Can Con Thursday - The Cheapest Key

Today, April 20, is the birthday of my lovely grandfather, Lawrence Shanks. We lost him back in 1985 while my brother and I were still in high school. He lived with our family for the last few years of his life and I'll always be grateful for that extra time that we got to spend with him. I don't know if we realized at the time, what a gift it was to have him in our lives every day. I recognize it now and am thinking about him today. Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

My life is a little bit crazy right now, so this is the week's first post. On Tuesday, I felt particularly stressed and anxious, and I couldn't decide what to listen to.  I felt a bit like Goldilocks, some playlists were too bouncy, and others were too quiet. Finally, I realized what was "just right" for my state of mind and spent the entire workday listening to Kathleen Edwards.

Thank goodness for Kathleen Edwards! Her music soothed me on Tuesday. It did not, however, massage the giant knot out of my neck and shoulders, but it made my brain feel better than it had in a few days.

So, today, for Can Con Thursday, I'm going to share "The Cheapest Key." You can find it on her 2008 album, Asking For Flowers. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kathleen, for keeping me sane this week. F is also my favourite letter xo

They say the start's always the hardest part

But like you know, baby, I'm all warmed up

Sometimes I wanna shout your name out loud

And let them in on what you're all about

Can Con Thursday - Who Rescued Who

Grief is a weird thing. It's true that it can hit you like a wave sometimes. Usually, the deep sadness happens when you least expect it, sometimes, it lasts for just a moment, but it can also linger for hours or days.

I remember the first time I heard today's Can Con Thursday tune and how tears came to my eyes. I am overcome with tears every time I hear it, but I can't stop listening to it. Sometimes, you just need to feel the things buried deep inside you. This song always finds that place for me and helps me release a little bit of the sadness that I carry around with me.

Don't let my tears discourage you from listening to today's song, "Who Rescued Who" by the incredible Kathleen Edwards. This live performance was recorded earlier this year at "That Station" in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Also, if you're interested, you can pick up a copy of Kathleen's Dogs and Alcohol EP on Bandcamp (just click here)

Take care, friends xo

Under the little catalpa tree

Is where I put you

With a rock that says your name

I had made for ya

And now my favorite thing to say

Is who rescued who? Who rescued who? Who rescued who?

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 - Simple Math

At long last, earlier this month, the new Kathleen Edwards record, Total Freedom, was released. Long awaited by so many people, it does not disappoint. She had a fantastic record release party / concert which was streamed from her coffee shop (Quitters) in Stittsville. Unlike many of the streamed events I have watched over the summer, this one is available to watch on YouTube if you missed or (or if you just want to watch it again). The album is fantastic and you can pick it up everywhere. It's been on repeat for days in my headphones and I think it'll stay that way for a while.

For Cancon Thursday, I'm sharing a song from Total Freedom. I was struggling to pick just one but I did. Because it was so tough to chose one song, I'll probably be sharing others in the coming weeks. For now, I hope you enjoy "Simple Math" because it's a sweet, beautiful, goose bump causing song. 

Enjoy xo

You teach me
Love is simple math
I don't care how old we get
I'm just one and you're one and we're two together
I'm okay being friends forever

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

CanCon Thursday - Sidecar

Happy Thursday to you.

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