CLICK HERE FOR BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND MYSPACE LAYOUTS »

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

January 12th Playlist!

This week's show highlights some of the OTHER great albums of 2010 that didn't quite make my Top 10 Albums list. All of these would have made my Top 20 Albums list if such a list existed. Also, I'd like to make another quick shoutout to Judy, who's birthday is today. Happy Birthday, Judy!

Artist - Song - Album (year of release, extra information)
* = Canadian

6:00-7:00am
Shotgun Jimmie* - Bedhead - The Onlys (2007)
Josh Ritter - Idaho - The Animal Years
Rae Spoon* - Death by Elektro - Love is a hunter (2010)
The Waifs - Service Fee - Sink or Swim (2000)
Regina Spektor - Folding Chair - Far (2009)
Romi Mayes* - How I Roll - Sweet Somethin' Steady (2006)
Luke Doucet and the White Falcom* - Monkeys - Steel City Trawler (2010)
The Fjords* - Get it Right - Get it Right (2010, local)
The Karpinka Brothers* - Tether Ball - One Brick at a Time (2008, local)
Jill Barber* - Chances - Chances (2007)
Royal Wood* - Lady in White - The Waiting (2010)
Sarah Slean* - Waiting for Someone - The Baroness (2008)

7:00-8:00am
Megan Lane* - One Word - Purple and Blue (2003)
The Black Keys - She's long gone - Brothers (2010)
Wolf Parade* - Shine a Light - Apologies to the Queen Mary (2005)
The Gruff* - Commercial Drive - self-titled EP (2010)
The Gruff* - Five Star - A Trail of Missing Thoughts (2008)
Po' Girl* - Cold Hungry Blues - self-titled (2003)
Yukon Blonde* - Wind Blows - self-titled (2010)
Michael Rault* - She'll cut you down - Ma Me O
Hawksley Workman* - French Girl in LA - Meat (2010)
Bella* - Can she Play Guitar - Pretty Mess
The Sadies* - Another Year Again - Darker Circles (2010)
Said the Whale - This City's a Mess - Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia
Julie Doiron* - Spill yer Lungs - I can wonder what you did with your day (2009)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Top 10 Albums of 2010!

I could hardly wait to get this show going this morning! My top 10 albums of 2010 has been something I've thought about since the end of November and I only made final decisions yesterday. This year it seems to have been more difficult than previous years. In reality, I wish that I could do a Top 20 Albums of 2010 in no particular order. However, I decided to stick with my theme of Top 10 Albums and go with it. I'm sure that I will change my mind at some point in the future and wish that I had put an album in this list. That being said, and without further ado, here are my Top 10 Albums of 2010!

#10 - The Pack A.D. - We Kill Computers
This album is similar to their previous albums, but has a bit of a psychadelic edge to it. They've never made my Top 10 Albums list before because I only became extremely familiar with them in 2010. However, this prolific Vancouver-based duo were on my radar all year with their release of this album.
Songs we heard: Crazy and B.C is on Fire

#9 - Little Miss Higgins - Across the Plains
LMH is such a fantastic musician and I'm proud to call her a fellow Saskatchewanian! Her sound feels just like the prairies - earthy with an edge... a bit sassy and full of heart. This album is a great one because it is silly, it is serious, it is fast, and it is slow. It takes you through a range of emotions and tempos. This is album I've listened to lots on road trips and while gardening in my yard.
Songs we heard: Bargain! Shop Panties and Wash these Blues Away

#8 - The New Pornographers - Together
This album has a LOT of catchy songs. Every song is fun to dance to and sing to. It sounds similar to Challengers, which I also loved, and is just a great album all around. I really fell in love with this album when they played songs from it live at The Odeon this fall. They were all fantastic and it was so great to see them all together, including Neko Case.
Songs we heard: Your hands (together) and Silver Dollar Jenny

#7 - Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer of the Void
This album is a good representation of what Blitzen Trapper sounds like. A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. I absolutely LOVE the duet with Alela Diane, who I discovered this year thanks to my good friend Pete.
Songs we heard: Laughing Love and The Tree (featuring Alela Diane)

#6 - Basia Bulat - Heart of my Own
This album was a big surprise for me. I had no idea I would love it this much! It speaks to my heart like none other that was released this year. Her amazing voice is perfectly accompanied by her unique musical instrumental sounds. When she opened up for Josh Ritter, she seemed a bit nervous, but was so sweet and cute up there on the big stage, just her and her autoharp. Her songs are a reflection of her sweetness and her edge. I just love this album!
Songs we heard: Go on, Run, and Heart of my Own

#5 - Frazey Ford - Obadiah
She was the front woman for The Be Good Tanyas so it's no wonder that I love her album so much. Her album sounds a lot like The Be Good Tanyas, particularly their first album "Blue Horse." However, she has obviously put her own spin on song songs with a bit of a funky bluesy sound. Her voice is so unique and unmistakable - "hauntingly beautiful" is what I call voices like hers that hit me right in the gut when I listen to them. Marissa Nadler is another musician that I consider to have that ability.
Songs we heard: Firecracker and Blue Streak Mama

