Lazy, hazy, listening days…
Things are quiet at work these days — half of CBC radio music seem to be on holidays — the rest of us working stiffs are working, but are on summer mode. Why is it that work in the summer seems…well….like less work, less stressful? There seem to be buckets more time to see friends, go out..blah, blah, blah. Summer music is different too. What’s on my ipod is funkier, fun, and pretty soulful. The new Jamie Lidell CD – called Jim is a killer summer record. Produced by Gonzales (Feist’s producer) it’s a pop/soul record with a tons of hooks with the tongue planted firmly in the cheek. A load of fun.
When night gets a little quieter I’m listening to Cinematic Orchestra’s latest live album (Live at Royal Albert Hall) big strings, very filmic, moving music. There’s a new Bill Frisell record that I’m liking a lot – 2 discs, lots of live recording. Called History, Mystery, it’s making the rounds at my house.
So what are you listening to this summer? Drop a comment and let’s make a list of great new music – now that it seems we have a little more time to actually listen…..
Stay cool,
Laurie
July 21, 2008 at 12:30 am
Nico Muhly’s new album, “Mothertongue” is very nice.
Thank you for always playing such lovely music, and for the little anecdotes always!
m.
July 24, 2008 at 7:30 pm
thanks Matthew – I’m off to the library to find that one. Did you read the great article about Nico in the New Yorker a couple of months ago?? Sounds like a very interesting guy.
July 25, 2008 at 7:18 am
Re: Please Don’t Ever Play Wintergarden by MAJA RATKJE
I am working late at night and I think it’s really inappropriate to play this song at this time of the day. I’ve listened to my shares of edgy music but this is going way too far. Just because this is a modern radio show doesn’t mean the music has to be this way. Please think twice before scheduling such music again…at least give us a quick reminder before playing it.
July 28, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Ok, Ok!!! I hear you!!!! She did get pretty wild in the middle there….ah…screaming….but there were other bits that were quite lovely……thanks for writing…I appreciate your feedback…
July 30, 2008 at 3:35 am
First I just have to say that while I was privately listening to the radio at work in my little cubicle today, I heard to my delight that you were going to play Shane Koyczan tonight! Almost as soon as I got home from a dinner out, I turned on the radio just in time to hear you introduce “Move Pen Move.” A very wonderful friend named Ursula introduced me to Shane Koyczan a few summers ago while we worked together in a chocolate shop, and I’ve been a little bit hooked ever since –on Koyczan, I mean, although the chocolate is pretty addictive too. So, thankyou.
Anyway, I don’t know if you’ve seen a film called “The Street of Crocodiles” by the Brothers Quay, but the soundtrack, by (I think) a Polish guy named Jankowski is kind of striking. Some of it is probably a bit too weird and creepy for the show (ie you might scare people) but at least watch the film if you haven’t seen it yet. it’s really creepily beautiful and you’ll have a full appreciation for how well this soundtrack and film match eachother in –well, the only word i can think of is ‘texture’– so perfectly.
I’m loving the show, as usual, so please keep doing exactly what you’re doing.
July 31, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Hi Laurie, Over the past 20 years or so I’ve seen you on t.v. or listened to you on radio. I am pleased to see you are such a great advocate for Canadian arts. I wondered if you have ever checked out Erroll Starr and what he has been up to. You last interviewed him on the New Music in 1988, just around the time of the Calgary Olympics. It is 20 years later and it is about time for the games again. Perhaps it is time for another interview with Erroll. He is still making lots of music…behind the board, behind the mic, and all in a solar powered studio up near Algonquin Park. He and some helpers have built his own home from over 6000 used tires and over 40000 pop cans. Any how he does many many musical projects and it is worth looking into. I wondered how to actually reach you personally, then I found this blog…so I am hopeful that you will get to read this.
Go to his site and look around. He has been recently interviewed in Ottawa Valley Living and on All In A Day CBC Ottawa about both his sustainable off the grid home and his musical projects.
I am a little biased in this case because I am his wife… but I still think you should look and see for yourself. Thanks Laurie
Much Respect, Lisa Francis