Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – February 3, 2026: A Tribute to Jackie Washington

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU, 93.1 FM, in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

This episode of Stranger Songs was recorded and can be streamed on-demand, now or anytime, by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/73942.html

Theme: A Tribute to Jackie Washington (1919-2009).

Jackie Washington & Mike Regenstreif (2008)

Jackie Washington was a legendary Canadian blues, jazz and folk artist who died in 2009 at age 89. Jackie was born in 1919 in Hamilton, Ontario to a musical family and began his professional career in the 1930s as one of The four Washington Brothers. In the mid-1960s, Jackie began performing on the Canadian folk scene as a solo artist and was a great influence on many artists, and a great friend to many of us on the Canadian folk scene. It was a thrill for me to bring Jackie to Montreal to perform at the Golem, the folk club that I ran in the 1970s and ‘80s. From the 1990s until his death in 2009, he frequently collaborated with Mose Scarlett and Ken Whiteley and the last time I got a chance to visit with Jackie was in 2008 when Jackie, Mose & Ken were in Ottawa for a concert at Library & Archives Canada.

By the way, Jackie Washington should not be confused with the American folksinger and actor Jack Landron, who recorded several albums in the 1960s under the name Jackie Washington.

Jackie sang and played guitar and piano and during this show we hear some of his recordings and many other songs from his huge repertoire performed by other artists.

Jackie Washington- When that Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam’

Midnight Choo Choo (Borealis)

Chick Webb & His Orchestra with Ella Fitzgerald- I Want to Be Happy

The Best of Chick Webb and His Orchestra with Ella Fitzgerald (MCA)

The Andrews Sisters- Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar

Ultimate Edition (Nostalgic Melody Music Production)

Sneezy Waters- Solitude 

Sneezy Waters (Sneezy Waters)

Leon Redbone- Lulu’s Back in Town

On the Track (Warner Bros.)

Jackie Washington- All of Me

The World of Jackie Washington (Borealis)

Katy Moffatt- Miss Otis Regrets

Chrysalis (Sunset Blvd.)

Jackie Washington- Columbus Stockade Blues

The World of Jackie Washington (Borealis)

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer- Triskaidekaphobia

Wahoo! (Community Music)

Danny Barker- Save the Bones

Save the Bones (Orleans)

Martha Davis & Spouse- Blue Turning Grey Over You

Slightly More Than Wonderful (Jasmine)

The Hot Sardines- Keepin’ Out of Mischief Now

Welcome Home, Bon Voyage (Eleven)

Mose Scarlett, Jackie Washington & Ken Whiteley- A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet

Where Old Friends Meet (Pyramid)

Pearl Bailey- I Ain’t Got Nobody (and Nobody Cares For Me)

Pearl Bailey (Coral)

Howard Armstrong- Dinah

Louie Bluie (Blue Suit)

Hoagy Carmichael- Lazy River

Stardust Melody (Bluebird)

Emmalisa Hollander- Street of Dreams

Out of Reach (Prophone/Naxos Sweden)

Jackie Washington- Sleepy Town Train

Keeping Out of Mischief (Pyramid)

Jay McShann- Goin’ to Chicago

Still Jumpin’ the Blues (Stony Plain)

Colin Linden- Ain’t That Gravy Good

The World of Jackie Washington (Borealis)

Nicki Parrott- Them There Eyes

Fly Me to the Moon (Venus)

Bebop Cowboys- Sugarfoot Rag

Some Kind of Fantasy (Bebop Cowboys)

Jackie Washington- Take the ‘A’ Train

Keeping Out of Mischief (Pyramid)

Jackie Washington- Gotta Go 

The World of Jackie Washington (Borealis)

Next week: Songs of – or inspired by – the Civil Rights Movement.

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – October 21, 2025: Songs I’ve Heard Missy Burgess Sing

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU, 93.1 FM, in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

This episode of Stranger Songs was recorded and can be streamed on-demand, now or anytime, by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/72459.html

Theme: Songs I’ve Heard Missy Burgess Sing.

Mike Regenstreif & Missy Burgess (2014)

Missy Burgess is a wonderful singer and songwriter who I met shortly after I moved to Ottawa in 2007. Although she’s currently living in Sarnia, Missy remains a treasured part of the Ottawa folk scene. These are all songs I’ve heard Missy sing.