#4 - Josh Ritter - So Runs the World Away
This guy... this guy is so amazing! Can he do no wrong? Not in my eyes! His amazing mix of great song writing and musician-ship is so special. He has really come a long way in these past few albums. This one is his best so far, narrowly beating out The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter... at least in my opinion! I love the heart and soul that he put into this album from heartfelt ballads to fast and fun songs.
Songs we heard: Change of Time and Lantern

#3 - Band of Horses - Infinite Arms
This album is super catchy and a great all-around album. It is classic modern indie rock. From start to finish, it is a solid representation of their sound showing fantastic song-writing and amazing guitar-work. I just love it!
Songs we heard: Laredo and On my way back home

#2 - Sarah Harmer - Oh Little Fire
Sarah (I can call her that since we had a great phone conversation earlier this year) is arguably one of the best song writers this country has ever seen. This album is one of heartbreak, but somehow she makes it seem not so bad. On top of it all, she got Neko Case to sing with her on the album! Two amazing voices in one amazing song. It is no wonder this is one of my top albums from 2010.
Songs we heard: Captive and One Match

#1 - Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
This album has been called a favourite of many many people, magazines, and websites. I tried to be different and pick a different one, but it was impossible. This album is one of the most relevant albums of our time. When it came out, it was #1 in North America. Arcade Fire has become mainstream, but not because they've changed, but because others have come to realize their brilliance as a band. Individually, they are great musicians. As a band they are spectacular. They are one of the most amazing live bands I've ever seen and their show in Saskatoon was my #1 show of the year. It was breathtaking at times as I literally could not breath from amazement of seeing such an amazing show. I can't say enough good things about this band or this album.
Songs we heard: Rococo, Modern Man, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

December 29, 2010 Playlist... A Year of Concerts!

Artist - Song - Album (year of release, extra information)
* = Canadian

6:00-7:00am
Hawksley Workman* - A moth is not a butterfly - Treeful of Starling (2007)
Wilco - Impossible Germany - Sky blue Sky (2007)
Hannah Georgas* - This is Good - This is Good (2010)
Royal Wood* - A mirror without - A good enough day (2007)
Josh Ritter - Real long distance - The Historical Conquests of JR (2007)
Sunparlour Players* - If the creeks don't rise - Hymns for the Happy (2007)
The Sadies* - Another year again - Darker Circles (2010)
The Karpinka Brothers* - Roll down the windows - One brick at a time (2007, local)
The Fjords* - Get it right - get it right (2010, local)
The Mountain Goats* - Palmcorder Yajna - The Mountain Goats - We shall all be healed (2004)
The New Pornographers* - Myriad Harbour - Challengers (2007)

7:00-8:00am
Kate and Anna McGarrigle* - Better times are coming - Oddities (2010)
Rufus Wainwright* - Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk - Poses (2001)
Julie Doiron* - Tailor - I can wonder what you did with your day (2009)
Amelia Curran* - The Mistress - Hunter, Hunter (2009)
The Roots - The Next Movement - Clean album
Dan Mangan* - Indie Queens are Waiting - Nice, nice, very nice (2010)
Sarah Harmer* - Later bloomer - Oh little fire (2010)
Farideh* - Prison of our love - Symphony of Chemistry (2008, local)
Blitzen Trapper - Furr - Furr (2008)
Calexico - Alone again or - Convict pool (1999)
Arcade Fire* - Rococo - The Suburbs (2010)

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Wintery December 22nd Playlist

Today's show had a loose theme of winter/dark/coming of the light because of the winter solstice that was yesterday. For me, solstice is an important time for me because I am sensitive to the dark days, as many of us are. Also, I believe in the spiritual time of the darkness and coming of the light. So here is the playlist of wintery songs!

Artist - Song - Album (year of release, extra information)
* = Canadian

6:00-7:00am
Ween - Your Party - La Cucaracha
The Unicorns* - Jellybones - Who will cut our hair when we're gone
Blue Rodeo* - One more night - the things we left behind
Dar Williams - Calling the Moon - The Green world
Serena Ryder* - Dark as the black - is it ok
The Deep Dark Woods* - Where have the summers gone - Self-titled
Fleet Foxes - White Winter hymnal - self-titled
Jen Lane* - For the night - For the night (2010, local)
Tori Amos - Winter - Little Earthquakes
Basia Bulat* - December - Oh, my darling

7:00-8:00am
Dar Williams - The Christians and the pagans - mortal city
Great Lake Swimmers* - There is a light - Ongiara
Julie Doiron* - Wintermitts - Heart and Crime
A Gentle Forest* - Broken Bicycle - Our phenomenal first flight (local)
Jane Siberry - Hockey - Bound by the beauty
Joni Mitchell* - River - Blue
Stars* - Winter bones - The five ghosts (2010)
Within Temptation - Ice Queen
Sue Foley* - Here comes the sun - Change
The Elected - Sun, sun, sun
Cuff the duke* - By winter's end - Sidelines of the city
Laura Cantrell - When the roses bloom again - When the roses bloom again

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

December 15th Playlist!

