I’ve spent the past week out of circulation, recovering from too much sun. True, it’s the same Sun we’ve had for ages. But for me, it’s just too much.
That has left me with time to alternate between hangin’ with Snorri, watching episodes of Secret Agentand The Prisoner, and becoming reacquainted with an old friend called daytime CBC Radio. And I’d like to take this opportunity to commend CBC Radio for its thoughtful, informative and heartrending coverage of events in Lac Mégantic. What happened in that small Québec community some 10 days ago is beyond horrid. And with little else to do, I spent the days following the tragedy, glued to the radio for each update, each in-depth analysis of the situation, each interview with those affected. And, ultimately, each addition to the number of confirmed dead. Throughout, I have trusted CBC Radio to provide me with the information I sought. Continue reading →
A few things I have considered doing for you, dear reader, but have decided are not worth the effort. By sharing these with you today, I am finally able to break those chains and move on. I feel better already.
Of course, if anyone has an answer to any or all of these mysteries…
Is any of those smiling faces on the PRESTO bus ads purchasing one mode in English and another in French?
How many advertisements is one exposed to during an average Ottawa Senators game at the Palladium (or whatever it’s called)?
How many local chip wagons offer the “best fries in town”?
What are the precise boundaries of Vanier — not New Edinburgh, not Overbrook, but Vanier? Admit it, people, you’re in Vanier!
How many Elvis fans can’t be wrong? (Fifty-four years ago, the number stood at 50 million.)
It’s the 146th anniversary of… Confederation. Everybody sing together.
I wasn’t going to resort to the great national media exercise that is the knee-jerk Canada Day (or, if you prefer, Dominion Day) list. But a raft of rather bizarre and hastily compiled lists published this week had me thinking that this nation probably deserves better. Here, then, compiled in haste, are a few short lists of proudly Canadian musical excursions. Enjoy!
List 1: Four defiantly Canadian album titles
Third Down, 110 to Go by Jesse Winchester
The celebrated draft-dodger’s 1972 release boasts what is surely the most outright Canadian title ever to make it to U.S. soil.
Born on the First of July by Chixdiggit
Yes, Calgary’s Chixdiggit. Feel free to give this 1998 disc a spin over the weekend; it still holds up.
Favourite Colours by The Sadies
OK, so the title is not particularly Canadian, but you just know those Good brothers chose it at least in part to reclaim the proper spelling of both words in the title.
Canadian Content by various artists
A rather obvious one, this Capitol Records compilation, but it kinda says it all. Anne Murray. Gene MacLellan. Pierre Lalonde. Heck, the label was even thoughtful enough to offer a warning that Lalonde’s song C’est mon Coeur qui chante clair, is “sung in French.” Makes you proud, it does.
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Three distinctly Canadian band names:
Anal Chinook (Who can forget?)
Bruno Gerussi’s Medallion (Too bad the band sucked.)
Pierre LeBon et les Separa-twists (Bein oui!)
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Three artists that could only have come from Canada:
A Tribe Called Red
Rock et Belles Oreilles
The Rheostatics
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And finally, for your Canada Day enjoyment…
Across Canada in eight songs (a musical travelogue):
Canadian Railroad Trilogy by Gordon Lightfoot
Home Again in Newfoundland This Year by Dick Nolan
Going Down the Road by Bruce Cockburn
Excursion à Venise par Kate et Anna McGarrigle
This Ottawa Valley of Mine by Mac Beattie
Wa Wa Tey Wak by Andrew Balfour
Four Strong Winds by Ian & Sylvia (yes, or Neil Young)
I haven’t taken the time to read the accompanying essay, but I’m intrigued by these bus ads that read: “Why love one but eat the other?” Are they advocating that we should eat dogs and cats, or that we should domesticate cows, little lambs and delicious, delicious pigs? I’m really not down with either option, frankly.
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of Wednesday’s Doobie Brothers show. I did so by staying home and listening to good tunes. I intend to use the same strategy for Björk — or, as I call her, Bjork. (Hmm… that’s probably funnier when stated verbally. Though, I’ll admit, it’s not that funny even then.) Mind you, with the combination of Bjork’s voice and Bluesfest’s PA, that may require leaving town for the evening.
Isn’t eReading just reading?
I’m hoping to get money from the city to support what I call Snorrifest, a new year-long community festival that consists of walking Snorri through our community each morning and afternoon, plus the occasional evening. This event is licenced.
Rode into town this morning with Razor’s immortal Forced Annihilation running through my head.
Not sure why that would be. It has been years since the band’s Custom Killing EP last graced my turntable. I am not in favour of forced annihilation or those who engage in it. If there is to be annihilation, I believe it should be voluntary — or at least put to a vote beforehand. Even the ongoing annihilation of our Canadian democracy was put to a vote. Sort of.
Anyway, just checking in with today’s OC Transpo soundtrack. All together now: “Force! Ooh!”
Wig Bubbles 