Show #111 (I think) Playlist, etc. + Long-Play Wednesday

John Coltrane's "Blue Train"

It’s a cool Sunday morning, September 15, 1957. You’ve saved every nickel you could earn shining shoes, washing cars and running errands since May 31 of the same year – when you heard his last album, simply titled by his omnipotent last name: Coltrane.

It’s 10:28 AM and you’ve been waiting outside the local record store since 8:00, with a growing group of friends and other music-lovers for the store to open its doors at 10:30. Unlike your friends, you got there early, to be first in line. Today is a big day for you. Today will be the day you buy your first record…

John Coltrane’s Blue Train.

The kindly store owner has seen you come into his shop a hundred times before asking when the next Trane album will arive and he smiles as he comes to unlock the front door.

You pay with a crisp twenty dollar bill that you had help from your father exchanging at the bank for all those dimes and pennies and your face lights up to the biggest smile your friends have ever seen.

It’s all yours.

The owner asks if you’d like him to put it on the shop’s record player. Still smiling, you just nod as he handles it masterfully to the turntable. Some twenty or thirty people must have been there than morning and not a foot stepped back out of the front door until they’d heard all 42 minutes no less than twice, all of them delighted at the sound and excitedly talking about the master’s latest work.

Some time after noon, you take it home to the family where your father calls it racket and your mother doesn’t get it. But you don’t mind. That was the most amazing sound you had ever heard.

~
Tune in from 4:00 to 6:00 for an all-vinyl evening.

Show #110 (I think) Playlist, etc.

So, I got this Kobo thing for Christmas. I read a good deal and this thing has been great. I won’t get into a big advertisement/review for it, but since getting this neat gadget, I’ve actually increased my reading, significantly. I mostly read non-fiction, but I’ve been getting into a few novels, based on recommendations and reviews – not to mention the fact that the American version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo hit theatres a little while ago and I wanted to read the book first. 🙂

As I’ve worked from one book to the next, I realized that I don’t really know anything about popular books (not unlike my knowledge of popular music I suppose). I don’t know what’s hot or what’s any good. The vast majority of my reading consists of non-fiction, technical, music (industry, spirituality, history) and classics.

That said, I’m wondering what you’re reading. Any recommendations? Any brutal pieces of garbage to avoid? Fiction? Non-fiction? Let me know by leaving a reply right here, or send me a message over Twitter and I’ll read your selection over the air.

As always, I’ve got a lot of music lined up for today. Tune in from 4:00 to 6:00 and check this page for a playlist during the show.

Show #109 (I think) Playlist, etc.

The Deep Dark Woods

Now that’s what winter feels like!

We all know that music has the ability to heal. Don’t believe me? The next time you’re in a rotten mood, put on some Jane Monheit and tell me you don’t feel better after even just a song or two. The next time you’re feel lethargic, put on some James Brown and tell me you don’t (even secretly) feel like dancing. When you’re feeling uninspired, put on John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme and tell me you don’t feel enlightened and fulfilled.

As you go about your day, shaken by this natural reminder that it really is winter in Regina, allow your entire being to be warmed by music. Tonight, WPIT?! will be filled with many of my favourites, covering several different styles. If you’re in a position to listen to the show intently, rather than let it fill the air with background noise, be sure to really let yourself get involved in the music. If you can, just close your eyes and experience it the best you can.

I’ll be doing the same, enjoying the music from high up in the CJTR studio. Tune in from 4:00 to 6:00.

Show #108 (I think) Playlist, etc.

Ry Cooder

The first WPIT?! of the new year! What to do… how to up the ante…

I’d better hit you with some powerhouses tracks! I’m resisting the urge to give away the track titles, but let me drop a few names:

Stevie Wonder
Ed Palermo
Ry Cooder
Buck 65
Ray Charles
Socalled
Oliver Jones
Radiohead

It’s going to be a good one – not that I ever really produce a bad show, do I?

Tune in from 4:00 to 6:00 for a 2012 opening show!