Jordan Hart tells the story of discovering CKUA Radio. He asked, “what album am I listening to?” Told it was a radio station. CKUA!
His reply was “There’s no radio station that cool” With this podcast Jordan has come full circle. Back to CKUA Radio.
In 2019, Alberta singer/songwriter Jordan Hart embarked on a 100-day straight busking challenge in Toronto, through thunderstorms and snowstorms he played on. Every Sunday, 100 percent of the money he raised was donated to L’Arche Canada. In L’Arche, people with and without intellectual disabilities live, work, learn, and grow together. L’Arche demonstrates that when persons with intellectual disabilities take their place at the table, they contribute to a more just, compassionate, and vibrant world for all.
The Momentum from his daily busking also culminated in a sold-out show at the Great Hall in Toronto and his career streams also increased by over a quarter of a million. As a featured artist, his work with Lucky Rose on the song ‘’Lost’’ greatly increased his profile.
Jordan has released a fine EP called Only Pieces Of The Truthand with it a confirmation in each of the 7 tracks that he’s destined to become a much bigger artist. Much Bigger.
Add to that discovery that Jordan is also a natural storyteller. He talks about life on the streets busking. Being turned down completely by the young woman he wanted to spend his life with. About shooting his video for Freedom with a small group of actors with Down Syndrome.
Have a listen. See if you agree that he’s destined to shine!!
The CKUA spring fundraiser was a huge success. Met and matched the 1 Million Mark Sunday dinner time.
Everyone – donor audience and staff – took several days to reset and here we are, back in our places and spaces.
After two weeks of talking, I am seriously committed to numbing the mouth and playing all the songs and artists you wanted to hear and I wanted to play.
Many Thanks to all you donors from myself and Allison Brock ( Wide Cut Country) for taking us to the top.
FYI – Last Sunday between 3-6 pm you raised almost $100,000. Yowza.
So here’s two hours of almost non-stop music that you asked for in your donation and several that I wanted to play for you and ran out of time. As we said on the Sunday
If you are lucky enough to work on the media side of the music business and if you’re honest in your relationships with artists, over the years many of them become friends.
Rob Baker and Craig Northey are just such a couple of friends and together they’re making music again as Strippers Union.
It took 10 years to record and release their third album called The Undertaking.
Craig Northey was leading The Odds and working with a long list of people plus he is also an important part of the Steven Page Trio.
Rob Baker was of course a member of one of Canada’s greatest bands The Tragically Hip, who lost their heart and soul with the death of Gord Downey.
We cover a lot of ground here but always come back to the music of The Undertaking.
Please enjoy the talk and tracks. Thank You Rob and Craig.
I heard someone say “Valerie June is an overnight sensation.” Well, just so you know It only took 39 years.
Her Tennessee family was strong but had many hurdles to overcome.
Valerie started performing at 19 in Memphis. After she ended a marriage to her partner and husband she worked minimum wages and some really seedy joints but kept moving forward. Released her own albums. Booked her own gigs. Finally she met Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys who co-wrote and produced her 2013 album “Pushin’ Against the Stone”.
Then came The Order of Time in 2017, which is where we first met. Rolling Stone called it one of the Albums of the Year.
Now comes the next reflection of her genius The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers. Like all of her other albums the sound, texture, lyrics, harmonies and musicianship are unique to Valerie June. In a business that celebrates “been there – done that”, Valerie June is one-of-a-kind.
And man does she have stories to tell..
Listen Up. There’s a hopeful message right in front of you. It’s Valerie June.
Greg Keelor. Co-Founder, co-Singer, co-Writer of one of Canada’s premier bands Blue Rodeo. Share the Love is his 6th solo album.
When I asked “do you know how many solo albums you’ve done and what the names are?” the answer was an emphatic No.
And that was my first question. I had another 45 minutes of questions. Now what?
Greg spun his first story about he and Jimmy Bowskill sitting around, in a hash haze throwing song ideas and guitar licks back and forth and all of a sudden there’s an album taking shape.
They recorded it and later went to a small community center at a lake to play the songs again while video cameras shot the songs for promo.
THAT recording was so good, they scrapped the studio record and went with the community hall by the lake session.
That was Greg’s answer to the second question…and we were off and running.
We cover a lot of ground with Greg Keelor..ups and downs. Losses both human and personal.
The album is very good. His best work yet. We both agreed that the feel of the record was much like the late 60’s in LA with Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds.
He’s a good man that Greg Keelor. Please subscribe and take 20 minutes to enjoy!
Mulligan Stew April 17, 2021 – in the middle of a pandemic.
The very special guest on this week’s Stew is Greg Keelor!!
Co-Founder, co-Singer, co-Writer of one of Canada’s premier bands Blue Rodeo. Share the Love is his 6th solo album.
When asked did he know how many he has done and what the names are the answer was No.
And that was the first question. I had another 45 minutes of questions. Now what?
Greg spun his first story about he and Jimmy Bowskill sitting around, in a hash haze throwing lines and guitar licks back and forth and all of a sudden there’s an album taking shape.
