CanCon Thursday - On To Checkpoint Bravo

Happy Thursday kiddos.

Posting this a bit later than I normally do but hey, better late than never, right?

How is your week going? I'm having one of those weeks, where, each morning when the alarm goes off, I say to myself, "It's Friday, right?"

Yeah, not so much. 

When I woke up this morning, it was only Thursday. 

It's been a decent day though, no serious complaints to be had. If you'll indulge me for a moment with a small criticism/observation, I will say this: my head has felt like it's inside a bucket of jello because of seasonal allergies. It's so nice to see the trees bursting out with buds but yikes. my head is foggy. It's a nice problem to have though, because spring is sprouting all over the place and green is much prettier than whatever colour dirty snow and frozen slush is.

Getting to the music: today's Can Con Thursday song is "On To Checkpoint Bravo" by Ottawa's incredible purveyors of sweet surf sounds, The Reverb Syndicate. I know that they have recently starting playing shows again (after a long pandemic-induced break). You should definitely check them out if you see that they are playing in your town. Also, they have some pretty awesome records you can pick up at a show or through your local record store.

Watch out for the midges and have a good day kiddos xo

Can Con Thursday - Officer Down

Happy fake Friday everyone. I love a long weekend and am happy to have tomorrow off. I hope that you get to enjoy an extra day off this week.

For Can Con Thursday, I'm sharing "Officer Down" by Caroline Mark and NQ Arbuckle. I can't remember when I first heard this song but I loved it from the first listen and it remains, so many years later, a song I can hear every day and never tire of. I think that Neville and Caroline's voices blend together beautifully.

My interpretation of the song is that the guy is in a new relationship with a girl named Jen (Juliet-Echo-November). So far, things are going well. It seems that they may be going better than he expected and he's cautiously optimistic (even if he's yet to develop deep romantic feelings for Jen). Not exactly a passionate story of love's young dream but a far more realistic portrayal of a newish relationship, after you've been burnt a few times in the past.

Of course, I could be wrong. That's just what I'm hearing. I hope you give it a listen because it really is a great song by a group of very talented Canadian musicians.

Stay safe kiddos xo

Drunk while you're asleep

I sneak around the bed like a burglar

And you don't even notice when

I knock over your glass of water

It's hard to be a good man listening

To the Drive-By Truckers

But you're so good to me it's weird

I think I'm happy

Can Con Thursday - No One's Listening

Yesterday, I awoke, convinced that it was Thursday.

Alas, yesterday was Wednesday. I was quite disappointed, to be honest.

This week is feeling really extra long to me. I can't say why; it just is. Thankfully, we have a holiday weekend coming up (in Ontario, anyway), and I'm very happy to have an extra day off.

So, as Thursday is actually today, I'm going to share a song by a wonderful Canadian band with you. Today's Can Con Thursday song is "No One's Listening" by everyone's favourite, The Sadies. There is even a beautiful video to accompany the tune. "No One's Listening" can be found on 2022's Colder Streams album. I know the fellows are playing some dates down in the States over the next little while, so please go see them if you have a chance. I haven't seen them perform since the passing of Dallas Good last year, but I hear (not surprisingly) fantastic things about their recent shows.

Enjoy your Thursday, folks. Friday is just a day away xo

I can do what I want

No one's watching me

I can say what I want

No one's listening to me

I can be myself

I'm not hurting anyone at all

Can Con Thursday - I'm Moving On

As most folks I know would like to see the truckers convoy exit Ottawa quickly, I'm sharing a song today that I hope will inspire them.

For Cancon Thursday, I'm sharing a classic Hank Snow song, "I'm Moving On." Written by Snow in 1949 and recorded in 1950, it spent 21 weeks in the number one position on the Billboard Country Singles chart. Growing up in the 1970's, we heard a lot of Hank Snow on the radio. My parents were fans and my brother and I eventually became fans too. I really love this television performance of "I'm Moving On" from 1967. 

Hope you enjoy it (and that the freedumb convoy folks get the hint - they have long since worn out their welcome)!! 

That big eight-wheeler rollin' down the track
Means your true-lovin' daddy ain't comin' back
'Cause I'm movin' on, I'll soon be gone
You were flyin' too high for my little old sky so I'm movin' on 

Cancon Thursday - Myriad Harbour

Last year (2021), The New Pornographers were finally able to do their anniversary tour. Originally scheduled for 2020 (and postponed for obvious reasons), they were planning to do two nights in a handful of cities. One one night, they would play "Mass Romantic" (celebrating 20 years since it was released) and on the other night, they would play "Twin Cinema" (celebrating 15 years since it was released). Both albums would be played in their entirety in the first half of each respective show and the second half would be a collection of songs from their other albums.

