Canada until I started looking for a bio about her).  I thought that her version of Last Christmas would be sung in French...  I was wrong. She sings this Wham Christmas Classic in English.

It's a little jazzy, a little sexy, her voice is just lovely.  This song is less about Christmas than it is about the disappointment of a lost love.  I think this version captures that better than most of the covers I've heard.

I hope you enjoy this beautiful video and really great interpretation of Last Christmas xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 7

Okay, I think we have all had enough of the weird froggy / electronic versions of one of my top three favourite Christmas songs.

Today's version of the Wham! Christmas Classic, "Last Christmas" is a kinder, gentler one.  Today I am sharing a lovely acoustic interpretation by Dan Berk.  I wasn't not familiar with Dan Berk prior to hearing this.  I stumbled upon it on Spotify earlier this week so this wasn't one of the original 12 I was planning on sharing. Dan has a really nice voice and this is really quite sweet.  It's got that sad longing in it and is missing the strange sound effects and thumping bass of other versions.

For day 7 of the 12 days of Last Christmas, I think this is a good choice.  I enjoyed it, hope you do too xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 6

You have to admit that it's a little bit amusing when a fictional character has a hit record.

Crazy Frog's original name was "Annoying Thing" and I don't think you have to work too hard to figure out why.  It's a CGI character which was created in 2003 and apparently had a hit with a cover of Axel F (of all things)!

So, it makes sense that a hit record making CGI Frog would eventually cover a classic Christmas tune.  In 2006 Crazy Frog released their version of one of my top three favourite Christmas songs of all time.  In some places, the b-side of the single was Jingle Bells. This particularly video has been viewed almost 200 million times, that seems a bit nuts to me but then it is an animated frog bungling up an attempt to rescue Santa so, some folks would enjoy watching that I suppose.

On the 6 day of Last Christmas I give you Crazy Frog! xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 5

Today's version of one of my top 3 favourite Christmas songs of all time is very sweet.  I don't mean that in a good way.  This is sugar grating against your teeth sweet.  You may want to take some metformin sweet...

Until I watched the video for this version, I had never seen anything to do with Glee.  I was aware of it at the time it was a big hit.  Most of my friends who had children of a certain age watched it because the kids loved it.  The idea of it never appealed to me and while it was super popular, it was never on in our house.  Watching this video I realized that you didn't have to be able to act to be on the show.  I guess you had to sing, acting wasn't necessary.

From what I could find out, this aired on December 7, 2010, in the second season of the show, in an episode called "A Very Glee Christmas."

It's poppy and sugary so consider yourself warned.  It's the cast of Glee performing the Wham Christmas classic, Last Christmas.

Ugh.

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 4

The 12 Days of Last Christmas continues, this time with a Canadian singer's version of one of my top three favourite Christmas songs.

Admittedly, I don't really know a lot about Carly Rae Jepsen.  I remember seeing her on Canadian Idol, Mark liked her but I don't remember either of us caring particularly if she won or not.  I think early on I'd been "cheering" for Khalila Glanville but we only really liked to watch the Idol shows in the beginning when they showcased the really horrible auditions.

Just in time for Christmas 2015, Ms Jepsen released her take on Last Christmas.  It's not particularly memorable but she is technically Canadian and it's got A LOT of sax in it so that's sort of noteworthy.  Also, this performance was from the James Corden show and he has been a part of my own person Christmas Traditions for a few years now. 

"Hey Peggy, how is James Corden a part of your holidays every year?"

Funny you should ask. 

James Corden, along with Ruth Jones (they were brilliant together in Fat Friends), created and starred in one of my all time favourite TV shows, Gavin and Stacey.  Every year since it originally aired, I rewatch the entire series over the Christmas break.  My favourite episode is the Christmas special.  It's so sweet to see Nessa and the Wests making that trip from Wales to Essex, Dave Coaches at the wheel, Neil The Baby being cute..meanwhile, back in Essex, Smithy (Corden's character) is singing "Do they know it's Christmas" with Gavin over the phone... Stacey is talking about how she can sell Smithy "some lovely bath shit" ...it's silly and sweet and funny and it sort of makes you want to stand in the kitchen in the middle of the night, in your underwear, drinking milk.

Hope you enjoy Day 4 of the 12 Days of Last Christmas xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 3

Whigfield, otherwise known as Sannie Carson is a Danish pop singer I only had a passing awareness of until Last Christmas.  Seriously, last year, around Christmas time 2017, I discovered that she too had covered "Last Christmas."

Apparently she covered it in 1995 but I wasn't really paying any attention to folks like her at that time.  This version is quite different to yesterday's Good Charlotte take on the Wham Christmas Classic.

This is not mopey at all.  It's some kind of trashy Europop take on it.  The video is super cheesy.  I can't tell what her deal is.  There is a cute doggy in the video though, and plastic snow and ice and a snowman that everyone seems to like.  Santa is either drunk or possibly homeless.  The random dancers are interesting... Not my favourite version by far but it's a good to compare and contrast the variety of interpretations which exist, of one of my top 3 Christmas songs.

If you enjoy this, please let me know.  xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 2

So, Christmas albums.

Seems like most folks, if they stick around long enough, put one out.

Have to say, not a follower or fan of Good Charlotte.  Don't really have an opinion on them one way or the other.  I did discover that they put out a Christmas album last year and they covered "Last Christmas."  So, I'm sharing that with you today, on Day 2 of the 12 Days of Last Christmas.

It's a little mopey.  The song is actually quite mopey, I mean, it's not a happy song but it usually sounds that way.  It's sort of nice to hear a non-disco-y version of this, one of my top 3 Christmas songs.  I hope you enjoy today's version of "Last Christmas."  xo

The 12 Days of Last Christmas - Day 1

On Christmas Day 2016 the world lost George Michael.

I was always a fan of his music, some of it was guilty pleasure stuff but most of it was just good.  He had the voice of an angel and he wrote some pretty biting stuff.  He was political and not shy about expressing his opinions.  I always respected and admired that about him, using his celebrity to do good works.

As those of you who know me are already aware, "Last Christmas" by Wham is one of my favourite Christmas songs.  This year, to save me from tears, I'm going to do something special...I'm going to share with you a whole bunch of different versions of "Last Christmas" on the days leading up to December 25.

Some of these versions are by folks I don't actually like or care about but they all have a lovely cheesy holiday thing going that is just fun.

So, let's start this off on the First Day of Last Christmas with Cascada's version from 2007.

Way Back Wednesday - Drugs In My Pocket

Do you remember when you were a little kid, hearing a song on the radio, liking it, singing a long but not really "getting" it?

I know that there are a lot of songs that I didn't get as a child.  Once I grew up and realized what some of them were about, I remember mostly being amused and not at all embarrassed.  I mean, you don't know what you don't know sometimes right?

A song that would definitely fall onto that list was pretty popular when I was in grade 7 or 8.  I went to a catholic elementary school and I seem to recall that we were not allowed to play this song at our dances (possibly because of the content of the song, more likely because of the cover art from the album "Bad Habits").  Ironically, they had no problem playing Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" at our elementary school dances.

Honestly, I didn't know much about the Monks.  I just knew that they were from the UK and that I liked a couple of their songs.  A friend's stepdad was a fan of Strawbs but I had no idea that some of the guys in the Monks had been in Strawbs.  I just liked "Drugs in my pocket" (the song, I was a good girl, I didn't actually have drugs in my pockets) and listened to it a lot.

Pretty sure that we wouldn't have suffered any permanent damage if the powers that be at Our Lady of Mount Carmel school in Amherstview had allowed us to play it at our dances.  You have to take the music of a band who would have a song called "Nice Legs Shame About Her Face" with a serious grain of salt!! 