They recorded it and went to a small community center at a lake to play the songs again while video cameras shot the songs for promo.
THAT recording was so good, they scrapped the studio record and went with the community hall by the lake session.
That was Greg’s answer to the second question…and we were off and running.
We cover a lot of ground with Greg Keelor..ups and downs. Losses both human and personal.
The album is very good. His best work yet. We both agreed that the feel of the record was much like the late ’60s in LA with Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds.
He’s a good man that Greg Keelor.
And hello Jimmy Bowskill!
If you’re interested – the complete ramble can be heard on the Mulligan Stew Podcast. You’ve subscribed, right?
Vancouver’s Mint Records yesterday released Soon-Yin Lee and Adam Litovitz jooj two albums
Behind the release, there’s a very personal story – the love and loss between Sook and Adam.
“When we were making the song ‘Wrecking Heart’, Adam and I looked at each other, blown away by this song that was like nothing we’d ever written. It began with a supercharged sonic fragment he made that became the foundation of an unapologetic banger of a song that possessed and moved through us. We blasted it on the stereo, danced and air-guitared to it. Unconsciously, our lyrics seemed to telegraph our separation. “It sounds like a break up song,” he said, much to our disbelief at a time when we were very much together. But life challenges ended up pushing us in different directions. Though separated, we remained best friends, holding out hope that we would make our way back to each other. Adam landed a job scoring a TV series and I worked on our album, incorporating his notes. He said that he looked forward to playing cathartic meltdown live shows with me.
But that was not to be. Adam is no longer here. I believe he exists on other planes, in those who love him, and in our music, in his music, drawings, and writing. With this album, ‘jooj two’, I pick up the pieces of this Wrecking Heart, honoured to share our music.”
– Sook-Yin Lee
Adam took his own life. Sook-Yin patiently takes us through what happened and how it shaped the songs and her life. And yes, even though all this, we share smiles and laughs.
I’ve known Sook-Yin a long time… I think it shows in the discussion.
The music this week almost picked itself. In celebration of warmth on our shoulders and shots in our arms.
In normal years, we would see more smiles around us but not this year.
So please consider this April 10 Mulligan Stew your official Spring Smile.
Vancouver’s Mint Records yesterday released Soon-Yin Lee and Adam Litovitz jooj two albums
Behind the release, there’s a very personal story – the love and loss between Sook and Adam.
“When we were making the song ‘Wrecking Heart’, Adam and I looked at each other, blown away by this song that was like nothing we’d ever written. It began with a supercharged sonic fragment he made that became the foundation of an unapologetic banger of a song that possessed and moved through us. We blasted it on the stereo, danced and air-guitared to it. Unconsciously, our lyrics seemed to telegraph our separation. “It sounds like a break up song,” he said, much to our disbelief at a time when we were very much together. But life challenges ended up pushing us in different directions. Though separated, we remained best friends, holding out hope that we would make our way back to each other. Adam landed a job scoring a TV series and I worked on our album, incorporating his notes. He said that he looked forward to playing cathartic meltdown live shows with me.
But that was not to be. Adam is no longer here. I believe he exists on other planes, in those who love him, and in our music, in his music, drawings, and writing. With this album, ‘jooj two’, I pick up the pieces of this Wrecking Heart, honoured to share our music.”
– Sook-Yin Lee
Adam took his own life. Sook-Yin patiently takes us through what happened and how it shaped the songs and her life. And yes, even though all this, we share smiles and laughs.
I’ve known Sook-Yin a long time… I think it shows in the discussion.
The complete and very engaged conversation can be heard on the Mulligan Stew Podcast EP 151
Welcome to The Stew – Year 26. Hope you’re having a memorable Easter weekend.
It’s another one of those “a donor sent me off in a new direction” emails. They’re always welcome.
Donor Hour One just said – “Do what you do”
So…it’s a mix of JJ Cale, Leo Kottke, Kinks, G Love and Keb Mo, Walk off the Earth, Lake Street Dive, Ron Sexsmith, John Hiatt, Colin James, Ariel Posen and Mick Jagger with the Red Devils.
The Donor of Hour Two suggests…
“In light of so many racial divides and intolerances to cultural differences, perhaps a focus on cultural musical influences would be a way to open the mind””
With that in mind the mix of Saturday night music includes…
Sting and Shirazee, Wyclef Jean, Taj Mahal, and Los Lobos, Toots and Keith Richards, Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mombasa, Los Lobos.
PLUS
New tracks from Paul McCartney/Beck and Van Morrison.
Blue Rodeo, Feist, and The Stones Midnight Rambler finish off the first Saturday of Spring.
The Mulligan Stew Podcast is very special – First it’s EP 150.
Nomadland may very well win the Oscar for Best Film. It’s been winning lots of other awards including @CriticsChoice.
We have interviews with the actual Nomads who the story, book, and screenplay were written about and who play themselves in the film.
Swankie, Linda May, Bob Wells plus the author of the book Jessica Bruder.
