Romance or Rolaid?

So, it’s Monday, and a kind of crappy one at that. But, what Monday is good, except for the ones that land on holidays and PA days? So, we’ll make the best of it with a hopefully fantasic Random Playlist Monday.

1. Desert Sunrise – Brett Dennen (good start)
2. Oh My God – Jasper Sloan Yip
3. March into the Sea – Modest Mouse
4. Good People – Jack Johnson
5. Leap – The Cave Singers
6. Romance Is – Lights
7. Free Nelson Mandela – Special AKA (please don’t ask)
8. Goodmorning Sunshine – Serena Ryder (gotta love Serena Ryder)
9. Twilight Omens – Franz Ferdinand
10. Rumors – Josh Ritter

Alright, so maybe not the greatest one, but Free Nelson Mandela, you don’t get much better than that. But I think Light’s is good for today, but what day is Lights not good, really? Anyways, Lights is the topic for today. I don’t have much more to say since I’ve already talked about her a thousand times. So how about I got easy on your eyes this Monday, and just sit back, relax and enjoy a pretty cute video.

Alright, so Romance Is, is one of her more obscure songs, so I’m glad I found a version of her doing it. It’s actually one of my favourites, I especially like her acoustic version on her Acoustic EP. I’m also a huge fan of her acoustic videos. I think they’re really great, almost better than her music videos because they seem more natural, and as you know I’m a huge sucker for acoustic anything. Anyways, enjoy the video, and I will talk to you later, for now it is waaaaaay past my bedtime (sad I know).

P.S. for all of you who don’t know who Lights is, go find another blog, we’re over. Kidding. But do go look her up. NOW!

Robots Need Love Too

So, it’s a very spoooooky Halloween night (although extremely quiet, maybe because it’s a Sunday. It is weird to have the day of the dead on the day of God and the church, but what can you do). For this spooky night, I have a, wel,l not so spooky topic. This one I debated over and over again in my head because I’ve already talked about him so many times, but I saw him last night, and I think I have even more to add. So, as some of you may know, I went to see Dan Mangan last night, and as some of you may also know I have made an insane claim. A claim that doesn’t come easily. Are you ready for it? I think his show last night may have been one of my favourite shows EVER, if not my favourite live show. Although I’m going to try, I’m not sure I can even begin to explain the impact it had on me, and how truly great it was, but I’ll give it my best shot.

First of all, it was snowing on our way into the show (and as we left). And for all of you who do not know me, there is nothing I love more than snow. Especially big, Christmas-like flakes of snow. I really don’t understand how people don’t like it? It makes things a hundred times prettier. So we’re standing in line, with the pretty snow falling, and than we enter one of the prettiest churches. Seemed really old school. There were two opening bands. First was a band called The Crackling, part of Dan Mangan’s band. They were pretty awesome. And than came the Harbourcoats, a single man, singer-songwriter, thing. It was also very good, although slightly sleepy at times. But, just when you were getting slightly bored, out came Dan looking completely adorable in his stripy hoodie (and Burning Hell t-shirt, kinda funny for a church but, Peterborough represent!). They started the whole show with Sold, one of my very favourite songs. The whole thing was really pumped up, and fantastic. After that, they did song, after song, after song that I really liked and I got worried that all my favourites were going to go, and I was going to end up doing the classic “watch watching” thing I find myself doing at some shows. But, it just got better and better and better.

Usually at a live show, if you’re lucky you get what I call a “moment”. A song that seems to change everything. In this show, there seemed to be quite a few moments, from the very first song. Highlights for me were Sold, of course, Tina’s Glorious Comeback (another of my faves, love the Tom Waits reference), Robots, and an unknown song as his encore at the very end. For Tina’s Glorious Comeback, they went completely acoustic and just clapped and stomped, a perfect, perfect moment. Because it was the Halloween weekend a lot of people came in their costumes, my very favourite were the two robot guys. I’m assuming robots because of Dan’s song Robots. So half way through the song (his last song of the night before the encore) he called them up to the stage to strut their stuff. Following those guys all the people in costumes came up. Everyone started to sing along and clap, and viola, a moment. The greatest part of the night though, was his final encore song. I’m sad to admit I don’t even know what it was, but man was it good. He ditched his guitar and mic and walked right into the crowd to sing. The acoustics were so great you could here him perfectly. The song he sang was really sad, everyone just kind of clapped and sang along. It was really perfect, this scruffy guy in a Burning Hell tshirt standing on a pew singing this song about death, with dead zombie brides, robots, bee’s, cupcakes, and everyone singing together. It was really something, and very hard to describe. All I can say, is I don’t think one person wanted to leave that church, I think everyone would have stayed for the rest of the night, I know I would have. But sadly it had to come to an end, and a happy end it was. For now though, I’m going to give your eyes, and brain a break, and let you sit back and relax to his great video for Robots. Picture home-made robots dancing around while watching it, it really enhances the experience.

