Not Guilty Just Pleasure - Sexuality

Are you excited that the long weekend is almost here?? Do you have something super fun planned to celebrate the last holiday weekend of the summer of 2019?

I'm a bit more excited than I normally would be because it's not just a regular long weekend for me.  I'm heading back to BC tomorrow.  A couple of months ago, I spent the first long weekend of the summer there so it's nice that I'll be spending the last one there too.  Lucky me, I am going to get to reconnect with some very special people and enjoy a week in the beautiful Okanagan!

So, because it's Friday, I'm sharing a song I love with y
ou, just because.  Since the first time I heard him, I have been a fan of Billy Bragg.  I'm guessing that goes back about 35 years or so.  Today, I'm going to ask you to listen and enjoy a super fun poppy Billy Bragg song, Sexuality.  It is from his 1991 album, "Don't Try This At Home" and it features the vocals of my favourite female singer of all time, Kirsty MacColl.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy some dancing around the room to Billy & Kirsty.  Stay safe kiddos xo

Sexuality - Strong and warm and wild and free
Sexuality - Your laws do not apply to me
Sexuality - Don't threaten me with misery
Sexuality - I demand equality

Cancon Thursday - Empty Threat

It's Cancon Thursday folks.  This week, once again, I'm sharing a song by the incredibly talented singer-songwriter, Kathleen Edwards.  Check out this live version of "Empty Threat."  You can find the original on her 2012 album, Voyageur.

photo by moi

I really enjoy the whole Voyageur album, well all of her records are just so great.  I love her songs, the way she writes.  She's a fantastic story teller.  Kathleen has such a beautiful voice.  A few weeks ago, I noticed that she was posting tweets from a couple of blocks away, my neighbourhood here in Kingston.  Seems she was here recording so I'm excited at the idea of new music from her,  hopefully in the not too distant future.

Until that happens, I hope you enjoy this performance which was recorded for a special private show in CBC's Studio 211.

Happy Thursday kittens xo

In the city I once said "never"
I'm learning to say "never never never ever"
Cause now I'm its favourite flower
I'm blooming through the concrete cracks of this condo tower

Way Back Wednesday - Hoover Dam

Once again, it's Way Back Wednesday.  One of the cool things about getting old, I've recently realized, is that all of the songs I loved in my 20's are now qualifying for my Way Back Wednesday posts.  Now, I could always change the criteria, say that I'm going to post songs which are 5 years old (or older) but the 20 year and older thing is working well for me at the moment.

Today's oldie but a super fucking goodie tune is from Sugar's debut album, 1992's Copper Blue.  In 2012, the album was reissued.  That same year, this live version was recorded and I'm sharing it with you today, it's Bob Mould with Jason Narducy and Jon Wurster (the original line up was Mould, David Barbe and Malcolm Travis).  It's a great version and is still a really great song. I recently listened to Copper Blue again for the first time in a really really long time and had totally forgotten how much I'd loved that record.  So sweet!

Hope you enjoy it kiddos, happy hump day!! xo

Covered up with lava and I feel fine
It washes over me
Keeps me feeling warm at night
And if you've made a deal with
The guy with the horns and the cape
I'll see you later later

Because It's Tuesday - week of August 27

Well it's Tuesday again so it's time for a cover!

This week's cover is by the always amazing Juliana Hatfield.  I've featured her before on cover day.  She released an album of Olivia Newton-John covers not so long again.  Ms Hatfield has a new album of covers coming out, this time she's playing the songs of the Police.  As she and I are the same age, we both listened to a lot of the same stuff when we were teenagers and back in the day, there was a whole lot of Olivia Newton-John and The Police on the radio. The stuff you listen to when you're 12 or 13 really sticks with you.  Like it's hardwired into your brain or something.

So, because it's Tuesday, I'm sharing Juliana Hatfield's version of "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" with you.  I remember my brother had the 45 of this and eventually, I got a copy of Zenyatta Mondatta.  I recall listening to a lot more of the Police than Olivia Newton-John back then (although, interestingly enough, when I heard the ONJ cover record, I was shocked that I new all of the words to all of the songs!). If I were to look, I'm sure I'd find a bunch of old Police albums in my vinyl.  I don't really listen to them now but this is a bit of fun.

I'm interested to hear the other Police tunes she'll be playing.  For now, I hope you enjoy this.  Happy Tuesday kiddos xo

Poets priests and politicians

Have words to thank for their positions

Words that scream for your submission

And no-one's jamming their transmission

Not Guilty Just Pleasure - Falling Down The Stairs of Your Smile

I had originally planned to share today's song with you last Friday (August 16).  Due to some stuff that I had going on, I never did hit send on last week's post.  Last Friday marked 4 years since
Mark died.