Fortunately, they arranged for one of the Vancouver shows (from the Vogue Theatre) to be livestreamed. As soon as I heard that, I snapped up a ticket, it was going to be a "Mass Romantic" show - yay! For the Vancouver shows, Dan Bejar would be joining them - I was really looking forward to that!!

Most of the streaming events I have watched during the pandemic have been great. Every once in a while though, the sound isn't very good or the video is crappy. I was actually worrying a bit that this might happen again, spoiling the experience for me. I needn't have worried!! The platform they were using was terrific and the whole show was fantastic. I danced around my house while watching, so much fun.  I was almost beside myself with glee when I heard the opening for "Myriad Harbour" (today's Cancon Thursday tune). From the 2007 album, Challengers, Myriad Harbour is one of my favourite NP songs. I thought I would share it with you today. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Stay safe and warm kiddos, in January, the sun shines brightest on the coldest days. Don't be fooled!! xo

I walked into the local record store

and asked for an American music anthology

It sounds fun

They tore my skirt, then

Stuck it on the walls at PS 1

Cancon Thursday - Never Alone

Thursday feels like Friday today. I'm so ready for the long weekend. You truly have NO idea how good I'm feeling right now, to be facing a four day holiday weekend. 

It won't the typical "May 24" weekend of olden days, goodness knows. No cottage parties or any socializing for that matter. I do have some overdue yard work that's been calling my name so I suppose I'll get out and work on that. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Kingston weather can be wonky at times. I blame the lake.

Anyway, speaking of Thursday and Kingston... for Cancon Thursday this week, I'm sharing a song by a Kingston band, Kasador. For me, this is one of those songs that gets into my head (in such a good way) and then I find myself wanting to listen to it over and over again. I let this happen when I'm in the mood and it's always a good thing. Hope you enjoy it too. It's called "Never Alone" and was released on their 2016 self-titled EP.

Stay safe kittens xo

Lightning strikes twice

Once in the summer time 

She grew up knowing that the sky could always be her light

Cancon Thursday - Glenfern

Happy Birthday to ME!! That's right, it's my birthday and today, this Centennial baby is turning 54. It's my second COVID birthday and I'll be spending it alone. I did see my parents for a visit on Mother's Day so I did celebrate it with them and I have a piece of yummy dump cake in my fridge which I can break out today. Yee Haw!

In honour of my birthday, I'm sharing a song I really love. It was the first song I played on the stereo of my new car when I picked it up in September. This song is so great that I keep it on most of my playlists. I'm not sure if I have shared it here before and honestly, I don't care because IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!

So here it is, from her recently released, amazing album, Total Freedom (one of my favourite records from last year), a lovely live performance by Kathleen Edwards of her song, "Glenfern." 

Enjoy it kiddos xo

I was so lucky to be under your wing

But I think I went and outgrew 'em

Now when I find myself looking back

I think of all the cool shit that happened

Like, we had a tour bus with a bed in the back

We bought a rock and roll dream, it was total crap

Well, we toured the world, and we played on TV

We met some of our heroes, it almost killed me

Cancon Thursday - Dirty Water

I'm going to keep this one quick today. Hope you don't mind.

Today's Cancon Thurdsay tune is "Dirty Water" by Rock and Hyde. This particular "Dirty Water" is nothing like the one by the Standells (which I shared yesterday). It pales in comparison but, in the late 80's, I always enjoyed hearing this and watching the goofy bathtub themed video. It was made for Much Music. I seem to recall that Much Music gave it a lot of airplay at the time.

Rock and Hyde, for those of you too young to remember much (or any) of the 1980's, were Bob Rock and Paul Hyde, formerly of the Payolas. We all know that Bob Rock became thee Bob Rock, of mega successful rock record producing fame. Paul Hyde, well, I have no idea what happened to that guy. 

I hope you enjoy this bouncy tune with it's goofy but fun video. Stay safe kiddos xo

I swear I've seen your face before

It's been inside my open door

I'm sure I played this game before

Pay a little bit now then later more

Cancon Thursday - Brunette Summer

How about them thunderstorms huh?? The other night, when the thunder started rumbling, I was deep into a book and thought that my neighbour was dragging wheelie bins up and down his driveway. Eventually I looked up and realized that a crazy storm was happening. Made me think of summer. I love wild storms in the summer, especially when you sit outside and watch them roaring across the sky.