I love this video, in all its crazy 80′s robots glory. It’s pretty cool. Even the cheesy happily-ever-after ending works. Once again thank you for indulging me, and allowing, or at least tolerating, another Dan Mangan post, I hope you weren’t too disappointed. It’s pretty hard to capture the same moment I felt while there. All I can say is go see him live, trust me you won’t be disappointed, and remember “Robots need love too”.

Overall Rating: 5++++

Comments: There has never been a more likable guy, I wanted to go right up and give him a huge hug. He seemed to have such passion for what he does, it made him really endearing and likeable.

P.S. hope you had a great Halloween, I did

P.P.S. since it snowed, you have to listen to Hawksley’s First Snow of the Year, it’s a tradition in my family.

I Love You

Alright, so it’s Monday and it’s been quite a long time since I last wrote. Plus, today is extra special because…are you ready for it? This is my 100th post!! WOO-HOO! And to celebrate this I’m going to do a 100 song Random Playlist Monday. I know, I’m pretty dedicated. So, without further ado, here it is (just a warning: I am about to completely embarrass and humiliate myself because I have a feeling some very weird things are about to come up, brace yourselves).

1. War of the Worlds – Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly
2. The City is a Drag – Hawksley Workman
3. To The Dogs or Whoever – Josh Ritter
4. Neon – John Mayer (so far so good)
5. Joy to the World – Sufjan Stevens
6. Woods – Bon Iver
7. Depot Depot – Tom Waits
8. Fool – Neutral Milk Hotel
9. The Girl You Lost to Cocaine – Sia
10. Back Broke – Swell Season
11. Cape Canaveral – Connor Oberst
12. New Years – Ohbijou
13. At the Airport – Old Man Luedecke
14. Motion the Eleven – Cornershop
15. Extra Ordinary – Dave Mann Collective
16. Sixteen – Justin Trawick (Freaky, no!?)
17. Come Together – Across the Universe Soundtrack
18. Late Bloomer – Sarah Harmer
19. Never Going Back Again – Fleetwood Mac
20. An Open Door – Illinois
21. Dream About Flying – Alexis Murdoch
22. South Australia – The Pogues
23. Trouble – Ray LaMontagne
24. Here Goes Something – Nada Surf
25. Waiting on the World to Change – John Mayer
26. To Go Home – M. Ward
27. Language is a Virus – Laurie Anderson
28. Doot Doot Plot – The Hidden Cameras
29. I Don’t Mind – The Cave Singers
30. Whole Lotta Losin’ – Monsters of Folk
31. Home – Wintersleep
32. Perfect – Danny Michel (It’s about time!)
33. Say Hey (I Love You)  – Michael Franti and Spearhead
34. Sula – Jeremy Fisher
35. Violins – Lagwagon
36. The Clearing in the Woods – Harry Nilsson (It’s getting strange now!)
37. Oviedo – Blind Pilot
38. Little Nancy – Fionn Regan
39. Junkie Song – The Be Good Tanyas
40. Jimmy Jazz – Clash (Good changeup there!)
41. Chelsea Dagger – Fratellis
42. Free Until They Cut Me Down – Iron and Wine
43. Low Day – Capra
44. Gypsy Boys Reprise – David Francey
45. I Am a Rich Man – Old Man Luedecke
46. Sammy – The One Night Band
47. The First Snow of the Year – Hawksley Workman
48. Run Devil Run – Jenny Lewis with the Watson T
49. On My Way – Ben Kweller
50. I’ve Just Seen a Face – Across the Universe (Go see this movie if you haven’t already, and if you have go watch it again I know I’m going to)
51. Toothpaste Kisses – The Maccabees
52. A Matter of Minutes – Shawn Colvin
53. Black Wave-Bad Vibrations – Arcade Fire
54. We Go -   Thao
55. Story of My Life – Done With Dolls
56. Had Me a Girl – Tom Waits
57. Blake’s View – M. Ward
58. Salt Bean Fumble – The Penguin Cafe Orchestra (Great name for a song if not a little strange)
59. Close to Me – The Cure
60. With or Without You – U2
61. Why Didn’t You Call Me? – Macy Gray
62. To Your Love – Fiona Apple
63. Never Know – Jack Johnson
64. Sold – Dan Mangan (Going to see him next week: can’t wait)
65. Anti-social – Cuff the Duke
66. Satisfied – Bruce Peninsula
67. Cowgirl in the Sand – City and Color
68. No Sleep – Sam Roberts
69. Last Leaf – The Cake Sale
70. Basket – Dan Mangan
71. Happier – A Fine Frenzy
72. Hearts in the Park – Patrick Watson
73. Our Velocity – Maximo Park
74. Midnight Lullaby – Tom Waits (With 3 songs, Tom now dominates, but how could he not?)
75. House in Motion – Talking Heads
76. Hello Seattle – Owl City
77. Oxford Comma – Vampire Weekend
78. Run (I’m a Natural Disaster) – Gnarls Barkley
79. Patience – Take That
80. Hours Last Stand – Elvis Perkins
81. (Past-due) – The Weakerthans
82. State of the Union – David Ford
83. Gomni – Ali Farka Toure
84. A Call to Arms – Beirut
85. The Saga – The Libertines
86. Shelter from the Storm – Bob Dylan
87. Sweet Baby James – James Taylor (some classic cheese, but we all love our cheese, well except for lactose intolerant people)
88. True – The Frames
89. The Dozens – Amelia Curran
90. 1234 – Feist
91. Champion Angel – Low Anthem
92. Try (just a little bit harder) – Janis Joplin
93. Sweet Hallelujah – Hawksley Workman
94. Quiet – Rachael Yamagata
95. All is Love – Karen O and the Kids (if you haven’t seen “Where the Wild Things Are”, go see it NOW)
96. Hannah – Freelance
97. Whales – Personal Stars
98. This Feeling — Danny Michel (just in time)
99. Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood (a terrible song! Yet so very good)
100. Brainy – The National