Missy Burgess- Pour Me a Song 

Pour Me a Song (Patio)

Po’ Girl Ain’t Life Sweet

Home to You (Nettwerk)

Martin Grosswendt- Come On In My Kitchen

Dog On a Dance Floor (Philo)

Odetta- Make Me a Pallet On Your Floor

Odetta and the Blues (Fantasy)

Missy Burgess- Basket of Blues

Lemon Pie (Missy Burgess)

Penny Lang- Trouble in Mind

Gather Honey (Borealis)

Mary Gauthier- Mercy Now 

Mercy Now (Lost Highway)

Rosanne Cash- Time

Come On Up to the House: Women Sing Waits (Dualtone)

Missy Burgess- Don’t Go to Cincinnati

Play Me Sweet (Missy Burgess)

Pete Wernick’s Live Five & Joan (Nondi) Wernick- My Buddy

Up All Night (Niwot)

Mose Scarlett, Jackie Washington & Ken Whiteley- We’ll Meet Again

We’ll Meet Again (Borealis)

Kimmie Rhodes & Willie Nelson- Picture in a Frame

Picture in a Frame (Sunbird)

Missy Burgess- My Blue Sweater

Lemon Pie (Missy Burgess)

Jay Linden- That Lucky Old Sun

Under the Radar (Jay Linden)

Missy Burgess & Michael Burgess- When You Wish Upon a Star

Pour Me a Song (Patio)

Ball & Chain & The Wreckers- Come on Up to the House 

Satisfied (Moo Music)

Missy Burgess- Missy’s Blues

Pour Me a Song (Patio)

Steve Earle & The Del McCoury Band- Pilgrim

The Mountain (New West)

Madeleine Peyroux- Smile

Half the Perfect World (Rounder)

Missy Burgess- Dance Me Slow

Play Me Sweet (Missy Burgess)

Next week: Remembering Bob Franke and Danny Thompson.

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – April 15, 2025: “All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir”

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU, 93.1 FM, in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

This episode of Stranger Songs was recorded and can be streamed on-demand, now or anytime, by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/69786.html

Theme: “All God’s Critters Got a Place in the Choir” – all the songs have something or other to do with animals.

Bill Staines- A Place in the Choir

The First Million Miles (Rounder)

Ian & Sylvia- Old Blue

Ian & Sylvia (Vanguard)

Ron Hynes- A Good Dog is Lost

Get Back Change (Borealis)

James Talley- Somewhere in the Stars (A Song for Diego)

Ballads, Bandits and Blues (Cimarron)

Bob Dylan with Hilda Harris, Albertine Robinson & Maeretha Stewart- All the Tired Horses

Another Self Portrait 1969-1971: The Bootleg Series Vol. 10 (Columbia/Legacy)

Garnet Rogers- Small Victory

The Best Times After All: Live (Snow Goose Songs)

Amy Speace- There Used to Be Horses Here

There Used to Be Horses Here (Windbone)

Priscilla Herdman- Waltzing with Bears

Stardreamer (Alacazam)

Rosalie Sorrels- Mehitabel’s Theme

Always a Lady (Green Linnet)

Phil Harris- Thomas O’Malley Cat

Disney’s Jazz Album: Big Band & Swing (Disneyland)

Cisco Houston- The Cat Came Back

The Folkways Years 1944-1961 (Smithsonian Folkways)

Tom Russell- Gallo del Cielo

Old Songs Yet to Sing (Frontera)

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer- Man Gave Names to All the Animals

Get Up and Do Right (Community Music)

Odetta- The Fox

At the Gate of Horn (Tradition)

Paul Geremia- Foolish Frog

I Really Don’t Mind Livin’/My Kinda Place (Flying Fish)

Dave Van Ronk, Anne Hills & Cindy Mangsen- Froggy Went A-Courting

Never Grow Up (Flying Fish)

Ladysmith Black Mambazo- Mbube (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)

Gift of the Tortoise (Music for Little People)

Amelia Hogan- The Snow Hare

Burnished (Amelia Hogan)

The Marigolds- Inchworm

The Marigolds (The Marigolds)

Oscar Brand- The Derby Ram

The Riverside Folklore Series, Volume Three: Singing the New Traditions (Riverside)

Deborah Robins- The Three Ravens

Lone Journey (Zippety Whippet Music) 

James Keelaghan- Red-Winged Blackbird

Home (Jericho Beach Music)

Jackie Washington- The Snake

Midnight Choo Choo (Borealis)

Dave Van Ronk- I’m Proud to Be a Moose

Peter and the Wolf (Alacazam)

Next week: Songs for Earth Day.

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – June 18, 2024: 50 years ago, I took over The Golem, Part 2

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU, 93.1 FM, in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

This episode of Stranger Songs was recorded and can be streamed on-demand, now or anytime, by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/65644.html

Theme: 50 years ago, I took over The Golem, Part 2.

Mike Regenstreif at The Golem (1987) (Montreal Gazette photo)

It was just over 50 years ago, on May 24, 1974, that I took over running The Golem, Montreal folk club. 

The Golem had been established in 1973 in the McGill Hillel building at 3460 Stanley Street by Saul Markowicz. I had done my basic training in folk club management with Chuck Baker at the Yellow Door, and had been producing concerts in Montreal at Dawson College and McGill University for about two years when Saul approached me in the spring of 1974 and asked if I’d be interested in taking over The Golem.