So today is Thursday and that means I'm sharing a Canadian song. It's still spring and summer feels like it's still a long way away (it's not really!) but I'm sharing "Brunette Summer" by Chixdiggit. I love Chixdiggit and this song had summer in the title so it was a no-brainer. No-brainers are good for me right now because my brain is a bit foggy so I need to keep shit simple. If you haven't heard it, you really should pick up a copy of their great 1998 album, "Born on the first of July."

Hope you're staying home and being safe and washing your hands and wearing your masks now, so we can all get outside and run around in the rain this summer. Enjoy xo

I'm searching far and wide

To find a girl who will understand me

It's only been two months

And now I'm sitting here with Oprah Winfrey

Cancon Thursday - Tommy

Happy Thursday.

Happy Cancon Thursday!

Going to keep this quick because, well, just because.

Last week, Ralph shared her latest mega awesome pop song with us, "Tommy."  I'm going to share it with you. If you're a regular reader here, you'll know that I'm a big big fan of Ralph. She's incredible and she's Canadian, from just down the highway in Toronto. I love her voice and her whole vibe. 

Ralph is just generally wonderful, in my opinion. I hope you dig this. The song is really catchy and the video is FAB-U-LOUS!!

Enjoy kiddos!! Stay home, stay well, stay safe xo

Now I dream about Tommy

I can't even focus 'cause he's got his hands on me

Never had my number, but I'm mad he didn't call me

Should said it to your face, but you got away

Tommy, do you want me?

Cancon Thursday - What A Way To Run A Railroad

I'm starting to get back into the groove of posting here again and it feels kind of nice. I'll not say a lot more about that because in the recent past, whenever I think, "hey, I'm on a roll again!" I get side tracked and the groove disappears.

If you ever look at my instagram, you might have noticed that I've started posting photos from shows on throwback Thursdays. While I have definitely missed my friends and family during the past year and a bit, I have also found not going to shows to be really challenging. Online things have been great and I've felt good about being able to see some of my favourite artists perform and also support them with some cash but it's not the same.

Last night I went through an old photo album. I was looking for some particular pictures I wanted to post on IG. What a trip that was. Down the rabbit hole indeed. Not only did I find the shots I was looking for, I found a bunch of stuff that I had no idea I had. Looking through the album, I realized how lucky we were to have been able to see so many shows, in so many bars, clubs and halls, packed in like sardines sometimes. Shouting at each other (I'm sure sometimes speaking "moistly"), sweating on each other, dancing and generally fucking around together, enjoying the music and each other. Is that ever going to happen again? I mean, I know that live music will return but what will that look like? Even after we're all vaccinated, are we going to have to be in those Flaming Lips bubble things (a wonderful idea I think!)? Hopefully not, maybe one day we'll be able to be all squished together again, like we should be. For now, I'm just grateful for my photo albums and records and all of those memories.

So, because it's Cancon Thursday around here, I'm sharing a song by one of the greatest Canadian bands ever, Huevos Rancheros. Please do yourself a favour and check out "What A Way To Run A Railroad" from their amazing 1996 album, "Get Outta Dodge." 

Stay safe kids xo

Cancon Thursday - Drinking In LA

The other night, Bill and I were talking about One Hit Wonders and I found a list of songs online which was broken down by decade. We started listening to some of the songs. Many of them, I didn't think were "one hit" wonders because the artists had long, prolific careers and released many popular songs (to me anyway).  but I guess the threshold for what counts as a hit is a lot higher than I thought.

Anyway, when we got to the '90's, we started to recognize fewer and fewer songs. Probably because neither of us were listening to commercial radio / watching videos during the '90's so we were pretty clueless. A couple of songs on that particular list were by Canadian groups. Honestly, to me, the songs and groups are pretty interchangeable. Fans of either group would probably argue with me (and go ahead, I don't care enough about either one to really engage) but if I had to pick one I preferred, it's today's Cancon pick.

So, instead of Len's "Steal My Sunshine," I'm sharing Bran Van 3000's "Drinking in LA." Probably because I remember being sent SO many of those "Glee" stickers at CFRC when the song was released. I like that little deer I guess. Also, what is Todd's favourite cheese?