So, that was quite the list. There were some really good things on there, and a few questionable ones. Now is the appropriate time to laugh at that list. I must admit I’m slightly embarrassed by it, especially the Frankie Goes to Hollywood, but oh well I guess. Of course, there was an extremely large amount of Danny, Tom and Hawksley, but there always is. Today though out of all those songs I’m going to go for Michael Franti, because we all need a music pick-me-up every once and a while, and a little reggae never hurt anyone.

I first discovered Michael Franti through his Obama Song. I was really into Obama and all he stood for (and still am) and the song just seemed really cool to me, it also proved to me that I can like hip-hop/rap/reggae music (other than Bob Marley). After the intial discovery I went in and found a few more of his songs. I especially fell in love with Say Hey (I Love You). Sure it’s a little cheesy, but it’s a damn good cheesiness. And there’s just some kind of appeal to Michael Franti, I’m not entirely sure what it is, but he has that “thing”. This song just always makes me especially happy, and it can give you a good outlook on the world, this is especially shown in the video. The video for Say Hey (I Love You) has just made it up pretty high on my list of top videos. It’s pretty fantastic and incredible cute, see for yourself.

I love this video, I especially love that it’s real people and his background looks real, not Hollywood perfect. I think that’s what makes the song not come across totally fake and cheesy. It has a certain real-ness to it not expressed in most things. I really love that the people look like real people of different sizes, cultures, and are allowed to show real emotions. It’s a pretty darn cute video, and I think it can even make all you cynics out there smile (it achieved that for me, and I’m about as cynical as it gets). So, please smile away for the rest night, and if you’re like me you’re going to watch this video about a million times more. For now though I’m out, thanks for putting up with me for this long, it’s greatly appreciated, and feel free to continue, that would also be greatly appreciated.

P.S. Feel free to get up and dance a bit to, it may actually be a requirement. Awkward dancing especially.

Random Dan

It’s Monday, boohoo! But I’m not going to dwell on the negative and just move right onto the positive. And what is that you may ask? Maybe the fact that it’s RANDOM PLAYLIST MONDAY!! Hip-hip-hurray! Without further ado, here it is, on this lovely freezing cold day.