Take a listen and let me know if you agree.  Enjoy xo

Because It's Tuesday - week of December 11, 2018

The original version of  this song was released in the UK the day before I was born.

So yeah, it's old.  Just like me kids.  An artifact from 1967.

It was a pretty big hit, spent 6 weeks at the top of the charts.  It was one of those songs that, as a small child, I heard it often but had no clue what any of it meant.  Didn't really matter much to me at the time, not understanding what a song meant, still doesn't matter much to me, if I like it.

Because it's Tuesday, it's a cover today.  I'm sharing Annie Lennox's version of Procol Harum's 1967 hit, "Whiter Shade of Pale."  Annie has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard.  I could literally be happy hearing her sing Barney songs.

Later this week, I'm going to depart a bit from my usual daily themes and try a holiday experiment.  I hope you, at minimum, find it amusing.

For now, I leave you with the lovely, Annie Lennox.... enjoy xo

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - What Do I Get

I've been having just a shitty couple of days.  Usually, I find this week pretty rough, partly because of all of the memorials around what happened on December 6, 1989 and partly because it's the dark time of the year, it's cold and a bit dreary.  I'm not the most enthusiastic person in the world when it comes to Christmas anymore either.  I wasn't joking the other day when I talked about hibernating for December. I'd love to do it.

Yesterday, I had a spectacularly shitty day.  One of those days where you figure that nothing else could go wrong.  That was a mistake, thinking that.  I found out that Pete Shelley died yesterday.  It sounds like it was sudden, his heart.  I am so sad about this.  I keep thinking about his friends and his family and the shock of a sudden death (I know a little bit about that) and I also thought about how much joy his music brought so many of us over the years.  He's gone, way too soon but at least we still have the songs he left us.

Here is "what do I get" by the Buzzcocks.  Enjoy it kids and raise a glass to Pete xo

Well, let me tell you now
(What do I get?)
(What do I get?)
(What do I get?) I get no love
(What do I get?) I get no sleep at nights
(What do I get?) I get nothing that's nice
(What do I get?) I get nothing at all, at all, at all, at all
At all, at all, at all, at all 'cause I don't get you

 

Cancon Thursday - Your Daddy Don't Know

If it is actually Thursday (it is), I'm supposed to be sharing some Canadian music with you (I will).

Back when I was in grade 10, this band was touring with Bryan Adams.  At the time, they had a really popular album out.  I remember hearing someone on the radio comment that it was pretty much a tie for who was more popular.  When my friends and I went to see the show here in Kingston (winter of 1983 I think), Bryan Adams commented that they had tossed a coin to see who would open the show that night.  He won the toss, just fyi.

The opening band that night, Toronto, rocked.  It was probably the first time I had seen a band play live with a female singer (although she was American, Toronto was a Canadian band).  It left quite an impression on me and my girlfriends that night.  I don't remember bothering to keep up with Toronto beyond the end of tenth grade.  In the years since, I have seen many many female led bands but this one was the first so that's sort of cool.

Their songs weren't deep, insightful or particularly clever but some of them had a good beat. 

"So shake it up

Turn it on
Shake it up
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah"

 

For Cancon Thursday, I'm sharing this early 80's gem of a video for "Your Daddy Don't Know."

Rock your mullet and enjoy xo

Way Back Wednesday - The Other Side of Summer

Ever since elementary school, I've been a fan of Elvis Costello.  I can pretty much use his discography to describe what I was doing and where I was in my life at the time of each release.

For Way Back Wednesday, I'm going to share something with you which is from the early 1990's.  Not as way back as I could have gone but I realized that it's well over 25 years now since "Mighty Like The Rose" was released.  I was going through a bit of a rough patch when it came out.  My personal life was a huge mess and I was underemployed at the time.  Somehow though, I'd always be able to scrape together the $10 or $12 I needed for a new record and could also always find $5 for a pint.  It's the little things that get  you through isn't it?

The first single from Mighty Like The Rose was the impossibly catchy and super cynical pop song, "Other Side of Summer."  It's about as "anti" a summer song as you can get.  On a day like today, where the wind is chilly and the snow is falling, it fits my mood.  Like most Elvis Costello songs, the message is timeless.  What he's describing in 1990 / 1991 could be used to describe the world today.  Sadly, not much has improved in all of that time.


The automatic gates close up between the shanties and the palace
The blowtorch amusements, the voodoo chalice
The pale pathetic promises that everybody swallows
A teenage girl is crying because she don't look like a million dollars
So help her if you can
Because she don't seem to have the attention span

Because It's Tuesday - week of December 4

Now that we're into December, the insanity that is the holiday season has descended upon us.

I sometimes think it would be a good idea to spend the entire month of December in bed, with some spinach dip and wheat thin crackers, binge watching the west wing and basically hiding out until the New Year.  Sound like a plan?

Anyway, in honour of it being Tuesday and the holiday season, I'm sharing a non-holiday cover tune with you today.  This song is an old favourite from  high school.  I remember listening to it on a turntable in the backyard of a high school friend.  She didn't have a boom box  so we hauled the turntable out into the yard, pool side, such an 80's thing to do.  Anyway, we loved us some Pretenders back in the day.

I stumbled upon this version of it the other day, by the incomparable Morrissey.  It's a bit of fun, hope you enjoy it kittens xo

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - I Know What It's Like

Okay.

It's November 30.

I made it to the end of the month and I posted every day.

Trust me when I say that I will never ever do that again.

It was not fun.  Perhaps if I had not been posting with any regularity prior to November, it would have been a good way to re-light my fire.  It was not necessary to do that.  I've been enjoying the little bit of writing I've been doing here for the past year and a bit and forcing myself to do it every day became a chore.  blah!!

Bring on December!!

Of course, it is Friday and on Friday, I get to share a song I really dig with you.  On this particular Friday, which is also November 30, there is a very special new record out today.  Jeff Tweedy has a new solo record, Warm, dropping today.  I pre-ordered mine a little while ago and am hoping it'll be waiting for me when I get home tonight.

I'm sharing with you the second song I've heard from Warm.  I really really like it.  That does not surprise me at all.  I am a big fan of Jeff Tweedy and that band he's in, Wilco. This song is in my noggin' now, I can't get it out of my head.  Not a bad problem to have.  I hope you give it a listen and fall instantly in love with it.  I did. 

Happy Friday kids, xo

When the lights are dim
In my window I have a twin
I'm always looking out
And he's always looking in
I know what it's like
Starting over again

Cancon Thursday - Nostalgia's A Vice

Way back in the mid to late 1990's and early 2000's, a couple of bass and drum duos rocked it out all across the country.  Kingston's The Inbreds and Winnipeg's Duotang took very different approaches to making awesome rock music with just drums and a bass.  I was a big fan of both bands.

A couple of years ago, Duotang put out a new album, "New Occupation."  I may have even written about it here before (my under caffeinated brain cannot recall specifically at the moment).  15 years is a long time to go between records.  Most bands would have thrown in the towel or done some reunion tour, playing old songs and wandering down memory lane with their fans.

Not Duotang.  New music, new record, new label (Stomp this time, they had put out their earlier releases on Vancouver's Mint Records). No looking back!

In keeping with this theme, I'm sharing with you their video for "Nostalgia's A Vice." Don't live in the past kiddies.  You might be comfortable doing that but it's not as much fun as you think... enjoy xo

Way Back Wednesday - Mayor of Simpleton

How goes your week?

We've made it to Wednesday so that's not so bad huh?

