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 #63 (I think) Playlist, etc. + LONG-PLAY TUESDAY!

You know that feeling – when you get a new album – you hang on to it all the way home (or keep a watchful eye on it as you drive) from the record store. You finally get home, can’t wait to get your outdoor gear off, delicately but feverishly open up the plastic wrapping (if there is any), take a moment to breathe that familiar scent of vinyl and paper, swiftly but gently wisp the record from its sleeve, place it on the turntable, making sure not to bend or push it wrong, if it’s too tight. Turning on your stereo amplifier, you lift that long arm and gently set the needle on the track… and before you hear a bit of recorded sound, you hear that familiar warm hum. The anticipation reaches its peak and then…

There is is – in all its glory – the moment for which you’ve been waiting!

That’s what tonight is all about. I’m going to bring a few of my favourite records and while I re-live that experience for myself, I hope you can enjoy some of that too. I’ve got all kinds of goodies in the bag for tonight. Enough, in fact, to fill two whole hours of crackling goodness.

Show #61 (I think) Playlist, etc.

Man, time is just ripping on by. I’ve been so busy in the last little while that I’ve been late posting playlists (sorry about that). I do have every intention on getting it all up-to-date, but I’ve been doing it in installments – a few tracks here, there. It’s a lot more time consuming than you might think to find all of the info I need for a good quality playlist.

That said; I will have it up-to-date sooner than later. I will.

Actually, I’m not the only one who has a lot on their plates right now. Al from Mouth Radio cannot make it in tonight, which means – another two-hour What Planet Is This?! tonight, starting at 7:00 PM!

I hope you can join me for another epic journey through space and time as we hear some neat poppy-electro stuff, some experimental jazz, some traditional jazz, some folk and roots, blues… That’s right folks. We will be stargazing across the universe of sound tonight. Don’t worry, though. Nothing too weird. I promise.

Show #59 (I think) Playlist, etc.

Due to those unforeseen circumstances that often force their way into our daily lives, I’m covering TWO HOURS of great music once again. Al from Mouth Radio can’t make it in, and I happen to not have a life on Tuesday nights, outside of What Planet, so there you have it!

This came at short notice, so I can’t even tell you what kind of wonderful things I’ll pull out of the bag for tonight. Hmm… This might be a good excuse to play a couple of those extra-long numbers that I’ve been putting off for a while because they just take up too much time in an hour-long show. Not everything will be an epic sound-poem or anything like that. I promise: it will all be good. I’ve been on a big jazz kick again lately, so don’t be surprised to hear some from the great jazz archive! I think I very well may toss in a couple of fun electro tunes, too, for good measure. We’ll see what I can fit into the time I’ve got.

Tune in from 7:00 to 9:00 tonight, plug in those headphones, brew some tea, sip some wine, maybe a fine scotch and enjoy!

Show #58 (I think) Playlist, etc. + LONG-PLAY TUESDAY!

What’s that? Special end-of-the-year two-hour vinyl show, you say?

Tune in tonight at 7:00 PM all the way to 9:00 PM for some of the best music you’ll hear all winter season, including some long-time favourites, some great new finds, some funky numbers, some chilled-out selections, some weird electro stuff and selections from my top 5 albums of 2010!

Pour yourself some tea, put on those headphones and let me ease you on into the new year.

Show #56 (I think) Playlist, etc.

Aaaahhhh! The chaos!

Another change of plans, folks. Be sure to tune in tonight at 7:00, but only for two hours of What Planet Is This?!. The Mouth Radio/What Planet Is This?! two-hour collab show has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

On the plus side: two hours of WPIT, starting at 7:00 PM!

Show #55 (I think) Playlist, etc. + LONG-PLAY TUESDAY!

As I look out, through the window this morning, I see those familiar huge, puffy flakes of snow. The sky is completely grey. The streets and cars are covered white, again. Yeah. It’s winter. Whether or not you like the weather, however; I’ve got tunes that are going to warm you right down to those famous Canadian wool socks!

Since it’s Long-Play Tuesday, I’ll be bringing a fine assortment of vinyl LPs tonight. Once you’re curled up on your favorite chair or lying flat on the floor with those headphones on and the radio tuned to 91.3 FM, take a sip of your freshly-steeped tea, and let me take you on another musical journey from jazz legends like Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane to Canadian folk-rock like Sarah Harmer, bizarre electronic pop like Caribou and a whole lot more.