I actually ran The Golem twice – from 1974 until 1976 and from 1981 until 1987. The Golem was also run for about a year after my first tenure by Marc Nerenberg (who, by the way, is responsible for keeping the Yellow Door going still). The Golem was closed between 1977 and when I returned and re-opened it in 1981. And, after my second tenure, a committee including Helen Fortin and Dave Clarke of Steel Rail fame kept the Golem going until 1991.

All of the songs on this show were played back in the day by artists who performed during my two tenures running the Golem.

Mike Regenstreif & Garnet Rogers (2006)

Garnet Rogers- Ain’t Goin’ Home

The Outside Track (Snow Goose Songs)

Humphrey & The Dumptrucks- Calgary Song

Six Days of Paper Ladies (Boot)

Penny Lang & Mike Regenstreif (1976) photo: Felicity Fanjoy

Penny Lang- Barrelhouse Blues

Live at the Yellow Door (She-Wolf)

Paul Geremia & Mike Regenstreif (2012)

Paul Geremia- The Truth is on the Streets

Self Portrait in Blues (Red House)

Terry Garthwaite- Hoy Hoy Hoy

Live at the Great American Music Hall (Flying Fish)

Dakota Dave Hull & Sean Blackburn- Deep Water

River of Swing (Arabica)

Bill Garrett- Northshore Train

Bill Garrett (Borealis)

Valdy- Peter & Lou

Classic Collection (A&M)

Roger McGuinn- Gate of Horn

Peace On You (Columbia)

Ramblin' Jack Elliott & Mike Regenstreif (2006)

Ramblin' Jack Elliott- Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

Kerouac’s Last Dream (Appleseed)

Eric Andersen & Mike Regenstreif (2000)

Eric Andersen- Violets of Dawn

Woodstock Under the Stars (Y&T Music)

Mike Regenstreif & Loudon Wainwright III (2015)

Loudon Wainwright III- The Swimming Song

Attempted Moustache (Columbia/Legacy)

Diana Marcovitz- Don’t Call It Love

Recent unreleased version of song from Joie de Vivre (Diana Marcovitz)

David Mallett- Open Doors & Windows

Open Doors & Windows (Flying Fish)

Rory Block- Lovin’ Whiskey

I’ve Got a Rock in My Sock (Rounder)

Josh White, Jr..- One Meatball

Live at the Raven Gallery (Silverwolf)

Roy Forbes (known as Bim in the Golem years)- Woh Me

Almost Overnight (AKA)

David Essig & Mike Regenstreif (2014)

David Essig- Flo’s Café

A Stone in My Pocket (Peregrin)

Linda Morrison- Left Foot Slide

Line By Line (Heartstrung Music)

Guy Van Duser & Billy Novick- Sweet Georgia Brown

American Finger-Style Guitar (Rounder)

Jackie Washington & Mike Regenstreif (2008)

Jackie Washington- Gotta Go

The World of Jackie Washington (Borealis)

Mike Regenstreif & Marc Nerenberg (2009)

Marc Nerenberg- On the Street Again

On the Street Again (Marc Nerenberg)

Kate & Anna McGarrigle- The Redtail Hawk

Back Roads (Rhino)

Mike Regenstreif & Murray McLauchlan on Zoom (2021)

Murray McLauchlan- Sweeping the Spotlight Away

Sweeping the Spotlight Away (True North)

50 years ago, I took over The Golem, Part 1 – with many more artists and songs from my Golem years – was heard on the May 28 edition of Stranger Songs and can be streamed at this link. https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/65341.html

Next week: 50 years ago, I took over The Golem, Part 3 in the first half-hour; and then, Songs and Conversation with Michael Jerome Browne and Mary Flower.

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – February 27, 2024: Take the ‘A’ Train: A Tribute to Duke Ellington

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU, 93.1 FM, in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

This episode of Stranger Songs was recorded and can be streamed on-demand, now or anytime, by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/64083.html

Theme: Take the ‘A’ Train: A Tribute to Duke Ellington (1899-1974)

Duke Ellington, who died in 1974 at age 75, was born Edward Kennedy Ellington in 1899 in Washington, DC. He was a pianist, bandleader and composer, and arguably, the greatest and most influential figure in the history of jazz.