I had a pretty good day, a few moments were a little sad but overall I'd say it was not bad at all.  I'm in a really good place in my life right now.  I'm happier than I can remember being in a very very long time and I am making some pretty exciting plans for the future.  Life is good.  That is not something I would have been able to say 4 years ago.  Time does heal though and, if you're open to them, wonderful people and good stuff will come into your life.

Speaking of good stuff, have you heard the latest song by The New Pornographers?  It's called "Falling down the stairs of your smile" and I like it. It's from their forthcoming album  "In The Morse Code Of Brake Lights" (scheduled to be released September 27!).

Happy weekend lovelies xo

Yeah there's room at the top

Pretty cheap for the view

But the vertigo drop made the skyline askew

Made me trip on a step' wasn't careful enough

Falling down the stairs of your love

Falling down the stairs of your love

Cancon Thursday - Hockey Teeth

This week seems to be just flying by.  The whole summer has been doing that actually.

In a few days, our campus will be hopping again with students and parents, moving in to residence rooms, wandering around trying to figure out where to find their classes... September always feels like "new years" to me.  Lucky me huh? I get two fresh starts every year.

This year, once again, the fine folks at Tweed in Smith Falls are hosting their annual shindig.  I'm not able to make it this year but I really wish I could.  The headliner is Bahamas and Hollerado are playing too (actually, a whole bunch of other fab folks will be playing too - it's a FULL day of some pretty great music).  Tickets are stupid cheap, $15 and it's a super fun day.  Smith Fall is an easy jaunt from Ottawa or Kingston if you're interested.

So, as it's Cancon Thursday, I thought I'd share Hockey Teeth by Bahamas with you.  You can find it on Afie's 2009 debut album, "Pink Strat." Enjoy xo

Seems like we got in your car

And drove that car to the beach

And ever since that day

Never very far away, or out of reach

Way Back Wednesday - Driveway to Driveway

Over the past couple of weeks I've been listening to Superchunk.  Like a lot.  Normally, I listen to them regularly, a regular amount.  I've spent entire days with just one of their albums on repeat in my headphones and then the next day, play another one, all day, on repeat.  Obsessed is perhaps too strong a word but definitely mildly re-infatuated with them...

So today, for Way Back Wednesday, I'm sharing Superchunk.  It occurred to me recently that their awesome record "Foolish" is now 25 years old.  Earlier this year, they released a beautiful, acoustic version of "Foolish."  I cannot really overstate how lovely it is.  It's a gem.  Gosh Superchunk, I do love you. 

Back to Wednesday... I'm sharing the non-acoustic, original version of "Driveway to Driveway" the classic 1994 album, Foolish by Chapel Hill's wonderful Superchunk.  If you like this, please go check out the acoustic version.  It's just very sweet, as are all of you xo

I still have briars in my clothes
Did I lay you down in those?
The names on the stones were all erased
And I thought it was you that I had chased

Because It's Tuesday - week of August 20

Well, it's Tuesday again.

Funny how it comes around like that every week.

So, because it's Tuesday, I'm going to be sharing a cover with you.

Back in the mid to late-80's, I was a deeply closeted fan of the late great Whitney Houston.  I know I had her first few albums and would listen to them on my Walkman.  No one knew.  I loved those songs, her voice was out of this world.  It was pure cheesy poppy fun and it felt lovely in my ears.

Recently, something popped into my YouTube feed that caught my eye and my ear.  It was David Byrne performing the Whitney House classic (from her second album, 1987's Whitney) "I Wanna Dance With Somebody Who Loves Me" on a recent episode of Austin City Limits.  Now, apparently, this is a song that he's long included in his live repertoire.

I've been a fan of David Byrne's solo stuff and of course, Talking Heads, for a very long time.  His version of "I Wanna Dance With Someone Who Loves Me" is so very David Byrne-y.  It's just fun and lovely and wonderful.

Hope you think so too xo

Don'tcha wanna dance say you wanna dance
Don'tcha wanna dance
Don'tcha wanna dance say you wanna dance
Don'tcha wanna dance
Don'tcha wanna dance say you wanna dance
With somebody who loves me
Dance

Cancon Thursday - Nicolas Bragg

If you read my pages with any regularity, you'll know that I am a big fan of Vancouver's cub.  Back in the 1990's, I would go see them whenever the opportunity presented itself and a new release was always a gigantic, big, huge deal! 

