Not Guilty Just Pleasure - Build

Recently, the super funny Derren Litten's new TV show, Scarborough, launched on BBC One.  I'm a huge fan of his previous series, the long running Benidorm. 

Three episodes of Scarborough have aired so far and I'm loving it.  The stories and characters are fantastic and the seaside town of Scarborough is a lovely setting for the show.  One of my favourite things about this program is the brilliant soundtrack.  At the bottom of this post I've shared the Spotify playlist of songs from this first series of the show.

Because of Scarborough, I've been listening to The Housemartins this week.  In particular, I've been listening to their 1987 album,The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death.  The song I'm sharing today, Build, is amazing (apologies for the quality of the video - it's not great but I wanted to share it anyway rather than just an audio track).  Paul Heaton's vocal on this song is goose bump inducing.  Check it out and if you like it and aren't familiar with The Housemartins, you're in for a treat.  When you're done with them, you can move along to the Beautiful South and then Paul Heaton's solo work.  Fantastic music, beautiful vocals and fascinating lyrics.

Happy Friday kiddos xo

Slow, slow and quick, quick, quick
It's wall-to-wall and brick-to-brick
They work so fast, it makes you sick
It's build...

Cancon Thursday - Wonderdrug

It's Cancon Thursday again (funny how it just keeps happening every week - well most weeks).  Every once in a while, I like to listen to Jann Arden (and if you haven't seen her TV show yet, "Jann" it's fucking hilarious!).

I like a lot of things about Jann Arden.  Obviously, I think that she is a fantastic singer but I also like how open she is about the struggles she's had in life (or, in the case of when she was caregiver to her aging parents, sharing her daily challenges).  I identify a lot with her because, like me, she seems to be completely out of fucks to give about stuff that, at the end of the day isn't that important.  She's also hilarious and at a point in her life where she knows how crucial it is to put yourself first sometimes and do the stuff that makes you happy.  Also, like me, she can totally rock a red lipstick.  Can you see why I feel like Jann Arden is a kindred spirit?

I'm a 50 something woman who, like Jann, had been through the mill.  At this moment in time, I'm happy.  I have so much wonderful stuff going on in my life right now and I know exactly how lucky I am. My life is full of love and laughter and it feels pretty amazing.  So, today, I'm going to share another Jann Arden song with you, this time it's "Wonderdrug" from her 1994 album "Living Under June" (goodness, how did that get to be 25 years old too?).

If you're lucky enough to find someone who is your wonderdrug, hold onto them tight and never let them go xo

Oh my heart shines when you kiss my mouth

What a sweet surprise

And I stop cold when you're in the room

And you look my way

Say my name, say my name

Way Back Wednesday - Sonic Bloom

For Way Back Wednesday, I'm sharing a song I've always loved, Sonic Bloom by Tripping Daisy.  Released on their 1998 album "Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb." It's a great album (in my opinion anyway, I think they were dropped by their label that years for mediocre sales - lucky for us, out of the ashes of that, Good Records was founded).

As regular readers of this here blog will know, I'm a sucker for a great pop song.   I think that Sonic Bloom is that and much more.

It's a perfect, pretty poppy love song, "the magic's in my heart...believe me" is such a sweet lyric.  For Tripping Daisy, this album was definitely a change from their previous releases. Looking back at it now, you can hear the transition beginning, musically, to Tim DeLaughter's next big thing, the Polyphonic Spree.

This song can always make me smile and I hope you find some joy in it.  Happy hump day kiddos xo

Rushing through my electrical phase
I found a place to hide when you're away
Almost caught myself a breath
I touched your hand, I lost myself instead

Because It's Tuesday - week of September 24

So it's Tuesday again.  The last one of September.  It's now officially fall which feels kind of nice.  It's my favourite season.  I like sweaters and wooly socks and leggings and the cooler weather.  The weather isn't exactly cooler right now, at least not around here, but it'll be here soon.

On Tuesdays, I share a cover song.  Because Bruce Springsteen is turning 70 this week, I'm sharing a song of his.  Now, I'm not the world's biggest Springsteen fan but I am a fan of a couple of his songs.  I am a pretty big fan of Soccer Mommy.  Soccer Mommy's cover "I'
m On Fire" is sweet and less haunting as the original.  You still hear the longing in her voice but it's softer, tender and I really like it.

Hopefully you'll enjoy this beautiful live version.  Happy Autumn everyone xo

At night, I wake up with the sheets soakin' wet
And a freight train runnin' through the middle of my head
Only you can cool my desire

Not Guilty Just Pleasure - Hollywood Ending

A couple of years ago, maybe more, I can't remember exactly when... I joined a group on Facebook for folks who were fans of Father John Misty.  It's a pretty active groups and much to my delight, it was not a large group of 20-somethings. The appeal of Joshua Tillman is broad and it was really an "all ages" kind of thing, think of Parker Brothers, 8 to 88 and that's a good way to describe the membership of the "Can Flub."

One of the folks on the group who I connected with is a lovely lady named Gail.  We became "Facebook friends" and started following each other on Instagram.  Gail's taste in music is a lot like mine.  Because she's no kid either, she likes a lot of the same things I do and I've enjoyed learning about stuff that she's into that I wasn't aware of.  One of the bands she's hugely into (like gigantically!!) is a young Los Angeles based band, Starcrawler.  Gail is REALLY into them and her enthusiasm is completely contagious.  Eventually, I checked them out and finally understood what Gail saw in them.