Jackie Washington- Take the ‘A’ Train

Keeping Out of Mischief (Pyramid)

Duke Ellington- East St. Louis Toodle-oo

Ellington in Order, Volume 1 (1927-28) (Legacy)

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy- Diga Diga Do

Rattle Them Bones (Savoy Jazz)

Ken Whiteley, Jackie Washington & Mose Scarlett- Mood Indigo

Sitting on a Rainbow (Borealis)

Eva Cassidy- It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)

American Tune (Blix Street)

Sneezy Waters- Solitude

Sneezy Waters (Sneezy Waters)

Duke Ellington- Stompy Jones

Ellington in Order, Volume 6 (1934-36) (Legacy)

Ella Fitzgerald with Duke Ellington & His Orchestra- Drop Me Off in Harlem

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook (Verve)

Taj Mahal- Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

Savoy (Stony Plain)

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross- In a Mellow Tone

The Hottest New Group in Jazz (Columbia/Legacy)

Claudia Schmidt- I’m Beginning to See the Light

Out of the Dark/New Goodbyes, Old Helloes (Flying Fish)

Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington- Duke’s Place

The Complete Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington Sessions (Roulette)

Duke Ellington- A Tone Poem to Harlem (The Harlem Suite)

Ellington Uptown (Columbia)

Willie Nelson- Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

Stardust (Columbia)

Judy Collins- I Didn’t Know About You

Bread and Roses (Elektra)

Dave Van Ronk- Lucky So and So

Hummin’ to Myself (Gazell)

Thelonious Monk- Black and Tan Fantasy

Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington (Riverside)

Susie Arioli Swing Band featuring Jordan Officer- I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)

It’s Wonderful (Susie Arioli Swing Band)

Catherine Russell- I’m Checkin’ Out, Goom’bye

Strictly Romancin’ (World Village)

Duke Ellington & Count Basie- Battle Royal

First Time! The Count Meets the Duke (Columbia)

Next week: Title Characters.

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – Tuesday August 15, 2023: Remembering Tony Bennett

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

This episode of Stranger Songs was recorded and can already be streamed on-demand by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/61550.html

Theme: Remembering Tony Bennett (1926-2023).

Tony Bennett (photo: Mark Seliger)

Tony Bennett, the great jazz and pop singer, died on July 21, less than two weeks before his 97th birthday. All the songs on this show were part of Bennett’s repertoire.

Tony Bennett- Let’s Begin

The Beat of My Heart (Columbia)

Peggy Lee- I Left My Heart in San Francisco

I’m a Woman: Expanded Edition (Capitol)

Willie Nelson- Let’s Face the Music and Dance

Let’s the Face the Music and Dance (Legacy)

Diana Krall- East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)

When I Look in Your Eyes (Verve)

Tony Bennett & Bonnie Raitt- I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues

Playin’ with My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues (RPM/Columbia)

Tony Bennett & The Count Basie Orchestra- Anything Goes

Count Basie Swings/Tony Bennett Sings (Roulette)

Mariane Faithfull- Boulevard of Broken Dreams

20th Century Blues (RCA)

David Clayton-Thomas- When I Fall in Love

Combo (Antionette)

Tony Bennett- Just One of Those Things

Love for Sale (Columbia/Interscope)

Susie Arioli Swing Band featuring Jordan Officer- Pennies from Heaven

Pennies from Heaven (Justin Time)

Jackie Washington, Ken Whiteley & Mose Scarlett- A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet

Where Old Friends Meet (Pyramid)

Holly Cole- Whatever Lola Wants

Montreal (Universal)

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga- Love for Sale

Love for Sale (Columbia/Interscope)

Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse- Body and Soul

Duets II (Columbia)

Missy Burgess- Smile

Play Me Sweet (Missy Burgess)

Chaim Tannenbaum- It’s Only a Paper Moon

Chaim Tannenbaum (StorySound)

Sophie Milman- I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, Baby

Sophie Milman (Linus)

Dave Van Ronk- As Time Goes By

Sweet & Lowdown (Justin Time)

Tony Bennett- Play It Again, Sam

I’ve Gotta Be Me (Columbia)

Tony Bennett- Blues in the Night

Playin’ with My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues (RPM/Columbia)

Catherine Russell- I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart

Bring It Back (Jazz Village)

Steve Howell, Dan Sumner & Jason Weinheimer- Do Nothing ‘til You Hear From Me

Long Ago (Out of the Past)

Tony Bennett & K.D. Lang- Keep the Faith Baby

Playin’ with My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues (RPM/Columbia)

Tony Bennett & The Count Basie Orchestra- Are You Having Any Fun

Strike Up the Band (Roulette)

Next week: Remembering Robbie Robertson (1943-2023). 

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – Tuesday May 2, 2023: Stompin’ at the Savoy

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

CKCU can be heard live at 93.1 FM in Ottawa and https://www.ckcufm.com/ on the web. 

This episode of Stranger Songs was recorded and can already be streamed on-demand by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/60257.html

Theme: Stompin’ at the Savoy.

The Savoy Ballroom in the Harlem section of New York City was a major music venue from 1926 until 1958, and in the liner notes to Savoy by Taj Mahal, Holger Peterson notes that 13 of the 14 songs on the album would likely have been heard at the Savoy during its long run. And that’s what gave me the idea for this theme. All the songs on this show were performed during that period and might well have been heard at the Savoy at some point.