Last year, over 20 years after the band broke up, a session that they recorded for CBC's Brave New Waves show (in May 1993) was released.  If you're interested in picking up a copy, you can click right here. It was great fun to hear them playing live again and, there's even an interview by Brent Bambury with Lisa M and Robynn from the original broadcast.

For Cancon Thursday, I'm sharing a cub song which was featured on the Brave New Waves session and also on their first album, Betti-Cola (and on the Mauler compilation).  I hope you enjoy Nicolas Bragg.  The video is lots of fun and will give those of you who weren't around back in the '90's to experience the cub phenomenon a glimpse into just how much fun they were.  The shows were always awesome, the songs were sweet and also a bit gritty and when I listen to the songs today, I still enjoy them now as much as I did back then.


Hope you can also love yourself some cub xo

Way Back Wednesday - Kiss me on the Bus

The other day, a heard a Bash & Pop song, for the first time in a really long time.  After listening to "Tiny Pieces" I decided that it had been way too long since I'd spent some time with The Replacements.  I couldn't remember the last time I'd deliberately listened to them and I ended up spending a good chunk of the day with them in my headphones while I was working.

In the old days, I listened to the Replacements, a lot.  Weren't they actually everyone's favourite band at some point?  (I'm pretty sure that the answer is yes for folks of a certain vintage)  So, today, for Way Back Wednesday, I'm going to share their performance of "Kiss Me On The Bus" from an Old Grey Whistle Test broadcast in 1986.

After you've listened to this, I would suggest pulling out your old copy of Tim and take a great stroll down memory lane.

Enjoy kittens xo

Kiss me on the bus
Kiss me on the bus
Oh if you knew how I felt now
You wouldn't act so adult now
Hurry, hurry, here comes my stop

Because It's Tuesday - week of August 13

Today is one of those sad milestone days in my family.  11 years ago today, we lost my cousin Kathy to cancer.  She had brain cancer and went to hell and back fighting it over 15 years. Kathy was older than me by 2 years, my first, first cousin.  They say that your cousins are your first friends and that's really true.  She was probably my very first friend and I miss her a lot.  I know that I'm not alone in that.  She was a sweet, funny, smart, lovely woman.  While her life was cut short, I'm so very grateful that I had her my life for as long as I did.  She was one of a kind.

When you have a chance, tell the folks you love how you feel about them and throw in a big hug for good measure.  Trust me when I say that you never know when it might be the last time you have a chance to do that.

As it's also Tuesday, I'm going to share a cover with you today.  Today's song is a quintessentially Canadian tune.  Written by Gene MacLennan, Snowbird was recorded by many artists but is most often associated with Anne Murray.  This version is performed by the wonderful Kathleen Edwards and Bahamas. It was originally recorded for a CBC Studio 211 special in 2011.

Enjoy xo

Spread your tiny wings and fly away
And take the snow back with you
Where it came from on that day
The one I love forever is untrue
And if I could you know that I would
Fly away with you

Not Guilty Just Pleasure - Something Sweet

Happy Friday to you.

I'd like to take a moment to wish my mum a Happy Birthday.  She's just about the sweetest, kindest, nicest person that you'll ever meet and my brother and I absolutely won the mom lottery.  I hope she has an absolutely amazing day. I love you mum!!

On a musical note (!), the song I'm sharing with you today is "Something Sweet" (just like my mum is) by the Shy Boys.  This a live version of the song. I've been listening to them a lot just recently and on some of their songs, I definitely get a Pernice Brothers vibe.  Of course, if you're going to get a vibe, a Pernice Brothers one is really quite good.  If you like this song, I'd strongly urge you to check out their Bell House album from last year.  It's 22 minutes of lovely pop music, it's really great.

Hope you dig this.  Happy weekend kiddos xo

We're passing by that exit
To find a destination
Someplace with better options
We've been so very patient

Cancon Thursday - Chinatown

So far, the only thing August is inspiring me to do is sleep more.

Well, it's suggesting that I sleep more but I've done really done that.  Instead, I'm getting up at my regular time but am wishing that I could pull the sheet up over my head and sleep just a little bit longer. So, for today anyway, some extra strong coffee is in order.

As today is Thursday, I'm once again going to be sharing a Canadian tune with you.  I have it in my head that I have shared this one before but I cannot find a post (honestly though, I only looked very quickly).  If I have shared it before and you're already bored of it, I'm sorry (not sorry) about that but I love this song.  In particular, I love this performance from the 2011 Pitchfork Music Festival.