As has become my routine, I'm sharing an "oldie but a goodie" with you today.

Since 7th grade (pretty sure that's what grade I was in when I heard "making plans for Nigel") I've liked XTC.  Like it was yesterday, I can remember the day I bought "Oranges and Lemons."  Pretty sure I picked it up the week it was released.  I remember I got it at House of Sounds on Princess Street, in the morning, and it was cold.  For some reason, I recall walking out into the sunshine and bitter cold but not really minding it as I waited for the bus.  Couldn't wait to get home and listen to it.  Funny the things you remember isn't it? That was over 30 years ago.

So today, I'm going to share with you the video for "Mayor of Simpleton." This was the first single from "Oranges and Lemons" and has a cute video.  Hope it makes you smile xo

Because It's Tuesday - week of November 27

As you know, if you read my posts with any regularity, I grew up listening to a lot of 60's and 70's era country music.  One of my favourites as a kid was Marty Robbins.  I loved how he would tell a story in a song.  Stories in songs were very big when I was a kid.  His voice was amazing and the songs were easy to sing along to for a little kid.

His classic hit, "El Paso" has been covered by many people over the years, including the name sake of this blog.  Today though, I'm going to share a wonderful, stripped down, live version of this song, performed by Shovels and Rope (a lovely folk duo from Charleston, South Carolina).  This video is great, it's fascinating to watch Cary Ann play the drum with one hand and maracas with the other.

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina
Wicked and evil while casting a spell
My love was deep for this Mexican maiden
I was in love, but in vain I could tell

Give it a listen and see if you can stop your toes from tapping under your desk while  you do.  Happy Tuesday beauties xo

The Days of the Week - (Thursday) Here's Why I Did Not Go To Work Today

Happy Monday folks.

Did you survive the weekend and all of the silly shopping shenanigans that were going on in the wake of the US holiday last week? 

I'm not exactly sure how it all started to become a thing up here.  All of the promotion was a bit much if you ask me.  Not that you did.  Okay, I'm just going to say it, the emails and flyers and stuff just gets to me.  I think that the holidays should be about spending time with folks who you care about, maybe baking some cookies, having a nice meal, good conversation, music, laughter... make some nice memories and stay out of the mall.  Sound good?

Today is Monday so once again, I'm sharing a song with a day of the week in the title.  If I'm going in order, and I seem to be, we're up to Thursday.  My choice for a Thursday song is by Harry Nilsson, (Thursday) Here's Why I Did Not Go To Work Today.  It's a slow, lazy, smokey, Nilssony song as ever there was.  I really love the piano in this one and of course, those Nilsson lyrics are always excellent.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.  Happy Monday kiddies xo

Monday is a blues day that goes for Tuesday
Wednesday's just the middle of the week, yeah, mmm
Friday is just another payday, the weekend's just another heyday
But Thursday's surreptitiously unique.

November Spawned A Monster

Okay, so I've come to realize that I'm perfectly okay with "only" posting here 4 or 5 days a week.  That's so much better than I was doing a couple of years and I actually enjoy those posts.  I have fun putting them together, they make me feel good.

It's been an interesting exercise, posting every day during November.  It's made me a bit cranky actually.  Feels sort of like this is a chore and not a joy. It should be a joy!!

I have something that I think is fun planned for December.  I'm not a bit Christmas person but this will be a little bit of Holiday silliness.  Hope you get a kick out of it.

In the meantime, I leave you, on this last Sunday of November, with some classic Morrissey. xo

Oh, poor twisted child
So ugly, so ugly
Poor twisted child
Oh hug me, oh hug me
One November
Spawned a monster
In the shape of this child
Who must remain
A hostage to kindness
And the wheels underneath her
A hostage to kindness
And the wheels underneath her...

Saturday Night

As I have mentioned before, I'm participating in NaBloPoMo this year.  Looks like I might just be able to make it to 30 days, in a row, of posting here.

In honour of this being the last Saturday in November, and because I'm lazy and needed some inspiration, I'm sharing a Saturday themed song with you.

When I was a little girl, this guy's voice was everywhere.  On the radio, on the stereo in the homes of friends and family.  He was, to me, the ultimate Canadian guy, a regular guy, just like the men in my life at the time.  I remember singing along to his songs, they were all very good for that, and stomping our feet, along with him, to keep the beat.

So, if you're a half way decent Canadian, you have figured out by now that I'm talking about the late, great, Stompin' Tom Connors.  I didn't know crap about cancon back then but I knew that he, Hank Snow, Tommy Hunter and Anne Murray were Canadian and that was a good thing.

Because it's Saturday in Kingston, I'm going to share "Sudbury Saturday Night" with you.  We're not exactly close to Sudbury but the sentiment expressed in this song can be universally applied to most small cities in Canada.  Enjoy xo

The songs that we'll be singin 

They might be wrong but they'll be ringin'
But all the lights of town are shinin bright-and we're all
Tight -We'll get to work on Monday-but tomorrow's only Sunday and we are out to have a fun day for it's Saturday tonight

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - Lousiana Rain

Happy Friday everyone.

Hope you all survived yesterday's deep freeze.  Talk about a shock to the system.

Happy Birthday John

For Not Guilty, Just Pleasure Friday, I'm sharing a song by an artist I can take or leave.  I know that this is a guy who is beloved by many.  His music was always around but I can't honestly say that I was a big fan.  Having said that, "Damn The Torpedoes" is an album I bought on vinyl many years ago and still love.

Today also happens to be the birthday of the one the best guys I know (and he's one of my very best friends).  Happy Birthday John!!  
John is a fan of Tom Petty (I don't have a photo of him listening to Tom Petty so you'll have to manage with a photo of him listening to Bob Dylan) and I know that this song is one of John's favourites.  I hope you enjoy it as much as John and I do. 

Have a listen to "Louisiana Rain," loudly if you can.  enjoy xo

Cancon Thursday - Mind Over Matter

It's Thursday.

On Thursdays I always share a cancon song on this here page.

Today is no different.

Folks who know me well understand that I have a very broad definition of "rock star." Basically, if you are a musician and are in a band, I think you're a rock start.  If you have the ability to get up in front of a crowd of people (big or tiny), play songs on musical instruments and perhaps even sing (no need to sing if you're a surf band), well, I just think that's incredible.  It is something that I couldn't do in my wildest dreams.  If you can do that, I tip my toque to you, you are a rock star.

Sometimes, these bands I like become popular (ie they tour and their records get played on very cool radio stations) or at they least figure out how to successfully write grant applications.  These folks can make good looking videos, sometimes.  Today, I'm sharing a song by what I would consider a Canadian indie rock mega super group, TUNS.  The members of TUNS are Chris Murphy from Sloan, Matt Murphy from Super Friendz / Flashing Lights and Mike O'Neill from the Inbreds. 

They made a video for "Mind Over Matter" which is really comedy gold.  Take a look at these jokers in a great video for a fun song.  If you like what you hear, pick up their debut album, it's basically awesome.

enjoy & happy Thursday xo

Way Back Wednesday - That's How I Got To Memphis

My brother and I joke that we grew up in a house with two kinds of music:  country AND western.  Now that's not entirely true.  My mother had records by Sonny and Cher, Cass Elliott, The Beatles, Al Hirt, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Don Ho and Elvis (not Costello) among others.  It was probably true though that growing up in the 1970's, we heard a lot of country music on the radio.