Taj Mahal- Stompin’ at the Savoy

Savoy (Stony Plain)

Ella Fitzgerald with The Chick Webb Orchestra- A-Tisket, A-Tasket

Swingsation (Verve)

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy- Diga Diga Do

Rattle Them Bones (Savoy Jazz)

Howard Armstrong- Lady Be Good

Louie Bluie (Blue Suit)

Samoa Wilson with The Jim Kweskin Band- He Ain’t Got Rhythm

I Just Want to Be Horizontal (Kingswood)

Taj Mahal- Baby Won’t You Please Come Home

Savoy (Stony Plain)

Catherine Russell & Mike Regenstreif (2007)

Catherine Russell- Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby?

Alone Together (Dot Time)

Taj Mahal- Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me

Savoy (Stony Plain)

Barney Bigard & Orchestra- C Jam Blues

The Great Ellington Units (BMG)

Ella Fitzgerald with The Duke Ellington Orchestra- I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook (Verve)

Jackie Washington & Mike Regenstreif (2008)

Jackie Washington- Take the “A” Train

Keeping Out of Mischief (Pyramid)

Nina Simone- Mood Indigo

Let It All Out (Liberty)

Taj Mahal- Caldonia

Savoy (Stony Plain)

Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown- Salt Pork, West Virginia

Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Sings Louis Jordan (Black & Blue)

Asleep at the Wheel- Choo Ch’Boogie

Having a Party: Live (Goldenlane)

Louis Jordan- Let the Good Times Roll

Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five (JSP)

Taj Mahal- Sweet Georgia Brown

Savoy (Stony Plain)

Dave Van Ronk- Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You

Hummin’ to Myself (Gazell)

Oscar Brown, Jr.- One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)

The Voice of Cool (Not Now Music)

Count Basie & His Orchestra- Jumpin’ at the Woodside

The Count Basie Story, Vol. 1 (Columbia)

Cab Calloway- Minnie the Moocher

Are You Hep to the Jive? (Columbia/Legacy)

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong- Stompin’ at the Savoy

Ella and Louis Again (Verve)

Next week: Remembering Harry Belafonte (1927-2023).

Find me on Facebook. facebook.com/mikeregenstreif

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – Tuesday April 18, 2023: The Philosophy of Modern Song, Part 1

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

CKCU can be heard live at 93.1 FM in Ottawa and https://www.ckcufm.com/ on the web. 

This episode of Stranger Songs was recorded and can already be streamed on-demand by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/60086.html

Theme: The Philosophy of Modern Song, Part 1.

Bob Dylan wrote about each of the songs on this show in his book, The Philosophy of Modern Song. Except where noted, these tracks are the versions of the songs that Dylan cites.

Bobby Bare- Detroit City

The Best of Bobby Bare (Razor & Tie)

Elvis Costello- Pump It Up

This Year’s Model (Radar)

Dylan cites Webb Pierce’s version of “There Stands the Glass.”

Ted Hawkins- There Stands the Glass 

The Next Hundred Years (Geffen)

Billy Joe Shaver- Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me

Old Five and Dimers Like Me (Monument)

Little Richard- Tutti Frutti

18 Greatest Hits (Rhino)

Elvis Presley- Money Honey

Elvis Presley (RCA)

The Who- My Generation

The Who Sings My Generation (Decca)

Dylan cites Harry McClintock’s 1928 version of “Jesse James.”

Bruce Springsteen- Jesse James

We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (Columbia)

Dylan cites Ricky Nelson’s 1958 version of “Poor Little Fool.” This is a later live version.

Rick Nelson- Poor Little Fool

A Night to Remember (True North)

Dylan cites Perry Como’s version of “Without a Song.”

The Righteous Brothers- Without a Song

Greatest Hits (Verve)

Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson- Pancho and Lefty

Pancho & Lefty (Epic)

Jackson Browne- The Pretender

The Pretender (Elektra)

Bobby Darin- Mack the Knife

That’s All (Atco)

Dylan cites Bing Crosby’s version of “The Whiffenpoof Song.”

Art Neville- The Whiffenpoof Song

Let New Orleans Rock (Blues Interactions)

Dylan cites Cher’s 1971 version of “Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves.” This is a later live version.

Cher- Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves

Live in Concert (HBO)

Dylan cites Rosemary Clooney’s version of “Come On-A My House.”

Kay Starr- Come On-A My House

Come On-A My House – single (Capitol)

Eddy Arnold- You Don’t Know Me

You Don’t Know Me – single (RCA)

Johnnie & Jack- Poison Love

Poison Love – single (RCA)

Alvin Youngblood Hart- Nelly was a Lady

Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster (American Roots Publishing)

Dylan cites Johnnie Ray’s version of “The Little White Cloud That Cried.”

