Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

Canadians invited to choose Canuck song for Obama

By THE CANADIAN PRESS
Last Updated: 29th December 2008, 1:35pm

http://www.torontosun.com/entertainm...9/7874071.html

Barack Obama needs some Canadian content for his iPod.

So says CBC Radio 2, which is inviting Canadians to select songs that best define Canada for the incoming U.S. leader, known to be an avid music fan.

A CBC website already includes submissions from rapper Maestro Fresh Wes, who suggests his own 1989 hit, “Let Your Backbone Slide.”

Meanwhile, movie critic Richard Crouse says BTO’s “Takin’ Care of Business” would offer inspiration.

The survey officially kicks off next Monday, when Canadians have a week to submit their choices by email, phone or online. Details can be found at

http://www.cbc.ca/obamasplaylist.

CBC Radio 2 will reveal a shortlist of 100 songs for public voting the following week, and reveal the top 49 songs on inauguration day, Jan. 20.

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

How about some less familiar Lightfoot tunes?

Nous Vivons Ensemble
Peaceful Waters
Sit Down Young Stranger
The House You Live In
Too Late for Prayin'

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

I think Auburn Annie has a great idea. :)

DSR

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

more details:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...nletter_newsUp

Singing Canada's praises to Obama
Article Comments (120) DIANA MEHTA

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

December 29, 2008 at 11:27 PM EST

No, we're not all snowbirds, we don't spend all our time at the good ole hockey game, or searching for shipwrecks in the big lake they call Gitche Gumee.

But Canadians have made some mighty distinctive music, and CBC wants Barack Obama to know it.

Starting next week, Canadians will collect some choice homegrown songs for the new president to groove to as he takes office Jan. 20.

CBC Radio 2 is calling on the public to take care of business, tune-wise – to help select 49 songs from north of the 49th parallel that best represent the northern nation.

“We believe that a country is defined by its artistic expression. If you wanted to know about Canada you just close your eyes and listen to our songs,” said Denise Donlon, executive director of English Radio at CBC.

The contest, which begins Jan. 5, gives Canadians a week to submit as many tunes as they like for “Obama's playlist.”

Each submission, made online, via e-mail or on the phone, must be accompanied by a reason justifying the choice made. Entries qualifying as Canadian content according to competition rules will be tallied and short-listed to 100 tunes on Jan 12. The public will then vote online for their favourite melody until Jan 16. The final 49 will be aired across Canada as Mr. Obama takes office.

But as far as anyone knows, the president-elect is unaware of the three-week-long effort to expand his musical repertoire. Ms. Donlon said she hopes elected officials on this side of the border will enlighten Mr. Obama on the Crown corporation's unique contest at some point.

“We're truly excited about this president,” she said. “Ultimately, I think we hope to achieve good will across the border.”

Both French and English songs will have to make up the list if it is to truly represent the country and its bilingual history, said former Liberal MP Don Boudria, who used to be rocker himself.

According to Mr. Boudria, the contest is an opportunity to remind the public of important historical moments that are being fast forgotten by contemporary Canadians.

“Anything that gets Canadians to get to know each other and to get Americans to know Canadians is a good thing,” he said.

In this case, music is a good way to tap into a nation's identity, says Herb Stovel, a professor of Canadian studies at Carleton University in Ottawa.

“Music is emotional,” he said. “It can be a microcosm of Canadian ideas.”

According to Prof. Stovel, Canadian folk music from such artists as Stan Rogers and James Gordon deserve a place on “Obama's playlist” if the new president is to learn of traditional Canadian stories told through song.

And at least one spot on the list should be taken by an aboriginal tune, said Vince Fontaine, songwriter and musician for the Eagle Hawk band.

“The arts is always the front line of expression in society,” said Mr. Fontaine, adding that a native Canadian song would show Americans the importance of first nations on the Canada scene.

But the diversity of this society, reflected in the broad range of its music, will make choosing 49 songs a tough process, said Kenneth Penney, lead singer of Newfoundland hard rock band Dirty Ransom.

“Every province had a different tradition, we try to incorporate all those different backgrounds in our music,” he said, adding that songs by Alberta's Nickelback and Ontario's Tragically Hip were likely shoo-ins.

Ensuring that all genres of the musical scene are represented is another challenge the CBC faces if the list is to be truly representative of Canada, said composer and conductor Alain Trudel.

Quality is the standard that should be employed to sort the wheat from the chaff, he said, adding that institutions such as the Montreal and Vancouver symphony orchestras should not be overlooked.

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

I"m going to go for the obvious.

Changes

Sit by my side come as close as the air
Sharing a memory of grey
And wander in my words
And dream about the pictures that I play, of changes

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

nice one Jenney, except for the fact that the composer was born in Texas

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

Yep, the late great Phil Ochs. Actually I like Gord's version better than Phil's. And interesting factoid, according to legend, "Changes" was written between sets in the upstairs backroom at The Riverboat where Phil was performing.

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

I'd agree with two suggestions from above from Auburn Annie and Podunklander, not well qualified myself per my nationality to say what best represents Canada per the articles request for tunes -as a USA'er, but as said, I'd echo 2 from above:

Canadian Railroad Trilogy - For history, a sense of grandeur of the 2nd largest country in the world, and the awe-inspiring effort of building the railroad that to me would well represent the hard-working nature of Canadians though the maw of some of the world's more difficult elements - both summer and winter.

And,

Too Late For Prayin' - a beautiful piece I have allways loved and has so many eloquent representations of massively important humanistic issues confronting Obama, as he pursues the platform espoused. Admirable - that platform, too.

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

You can post your songs now..
http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/obamasplaylist/

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

I would choose Seven Island Suite, Christian Island, and Canadian Railway Trilogy.

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

did you post them at the CBC site..??

Re: Can Corfid Suggest Anyone?
 

What about Canadian Railway Trilogy or Restless?