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.
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
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.
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 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...).
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
I think they called themselves Madness because their songs are so catchy, you can easily get them stuck in your head and if you don't shake it, it'll drive you mad. Mad in a good way but mad nonetheless.
When I was in high school and needed to smile or laugh, I could always turn to Madness. Their infectious pop / ska tunes, quirky lyrics and super fun videos were a tonic when I needed a break from mopey Morrissey. Looking back now, and listening to songs which were originally released over 35 years ago, I can see that they actually are timeless. Even their videos aren't too dated (likely because of the costumes).
Today for Way Back Wednesday, I'm sharing a classic 1982 hit from Madness, House of Fun. It's a tender coming of age tale about a young lad in the North of London who is just trying to buy some condoms.
Welcome to the house of fun Now I've come of age Welcome to the lion's den Temptation's on his way Welcome to the house of fun...
I invite you to enjoy House of Fun and try, just try, not to dance around wherever you are.
How was your thanksgiving? Were you able to squeeze in a couple of turkey induced naps over the weekend? I hope so, naps are excellent. I had a couple of them myself and felt refreshed and happy afterwards
Today of course is a Tuesday which feels like Monday. Holidays do tend to throw you off a bit don't they? No? Well they do that to me. I'm not complaining though, I took Friday off and enjoyed a four day weekend. It was lovely.
If it's a Tuesday, regardless of holidays or not, it means that I'm sharing a cover with you today. It's a sweet cover, quite different from the original. Some folks prefer it to the original. I'm not in that particular camp because I was a young teen when the original was released and the band meant a lot to me. Having said that, I do really enjoy this version of the song.
Today, sweet reader/listener, I'm sharing the Human League's classic "Don't You Want me" as covered by Bahamas. It's very mellow, like super mellow, but a little more biting too. I hope you enjoy it. For those of you local readers, Bahamas will be at the Grand Theatre this month on the 28th. Last time I checked there were just a couple of tickets left, that may no longer be the case but it would worth your while to look.
Here in Canada, it's the start of Thanksgiving Weekend. It's not as big a deal up here as it is down the states but a lot of turkey is eaten, pumpkin pie too. Some families gather together, or not. It's a nice break to have a long weekend in October. Many folks will use this time to get their gardens ready for winter.
Thinking about families can be tough for some folks, particularly if they have suffered many losses. It's never easy when someone passes but it's even more difficult when their deaths could have been prevented. Reflecting on family and loss is what's inspired me to share this week's not guilty just pleasure song.
This is the first time I've shared the same song twice on a Friday.
It's not a cover, it's the same song performed by the same artist although the first time I shared it (in July) it was a live performance. Today I'm sharing the studio version. Last week, John Prine released the official video for this song. The video is so powerful that I felt compelled to share the song again.
When I first heard "Summer's End" (from the beautiful "tree of forgiveness" album), I cried. The song is clearly about loss and it's difficult to imagine someone not being moved by it. The story told in the video is also one of loss and a family trying to cope. This particular loss was caused by opioid addiction. A devastating and completely preventable, 100% unnecessary loss of life.
Thank you to John Prine for shining a light on a crisis which can affect anyone, any family, at any time. If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, help is out there. In Ontario, you can get free, anonymous support 24/7 by calling 1-800-565-8603.
This is not the first time I have shared the music of this particular band nor will it be the last.
Today, I'm keeping this short and sweet. For this week's CanCon Thursday song, I will be sharing "The Day We Hit The Coast" by Thrush Hermit. It's from their 1999 record, Clayton Park. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Thrush Hermit, to me, they represented everything that was good about Canadian indie music in the 1990's. They released some excellent records and always always put on an incredible live show. You were guaranteed a good night if you had a ticket to a Thrush Hermit show.
I felt the cool, cool breeze Blowing cool off Lake Louise I remember that day the most
On that note, I'll just leave this right here for you to enjoy. And yes, don't worry, you will enjoy this xo
Seems odd to me that this song would even fall into the "Way Back Wednesday" category. It is, however, over 25 years old now (!!!!) so I suppose that it really does fit. Perhaps that is down to the timeless quality of the song. Listening now, it doesn't seem like a oldie but a goodie song. I suspect that's down to the singer. She's truly the shit...
kd lang
That lady kd lang.
Even though I think she hangs her hat in sunny California most of the time, she's still a national treasure here in Canada. Well, I think she is one anyway, lots of folks agree me too and I can get them together and show you if you'd like! I mean, c'mon, when an iconic Canadian like Stompin' Tom sings about you, you know that you've hit national treasure status!!
kd lang's second solo album, Ingenue, which my Way Back Wednesday pick comes from, was an international success. It was a lot less country and far more polished than we were used to hearing but that voice, it slays me. She could sing the phone book and I'd pay good money to stream it! Fortunately, she just keeps singing fantastic songs so I have not had to put my money where my ears are on that one quite yet.
Lucky for you, dapper dude or glam gal, reading this page and clicking on the video below costs nothing (well just whatever it costs you to connect to a network, if you're at the library, it definitely costs nothing)... so click away and enjoy xo
Not that you needed me to announce it to know. You can tell by the calendar and by the weather. I actually really like October usually. This October should be the same. Lots of fun stuff is happening for me in October and I'm looking forward to it while, at the same time I'm not wishing it away either.
Back in 1983, the song I'm sharing with you today was a gigantic hit. We were putting on our red shoes and dancing the blues let me tell you. David Bowie was everywhere it seemed. One of my friends even convinced her folks to let her go to Toronto to see him on the Serious Moonlight tour (I don't think I even asked, my folks barely permitted me to go to shows in Kingston much less to travel all the way to Toronto, on a bus, alone). I did get see him a few years later, when parental permission was not an issue and he was on the Glass Spider tour. But Let's Dance, the album and the song, they were in my WalkMan almost constantly!
M Ward covered "Let's Dance" a long time ago and it remains one of my favourite versions of the David Bowie classic. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do xo