Jackie Washington- The Little White Cloud That Cried

The World of Jackie Washington (Borealis)

Ray Charles- I Got a Woman

The Birth of Soul (Atlantic)

The Fugs- CIA Man

The Fugs First Album (Fantasy)

Grateful Dead- Truckin’

American Beauty (Warner Bros.)

Dylan cites Vic Damone’s version of “On the Street Where You Live.”

Pat Guadango- On the Street Where You Live

1964 (Campbell Music)

Next week: Willie Nelson at 90.

Find me on Facebook. facebook.com/mikeregenstreif

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – Tuesday January 31, 2023: Songs I’ve Heard Leon Redbone Sing

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

CKCU can be heard live at 93.1 FM in Ottawa and https://www.ckcufm.com/ on the web.

This episode of Stranger Songs was recorded and can already be streamed on-demand by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/59153.html

Theme: Songs I’ve Heard Leon Redbone Sing.

Leon Redbone, who died in 2019 at age 69, was a mysterious figure who played meticulous arrangements of old blues, jazz and Tin Pan Alley songs. 

Leon Redbone- Sweet Mama Papa’s Gettin’ Mad

Live_The Olympia Theater, Paris, France (Rounder)

The Hot Sardines- Lulu’s Back in Town

Welcome Home, Bon Voyage (Eleven)

Jeff Healey- Some of These Days

The Best of the Stony Plain Years: Vintage Jazz, Swing and Blues (Stony Plain)

Guy Van Duser & Billy Novick- My Blue Heaven

Exactly Like Us (Rounder)

Dawn Tyler Watson & Paul Deslauriers- Shine On Harvest Moon

En Duo (Justin Time)

Leon Redbone- Champagne Charlie

Champagne Charlie (Warner Bros.)

Ry Cooder- Big Bad Bill is Sweet William Now

Jazz (Warner Bros.)

Leon Redbone- Marie

On the Track (Warner Bros.)

The Whiteley Brothers- Crazy Blues

Bluesology (Pyramid)

Mose Scarlett- Somebody Stole My Gal

Precious Seconds (Borealis)

Hotcha!- My Walkin’ Stick

Dust Bowl Roots: Songs for the New Depression (Hotcha!)

Paul Geremia- Nobody’s Sweetheart Now

Gamblin’ Woman Blues (Red House)

Leon Redbone- Louisiana Fairy Tale

Any Time (Rounder)

Mary Coughlan- Seduced

Tired & Emotional (EastWest)

Martha Seyler & Robert Resnik- Your Cheatin’ Heart

Martha Sings & Robert Plays (Martha Seyler & Robert Resnik)

Sneezy Waters, Ken Whiteley, Jackie Washington & Mike Regenstreif (2008)

Sneezy Waters- Lovesick Blues

Sneezy Waters Sings Hank Williams (Borealis)

Jackie Washington with Mose Scarlett & Ken Whiteley- I Ain’t Got Nobody

Sitting on a Rainbow (Borealis)

Leon Redbone- Ghost of the St. Louis Blues

Sugar (Rounder)

Patti Casey with Paul Asbell- Ain’t Misbehavin’

Just an Old Sweet Song (Long Shot Music)

Dave Van Ronk- Your Feets Too Big

Sweet & Lowdown (Justin Time)

Andy Cohen- Step It Up and Go

Tryin’ to Get Home (Earwig)

Roberta Donnay & The Prohibition Mob Band- When I Take My Sugar to Tea

Bathtub Gin (Motema)

Leon Redbone- Alabama Jubilee

Champagne Charlie (Warner Bros.)

Missy Burgess & Michael Burgess- When You Wish Upon a Star

Pour Me a Song (Patio)

Duke Robillard & Kelley Hunt- Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone

Duke Robillard and his Dames of Rhythm (M.C.)

Leon Redbone- Polly Wolly Doodle

On the Track (Warner Bros.)

Next week: Songs Mississippi John Hurt Sang for the Library of Congress in 1963.

Find me on Facebook. facebook.com/mikeregenstreif

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – Tuesday November 8, 2022: Addendums to Past Themes

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

CKCU can be heard live at 93.1 FM in Ottawa and https://www.ckcufm.com/ on the web.

This episode of Stranger Songs was prerecorded and can already be streamed on-demand by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/58241.html

Theme: Addendums to Past Themes.

More often than not, when I choose a theme for Stranger Songs, there are more possible songs to choose from than I can include – and sometimes new music that fits the theme arrives after the show has been produced. So, I’ve chosen a few of the themes from the past year for addendums.

This show airs during CKCU’s Annual Funding Drive for 2022. Please visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/75976 to make your charitable donation to help us continue bringing you creative, volunteer-programmed, listener-supported community radio for another year.