From the 2011 album, Kaputt, I'm sharing Destroyer's "Chinatown" with you today.  For me, this is one of those songs which can be listened to on repeat, almost endlessly.  It's a bit poppy and a little jazzy and it's sweet. I urge you to check it out and see if it catches your ear the way it did mine, it really is fun to listen to on repeat.

Hope you enjoy it kiddos xo

You can’t believe
Though I’m sure somebody’s said it before:
I know you and I know the score
I can’t walk away, you can’t walk away

Way Back Wednesday - Finally

Boy the mid-week arrives quickly during a short week huh?

It's Way Back Wednesday so I'm sharing an older song with you all today.  By older, generally I stick to songs which are at least 20 years old.  The older I get, the less "20 years old" seems old but in terms of music, I suppose that's a good way to measure it.

Today's song was a big hit in the early 1990's.  Looking back at it now, watching the video and listening to it, it's hard to believe that CeCe Peniston was only 21 when today's song was recorded. Perhaps it's hard to believe because she looks a lot older than 21 in the video.  In photos and interviews from the time, she looks her age but that video... yikes.  Speaking of which, it seemed like for a while, you couldn't turn the TV on without seeing the video for "Finally" and you could certainly hear the song everywhere.

Recently, I've been listening to a lot of Lizzo and I certainly heard the influence of "Finally" in her song "Juice" (all of those ya-ya's).  It inspired me to give "Finally" another listen and I'm glad I did.

Also, if you're a fan of the film, "The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert" (I'm a HUGE fan!!) you'll remember an awesome montage scene featuring today's song (see below for a clip)!!


So, today's Way Back Wednesday song is CeCe Peniston's "Finally" - enjoy it kiddos xo

Finally you've come along
The way I feel about you it just can't be wrong
If you only knew the way I feel about you
I just can't describe it, oh no no

Because It's Tuesday - week of August 6

Happy Tuesday after a long weekend.  Did you all have a good time? Maybe take it easy a bit? Actually relax for once?  Hope so, that's what summer long weekends are all about.

So, once again it's Tuesday and I'm sharing a cover with you today.

The Beatles have been covered time and time again.  You can always find an interesting and really good cover of one of their songs if you really look.  I'm not talking about Elvis Presley covering "Hey Jude" either because sadly, that is neither interesting nor good.

Today I'm sharing a Beatles cover with you by The Headcoatees. "Run For Your Life" was recorded for Rubber Soul and apparently, according to a 1973 interview, was John Lennon's "least favourite Beatles song" and he later stated that he'd regretted writing it.  I think though, if he heard this version of it, he might change his mind.  Enjoy xo

Not Guilty Just Pleasure - Come and Get Your Love

Today's song was a hit when I was a kid but I only vaguely remember it.  In fact, the first time I remember really noticing it was a few years ago when I heard it during the opening sequence on Bill Burr's "F is for Family" on Netflix (SO funny if you like family sitcoms - it's animated - sort of like "Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home" but with swears).

For Not Guilty Just Pleasure Friday, I'm talking about Redbone's 1974 insanely catchy and funky hit "Come and Get Your Love."  Redbone (no relation I think to the late great Leon Redbone) is a Native American rock band who formed in 1969 and are still playing, 50 years later. I really like this live version of the song from "Burt Sugarman's Midnight Special."

We're sitting on the edge of a long weekend right now so I'll keep this brief.  I would suggest though that you listen to this in your car this weekend, loudly, with the windows down.  It's got that kind of very cool vibe about it.  Whatever and wherever you end up this weekend, stay safe and have so much fun xo

Cancon Thursday - California

Boy but I love me some music by Rufus Wainwright.  Today's Cancon song is California by Mr Wainwright. It's from his second album, 2001's wonderful "Poses."

I've always thought that the video for California was great and love love love this song. It makes reference to two of my favourite female icons from the 70's (Bea Arthur and Rhoda) for a start.  The video is adorable, Rufus is singing his song in a karaoke style and on the monitor/TV, along with the song lyrics, are Rufus and his wonderful sister Martha, in black and white and I'm guessing 30's or 40's clothes. 

For years now I've been a fan of Rufus Wainwright but have never had an opportunity to see him perform.  He's going to be in Kingston next month at the Grand Theatre (tickets went on sale this week) and I'll be in the front row for the show.  To say that I'm excited about it would be a huge understatement.  It's him, solo with a piano.  What more could you want?

Hope you enjoy this sweet, funny video.  Happy Thursday kittens xo

Ain't it a shame
That all the world can't enjoy your mad traditions
Ain't it a shame that all the world
Don't got keys to their own ignitions
Life is the longest death in California