Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – July 15, 2025: Blues in the Night

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/595/71087.html

Theme: Blues in the Night – all the songs have something or other to do with nighttime.

Eva Cassidy- Blues in the Night

Eva By Heart (Blix Street)

Dr. John- Such a Night

The Atco/Atlantic Singles 1968-1972 (Omnivore)

Judy Henske- Every Night When the Sun Goes In

The Elektra Albums: Judy Henske (Ace)

Stephen Barry Band- Every Night About This Time

Bluesville (Bros)

Michael Jerome Browne- Black Nights

That’s Where It’s At! (Borealis)

Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis- Night Life

Two Men with the Blues (Blue Note)

Tom Northcott- Night in the City

Sunny Goodge Street: The Warner Bros. Recordings (Wounded Bird)

Kim Wallach- Dark and Rainy Night

Chatter of the Finches (Black Socks Press)

Joni Mitchell- Rainy Night House

Ladies of the Canyon (Reprise)

Leonard Cohen- The Night of Santiago

Thanks for the Dance (Columbia/Legacy)

ES:MO (Elizabeth Shephers & Michael Occhipinti)- Night Comes On

The Weight of Hope (ES:MO)

Eliza Gilkyson- Dark Night of the Soul

Dark Ages (Realiza)

Susie Burke & David Surette- A Healing In This Night

Sometimes In the Evening (Madrina Music)

Anne Hills- Acquainted with the Night

Accidental August (Hand & Heart Music)

Ana Egge- Stay the Night

Is It the Kiss (StorySound)

Kerri Powers- Train in the Night

Kerri Powers (Kerri Powers)

David Amram- Subway Night

Subway Night (RCA)

Montreal- A Summer’s Night

A Summer’s Night (Stormy Forest)

Bill Morrissey- Summer Night

Standing Eight (Philo)

Tom Russell- The Night the Chinese Restaurant Burned Down

Play One More: The Songs of Ian & Sylvia (True North)

Mel Tormé- Blues in the Night

Tormé (Verve)

Next week: Flood Water.

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – February 13, 2024: A Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton on Mardi Gras Day

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/595/63877.html

Theme: A Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton (1890-1941) on Mardi Gras Day.

Jelly Roll Morton, whose birth name was Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, was a pianist, singer, songwriter and bandleader from New Orleans who was steeped in traditional music and was one of the first important composers in jazz. Morton died in 1941 at age 50 from respiratory problems related to a stabbing in 1938 from which he never fully recovered. Morton claimed to have singlehandedly invented jazz in 1902, a claim that few music historians accept, despite his immense contributions to the early development of jazz. Some of the songs on this show were written by Jelly Roll Morton, all were from his vast repertoire.

Jelly Roll Morton- Original Jelly Roll Blues

Birth of the Hot (Bluebird)

Dave Van Ronk- Mamie’s Blues

Sunday Street (Philo)

Dr. John- Milneburg Joys

Goin’ Back to New Orleans (Warner Bros.)

Leon Redbone- Winin’ Boy Blues

Double Time (Warner Bros.)

Jelly Roll Morton- Mr. Jelly Lord

The Library of Congress Recordings, Volume 2: Anamule Dance (Rounder)

Paul Geremia- Dr. Jazz

Love My Stuff (Red House)

Billy Novick’s Blue Syncopators- Wild Man Blues

Music from The Great Gatsby (Billy Novick)

Jelly Roll Morton- Shake It

Last Sessions: The Complete General Recordings (Commodore)

Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women- Sweet Substitute

Old, New, Borrowed & Blue (Alligator)

Dave Van Ronk- The Pearls

Sunday Street (Philo)

Amos Garrett- Michigan Water Blues

Acoustic Album (Stony Plain)

Dr. John & Danny Barker- I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say

Goin’ Back to New Orleans (Warner Bros.)

Andrew Homzy Ensemble- Black Bottom Stomp

Hommage to Jelly Roll Morton (DSM)

Jelly Roll Morton- New Orleans Bump

Great Original Performances 1926-1934 (BBC)

Hot Tuna- Don’t You Leave Me Here

Hot Tuna (RCA)

Guy Van Duser & Billy Novick- Wolverine Blues

Every Little Moment (Daring)

Wynton Marsalis & Catherine Russell- Make Me a Pallet on the Floor

Bolden: Music from the Original Soundtrack (Blue Engine)

Julian Fauth- Tricks Ain’t Walking

The Weak and the Wicked, the Hard and the Strong (Electro-Fi)

Jelly Roll Morton- Dirty, Dirty, Dirty

Last Sessions: The Complete General Recordings (Commodore)

Jelly Roll Morton- The Murder Ballad, part 7: Goodbye to the World, I Know I’m Gone

The Library of Congress Recordings, Volume 3: The Pearls (Rounder)

Henry Butler & Steven Bernstein- King Porter Stomp

Viper’s Drag (Impulse)

Dirty Dozen Brass Band- Kansas City Stomp

Jelly (Columbia)

Next week: Songs of Chuck Berry.