Artist - Song - Album (year of release, extra information)
* = Canadian

6:00-7:00am
The Sadies* - Loved on Look - Tremendous Efforts
Elliott Brood* - Write it all down for you - Mountain Meadows
The Deep Dark Woods* - Bakersfield - Self-titled
Ash Jones - Dressed for the Weather - Better part of you
Serena Ryder* - Blown like a wind at night - Is it ok
The Gruff* - Lights of Saskatoon - ep
Josh Ritter - Kathleen - Hello Starling
Jason Collett* - Hangover Days - Idols of Exile

7:00-8:00am
Kate Maki* - Strangest dream - Confusion Unlimited
Frazey Ford* - Blue streak mama - Obadiah
Marissa Nadler - Heart paper lover - Little Hells
Get up kids - Keith Case - Simple Science
Wolf Parade* - Soldier's Grin - At Mount Zoomer
Jim Bryson & The Weakerthans* - The Falcon Lake Incident
Band of Horses - Laredo - Infinite Arms
Luke Doucet* - Monkeys - Steel City Trawler
Sarah Harmer* - One Match - Oh little fire
Metric* - Help I'm Alive - Fantasies
Jen Lane* - Grey Skies - For the Night

Sunday, December 12, 2010

A Good Excuse for a Missed Week

First of all, I'd like to thank Glen for covering for me on Wednesday. I called him around 5am that morning to see if he could cover my show like we had talked about. Lucky for me, he was awake and willing to play music for two hours for all you Saskatoon and beyond folks.

So what was I doing up at 5am and not going to the radio station? Well, this is a good question and because you are such a loyal fan that you actually check out my blog, I will tell you why.

You see, I'm a doula. That is, I'm a birth coach for women going through labour. In this past week, I had two clients (and friends for that matter) who had babies last week. On Wednesday I got a call at 3am, after we had discussed the evening before that there would be no baby that night, saying that labour was started. I was there super quick as I had my escape bag all packed and ready to go. At 2:21pm on Wednesday, December 8th, a beautiful baby girl was born. If permission is given to me, I will post the birth story at my doula website - Beyond Birth Doulas.

As for the good ol' radio show, I'll be back this week! I don't have a theme planned for this week, but next week I will be playing winter songs in celebration of Winter Solstice and the first day of winter.

Stay warm all you loyal listeners!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

December 1st Playlist!

Last night I saw Rufus Wainwright, as I mentioned often through the course of today's show, and it was brilliant and awkward and unique all at the same time. He is definitely an amazingly talented musician and has a great personality. I had heard that he had been doing this "thing" where he didn't want anyone to clap between songs of his first set. Sure enough, it was announced at the beginning of the show (for those people who missed the sign outside the doors). He came out donning a cape-esque robe with a long train. He played for ONE HOUR with no interaction with the crowd, which was minimal at TCU Place (not even half full). The rest of the show was "normal" and he was really amazing, actually. He played Hallelujiah as a duet with Teddy Thompson, who opened for him and is quite amazing himself, which was the highlight of the show for me.

So this morning's show is infused with piano because of the show last night. During the first set of Rufus' concert I tried to think of as many artists that have a lot of piano in it and came up with this list:

Artist - Song - Album (year of release, extra information)
* = Canadian

6:00-7:00am
Hawksley Workman* - Piano Blink - Between the Beautifuls
Cat Power - The Greatest - The Greatest
Sarah Slean* - Duncan - Night Bugs
Immaculate Machine* - Nothing Ever Happens - Fables
Regina Spektor - Poor Little Rich Boy - Soviet Kisch
Tori Amos - Crucify - Little Earthquakes (1991)
Christine Fellows* - Saturday night on utopia parkway - Nevertheless (2007)
The Pinch* - Money (local)
The White Stripes - I'm Lonely (but I'm not that lonely yet) - Get behind me satan (2005)
P:ano* - I felt his presence
Jon and Roy* - Another Noon - Another Noon (2006)
Amy Millan* - Low Sail - Masters of the Burial (2009)

7:00-8:00am
Rufus Wainwright* - Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk - Poses (2001)
Martha Wainwright* - Far Away - Self-titled (2005)
Kate and Anna McGarrigle (w/ Loudon, Rufus, and Martha) - School Days - The McGarrigle Hour
Loudon Wainwright III- Breakfast in Bed - Little Ship (1997)
Loudon Wainwright III (w/ Martha) - Father/Daughter Dialogue - Grown Man (1995)
Teddy Thompson - The Things I do - A piece of what you need (2008)
Jill Barber* - Hard Line
Michael Kaeshammer* - Goodbye - Lovelight
Fury and the Mouse - Hey look - is that love in the air? Oh no; that's just flying garbage - The Seahorse of Undesirable Truth
Immaculate Machine* - Numero de telephone - Les uno mais pas les autres (IM in French!)
Mother Mother* - Hayloft - Oh my heart

Crystallize your Wednesday Mornings!

Crystallize your Wednesday Mornings!
Thanks to Olivia for creating this!