Tom T Hall's voice was one we heard a lot of.  It wasn't until a few years ago, at the end of the series finale of HBO's "The Newsroom" that I was reminded of him.  His songs and great voice were overlooked by me.  I had, in my late 20's, gone back and explored the country music of my childhood but had missed Mr Hall for some reason.  This song, performed by the cast of the Newsroom, is a classic.  Today, for Way Back Wednesday, I'm going to share the original 1968 version.  It's 50 years gold but sure doesn't sound it and the lyrics are timeless.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I do xo

If you tell me that she's not here
I'll follow the trail of her tears
That's how I got to Memphis
That's how I got to Memphis

Because It's Tuesday - week of November 20

As I have noted here before, and as I'm sure you have probably noticed, November is a dark month, or it can be.  The weather is colder, the days are shorter, depending upon your relationship with the impending holiday season, it can be depressing.  I haven't even mentioned how awful it is to read the news these days.  I'm not even talking about that mess south of the border either.  Right here in Ontario, the Tories are taking aim at Franco-Ontarians and gender diversity.  What the fuck!?  Things like that are being fueled by hate and ignorance.

At times like this, it's hard to see the good stuff in the world.  It's easier to focus on the negative and just wallow around feeling helpless than it is to look for silver linings or smack ourselves in the face and get up and actually try to do something.  I'm just as guilty as being a wallower as the next person.

When I went looking for a song to share with you today (because it's Tuesday it's got to be a cover), I stumbled upon a classic song being interpreted by the late, great Joey Ramone.  I did not realize that this song, when it was released, received no promotion in the US and that it was the biggest-selling single in the UK in 1968.  The late 1960's were another dark period, this song helped to show that there is still good stuff and good people around, you just have to look for them.

I hope that listening to this song, watching the video, lifts you up a bit.  It certainly did lift me up.  Enjoy kiddos xo

The Days of the Week - Wednesday Week

On this day in 1970 I officially became a big sister. 

That was a lot of responsibility to put upon the shoulders of someone who was 3.5 at the time.  Eventually, I grew into the role and ended up with the very best brother anyone could hope to ask for. He's a kind, cool, smart, funny, talented guy.  If he wasn't my brother, I would absolutely want to be his friend.  I'm so lucky that he's both.

Happy Birthday to you Patrick.  Love you more than words could ever express!! xo

For my "Days of the Week" theme, this week I'm sharing a Wednesday song.  I think this is actually a song that the birthday boy himself would approve of.  Thinking about it, he would have been 10 when this came out.  Yikes.  It's a couple of years old.  It's an awesome song by a great Irish band, the Undertones. I don't think that there were many bands out there who wrote about teenage angst and broken hearts as well as they did.

This Monday, I leave you with "Wednesday Week" by the Undertones.  Enjoy kiddies xo

Easy Like Sunday Morning - Walk On By

My easy Sunday morning this week featured cinnamon toast, hot coffee and last night's Saturday Night Live.  Added to that later on was laundry, my puppy and a good book.

I win at Sunday.

In keeping with my theme (for NaBloPoMo anyway) of "easy like Sunday morning" songs, I'm sharing a classic Burt Bacharach song, performed by the lovely Dionne Warwick, "Walk on By."

There are so many songs I could have chosen, they were a great team, her voice and those wonderful David / Bacharach songs.  I picked this one though, I really like it and you don't hear it as often as you do some of the others.  Not really a great reason to share something I guess but there you go.  My page, my pick.  Ha!

enjoy xo

another Saturday

I'm finding Saturdays to be challenging.

Not in general mind you, just as they relate to this NaBloPoMo thing.  I try to make Saturday be a day for me and I sort of shut my brain off, do some errands, see friends, simple stuff.  Actually having to compose something thoughtful and moderately entertaining is a big challenge for me on Saturday.

This afternoon, I was a big lump.  I hopped onto my bed and under my fuzzy throw with the new Jeff Tweedy memoir.  So far it's very good.  I like the way he writes, it's very similar to the way he speaks if you've ever heard him telling stories from the stage.  He's smart and funny and insightful and I think that the rest of the book is going to be compelling.  It's called, "Let's Go (So We Can Get Back)" and if you're a music fan at all (and particularly if you're a fan of Wilco / Jeff Tweedy / Tweedy ...) it's worthwhile picking up.

For extra excitement on a Saturday night, I have been working on my will.  I hate to admit that I don't have one but it's true.  Mark didn't have one either.  When he died, it was pretty easy for me to apply to be the trustee for his estate.  Our situation was very simple, I found the forms online, knew where our marriage certificate was -- note to you gentle reader, if you're married, always know where that is, you'll need it for Service Canada should your spouse die!!  I know that some folks would go to a lawyer for that but somehow, I was able to find the forms I needed online, fill them out and take them to the courthouse.  It cost me $12 to have someone notarize them.  I hate to think what a lawyer would charge.

Anyway, when I was at Blissdom Canada a few weeks ago, a woman spoke about her company, Willful.  They help you make a will online.  It's pretty easy, not super expensive and completely legal in Ontario.  I think it's legal in Alberta too and they are working with estate lawyers across the country to extend it to the other provinces and territories.  I have a couple of things I need to add to my forms but if I wanted to, I could it print it off right now, get some witnesses to sign it and it would be done.  Simple.  I'm not being reimbursed for this post, I just think it's a great product and it's costing me less than half what my lawyer's office quoted me when I asked them about wills.

On that happy note, I'll leave you with Jeff Tweedy performing "Let's Go Rain" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.  enjoy xo

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - Out of the Game

Well folks, I have made it to day 16 of NaBloPoMo without missing a day.  My entries may have been short and not interesting but they are up.  I actually sat down, composed them and posted them.  Let's see if my streak continues and I can make it to the end of the month!!


So, today is not guilty, just pleasure day around here and that means I'm sharing a song that I love, just for the heck of it.

Regular readers here will have noticed by now that I absolutely love Rufus Wainwright.  His songs have been part of my daily soundtrack for a while now, yikes, almost 20 years now if I really think about it.

I love his voice and the way he writes.  He also interprets classic songs in a way that is definitively Rufus (and this in my estimation is a very good thing indeed).  For a wonderful example, you should check out his "Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall" album.  Listening to that is a fun ride!!

So it should be obvious by now that today's song is by Mr Wainwright himself.  I'm sharing "Out of the Game."  It can be a lovely earworm so be warned, you may end up with this fabulous song in your head all day.  The video is great as well and features the incomparable Helena Bonham Carter (wow!!). 

We've had a bit of snow here, you may be waking up to a winter wonderland in your neck of the woods too.  Bundle up, grab your favourite hot water beverage and check out Rufus Wainwright's "Out of the Game."  You'll be glad you did xo

Cancon Thursday - Leave Alight

For Cancon Thursday, I've decided to share a song by the wonderful singer-songwriter, Krista Muir.

I'm sharing "Leave Alight" with you today because I happen to love this song.

November is a ridiculously dark month.  It's also a cold month.  Dark and cold, not a great combination.  Turning on some lights, living "lives that are illuminated" would be good... of course, she doesn't mean just turning on a light fixture, the song is about more than that.

I think you should listen to Krista's beautiful song.  See if you feel the light inside of you, maybe you'll smile.  I doubt very much that her sweet voice could make you frown. For sure you'll be singing a long with the song by the time it gets to the end.  If you're very lucky, you'll be humming it all day too.  Enjoy kiddos xo

Way Back Wednesday - Eggs and Sausage

It occurred to me after I posted about my breakfast the other day, that I should have probably shared a favourite Tom Waits song with that post.  I did not think of it at the time so I'm sharing it for Way Back Wednesday.