--Mike Regenstreif

 

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – Tuesday September 28, 2021: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong

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/595/53586.html

Theme: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong (1901-1971)

All the songs on this show were recorded by Louis Armstrong sometime between 1926 and 1968.

Louis Armstrong (circa 1930)

Louis Armstrong- Where the Blues Were Born in New Orleans
Memories of New Orleans (Saga Jazz)

Jackie Washington & Mike Regenstreif (2008)

Jackie Washington- All of Me
The World of Jackie Washington (Borealis)
Samoa Wilson with The Jim Kweskin Band- After You’ve Gone
I Just Want to Be Horizontal (Kingswood)
Hotcha!- Ol’ Man Mose
Dust Bowl Roots: Songs for the New Depression (Hotcha!)
Durham County Poets- St. James Infirmary
Hand Me Down Blues (Durham County Poets)
Louis Armstrong & Edmond Hall- My Bucket’s Got a Hole In It
The Great Chicago Concert 1956 (Columbia/Legacy)

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy- Struttin’ With Some Barbecue
Louie Louie Louie (Savoy Jazz)

Eartha Kitt with Shorty Rogers & His Giants- Hesitating Blues
St. Louis Blues (RCA)
Nat King Cole- Yellow Dog Blues
St. Louis Blues (Capitol)
Louis Armstrong & Velma Middleton- Loveless Love
Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy (Columbia/Legacy)

Catherine Russell & Mike Regenstreif (2007)

Catherine Russell- Back O’ Town Blues
Cat (World Village)
Mose Scarlett- Sweet Georgia Brown
The Fundamental Things (Pyramid)
Billy Novick’s Blue SyncopatorsS- Wild Man Blues
Music from The Great Gatsby (Billy Novick)
Roberta Donnay & The Prohibition Mob Band- I’m a Ding Dong Daddy (from Dumas)
My Heart Belongs to Satchmo (Blujazz)
Louis Armstrong & Trummy Young- Now You Has Jazz
Armstrong Comes Alive (Jazz2Jazz)

Mike Regenstreif & Loudon Wainwright III (2015)

Loudon Wainwright III with Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks- You Rascal You
I’d Rather Lead a Band (Search Party)
Wynton Marsalis- Tiger Rag
Bolden: Music from the Original Soundtrack (Blue Engine)
Kermit Ruffins- When It’s Sleepy Time Down South
We Partyin’ Traditional Style! (Basin Street)
Louis Armstrong- Down By the Riverside
Louis and the Good Book (Verve)

Dave Van Ronk- Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans
Hummin’ to Myself (Gazell)
Priscilla Herdman- What a Wonderful World
Daydreamer (Music for Little People)
Louis Armstrong- When the Saints Go Marching In
The Great Chicago Concert 1956 (Columbia/Legacy)

Louis Armstrong- Dr. Jazz
Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jellyroll (Audio Fidelity)

Next week: Songs of Autumn

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

And on Facebook. facebook.com/mikeregenstreif

--Mike Regenstreif

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – Tuesday February 16, 2021

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 – Episode #2 – was prerecorded at home and can already be streamed on-demand by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/50868.html

Today’s show falls on Mardi Gras day – on what is undoubtably the quietest Mardi Gras day in New Orleans history – so this edition of Stranger Songs features music from or inspired by New Orleans – including some specifically Mardi Gras songs.

Leonard Cohen- fragment of The Stranger Song
Songs of Leonard Cohen (Columbia/Legacy)
Fats Domino- Walking to New Orleans
Fats Rocks (Bear Family)

Professor Longhair- Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Big Chief (Tomato)
Michael Doucet- Walking on a Mardi Gras Day
Lâcher Prise (Compass)
Dr. John & The WDR Big Band- My Indian Red
Big Band Voodoo (Orange Music)
Neville Brothers- Brother John/Iko Iko
Fiyo on the Bayou (A&M)

Marc Nerenberg- On the Street Again
On the Street Again (Marc Nerenberg)
Chris Rawlings- Pshaw
Pearl Soup (Cooking Fat Music)

Mike Regenstreif at Preservation Hall, New Orleans, LA.

Jelly Roll Morton- Buddy Bolden’s Blues (I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say)
Last Sessions: The Complete General Recordings (GRP)
Wynton Marsalis with Catherine Russell- Buddy’s Horn
Bolden: Music from the Original Soundtrack (Blue Engine)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band- Mama Don’t Allow It
Because of You (Sony)

Danny Marks- Heading Down to New Orleans
Cities in Blue (Danny Marks)
David Roe- Just a Little While to Stay Here
Angel of New Orleans (David Roe)

Susan Werner- What He Said in Jackson Square
NOLA: Susan Werner Goes to New Orleans (Sleeve Dog)
Danny Barker- St. James Infirmary
Save the Bones (Orleans)
Odetta- New Orleans (House of the Rising Sun/When I was a Young Girl)
Lookin’ for a Home: Thanks to Leadbelly (M.C.)