Here you go, without further adieu, some Bran Van... enjoy and stay safe, please!? Wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands, BE CAREFUL!! xo

I woke up again this morning with the sun in my eyes

When Mike came over with a script surprise

A mafioso story with a twist

A "To Wong Foo, Julie Newmar" hitch

Get your ass out of bed, he said:

I'll explain it on the way

Cancon Thursday - Consider The Speed

Hey everyone.  How are you doing? You okay? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you drinking enough water? 

This election business down south is a bit nuts huh? I've been feeling anxious for days and I'm just a neighbour. Can't even imagine what it would be like to be living in the US right now. The sad thing is that no matter what happens, it doesn't feel like there will be a peaceful end to it. I'm hoping for the best but it's scary. 

To keep our minds off of bad things for a few minutes (elections, pandemics...) I'm sharing an awesome new song by the wonderful Terra Lightfoot. It's the title track from her new LP, "Consider the Speed."

The song is super fun and the video has bike riding in it. The best videos always have bikes in them, in my opinion anyway. So, enjoy, go for a bike ride and be kind (to yourself and those around you) xo

dreams are coming true 

as I'm getting closer to you

no there's nothing wrong 

and I'm barely holding on to you

Cancon Thursday - Young and Wasted

Hawksley Workman. You're quite a guy. You've entertained us as we've been stuck at home, from your father-in-law's basement at first and most recently, from your brand new basement. I've so enjoyed each "Hawksley Night In Canada" show, in particular I like the pet segments. You make me laugh and cry and it's always a good time. Thank you.

Now, in addition to providing us with isolation entertainment, you release a beautiful new record. "Less Rage More Tears" is a fantastic name for our pandemic times and the album contains a collection of wonderful, thoughtful songs. One of the things I love the most about his writing is that I'm always hearing new things in his songs, songs I have listened to dozens of times. All of a sudden, a lyric will jump out and it's like I'm hearing it for the first time. Brilliant. 

I had a really difficult time picking just one song to share here on Cancon Thursday. In the end, I decided on "Young and Wasted." Honestly, the clincher for me was the line about the wartime bungalow. I am living in a cosy (not cold) wartime bungalow in Kingston, Ontario. It was built in 1943 not too far from the old Alcan Plant. Many men who lived in my neighbourhood in the 1940's returned from the war and went to work at Alcan. 

I hope that everyone goes out and picks up a copy of "Less Rage More Tears." You don't even have to leave your house if you don't want to / can't. You can order it at his bandcamp page: https://hawksleyworkman.bandcamp.com/ It's important to support our favourite artists at a time like this (I mean it's always important but with live shows being very limited, buying records and CD's is a good way to show them some love while treating yourself. Kindness IS magic after all.

So give this a listen and let me know what you think. Again, thank you Hawksley, for this wonderful record.

Stay safe everyone xo

growing up so cold in a wartime bungalow

you were such a show-off 

brushing your teeth before bed even when we were both so drunk and stoned

and laughing and falling down

and i just fell asleep and started dreaming

Cancon Thursday - This Beat Goes on / Switchin' To Glide

How is your week going? We're in the home stretch for the weekend now!!

It's Cancon Thursday here on ye olde blog. I'm going to keep this short and sweet because today's post is directly connected to this week's cover song post. I think this might be the first time I've shared the same song twice in one week. Neato!

That's right kiddos, I'm sharing the original song, well the better known, longer version of Tuesday's song, "This Beat Goes On / Switchin' To Glide" by the Kings. The video is a super fun montage of them playing their biggest hit over the years. Listening to "this beat goes on" made me feel a little melancholy. They talk about getting together with friends and having a good time. Gatherings with large groups of folks just shouldn't be happening right now (and I'm practically living like a hermit at the moment). If we are all smart and patient (and considerate of our fellow humans), we'll continue to play it safe rather than be sorry.

On that note, wear a mask, stay home when you can, wash your hands and practice social distancing... we'll get through this together but I think it's going to take a little while longer xo

I have lots of friends

That I can ding at anytime

Can mobilize some laughs

With just one call

Like a bunch of lunatics

We'll act away past dawn

Sure we'll be rocking

Til our strength is gone

Yeah this beat goes on

 

CanCon Thursday - Bad As They Seem

Happy Thursday.

It's CanCon day around here again so today, I'm sharing a mid-90's gem from Hayden, "Bad As They Seem." 