1. Piano Song – Meiko (I really like her if you’re into that cheery indie girl stuff)
2. Peace Train – Cat Stevens
3. Steady On – Shawn Colvin (this is quite the gloomy, folky playlist)
4. Two – The Antlers
5. Train in the Distance – Paul Simon
6. Coat Hook – Fionn Regan
7. Fantasy Man – Swell Season (a perfect song for the weather today)
8. Heavy Soup – Cornershop (also perfect)
9. Joy to the World – Arthur & Friends (getting into that Christmas mood)
10. Road Regrets – Dan Mangan

So that was a pretty awesome Random Playlist, although there isn’t really anything new on it, it was pretty old-school. So I am going to resort back to Dan Mangan. Now I know I’m always talking about him, but there is a video of his I’ve been wanting to show for a while, plus you can’t really get tired of Dan Mangan. Road Regrets is by far one of my favourite Dan Mangan songs, actually it’s one of my favourite songs over-all, and the video really lives up to the greatness of the song. So, without any more delay, here is the video for Road Regrets.

It’s a really clever video, and extremely cute too. It could also be one of those short animated videos at the beginning of some movies. What I don’t understand is why isn’t music like this more  popular? Why isn’t the Indie industry the main industry? It is so interesting and so in-depth and in my opinion knocks the socks off of the main-stream industry but for some reason never seems to be completely accepted. Well, for all those people for completely missing out because you don’t get to see gems like the fantasic Mr. Mangan. I think that is all of my music rant for the day, so until next time, have  a great night and talk to you soon!

Be Good Or Be Gone

It’s raining, it’s pouring, I really wish I was snoring, but I’m not, instead I’m doing homework (that’s quite the song, huh?). It’s a rainy thursday, and that’s pretty great. And what’s better on rainy Thursdays than folky indie boys, lets just say not much. In fact any day their pretty darn awesome, but rainy days especially. And for the topic of today, well let’s just say the rain just seems to enhance his awesomeness even more, which you wouldn’t think possible. Any guesses? I haven’t given you very many hints, indie folk guy who sounds good on a rainy day, that’s pretty broad. Here’s a few more, he’s Irish and his first CD was called The End of History. That’s right, Fionn Regan.

My very favourite Irish singer-songwriter. But it’s pretty hard not to like him. He’s got everything right, interesting music, kinda’ quirky, good name, good albums, good hair (just wait, you’re in for quite a treat!). I’ve been a fan since his first CD The End of History came out in 2007. That winter I just played it over, and over, and over again. It’s so quiet and lovely and seems so perfect for the winter. I’m especially a fan of Be Good Or Be Gone, Put a Penny In The Slot (this is an especially fantasic song that I will never get sick of, it’s defiantly the anthem of winter 2008), Hey Rabbit, and well they’re all really awesome, just listen to the CD. But after his first CD I kind of wondered what happened to him. It wasn’t until this past winter that he released his second CD, The Shadow Of An Empire, which is very, very different. The End of History is very folky singer-songwriter, just him and a guitar, but The Shadow Of An Empire is much more upbeat. For starters, he has a band, but his songs really changed to, and the way he delivered them. The Shadow Of An Empire has a much more  alt-country, folk vibe which is tres, tres Bob Dylanesque and just a little Bright Eyes. I’m also a fan of the second CD, but it’s a much different vibe than his first. If you’re checking out songs though I’d go for Protection Racket, The Shadow Of An Empire, and Lord Help My Poor Soul.

Today though I’m going to show you the video for Be Good Or Be Gone, one of my very favourite Regan songs. I really love the video too, it’s a cool way to see the song showcased.

I love that he sings in all these different places, and I love how all of them sound just a little different. His hairs pretty darn awesome too. The whole thing is just really cool. Although I have to say, I don’t quite understand the birds at the end, that’s a little odd if you ask me.

P.S. check out the video for Put A Penny In The Slot to, it’s also quite awesome.

To The Dogs Or Whoever

Okay, so this Monday really sucks. Not only is it the very first day of the week, which never works out well, but I also happen to have a sucky cold. How much do colds suck! Your all snuffly and sneezy, and feel really crappy, but yet you’re not flat out sick. It really sucks, but maybe some good music will change things. Get ready for what I hope to be a pretty awesome Random Playlist!