Louis Armstrong- Basin Street Blues
New Orleans Nights (Ace of Hearts)
Louis Prima- Bourbon Street Blues
Rocks (Bear Family)
Ida Cox & Coleman Hawkins- Blues for Rampart Street
Blues for Rampart Street (Riverside)
Jon Cleary- Frenchmen Street Blues
Treme: Music from the HBO Series Second Season (Rounder)

Tom Waits- I Wish I was in New Orleans
Small Change (Asylum)
Kermit Ruffins- When the Saints Go Marching In
We Partyin’ Traditional Style (Basin Street)

Dr. Michael White- Take Me to the Mardi Gras
Adventures in New Orleans Jazz Part 1 (Basin Street)

Next week – Chanteys and other songs of the sea.

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

And on Facebook. facebook.com/mikeregenstreif

--Mike Regenstreif

Natalie Merchant -- Leave Your Sleep

NATALIE MERCHANT
Leave Your Sleep
Nonesuch
nataliemerchant.com

Leave Your Sleep, the new album by Natalie Merchant – 26 exquisite songs on two CDs with an 80-page, hardcover book – is a stunning achievement.

Merchant is a successful pop singer – both as a soloist and with 10,000 Maniacs – whose last album of new recordings was The House Carpenter’s Daughter, a fine collection of traditional and contemporary folksongs released seven years ago. Since then, Merchant took time off to have and raise a daughter.

Over the years that Merchant has been raising her child she has been finding poems by various British and American poets from the 19th and 20th centuries, setting the poems to music and researching the lives of the poets (she writes about each of them in the album’s book – which also includes the lyrics).

In composing the music for these poems, Merchant used a broad palette of musical styles, from Appalachian folk to blues, reggae, klezmer, New Orleans jazz, classical, Chinese and Native American music and employed a cast of 130 musicians and singers to help her realize the arrangements. Although the musical styles, arrangements and number of collaborators vary greatly from song to song, the album flows with a seamlessness seemingly borne from Merchant alone.

There is much to admire, if not love, on almost every one of the 26 songs but among my very favourites is “The Dancing Bear,” a poem by Albert Bigelow Paine, a close friend of Mark Twain’s that features the Klezmatics in a klezmer arrangement that’s both plaintive and playful. Another is “The Janitor’s Boy,” a sassy New Orleans jazz setting – featuring a band fronted by Wynton Marsalis – of a poem by Nathalia Crane published in 1924 when the child prodigy poet was all of 11 years old. Another is “Adventures of Isabel,” an Ogden Nash poem, which has a back porch folk feel courtesy of such musicians as Judy Hyman and Richie Stearns of the Horse Flies. And yet another is the blues arrangement of “The Peppery Man,” Arthur Macy’s portrait of a sour, antisocial contrarian that features some amazing vocals by the Fairfield Four.

Truth be told, I could rave on about every poem that Merchant has crafted into a song for this album. Kudos to Natalie Merchant for the conception of this ambitious, grand project – and for realizing it so brilliantly.

We’re just a third of the way through 2010 and I’m sure there will be more worthy releases, but Leave Your Sleep is an early candidate for my album of the year.

--Mike Regenstreif

Willie Nelson -- Country Music

WILLIE NELSON
Country Music
Rounder
willienelson.com

Willie Nelson, who turns 77 on Friday, has got to be one of the most prolific of all recording artists. He’s rooted in the Texas country tradition, but, like Ray Charles, he’s a genre-crosser who’s made compelling music in all sorts of styles. I have no idea how many albums he’s made over the years, but I’ve got more than 30 Willie Nelson keepers sitting on my shelves. (To be honest, there have also been some that haven’t made it on to my keeper shelves.)

In recent years, Nelson has released several excellent albums including Two Men with the Blues, a classy set of jazz and blues with Wynton Marsalis and his band, and Willie and the Wheel, a great western swing album with Asleep At the Wheel.

Add Country Music, recorded with a drummerless collection of A-list musicians assembled by producer T-Bone Burnett – and including Folk Roots/Folk Branches guest Riley Baugus on clawhammer banjo and Buddy Miller on electric guitar – to Nelson's list of fine recent albums. This one rooted, as the album title implies, in traditional country music. Most of the songs are bona fide classics.

The album opens “Man with the Blues,” the only Nelson original, an old-school honky tonk tune like the kind of songs Nelson was probably singing back in the 1950s, and closes with a deep-from-the-well arrangement of “Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” an African American gospel tune that's given a haunting arrangement featuring Nelson stalwart Mickey Raphael on bass harmonica, Dennis Crouch’s heartbeat bass playing and some eerie guitar interplay between Nelson on gut string acoustic and Miller on electric.

One of my favourite tracks is an exciting rendition of f the Delmore Brothers’ “Freight Train Boogie” which, like Doc Watson’s version, you can’t help but feel the train boogieing down the tracks.

Other highlights include Merle Travis’ coalmining classic, “Dark as a Dungeon,” the tongue-in-cheek “Pistol Packin’ Mama,” and a sweet version of Hank Williams’ “House of Gold” that seems like a traditional folksong.

--Mike Regenstreif