"Nighthawks At The Diner" is probably my favourite Tom Waits album.  When we had our restaurant, we used to play it, in it's entirety, regularly.  For Way Back Wednesday, I'm going to share with you "Eggs And Sausage [In A Cadillac with Susan Michelson]."  Now, back in 1975, even in California, he probably wasn't singing about the vegetarian sausages I cooked on the weekend.  Most likely, they were pork breakfast links of some variety, his eggs were probably over easy (mine were scrambled).  

Thinking about "Nighthawks At The Diner" brought back some warm memories of our restaurant and all of the delicious breakfasts that came out of that kitchen.

Eggs and sausage and a side of toast
Coffee and a roll, hash browns over easy
Chili in a bowl with burgers and fries...

May there be some delicious, warm your bones breakfasts in your near future.  With the weather turning cold this week, chili in a bowl sounds pretty good.  I hope you enjoy this week's stroll down memory lane.  There really is no one better to take a stroll with than Tom Waits.  Enjoy xo

Because It's Tuesday - week of November 13

There are certain songs that for no particular reason, just hit you hard the first time you hear them.  Like love at first listen.  Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" is one of those songs for me.  There is just something indescribable about it that I love.  It's a sweet song about love, evolved, mature love.  It's the kind of song you could dance to at a wedding or a 50th anniversary party... it is tender and simple and lovely.

Over the years, I've discovered that I have a lot of affection for covers of "Harvest Moon."  This doesn't always happen when you love a song.  Sometimes the covers seem tacky or silly or just bad.  Perhaps the folks who have covered it have done so with great care.

Today, because it's Tuesday, I'm sharing a cover by Lord Huron.  I hope you enjoy it, I really did. Happy Tuesday kiddos xo

The Days of the Week - Groovy Tuesday

For last week's first installment of "the days of the week," I kicked it off with a Monday song, "Monday" by Wilco.

I sort of like where this is going so for week two, we're moving along to the second day of the week, Tuesday.   There are a lot of songs about Tuesday and I've picked one of my favourites to share this week:  "Groovy Tuesday" by the Smithereens.  Originally released in 1986, it still sounds fresh to me.  The Smithereens have such a fantastic sound, it's ageless.

For those of you who were too young to remember the Smithereens, their music is on all of the places you are probably listening to music.  They are worth checking out.  Their songwriter and lead singer, Pat DiNizio passed away last December but I hear that they are still playing.  The songs are too good not to be played live, I'm glad that they are keeping on. If you like power pop, you'll love the Smithereens.

So, to start off this Monday, I give you a Tuesday song, "Groovy Tuesday" (sorry there is no video but the audio is good!!).  enjoy xo


Woke up on a groovy Tuesday.
Even my hangover's fine.
Woke up on a groovy Tuesday.
Hung my mind out on the line.

Easy Like Sunday Morning - Darling

Well I'm kind of just getting this one in under the wire.  Yes, it's still NaBloPoMo and I'm on day 11.

Today was sort of a weird day for me, not horrible but not good.  I spent a good chunk of the day waiting around for someone to come to house to do some work.  They were originally scheduled for yesterday but due to the wind, it wasn't possible for them to be here.  I understood, yesterday was a rotten day weather-wise.

In the end, I told them not to bother.  It was frustrating but it happens more often than you'd like to think when you own a house and you sometimes have to hire folks to help you out with stuff.  Blarg!

So I'm going to be keeping the theme of "easy like Sunday morning" for today even though it's clearly evening as I type this.  Actually, my morning was rather easy - I made myself veggie sausages and scrambled eggs with cinnamon raisin toast for breakfast.  Hadn't done that in a really long time and except for setting off the smoke alarm when I cooked the sausages, it was very good.

This week, I'm sharing a lovely, mellow and slightly jangly beautiful pop song called "Darling" by Real Estate.  I hope you enjoy it xo

Saturday

I've realized why I don't normally post here on Saturday.

On Saturday, I don't have a lot to say.  I usually do errands for part of the day and either see friends or hang out with Gracie (to make up for abandoning her when I go to work all week).  It's a pretty low key thing.  Doesn't exactly inspire a person to write something particularly interesting or funny.

I caught a chill this morning when I was out running around.  It was pretty cold and super windy, not a great combination this early in the cool weather season.  Caught me off guard actually.

It was good to get back to my toasty little house to thaw out and just hibernate all afternoon.  The pace of the past few weeks has knocked me out a bit so a slow day was nice.

I read a little, listened to some music, watched last night's episode of Bill Maher's show (because Sarah Silverman!), had a nice dinner and am now listening to more music.  Specifically, I'm listening to Wilco.  As a little gift to you on a wintery feeling Saturday night, I leave you with a noisy and beautifully crunchy live version of "Via Chicago."  Enjoy kiddies xo

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - I Miss That Feeling

A year ago today, I said good bye to buddy Sam.

He was only 10 but had developed a rare malignant growth in his heart.  His poor sweet heart.  Losing him just about killed me.  It was the hardest thing I'd ever had to do but I don't regret my decision.  I could have kept him with me a little longer but that would have been selfish and I ran the risk of him dying alone, frightened, choking, in pain... I could not allow that to happen.  In consultation with our vet, we made the decision to say goodbye to him in a humane, peaceful way.

He died in my arms, hearing me tell him how much he was loved.  I miss him a lot and it seems impossible that it's almost a year.  Gracie has had struggles with her health since he died, the two things are unrelated. Gracie was always the frail one, she always had more serious issues with her health than Sam did.  In all honesty, I always thought that she would go first and Sam would get to live to be one of those 18 year old Eskies you see online.  That was not to be the case.

Gracie and I are trucking along.  We keep an eye on each other, I take her to her monthly vet visits / skin treatments.  I think my van knows that drive to the Sydenham Vet Clinic without me even steering now.  I'm glad that I can do that for her though, keep her comfortable and as spry as an 11 year old arthritic Sheltie with skin and ear issues (and apparently, this week, an enlarged heart too) can be.

So, to make myself stop feeling sad, I'm going to share some music with you that makes me smile.  I have shared songs by Tennis here before.  I just really dig them.  I like their look and their sound, they have the total package.  I can't get to Toronto this weekend but if you can you should go and check them out.  They are playing at Longboat Hall tonight.

For those of you, like me, who can't be there in person to witness the awesomeness which is Tennis, I leave you with the wonderful video for "I Miss That Feeling."  They do have a bitchin' look, a foxy singer and a guy who plays guitar... Enjoy it kiddies and, if you have a pet, give them an extra scratch behind the ears from me xo

Cancon Thursday - Hunter St Blues

So, it's CanCon Thursday again.

This week I'm sharing a band with you who I only just heard of this week.  I checked out their bandcamp page (https://mayhemingways.bandcamp.com/) for a little listen.  I ended up quickly buying the 2 releases they had on the page.

I like their sound, a lot.  They describe themselves as fuzz-folk.  Whatever it is, my ears were enjoying it.  If you are going to be seeing Joel Plaskett this December, I think they are opening up for him again (they had supported Joel and his dad on their 2017 tour).  They are a couple of guys from just down the road in Peterborough making some excellent music. 

If you like to support Canadian talent, give this (Hunter Street Blues) a listen and then show them some love if they are in your neck of the woods this winter.  Also, you just have to love a video that features a cute puppy and duct tape.  enjoy kittens xo

Way Back Wednesday - You Can't Get What You Want

So I decided against sharing Bruce Cockburn here today.  Instead, I'm going to share another guy who I loved all through the 1980's (there were a few!), Joe Jackson.

His stuff has never left my regular rotation over the years. Some songs, like the one I’m sharing today for Way Back Wednesday is one of my favourites. Not just Joe Jackson favourite but all time favourite! I’m keeping this short because the last 24 hours have been a little whacky for me. Nothing bad, just super busy!!

