Show #71 (I think) Playlist, etc. + LONG-PLAY WEDNESDAY!

Piles of 45s on the floor.

Long-play Wednesday, you say? Holy smokes!

For those of you who have been listening to this show for a while, you already know that the last Tuesday of the month has always been Long-Play Day. Let me assure you that the transition to Wednesday will see tradition continue.

Tonight, I’ll be bringing a selection of gems from my vinyl record collection to help you end the day right. There’s a usual mix of upbeat popp-ie stuff, electronic fun, jazz galore, folk and more – all with warm crackling goodness.

Tune in from 4:00 to 6:00 PM and don’t forget to check back on this website for a full playlist (eventually).

2011 Regina Folk Festival Line-up Announced!

Taj Mahal with guitar (1968)

Wow! The Regina Folk Fest line-up was announced this morning and I already can’t wait to get a ticket!

I was excited when I heard Andrew Bird is coming. I was surprised and impressed when I heard k.d. lang is coming. I was proud to find out that Regina’s own Jeffery Straker is performing. I was delighted to hear that we’re getting Fred Penner, Hawksley Workman, Coeur de Pirate and Dan Mangan. Finally, my jaw hit the floor when I heard we’re getting blues and folk legend Taj Mahal! What?

And those are just some of the highlights that piqued my personal interest! The list goes on from there to include: KT Tunstall, Shakura S’Aida, The Sojourners, Marco Calliari and on and on!

The Folk Fest is never dull, but I think they may have reached a new height this year! I can’t wait to get tickets!

Show #70 (I think) Playlist, etc.

Music is an ephemeral thing. Even if The Guess Who plays American Woman a total of 13,000 times, each of those times is special. It’s a moment in time that can never be replicated exactly. Even if James Brown famously shrieked “Whaaaao” over 80,000 times during his career, every one of those hollers was frozen in time for anyone lucky enough to be in attendance.

The same goes for a recording. Even if you play the same familiar tracks over and over, the recording itself is unique and unreproducible (ie, that artist could go back into the same studio with the same musicians using the same gear and the same setup to record the same song, yet it would still be unique). Even if the recording you own is played over and over, the experience is never completely the same as the last time. You may be interrupted by noise. You may be focusing more intently on something other than the music one day, and focusing entirely on the music the next day.

That’s exactly what makes music enjoyable for me. I love finding and hearing new music all the time. I rarely go a day without hearing at least one tune I’ve never heard before. But just like most people, I have my favourites and my mood affects what I want to hear.

Well, with all of that in mind, I invite you to tune into 91.3 FM from 4:00 to 6:00 PM to enjoy some good music with me. While you listen, try to think, for a moment, about anyone else that might be listening at the time. Maybe you’re just heading home from work, but maybe someone else has the day off. Maybe you’ve been sick at home for weeks, but maybe someone else is going for a brisk jog with their earbuds in. Musical experience is a vital part of life experience and it’s something that connects us all, even when we don’t realize it.

You are never alone.

Show #69 (I think) Playlist, etc.

Your faithful host Chris here.

I’ve always said that change is a good thing.

Since I’ve started at Regina Community Radio, What Planet Is This?! has been nestled nicely into Tuesday evenings – usually at 8:00 PM, sometimes 7:00 PM. I take my freshly steeped tea (usually something of the oolong variety), put my headphones on, push play and let my day end with what I love to do – play great music into the night! I’ve always liked to think that you, the listener, are doing just the same: you get into your favourite chair, slip on those headphones, flick on the radio and let the day melt away.

Well now, things have changed. It’s all different now, man.

Actually, for me, it’s not much different at all. I just have to duck out of work while the boss isn’t looking, so I can make it to the station a little earlier. For you now, instead of chilling you out at the end of your night, I’ll be taking you home and making sure you start your evening with a healthy dose of great music.

Be sure to tune in tonight from 4:00 to 6:00 for the first ever drive-time edition of What Planet, and, as always, check back at this page for a detailed playlist after the show.

A Reminder About Tonight

Don’t forget, as I mentioned last week; What Planet Is This?! has moved to Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:00 PM.

Keep listening tonight for some great Mouth Radio at the usual time (7:00 PM) and a special surprise coming in at my old time (8:00 PM), followed by a strong dose of hard rock at 9:00.

Don’t forget to come back here tomorrow to see what’s in store for the first drive-time edition of What Planet Is This?!.

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Hit Toon Town!

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Life just gets better and better!

To call Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings “soul revivalists” would be missing the point, as the hard-working crew, fronted by the lovable Sharon Jones, wouldn’t have you believe the genre ever died. Still reeling from the release of their excellent 2010 effort, I Learned the Hard Way, the group have announced another monstrous tour throughout North America.

Read more.

What Planet Is Wednesday?!

Last night was the last Tuesday night edition of What Planet Is This?!. Fear not, however. This is not the end. As we know, energy cannot be destroyed, it can only take on other forms.

Starting next week (Wednesday, 16, March, 2011), What Planet Is This?! will be on the air from 4:00 – 6:00 PM CST, every Wednesday!

I’ll miss that nice cushy Tuesday night spot, but I look forward to taking you home on hump-day. Keep it tuned to 91.3 FM and turn it up next Wednesday!

Show #68 (I think) Playlist, etc.

Saskatchewan wheat field in spring

THAT’S IT! I’ve had it! No more! Winter, you are formally dismissed, as your services are no longer needed for this year. Pack your things and get the hell out!

Ahem.

The season kind of does that to people, doesn’t it? The longer winter lasts, the crankier people get about it. Makes sense, though. It’s cold, dry, driving is less pleasant, taking the bus goes from irritating to enormous hassle, the wind never stops (especially in Regina) and it always makes things colder – no such thing as a chinook in these parts.

Well, if you’ve ever heard What Planet Is This?! before, you know I’m all about using music to make things better. It true; it may not actually solve all of your problems. It may still be cold outside, no matter how hot Mark O’Connor’s Swing Trio gets. You still have to get out there and shovle, slip around on the sidewalks and wear your tires out, spinning them hopelessly on the iced pavement. But when you reflect, I’d bet you’re glad you’re here and not, say, Libyia.

Things aren’t so bad. Slow down a little, pour yourself a cup of tea or some hot bourbon cider, light up that fireplace or just turn on the fireplace channel on the television, put on those old headphones, let go and let the music take you to warmer places.

Show #67 (I think) Playlist, etc.

Parliament - Mothership Connection

Good evening, life forms. This is your captain speaking. Tonight’s trip will involve a usual dose of grooviness, marked by high highs, brief lows and colours that can only be seen with your open mind, not by your easily-deceived eyes. Put those headphones on, relax, and enjoy your journey, courtesy of Regina Community Radio’s What Planet Is This?!

Tune in at 8:00 tonight. You can pick up your Earthly vessel at the front door, after the program has come to a complete stop.