Starcrawler's sound reminds me of some of the bands I loved deeply in the 1990's.  If you haven't checked them out already, give them a listen today (after all, it's "not guilty just pleasure" day around here).  I'm sharing their song and video for "Hollywood Ending." Hope you enjoy it as much and I do xo

And now you think you're a rockstar
Glasses at night, hiding who you are
You fooled around, thinking you’re a king
How was I to know? I was all alone

Cancon Thursday - Take Me Outside

On Thursday's, I always share a Canadian song (which is why the heading is "Cancon Thursday")

Today, I'm sharing a song by Mo Kenney.  I don't remember the first time I heard Mo Kenney but I think it was on sound cloud and it was because of Joel Plaskett.  Pretty sure I remember that he was either sharing a song of hers or was following here... either way, I clicked through and listened to her and loved what I heard. She's a singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia and to date, she's released 3 great albums.  She's a terrific songwriter, singer and player.  Such a talent!

The song I'm sharing today is one of my favourites of her.  It's called "Take Me Outside" and you can find it on her 2014 album "In My Dreams." Enjoy xo

Take me outside
'Cause I'm gonna get mine
I just keep on thinking, it's a matter of time
Well I can't stand the wait
Is the party almost over

Way Back Wednesday - We Close Our Eyes

A lot of folks love the 80's.  As someone who turned 13 in 1980, I always find the nostalgia for the 80's a bit amusing, particularly when the folks who pine for them either aren't old enough to have been there or at least remember them.

If you want to be instantly transported (in your head) to the 80's, today's "Way Back Wednesday" song will help.  It's one of the most 80's sounding songs around.  It's cheesy and poppy and the video is, well, silly.  Give a list to "We Close Our Eyes," released in 1985 by Go West.

Have a little boogie around your desk and enjoy xo

No show Wednesday girl waits with the wine
She knows just what to say
While no one listens
You can almost hear time slipping away

Because It's Tuesday - week of September 17

The past few weeks have been a bit crazy for me and I didn't post here as regularly as I normally do.  Hopefully that will change this week. I'm actually planning to post again here this week so let's start off the week as I normally do, with a cover.

Recently, I discovered that Cher (who I love!!) had released an album of ABBA covers last year.  I gave it a list with an open mind and an open heart.  In addition to my life long love of Cher, I've been an ABBA fan since childhood.  The album was, to me, disappointing.  I hate to admit that but it's not the best thing ever that I've heard from Cher.

I still would like to share a cover of an ABBA tune today and have found an excellent version of their classic hit, "Dancing Queen." Back in 1997, Redd Kross released "Dancing Queen" on their CD single for "Secret Life."  I just love it, I hope you will too. 

Happy cover day kiddos xo

Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music
Everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance

Because It's Tuesday - week of September 10

I'm back in Ontario, arrived on Sunday night.  I won't fib, it was not easy to get on the plane in Kelowna.  This was my second visit to BC this year and it really feels like home to me. 

But, for now, Ontario is still home and I have work to do so, I guess I better get at it huh??

As today is Tuesday, I'm sharing a cover.  I love this version of Sylvia's "Nobody."  Chixdiggit are just so much fun and I think that nobody else could have made such a fun cover of this tune.  Hope you enjoy it just as much as do.  If you like this, I would strongly urge you to check out the rest of the record, Born on the First of July. It's over 20 years old but is still a great record!

Happy Tuesday kiddos xo

You say nobody's after you

The fact is what you say is true

But I can love you like nobody can, even better

Cancon Thursday - Any Fool Can Fall in Love

It's Thursday so I am sharing a Canadian song with you all today. Jill Barber is a wonderful, talented singer-songwriter. Next week she starts a new tour and I'm very lucky to have tickets for the two shows (in Smiths Falls and Napanee). She is playing in some smaller places which I thinks is so lovely.

This particular tour is all about dedications which is very cool. It's called "dedicated to you" and Jill has been encouraging folks to make requests of their favourite song.

Today, I am sharing a favourite Jill Barber of mine, Any Fool Can Fall In Love, from her 2011 album Mischievous Moon. I love this record so it was tough to pick just one song to share but here it is!

Hope you enjoy it and if you do, pick up some tickets to see Jill in a town near you xo

You don't have to have a pot of gold
Doesn't matter, you're young or old
You've come to realize, all is told:
Any fool can fall in love

Way Back Wednesday - You Turn Me On

Hello on Wednesday! We had a crazy lightning storm here earlier. It put any fireworks displays I'd ever seen to shame. It was hard not to think some fires could start as a result but we sat out on the patio and enjoyed the show all the same.

For Way Back Wednesday this wee, I am sharing "you turn me on" by Beat Happening, from their 1992 album of the same name.

Not going to say much more than that because I'm on vacation and feel like keeping things short and sweet.

Enjoy xo

Burn down the house
Burn down the barn
Burning down the entire farm
Cross the fields, fallow garden
Watch the scarecrow, forever autumn

Because It's Tuesday - week of September 3

Hello from beautiful Summerland, British Columbia!

I've returned to BC this week and am having a fantastic time so far. As it's Tuesday again, it's time for a cover. This week I am sharing HAIM's version of Fleetwood Mac's Hold Me.

This was recorded for the 2012 album, Just Tell Me What You Want:  A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac.

I've been a fan of Fleetwood Mac's since I was in elementary school. We used to sneak into my friend Shari's house at lunch time to listen to her parent's copy of Rumors.

This version of hold me is a lot fun, hope you dig it xo

There's nobody in the future
So baby let me hand you my love
Oh, there's no step for you to dance to
So slip your hand inside of my glove