Jennifer Warnes- Ain’t No Cure for Love

Famous Blue Raincoat: The Songs of Leonard Cohen – 20th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory)

Perla Batalla- If It Be Your Will

Bird on the Wire: The Songs of Leonard Cohen (Mechuda Music)

Leonard Cohen- The Guests

Recent Songs (Columbia)

David Francey- Moon Over Melbourne

The Broken Heart of Everything (Laker Music)

Caitlin Hanford- When I’ve Got the Moon

Bluer Skies (Denon)

Garnet Rogers- Under the Summer’s Moonlight

Sparrow’s Wing (Snow Goose Songs)

Pat Wictor- Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)

Flare (Risky Disc)

Bob Dylan with Happy Traum- You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere

Sidetracks (Columbia/Legacy)

Happy Traum- Farewell

There’s a Bright Side Somewhere (Lark’s Nest Music)

Sarah Cade- Dear Pasha

Dear Pasha – single (Sarah Cade)

Artists for Action- Which Side Are You On? *

Which Side Are You On? – single (Figs D Music)

*The Artists for Action singers and musicians are, in alphabetical order, Black Umfolosi, Ray Bonneville, Bruce Cockburn, Chris Corrigan, Guy Davis, Ani DiFranco, Maria Dunn, Adam Hill, Bob Jensen, James Keelaghan, Richard Knox, Lucy MacNeil, Tony McManus, Moulettes, Oysterband, Richard Perso, Heather Rankin, Martin Simpson, and Jon Weaver.

Jackie Washington & Mike Regenstreif (2008)

Jackie Washington- Blue Turning Grey Over You

Keeping Out of Mischief (Pyramid)

Fats Waller- I Ain’t Got Nobody

The Joint is Jumpin’ (Bluebird)

The Dumptrucks- Viper’s Drag

Selections (Laughing Cactus)

James Keelaghan- Eulalie

Second-Hand (Borealis)

Mary Black- Lay Down Your Burden

The Holy Ground (Gifthorse)

Mike Regenstreif & Jesse Winchester (2006)

Jesse Winchester- Get It Right One Day

Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches (Appleseed)

Mountain City Four- Jesulein Süss/Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Mountain City Four (Omnivore)

Emmylou Harris & Norah Jones- As Fast as My Feet Can Carry Me

Sing Me the Songs: Celebrating the Works of Kate McGarrigle (Nonesuch)

Kate & Anna McGarrigle- Travellin’ On for Jesus

Tell My Sister: Kate & Anna McGarrigle (Nonesuch)

Next week: The 50th Anniversary of my first concert production.

Find me on Facebook. facebook.com/mikeregenstreif

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – Tuesday February 22, 2022: A Tribute to Fats Waller

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU in Ottawa on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

CKCU can be heard live at 93.1 FM in Ottawa and https://www.ckcufm.com/ on the web.

This episode of Stranger Songs was prerecorded at home and can already be streamed on-demand by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/55286.html

Theme: A Tribute to Fats Waller

Thomas Wright Waller, better known as Fats Waller, died in 1943 at age 39 after an all-too-brief career as an influential pianist, singer, and composer and as one of the most popular performers of his era. Some of the songs and instrumentals I played on this show were written by Waller, some were not, but all of them were performed and recorded by him at some point or another.

Fats Waller- Ain’t Misbehavin’
Happy Birthday Fats (True North)

Jackie Washington & Mike Regenstreif (2008)

Jackie Washington- The Joint is Jumpin’
The World of Jackie Washington (Borealis)
Jeff Healey- I Wish I Were Twins
Among Friends (Stony Plain)
The Hot Sardines- Keepin’ Out of Mischief Now
Welcome Home, Bon Voyage (Eleven)
Fats Waller- The Minor Drag
The Joint is Jumpin’ (Bluebird)

Scarlett, Washington & Whiteley- Sweet Sue
Sitting on a Rainbow (Borealis)
Martin, Bogan & Armstrong- If You’se a Viper
That Old Gang of Mine/Martin, Bogan & Armstrong (Flying Fish)

Allen Toussaint- Viper’s Drag
American Tunes (Nonesuch)

Fats Waller- When You and I Were Young Maggie
Happy Birthday Fats (True North)
Roberta Donnay & The Prohibition Mob Band- I’ve Got A Feeling I’m Falling
A Little Sugar (Motema)
Michael 'Earnie' Taylor- You’re Not the Only Oyster in the Stew
Folk ‘n’ Western (Laughing Cactus Music)
Maria Muldaur- Squeeze Me
Waitress in a Donut Shop (Reprise)
Leon Redbone- I’m Crazy ‘Bout My Baby
Whistling in the Wind (Rounder)

Dinah Washington- (What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue
Dinah Washington Sings Fats Waller (EmArcy)
Louis Armstrong & Velma Middleton- All That Meat and No Potatoes
Satch Plays Fats (Columbia)
Susie Arioli Swing Band featuring Jordan Officer- Honeysuckle Rose
Pennies from Heaven (Justin Time)
Fats Waller- Blues
The Joint is Jumpin’ (Bluebird)

