Not Guilty, Just Pleasure Friday - Please Don't Die

In the same way Father John Misty gives us consistently amazing music, FJM also gives good video. I've yet to see a video by Mr Tillman and Co. that didn't grab me.

Now, I realize that my first Friday post was devoted to the video for "Mr Tillman" but I'm talking up another FJM video.  This one, for "Please Don't Die" was released earlier this week.  Today is release day for the new LP, "God's Favorite Customer." I'm hopeful that my pre-ordered way too long ago, red vinyl copy is in the mail at home when I get there later on. 

I love the animation (it's similar to the video for "Things It Would Have Been Helpful To Know Before The Revolution").  The first time I watched this video, I had goosebumps.  It's eerie and beautiful and, without giving too much away, I'll just say I love a happy ending.

Let me know if it gives you goosebumps too.  Enjoy kiddies xo

CanCon Thursday - Hopes Go Astray

A really really long time ago, in the summer of 1987, I heard the Northern Pikes for the first time.  Like a lot of us, the first song of theirs I remember hearing was probably "Teenland."  Not long after I heard that, I remember seeing them at the Lakeview Manor (or "the Manor" as we used to call it - I still miss that place!).  They put on a great show.  A few weeks after that, we were surprised to see them opening up for David Bowie at the CNE (weird bill, David Bowie, Duran Duran (!?) and the Northern Pikes).  We felt kind of bad for them.  Bowie's stuff was covered up with tarpaulin, Duran Duran's stuff was in front of Bowie's, also covered, and the Northern Pikes were pushed to the very edge of the huge stage.  They played to an almost empty CNE Stadium but I remember them still kicking ass.  We really enjoyed ourselves but I'm sure we were way too far away for them to hear our cheers and hoots and hollering.  They were the ultimate good sports!

Over the years since, I've always kept the Northern Pikes on my Cancon playlist.  Their songs were great and listening to them now, they still hold up.  They don't sound too dated (an unfortunate side effect for some bands who were big in the 1980's).  At one point in the early 1990's, I met Jay Semko.  He was on a solo tour and came by the radio station for an interview and to perform live on air.  Jay was very appreciative of the support which was very sweet.  We professed our love for the Pikes to him and he seemed genuinely surprised and very touched.  Such a nice guy, it's great to see that they are still touring and attracting big crowds.

So, for Cancon Thursday, I thought I'd share one of my favourites, Hopes Go Astray.  Hope you dig it xo

Beause It's Tuesday - week of May 29

Many women who grew up in 70's and 80's, myself included, listened to a lot of Olivia Newton-John.  It seemed that from the mid-70's to early 80's, she was everywhere.  Certainly for me, Grease was a huge thing.  I remember that my dad took us to see it after I passed 5th grade.  We got that awesome gate fold soundtrack album too and practically wore it out.

I'm sure she inspired a lot of girls to pick up instruments or to start singing, in particular a lot of the "girl rockers" of the 1990's.  Now we know the extent of her influence on Juliana Hatfield.  Earlier this year, Juliana released a tribute album called "Juliana Hatfield Sings the Songs of Olivia Newton-John."  Proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.  You can pick up a copy of the record here.

When I listened to the album for the first time, I realized that I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed Olivia Newton-John's songs too (not to mention that I still remembered all of the words to all of these songs).  The album is just a pure joy to listen to.  Juliana has released a video for "A Little More Love" (one of my favourites!) and it's so much fun.  I hope you enjoy it half as much I do.

Happy Tuesday kittens xo


From her bandcamp page:

"I have never not loved Olivia Newton-John. Her music has brought me so much pure joy throughout my life. I loved her when I was a child and I love her still. Her voice and her positive energy and her melodies have stood the test of time and they give me as much pleasure now as they ever did. Listening to her is an escape into a beautiful place. She has inspired me so much personally and I just wanted to give something back; to share some of these tremendous songs, reinterpreted, with love, by me." -Juliana Hatfield

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure Friday - Queen

Since high school (a long, long time ago, remember kittens, I graduated in 1986), I've been a fan of Everything But The Girl.  Ben and Tracey's solo projects have always drawn me in too.  I love the sounds that they create together and apart.

Tracey's latest record is called, simply, Record (on the wonderful Merge Records label - you can order it here:  https://www.mergerecords.com/record).  It's simply awesome.  My copy finally arrived last week along with "Bedsit Disco Queen: How I Grew Up and Tried to be a Pop Star."  I've been wanting to read it for a while and now, I have no excuse not to.

Anyway, today's no guilt / all pleasure song is "Queen," the first single from Record.  I really think it's cool how Tracey's voice has matured.  We're none of us getting any younger, she's around my age and I like how, while she still very much sounds like Tracey, her wisdom and experience is coming through now too.

I just love this song, I hope you will too.  Happy weekend to you all of you beautiful people xo

CanCon Thursday - Endless Chain

I first heard the sweet sound of Tanika Charles' voice one morning in early 2017 while driving to work.  I often grumble about the "Ontario Morning" music selections but this particular morning, they made a good decision.  As soon as I got into the office, I looked her up and ordered her album on bandcamp (you can too).

Her voice is just so beautiful.  I listened to her Soul Run CD on repeat for about a week after it arrived.  The songs are fantastic, inspiring... this song in particular, Endless Chain is just so positive and joyful.  It'll make you smile, guaranteed.  If you haven't already, I would encourage you to check her out. 

Hope you enjoy this yummy musical treat as much as I do. xo