1. The Temptaion of Adam – Josh Ritter
2. September Lily – Hawksley Workman (I’ve been in a very Hawksley mood lately, he’s perfect for fall)
3. The Second Cigarette – The Burning Hell
4. Hollerado Land – Hollerado (this a great new Indie boy band I’ve discovered)
5. Semi Suite – Tom Waits (you gotta’ love yourself some Tom, especially on a sick day)
6. The Ecstacy of Dancing Fleas – Penguin Cafe Orchestra (you also gotta’ love yourself some Penguin when your sick too, it’s also very good for studying)
7. That’s Amore – Dean Martin (enough said)
8. Poli High – Harry Nilsson (if you haven’t ever heard The Point, get on it, as a kid it was one of my favourite things to listen to, and still is)
9. He Drinks Gas – Donovan Woods
10. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen (the perfect way to end a random playlist)

So, this was a pretty good playlist, if not a little strange. And after reviewing all possibilities I think Josh Ritter is perfect for today. Nothing fixes a cold better than a folky indie guy, in my not-so humble opinion anyway.

Once again, my dad discovered Josh Ritter, right after his CD The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter came out in 2007. After listenening to his CD’s, The Historical Conquest is for sure my favourite. I really love the Bob Dylan-esque country twang, but mixed in with a little more folk. He’s always really reminded me of Fionn Regan in that way. In The Historical Conquest of Josh Ritter, I find each song just gets better and better. I’m especially a fan of To The Dogs or Whoever, The Next To The Last Romantic, The Temptation Of Adam, and Still Beating. Below is the video for The Temptation Of Adam. It has a real old-timey feel, which makes sense because I find his music has this old country blues thing going on.

I think it’s a really interesting video, and his voice is really something else. His lyrics are really interesting to, if you actually listen to them. Not quite what you’d expect him to be singing about. Plus, after watching this video I started to see a bit of a resemblance to Horse Feathers, both in voice and looks. I hope you enjoy the video and the artist, he’s pretty awesome. And I’ll talk to you later, ’cause it’s nap time.

Lowside Of The Road

It’s Saturday, and a deliciously rainy and miserable one at that. And to perfectly match that cold, miserable, gloomy day I have the perfect topic. This is one I’ve discussed quite a few times, so bear with me and “come on up to the house”. Yes, that’s right, Tom Waits is the topic for the day. If I could talk about him every day I would, but sadly I can’t so I guess I’ll just have to make the most of this post.

Over the past month I’ve bcome even more into Tom Waits than I thought possible. I’ve been starting to explore some of his stuff, other than Heart of Saturday Night. And it turns out it just gets better. Who knew? I’ve been especially in love with Closing Time these days, and most of all Ol’ 55. What I love most about Tom though, is the fact that he can be so many different people, yet still be Tom Waits. I mean would you think the same guy who wrote the unbelievably sweet and sad San Diego Serenade could also write the unbelievably creepy What’s He Building? Or the same guy who sang Ol’ 55 in a lovely and angelic way (can you say that about the devil himself?), can also sing Anywhere I Lay My Head with the craziest growl I’ve ever heard. I’m reading a biography about him right now written by Barney Hoskyns where Tom talks about truths and how sometimes it’s best to let people create their own visions of you. Well reading this biography has changed some of my views of him. I guess I always picture Waits as this young and handsome bad-ass musician who smoked a lot of cigarettes and sang in a lot of dingy bars. Like the guy on the cover of Heart Of Saturday Night who looked young and mysterious and like he really didn’t give a damn what other people thought. And I guess at one point he could have been this guy, but I never imagined Tom Waits married with three kids (how cool would that be, oh yeah Tom Waits is my dad, no big deal). In my head I’m still going to keep my picture though.

Below I’ve decided to show you what I think is a fan-made video although I can’t quite tell. It’s for Come On Up To The House, another of my very favourite Waits songs. It’s funny just today I realized my mom, dad and I all want Tom Waits songs for our funerals. My mom, Come On Up To The House, my dad, Anywhere I Lay My Head (so everyone marches out when the horns come in at the end) and me, San Diego Serenade. We really are quite the die-hard family (haha, get it die-hard..funeral, probably not my best joke). But back to the video. It’ really something else. If it is a fan-based video, well, I’m impressed.

The concept of the video is pretty simple, but there’s something so perfect about the tattoos. At first you think oh this is cool, and the effect grows more and more until (for me anyways) you’re kind of brought to this feeling of…happiness. Like everything somehow seems really right and perfect (cheesy I know). The video reall is quite ingenious. The haunting tattoos and his perfectly fantasic growl are a odd mixture but they make something pretty special. Plus the lyrics to the song are really something else. I especially love the line “Come down off that cross, we can use the wood”, whether he means it politically, religiously or any other way, it’s a pretty great line. With that I am going to say goodnight until next time.