Catherine Russell & Mike Regenstreif (2007)

Mose Scarlett- Lulu’s Back in Town
Precious Seconds (Borealis)
Catherine Russell- Everybody Loves My Baby
Strictly Romancin’ (World Village)
Dave Van Ronk- Your Feet’s Too Big
Sweet & Lowdown (Justin Time)
Fats Waller- After You’ve Gone
Happy Birthday Fats (True North)
Time Sparks- The Alligator Crawl
Sidewalk Blues (ToneWood)

Jack Radcliffe & Al Oliveira- S’posin’
Two Hot to Handle (Wepecket Island)
Fats Waller- You’re Slightly Less Than Wonderful
Happy Birthday Fats (True North)
Loudon Wainwright III with Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks- Ain’t Misbehavin’
I’d Rather Lead a Band (Search Party)

Fats Waller- Yacht Club Swing
The Joint is Jumpin’ (Bluebird)

Next week: A musical visit to New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day, Volume 2.

Find me on Facebook. facebook.com/mikeregenstreif

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – Tuesday October 19, 2021: Eating Songs

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU in Ottawa on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

CKCU can be heard live at 93.1 FM in Ottawa and https://www.ckcufm.com/ on the web.

This episode of Stranger Songs was prerecorded at home and can already be streamed on-demand by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/53829.html

Theme: Eating Songs

Le Chat Mort- Mama’s Got a Baby
Roses (Le Chat Mort)

Steve Goodman- Chicken Cordon Bleus
Somebody Else’s Troubles (Sequel)
Papa John Kolstad with Wildman Mike Turk- Beans Taste Fine
Beans Taste Fine (Wampus Cat)
Christine Lavin- Cold Pizza for Breakfast Redux
Cold Pizza for Breakfast (Yellow Tail)
Bowser & Blue- The Night They Invented Poutine
Crackpots (You Guys Publishing)

Robert Resnik & Mike Regenstreif (2019)

Christine Lavin- Peanut Butter Soup
Spaghettification (Christine Lavin)
Chris Rawlings- Soupe du Jour
Pearl Soup (Cooking Fat Music)
Allan Sherman- Strange Things in My Soup
Togetherness (Warner Bros.)
Robert Resnik & Gigi Weisman- Home Grown Tomatoes
Sweet Potatoes and Home Grown Tomatoes (Fletcher Free Library)

Ronny Cox- Hot Water Cornbread
Live at the Kitchen Sink (Ronny Cox)

Shelley Posen- Finders, Kippers
Menorah: Songs from a Jewish Life (Well Done Music)
Slim Gaillard & His Flat Foot Floogie Boys- Matzoh Balls
From Avenue A to the Great White Way: Yiddish & American Popular Songs from 1914-1950 (Columbia/Legacy)
Mickey Katz- Come-On-A-My House
Strictly Kosher: The Singles Collection 1950-1962 (Jasmine)
The Klezmer Conservatory Band- Dos Geshrey Fun Der Vilder Katshke
Live! The Thirteenth Anniversary Album (Rounder)
Shelley Posen- So How Come You Don’t Have Tongue?
Manna (Well Done Music)

Mike Regenstreif & David Amram (2017)

Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee- Cornbread, Peas and Black Molasses
London, 1958 (Jasmine)
Victor Anthony- Chittlin’ Cookin’ Time in Cheatham County
Those Nashville Blues (Victor Anthony)
David Amram- Louisiana Crawfish Etouffee
Southern Stories (Chrome)
Susan Werner- The Night I Ate New Orleans
NOLA: Susan Werner Goes to New Orleans (Sleeve Dog)

Colin Linden- Ain’t That Gravy Good
The World of Jackie Washington (Borealis)
Jackie Washington- Save the Bones for Henry Jones
Midnight Choo Choo (Borealis)
Josh White, Jr..- One Meatball
Live at the Raven Gallery (Silverwolf)

Jamie Anderson- Ice Cream
The Truth Appears (Tsunami)
Roberta Donnay & the Prohibition Mob Band- Kitchen Man
Bathtub Gin (Motema)
Tom Russell & Barrence Whitfield- The Cuban Sandwich
Wounded Heart of America (HighTone)

Chris Rawlings & Mike Regenstreif (2007)

Chris Rawlings & Anne Lederman- An Apple a Day
A Whistle, a Tune, a Song and a Dance (Cooking Fat Music)
Little Richard- I Got It
Rocks (Bear Family)
Dawn Tyler Watson- Smoked Meat
Jawbreaker (Dawn Tyler Watson)

The Confabulation- Late for Lunch
Tunnels and Visions (Woodhead Music)

Next week: Songs of Randy Newman

Find me on Twitter. www.twitter.com/mikeregenstreif

And on Facebook. facebook.com/mikeregenstreif

--Mike Regenstreif