I really hope you enjoy “You Can’t Get What You Want (til you know what you want). Happy Wednesday beauties xo

Because It's Tuesday - week of November 6

Happy Tuesday.

The song I'm going to share with you today could be posted on at least three days this week:

1. It's a cover (so hello Tuesday)

2. It's old (over 25 years since this cover was released) so it could be a Way Back Wednesday song

3. It's Canadian so it could show up on Can Con Thursday

I'm sharing it today though, on Tuesday, because it's a cover.

It's a great cover by a band who I'm not super crazy about.  I mean, they certainly had some big hits and they were catchy as all get out.  Honestly though, my favourite song of theirs is probably the theme from the Big Bang Theory.   If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm sharing the Bruce Cockburn classic, "Lovers In A Dangerous Time" as performed by the Barenaked Ladies.

Not sure why I thought to share it this week, maybe because it's election day in the states and it's feeling more and more like we live in dangerous times (and they are only going to get worse if folks don't vote today).

I'll say no more about politics for now, just leave this with you to enjoy. xo

The Days of the Week - Monday

How was your weekend?

Mine was okay, I attempted to rake up some of the many many leaves which have found their way into my back yard.  For the first time in over a week, it stopped raining so I was able to get out there. If you can believe it, it took a while just to clean off the decks, steps and pathways in my tiny back yard.  The funny thing about it is that I have 3 hydrangea bushes in my yard but no actual trees.  My very generous neighbours have all given me the gift of leaves.  It's the price we pay for shade all summer I suppose.

Because it's been so wet and rainy, a fair amount of leaf slime had accumulated on the deck.  I slipped in it a few times.  Never falling but twisting in a weird way to prevent the fall.  A fall probably would have been less painful than whatever it was that I did to my back.  I ended up packing it in early and doing 4 loads of laundry instead of raking.  Hopefully I'll catch a break in the weather later this week and get the back cleared up.  My goal is the week of November 19 because the city is doing leaf pick up that week and it would be nice to not have to haul them up to the municipal composting site if I don't have to.

I'm sure your weekend was way more fun than that.

Today, in honour of Nablopomo 2018, I'm introducing a new theme, "the days of the week." This will feature songs containing a day of the week in the title or in the band's name.  At some point, I guess it'll be safe to presume that you'll be seeing a lot of Happy Mondays and Til Tuesday here.  In the meantime, I'll leave you with this gem from Wilco, a live performance of "Monday" from their second studio album, 1996's "Being There."  Enjoy and have a happy Monday xo

Easy Like Sunday Morning - Say You Love Me

Sunday mornings at my house are not about rushing around getting ready for church. As a heathen, I can sleep in (as much as Gracie will allow), make a giant mug (or 3) of coffee and be a lump.  Often times I'm a lump doing laundry but the nice thing is that I don't have to go too far and I can just enjoy a peaceful morning.

In keeping with the theme of things being "easy like Sunday morning" (thanks Commodores!!) I've decided that on Sundays, at least for the month of November, I'm going to share some easy listening tunes with you.  I find them easy to listen to anyway, they aren't going to be songs that make you want to dance around the house in your under pants but they may make you smile and perhaps contemplate a nap.  After all, it is Sunday.


Today's easy like Sunday morning song is a classic from Fleetwood Mac, "Say You Love Me."  This video is a 1997 live performance by the group.  Christine and Stevie's harmonies are really lovely on this.  I hope you enjoy this tune and a nice mellow morning too xo

NaBloPoMo - it's a thing

I recently (Tuesday or Wednesday) found out that November is NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month).  I knew that it was also NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) but no one ever told me that NaBloPoMo was also a thing.  Not only is it a thing, it's a thing which has been around for a while.

NaNoWriMo always seemed way too ambitious for me to even consider doing but NaBloPoMo, that might be something I could actually succeed at.  I've been blogging on an off for almost 18 years now.  Even at my bloggy best I don't think I posted every day. Perhaps November 2018 will be the month of daily posts, every day!

Gracie watching me write - it's not very exciting

At some point during the last couple of years, I realized that I missed writing.  I'd let my blog fall to the side.  Every once in a while I'd post something but it wasn't enough to be consider regular.  What to write was often a puzzle and writers block is nothing to laugh at.  About 18 months ago I decided that I'd post once a week and the idea was that I'd share a cover song I liked, on Tuesdays, and write a little bit about why I picked the song, what it meant to me and perhaps even something about the original recording artist and the artist covering it.  Now, I didn't promise to necessarily write about all of those things but I figured that from that list, I could, at minimum, create a post that if I were to stumble upon it, I would enjoy.  You have to please yourself first, right?

Eventually, I worked my way up to 4 themed days each week.  The themes revolved around music.  I don't thing I'm a music writer though, when I write about songs, it's usually how they relate to my life.  It's more about me and less about the songs really.  Anyway, I've decided that to add three more days to my blog each week probably won't kill me so I've accepted the NaBloPoMo challenge.  I'm determined to write a post each day in November.  Obviously, today's post is not keeping with a particular theme but by Monday I'll have figured out if I'm going to write 7 themed posts or just wing it for 3 and keep the 4 themes I'm already working with.

One thing I have noticed about writing is that the more I do it, the more I want to do it.  It gets easier if I write regularly.  There are no promises that it'll get more interesting but quantity is more important than quality, right?

See you again tomorrow kids, xo

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - The Dirt

Well, it's been quite a week.  Quite a couple of weeks actually. Between losing my Uncle two weeks ago, work being really busy at the moment, me being out of town for a few days and Gracie not feeling super spry, it's been challenging.  There have also been a lot of weird little things that were easy to resolve but time consuming and a bit annoying.

I'll share with you a recent example.  I woke up yesterday morning, sort of in a rush from the get go.  I was only working during the morning so I could take Gracie up to Sydenham for her monthly vet visit / medicated bath treatment in the afternoon.  I wanted to get into work a bit earlier than I usually do. 

All was going well until I started up my vehicle.  Juliana Hatfield was blasting out of the speakers but I could hear a weird whine coming from the engine over her sweet voice.  I turned the music off and listened to it. It was my hope that as the engine warmed up, it would stop.  It did not.  I turned the engine off.  I figured it must be like a computer, just reboot and hope for the best, right?  wrong.  I restarted the vehicle and the same noise was happening.  None of my warning lights were on so I figured it would be okay to chance driving it.  Slowly I backed out of the driveway.  It was working okay, just noisy.  There was no part of the sound that felt good to me but I needed to get to work and it would be another 90 minutes before I could call my mechanic.

As I accelerated along the way, it got louder.  It was very very loud as I turned corners.  I was starting to think it might be related to steering... I was able to get to work but was very concerned about how safe it would be to drive up and back to Sydenham, in the rain, with Gracie in the back seat.  When I talked my mechanic he agreed with my diagnosis that it was probably the steering.  He told me pop in on my way home and he'd check the fluid.  Sure enough, it was low.  He topped it up and will figure out where the leak is when I go in for my oil change next week.  If I've been the victim of squirrels again (they ate a really important plastic doo-dad while I was parked at a friend's house about this time last year) I'll be super pissed.... btw, have I ever mentioned how awesome my mechanic is?  He's honest and kind and does things like that on the fly for you, a genuinely good guy.

Something that has been helping me this week is listening to Waxahatchee.  Like, a lot...helping a lot, listening a lot.  Loving them, a lot.  They remind of a lot the bands I listened to in the 1990's, not just female led bands like Jale, Velocity Girl or Veruca Salt either, like Built to Spill too... they have a great sound and the more I hear, the more I get into it.