P.S. Saw “Easy A” last night, it was very fantastic in a quirky kind of way.

P.P.S. Check out his website here, it’s actually really cool, especially the wit & wisdom section.

You Won’t Make A Fool Outta Me

It’s Monday! And the last Monday of the summer! It feels like just yesterday I was writing my first post about school being over and now here we are talking about school starting. So this Random Playlist better be pretty darn good to make up for the crappy day.

1. Rolling Sea – Vetiver

2. You Won’t Make A Fool Out of Me – Flogging Molly (especially tomorrow)

3. Song For The Road – David Ford (another really great indie boy)

4. One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong – Leonard Cohen

5. Don’t Bring Me Down – Electric Light Orchestra

6. Body – Thao with The Get Down Stay Down

7. Emergency Exit – Beck

8. Ol’ 55 – Tom Waits (this is one of my favourite Tom songs right now)

9. Josephine – Teitur

10. Here We Come a’Wassailling – Arthur & Friends (Before judging me, let me explain. I’m pretty huge into Christmas and Arthur and one year my parents bought me Arthur’s Christmas CD. It became one of my favourite CD’s at Christmas and I need to listen to it every year. I also loved the fact that it drives my Dad crazy. Plus I love feeling like a little kid again. It’s slightly embarassing to have it but I’m going to embrace my childhood as much as I can!)

I think today is the perfect day for David Ford. He has this I don’t care what anyone thinks air about him and I personally really appreciate that. Plus he makes pretty awesome music. Especially his songs Song for the Road, and State of the Union. He has this really interesting sound and a pretty awesome voice. Below is a video of him singing Song for the Road. I like how down-to-earth he seems, not to mention how well he sings. So sit back, relax and if you’re in the same boat as me, enjoy your last night of freedom.

I think it’s pretty cool to just see him sing. Not to mention how great of a song it is. But for now I have to go to bed because sadly it is a school night.

Canada

It’s Tuesday! And for this fantastic Tuesday I have a fantastic topic I’ve been meaning to talk about for a week now. Today is all about a guy I discovered while doing a research project for some friends.  They asked me to look up musicians playing at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival and see who seems to be an “up-and-coming” star. While at first I was a little skeptical ’cause it sounded like a real folky folk festival and I thought “up-and-coming yeah right probably more like old and fading”. But after perusing the line up here I discovered I was very wrong. Well somewhat wrong anyways, there are still your typical folk/country hits like Tannis Slimmon and Fred Eaglesmith but there are also some more obscure bands like Joy Kills Sorrow, a fantastic Boston based band, Newfoundland traditional band The Dardanelles, and our topic for today JP Hoe.

Now when I first saw JP Hoe’s picture I was a little skeptical but the second I heard him all my skepticism just kind of faded away (and the lesson learned was: never judge a musician by the terrible little picture shown on sites like that). He has a fantastic sound and a great way of ennunciating his words that seems really unique. He hails from the bustlling metropolis of Winnipeg, Manitoba (a place I’ve never actually been to but would like to go to one day) and in some of his songs even mentions his hometown. Now, I’ve become a huge fan of his songs Start A War and Nicest both from his his first whole CD, The Dear John Letters (based on the Nicholas Sparks book Dear John, we’ll never know) but check out the rest of his stuff from The Dear John Letters CD as well as his EP The Here In Review and his collaborative CD The Live Beta Project with The Truly Richards.

Now at first I was just going to talk about him and his music but while searching for videos I came across quite a gem. It turns out he did a collection of short music videos with Randy Fraykas for CityTV’s Canada Day Special. The videos all showcase JP Hoe talking (or singing) about Canada and some of its great features, like the invention of the snowplow and our two official languages, as well as our not so great features like snowstorms in May and some of our Prime Ministers. Now there’s at least 10 of the videos and I don’t think I should post them all so I’ve picked a few of my favourites.

This first one talks about great Canadian inventions including the very greatest, the snowplow. The song is pretty catchy and very true. Ask most middle-aged men what the most important thing they own is and I can almost guarantee it will be the snowblower (or their riding lawnmower) but probably the snowblower.

This next one is a catchy and rather funny song about all our Prime Ministers, both great and, well, not so great. Actually some of them are really, really not great, but he does it all in a very refined and catchy way. I think other people probably would have been more catty.