From his 1995 album, "Everything I Long For," Bad As They Seem was released as a single and the video did get played a bit at Much Music at the time. I think that the sentiment of the song is pretty appropriate for these pandemic days. The guy seems hopeless, he's in a dead end job, likes a girl he can't have and lives at home with his parents. He's stuck. I think a lot of us feel stuck right now. Even though staying home and being careful is the smart thing to do, it's not a lot of fun.

Give it a listen. It's not going to cheer you up necessarily but maybe your current situation may not seem so drab by comparison.

Stay safe kids, wear your mask, wash your hands xo

Someone who'll make me laugh

Someone to be my better half

Keep me warm under the sack

Share with me my midnight snack

Cancon Thursday - Ha Ha Happiness

I could save this song for Isolation Friday but it's so good and so much fun that I wanted to share it with you today on Cancon Thursday.

Ha Ha Happiness is the latest release by the wonderful Krista Muir / Les Chouettes. Krista has been using her pandemic time to create beautiful masks and super cool music. To find out more about her music and her masks, please check out her website - https://www.kristamuir.com/

I hope you enjoy this super fun video as much as I do! xo

Cancon Thursday - I Got You Babe

For today's Cancon Thursday song, I'm sharing "I Got You Babe" by Bahamas from the 2012 album, Barchords.

I'm keeping this short today. It's a busy day for me. I'm finally getting rid of my trusty old (2006) van and buying a new (2016) car. After work I'm picking it up and I'm pretty excited. This is the first time I'm buying a car on my own. Felt weird but good. I did a lot of research and think that I'm going to enjoy my new (to me), safer vehicle. Cleaning out the van last night felt strange because I found a bunch of things that I had no idea were even in there... tools, safety items, Mark's stuff. He was prepared for just about any car emergency we could have had. What a guy.

So, enjoy some Afie and have a good day (also, wear a mask!!) xo

Standing tall, I seemed to know it all

But the only thing I know is that

I've never known someone like you

I'm gonna figure out how it is

Isolation Friday - Sandpaper

Happy Friday kids. The last Friday of the summer, which feels kind of weird. How was your pandemic summer? I spent a total of 4 weeks over the summer in quarantine due to travel between Ontario and BC. Quarantine is annoying but necessary and a small price to pay to get to spend some time with my lovely guy this summer. Even though I felt very safe traveling (by air) this summer, I knew that there was some risk involved. No one asked/told me to self-isolate after flying but I felt like it was the right thing to do.

As you know, I've been enjoying a lot of the quarantunes that have been released over the past few months. For Isolation Friday this week, I'm sharing an awesome tune by The Vicious Cycles, "Sandpaper." Listening to it, you'd never know that they weren't all together when it was recorded. 

Also, in case you didn't know, today is Bandcamp Friday so go check out The Vicious Cycles and spend some cash! Your favourite artists will receive all of the cash from the sale of their merch today so help 'em out and treat yourself to some new tunes. 

Even though Ontario is in Phase 3 and kids are heading back to school, many of us are still keeping things going as we did back in a Phase 1 or Phase 2. This song is SUPER relatable to most folks, no matter what the stage. Our lives have changed in weird ways and while I get that these changes are necessary, some of them still feel odd.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy "Sandpaper." It's a kick ass song and the video is mega-fun. Happy Labour Day weekend kids and remember, help keep that curve flat - wear your masks and wash your hands!! xo

Sandpaper, on top of my Knuckles

Empty cupboards and tight belt-buckles

Ain't nothin doin at the local grocer

I can't go out and you can't come over

Cancon Thursday - Damsel in Distress

Despite the fact that we couldn't get out to live shows this summer, there was a lot of new music released. I for one am very grateful for that... also, thank goodness for all of those streaming concerts. Summer could have been a huge musical bummer!

One of the great albums of the summer was the incredible "Unfollow The Rules" by Rufus Wainwright. Today, for Cancon Thurday, I'm sharing "Damsel in Distress." I hope you enjoy it and if you do, check out the rest of the album. It's fantastic. Another incredible album by the truly beautiful Rufus!!

This video for "Damsel in Distress" is truly beautiful. 

Happy Thursday kittens, please remember to wear your masks!! xo

Will you forever be wandering the wall

Looking for what you see?

Your father's face in a waterfall

Yes, I remember smiles

Yes, I remember wiles

Behind the Square of Sloan

Under the English moon within the Chelsea sky