So, today, for not guilty, just pleasure day, I'm going to share with you "The Dirt" by Waxahatchee.  This particular performance was recorded live on KEXP in 2015.  Enjoy it and have a good, car trouble free weekend kids xo

Cancon Thursday - Having An Average Weekend

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you probably noticed that last weekend, I attended Blissdom Canada 2018 in Toronto.  It's a conference for women (mostly, there are always a couple of men in attendance) who blog, are entrepreneurs, and/or are social media influencers...  this post is not about that but I needed to mention Blissdom Canada for context.

In the mail last week, my pre-ordered months ago copy of Paul Myers' new book, The Kids in the Hall: One Dumb Guy arrived.  I took it with me, hoping I'd have some down time in a fancy hotel to sit back, put my feet up and dig into it.  Alas, that was not the case.  I returned to Kingston with the book unopened.  When I got home, I dragged my bags into my room, threw them onto my bed and very slowly started to sort out my stuff and unpack. 

Everything was going well, I was organizing my chaos and hanging out with Gracie. When I came upon the book however, everything came to a halt.  I sat down on the side of my bed, intending to just read the forward (written by Seth Meyers).  Before I knew it, my feet were up and I was into it.  My bedroom looked like my luggage exploded, I had a bazillion things to do before I went out to see Bahamas that evening but I didn't care.  All I cared about was Paul's book about the Kids In The Hall.

When the show originally aired, I was a huge fan.  I never had an opportunity to get to Toronto for a taping of the show (Mark used to go, he lived in Toronto and was friends with the guys in Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet but that was before we met).  My friends and I would look forward to each show.  We'd always tape it (yes tape, on our VCRs) so we could rewatch our favourite sketches.

Reading about the Kids, hearing their story from someone who was there, who was their friend (and who is a terrific writer) is such a treat.  Eventually, I put the book down, unpacked and went to see Bahamas.  I plan to finish the book this weekend (I can't really risk picking it up again this week, I have too much to do - yes, so far it's that good).

If you're a fan of the Kids in the Hall, or just a comedy fan who enjoys biographies, pick it up.  It's a great read about a group of super talented Canadian guys by another talented Canadian guy.  Because it's Cancon Thursday, I'm going to share with you the theme song from Kids in the Hall:  Having An Average Weekend by Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet.

Enjoy xo

Way Back Wednesday - Three Men, One Coffin

Happy Halloween you lovely halloweeners

On Wednesdays, I always share an older / classic song that I like.  I had a different song in mind for today.  When I remembered that it's Halloween I thought to myself, "hmm, you better share something a little spooky."

When I was in high school, my brother Patrick started listening to this Montreal band, Deja Voodoo and he talked about Og Records a lot.  Deja Voodoo were a garage rock duo from Montreal.  How they weren't more popular than were is beyond me.  Their sludgeabilly sound was pretty different to the stuff I was listening to at the time but I always liked it.  The guys in Deja Voodoo put out some pretty great compilations in the 1980's called "It Came From Canada" and if you ever stumble across one of them in a record store, you should definitely pick it up.

Anyway, spooky stuff and halloween... for Way Back Wednesday I'm going to share with you a mid-80's gem from Deja Voodo, 3 Men, 1 Coffin.  Again, apologies for not having a video. I hope you like it, it's a great song and it serves to remind us all that in fact, there ain't much room in a discount tomb.

enjoy xo

Because It's Tuesday - week of October 30

This is shaping up to be a very busy fall for me.

The pace of it has been fast, fast, fast and it was unexpected.  I feel like I'm keeping up but it's been overwhelming at times.  I'm not just talking about at work, which is quite busy at the moment (a good busy but busy nonetheless).  There has been a lot going on and when I've been able to find quiet time for myself I've been trying to make the most of it.

As you know, I love music.   If I had to chose between music and television/films, I would also pick music.  I can always find something that fits my mood (if I want to wallow or celebrate) or change it (cheer me up when I'm in a funk).

Today is Tuesday so I'm sharing a cover with you.  It's a song I have loved since I was a child and I enjoy finding new versions of it.  Unfortunately, I don't have a video but the audio clip I found is pretty excellent. On Sunday evening, we saw Bahamas perform at the Grand Theatre (Tim Baker from Hey Rosetta opened).  It was a great show so much fun and just I what I needed to cap off a very busy weekend (I'd been in Toronto attending Blissdom Canada).

This week's cover tune is Willie Nelson's "Always On My Mind" performed by Bahamas.  It's a beautiful version of a classic song.  If you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it'll calm you down (it worked for me anyway).  I hope you enjoy it xo

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - Some Birds

Can I just say here, one more time, that I love Jeff Tweedy.

He's the shit.  Seriously.

One of the very best things that happened to me this year was seeing him play solo / acoustic in April.  He's a showman and a craftsman.  I really believe that his is one of the finest voices of my generation.

So, I'm keeping the praise short today.  "Some Birds" is the first single from Jeff's forthcoming (can't wait!! can't wait!! can't wait!!) solo album.  He's got a book coming out too.  These are good things people, very good.

I break bricks

With my heart

But only a fool

Would call it art

Enjoy and have a fantabulous weekend xo

CanCon Thursday - I Ain't Ever Loved No One

Cancon day is here once again kids!  You know what I do on Thursdays don't you? I share a Canadina song with you.  It's usually a Canadian composition by a Canadian performer, meets the MAPL thing and all of that fun stuff.

My posts don't have to have a certain percentage of Canadian content as a rule but I like to share Canadian music here as much as I possibly can.

Speaking of Canadian content, today, I'm heading to Toronto.  In a few hours actually. I'm spending the weekend with some of my favourite people at Blissdom Canada. It's back after a two year break (I missed 2015 because it was too soon for me to do something like that after Mark died in August).   This is related to my Thursday theme because many of are content creators. 

I'll be away for a few days and this is only the third time I'll have left Gracie over night since Mark died (the second since Sam died). Actually, I don't count the second one because it was a sleep study and I was home until 8 p.m. and back at 5:30 a.m.  Anyway, I bit anxious about it but I'm sure it'll be okay.  I'm road tripping there with a friend I made at my first Blissdom in 2011 and we're sharing a room too.  We're staying in a beautiful, sort of fancy pants hotel.  Because the Gardiner is closed this weekend and we're down on the Lakeshore, I thought we may get stuck so I've stocked up on apples, trail mix, Goldfish crackers and twizzlers.  Not the healthiest stuff but it'll good to have some options.  I'm sure that the cashier at the grocery store tonight thought I would be going home to make school lunches.

So, today's Cancon song is "I Ain't Ever Loved No One" by Donovan Woods (with a little help from the fantastic Rose Cousins).  This beautiful video is not exactly what you think/hope it's going to be.  It's so much more.  Thank you Donovan for yet another beautiful song.

I hope you enjoy this one kids xo

Way Back Wednesday - Echo Beach

I know it's out of fashion
And a trifle uncool
But I can't help it
I'm a romantic fool
It's a habit of mine
To watch the sun go down
On Echo beach, I watch the sun go down
You know you're getting old when you realize that one of the songs you loved as a kid is almost 40 years old.

How the heck is Echo Beach 38 years old this year? It's the same age (eternally) as Homer Simpson yet still has all of it's hair.  It's still a great song and when I listen to it,  I enjoy it as much today as I used to back in the early 1980's (and in the early 1990's and in the early 2000's...).

Enjoy xo

Because It's Tuesday - Week of October 23

It's definitely Tuesday so I'm sharing a cover with you today.  More often than not, the songs I share here are upbeat.  Today, we're saying good bye to my Uncle Tom so I have chosen a song I think is more appropriate for a sombre occasion.