And the last one I’m going to show is all about Canada and its two official languages. I think this one might be my favourite, it could almost be a real song. Like one of the cheesy french songs sensitive women put on their CD’s. Those always drive my dad crazy and I can’t say I disagree with him. This one doesn’t have quite the same “cheesy” effect.

Now in my humble opinion I think this was a great way to celebrate Canada. As seen through the eyes of a sad struggling musician (actually I don’t think he’s sad or struggling but it would have been a great tag line). It is however very true and very catchy. He dealt with some of the harder topics like our soldiers quite nicely as well. I’m going to post the link for the channel below. Please, please watch all of them, they really are quite funny and it’s a great way to showcase Canada. If I could have I would have posted every single one, but I think it probably would have been too much for my tiny, tiny server. For now though I’m out until next time. Enjoy the rest of the videos.

Here’s the link for the videos. Dig around to find them all, and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

P.S. since you’re already searching around youtube I thought I would add the links for a song by The Dardanelles and Joy Kills Sorrow.

Chai Lattes, Rain, and Mondays

It’s Monday, and a rainy one at that. I couldn’t possibly ask for a better day and hopefully that means a good playlist as well. So sit back, relax, get your Chai Latte all ready, and enjoy what should be a pretty awesome Random Playlist Monday.

1. Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye – Leonard Cohen (it’s a good way to say hello though)

2. A Matter of Minutes – Shawn Colvin (for all your sad and miserable days)

3. Steady State – Penguin Cafe Orchestra (this is my favourite study music, not to mention just great music)

4. Rosie – Chubby Checker (this was for a playlist I made my little cousin, it’s a perfect baby song)

5. I Have Been a Fool – Jack Penate (this is another dad find and a pretty fantasic one at that)

6. Brian Wilson – The Barenaked Ladies (I’m afraid I have a bit of a thing for The Barenaked Ladies, especially their greatest hits CD)

7. Sleep – Meiko (Meiko is absolutely fantasic, check out some of her other stuff)

8. Not Too Late – Norah Jones (perfect rainy day music)

9. Sleeping With The Lights On – Teitur (I really love this song, but I always forget about it)

10. Run – Vampire Weekend

So a good playlist except for one little thing. NONE OF THE STANDARDS WERE ON IT! No Hawksley Workman. No Tom Waits. No Danny Michel. I think this is my first Random Playlist to not have atleast one of the three mentioned. But looking past that horrible fact it was pretty good otherwise. Especially for a rainy day what with Norah Jones, Shawn Colvin, and Leonard Cohen not to mention my very favourite Chubby Checker (why do all those guys have names like Chubby or Fat?). I think today is a good day for Teitur though.

I discovered Teitur a few years ago and like I mentioned above I always seem to forget about him. I’m not entirely sure why though since his music is fantastic and every time I hear him I think “wow, I love that”. He hails from the Faroe Islands (get ready for your Georgraphy lesson), which after googled (is that a word) I discovered are part of the Kingdom of Denmark situated between the Norweigan Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean between Great Britain and Iceland. No wonder he’s so pale. But back to the music, I’m a huge fan of his CD Poetry & Aeroplanes. It has most of the songs I like including Sleeping With The Lights On (which has made it onto many a Rainy Day Playlist), Poetry & Aeroplanes (my dad always says when you don’t know a artist or CD go for the song named after the album, which is what I did here), and Shade of Shadow but of course their all pretty darn good. Do check out his other CD’s to and get your Faroe Island fix. For now though here’s a sneak peek of his greatness with his video for Sleeping With The Lights On (which I actually do most nights).

He’s a pretty pale, skinny, nerdy guy with a pretty fantastic voice. I also kind of like the video in all it’s quiet and nerdy glory. That’s all for now until next time (hopefully tomorrow if I get my act together).

P.S. I went to the CNE yesterday and the “theme” of this one was Rock Legends. They had this great exhibit with clothes, records and shoes fromm the great rock legends. I came to the conclusion that John Lennon had pretty awesome clothes not to mention shoes. Oh and the Rock Legends on ice was even better. It’s pretty hard to make male figure skaters look like tough old rock’n'roll guys. They did try though.

P.P.S. to further my love of Dan Mangan I figured out today while listening to a podcast of his from CBC that he references Tom Waits CD Frank’s Wild Years in his song Tina’s Glorious Comeback. Anyone who references is good by me. It also gave me the idea to make a playlist of Tom Waits reference songs. How many could there be?