Apparently, this is one the last songs written by the late great Warren Zevon before he passed away in 2003.  "Keep Me In Your Heart" has a wonderful sentiment and is something that I think we all hope for.  To be thought of fondly and remembered by the people in our lives after we've passed, well, I don't think that you can't ask for more than that.

The version I'm sharing today is by the The Wailin' Jennys.

If you haven't done so in a while, tell the folks you love how you feel about them and give them a big old hug.  You never know when they might be leaving you...

Hold me in your thoughts
Take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes
Keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you

Thomas James Shanks - Passed away peacefully at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Thursday, October 18th, 2018 in his 77th year. Beloved husband of Judy Shanks (née Waldorf) for 52 beautiful years. Loving father of Tim Shanks of Massachusetts and Donna Sanders & her husband Shawn of Peterborough. Proud grandpa of Ethan Sanders. Cherished brother of Joseph (Gail) of Kingston, Michael (Theresa) of Kingston and the late Bernard Shanks. Adored uncle of Paul Fraser, Kim (Chris) Stephens, Pat Shanks, Peggy Shanks-Collis (late Mark), Joan (Scott) Barr, Wes (Jenn) Redden, Jeff Redden, Wendy Thompson, Bill Thompson & Shelly Faye and great uncle of Kieran Barr. Tom will be truly missed by his brother-in-law Doug (Marelyn) Waldorf, sister-in-law Joan (Stan) Fraser and honorary daughter Janice Rabethge & her family. Predeceased by his parents Lawrence & Marcella Shanks. A special thank you to Dr. Cheung, all the staff at Peterborough Renal Clinic and Campbellford Memorial Hospital for all their care and support. Tom was the business owner of Tom Shanks Accounting Services, Campbellford for 27 years. He enjoyed helping people in his community, very proud of his business and an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Tom will be extremely missed by his family, community and friends.

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - Long Distance Lover

It just occurred to me that this week's posts have almost exclusively (except for Tuesday) featured Canadian women.  Yay! Canadian women rock, or folk or pop or punk or whatever they want... they do it well and I love them for it.  Yay!!

Once again I'm sharing a Ralph video with you.  She recently released "A Good Girl" (which I think is taken from my favourite song of hers, "Tables have turned" - "September we met / I could tell by your smile /  You hadn't been with / A good girl like me in awhile").

The song I'm sharing with you today has a super fun video.  "Long Distance Lover" is a song about negotiations and compromises.  It's a song from her new album and it looks like it's streaming everywhere so you can give it a listen wherever you stream (of course you could also go to the record store and buy it too - not judging, just saying).  The video shows an eclectic group of people participating in a speed dating event.  I really enjoyed it, I love her voice, it's just a bit of fun. 

Hope you think it's fun too.  It's a super hum-able song to start the weekend off with.

Enjoy kiddies xo

CanCon Thursday - Sidecar

Happy Thursday to you.

If it's Thursday (and it is) it's time to share a Canadian song with you.  I hope you enjoy the song I've chosen as much as I do.  Well, I actually probably enjoy it enough for both of us but it would a nice bonus if you liked it too.

It's a live version of "Sidecar" by Eastern Ontario's Kathleen Edwards.  Sidecar is a song from her 2012 album  (Polaris Prize Shortlisted y'all!!)  "Voyageur" and she co-wrote it with the insanely talented Jim Bryson.  How lucky are we to live in a country like Canada, it's just bursting with amazing singers and songwriters and bands and fans.  I just love the relationship that we Canadians (well me and my friends anyway) have with our homegrown musical heroes.

It's a fun song, a warm one and hard not to like (or to get stuck in your head but trust me, it's a good ear worm!).  I hope you enjoy it xo

Way Back Wednesday - One More Colour

So, you can tell that today's Way Back Wednesday song is Canadian (even if you're too young to be familiar with the title) because of the "u" in the word colour.

That's right kids, I'm sharing a song today by Jane Sibbery.  It's a song from her 1985 album, "The Speckless Sky." I remember seeing Jane at the Grand Theatre on the tour in support of this album.  I was still in high school and one of my girlfriends and I were big fans so we were really excited that not only was she playing in Kingston, she was playing in a venue that was all ages.  I'm pretty sure that there is a full-length video of a show from that tour on you tube somewhere.

Anyway, 1985 was sort of the height of the Much Music craze and her video for "One More Colour" was crazy popular.  It makes sense when you think about it, add a super fun, catchy song to footage of a tiny woman walking a cow down a dirt road, it was absolutely going to be a hit!!

Speak a little softer
Work a little harder
Shoot less with more care
Sing a little sweeter
And love a little longer
And soon you will be there

I'm not sure what Ms Sibbery has been upto in recent years but I'm sure it's interesting and amazing.

Enjoy "One More Colour" with it's Canadian U and cows and kitsch xo

Because It's Tuesday - Week of October 16

As a kid in the 1970's, it seemed like Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield were always around, in the background of my life... well their songs were anyway.  On TV, on the radio.  I always enjoyed their voices and really loved the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  Actually, that's not changed.  I still love those songs and listen to them often.

"Anyone Who Had A Heart" was written by Bacharach and David in 1961 and made popular by Dionne Warwick.  Her version (and possibly Cilla Black's) is normally the version that comes to mind when folks talk about this song.  For me though, it was Dusty Springfield's version that always stood out.  She recorded it in 1964 so it's hard to know who "got there first," Dusty or Cilla.  Either way, it's a fantastic composition and has been recorded buy many amazing vocalists over the year.

About 10 years ago, the fucking incredible Shelby Lynne released an album of covers, "Just A Little Lovin'" as a tribute to Dusty Springfield.  Today's cover (because it's Tuesday so you know I'm sharing a cover) is Shelby's version of "Anyone Who Had a Heart." The video, like the song, is sad and beautiful.

If you like this, I would encourage you to seek out other versions of the song. There are plenty out there... Enjoy kids xo

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - Let's Stay Together

Let's Stay Together is SUCH a great song.  I was recently listening to Roberta Flack's version of it and went looking for a video so I could share it here on an upcoming Tuesday.  What I found instead was this, from 1989.  Apparently, Paul Shaffer assembled this group of folks to perform Let's Stay Together for the Late Show's 7th anniversary.

Not only do we have the Reverend Al Green, it also features Toni Childs, Carlos Santana, Tito Puente, David Sanborn and Melissa Etheridge (as a BV!!)... I think it's just a great song to start off your Friday with.  I'll be dancing around my office this morning for sure.

Hope you enjoy it kiddos... xo

CanCon Thursday - It's Really Starting To Snow

The weather has been unseasonably warm this week.

You're welcome.

I deserve lots of thanks for that kiddies. You see, over the holiday weekend, I packed away my summer clothes.  Of course, as soon as that happens, the weather sends in a system of hot mess and the humidex rises in our fair city.

I'm not a mega super fan of hot weather.  I enjoy moderate temperatures generally but can actually tolerate very cold weather pretty well.

As today is Thursday, it's officially Cancon day.  It doesn't mean that I wouldn't play a Canadian tune on another day of the week it just means that on Thursdays, I'm only going to share a Canadian tune with you.

Today, I'm going to share a song that reminds that winter is coming.  Cold, crisp, fresh air will replace the muggy, stale, stinky air we've been breathing in this week.  Lovely readers, today, I share with you "It's Really Staring To Snow" by the very talented Hawsley Workman.  Enjoy this, and the last little bit of summer. We'll be bundled up before you know it xo