December 23, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191223

13 tracks played. What did we get? Some Christmas crazy, jazz-metal (or is it metal-jazz), and lots Canadian stuff. Plus Klang! (I always liked that band name).  If I could only recommend listening to one BTT podcast from 2019, this show might be the one.

I’m not going to have an end-of-year or best-of-2019 show on Dec. 30. However, I will talk a bit about the holidays, the new year, and the like. And there’ll be good music, as always. I think I’ll start with something long. Join me at 10 am MT on Monday, December 30; go to 90.9 FM or cjsw.com

Thanks!

Andrew

December 16, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191216

Whereas the Dec. 9 program was on the mellower side of things (and newer), this week ended up ended up all over the map with a lean to "out there" pieces.  In addition, I actually played some fairly old stuff e.g. Archie Shepp's version of Coltrane's "Naima", which was recorded in 1964. Fave track this week: Matthew Shipp's cover of "Summertime", with strings. As I said on air, take that, Great American Songbook!

Next show: Being two days before Christmas, I guess this will be the BTT Christmas episode.  With that in mind, I may play a couple of Xmas-related items. Tune in on Monday, December 23, from 10-11 am MT, at 90.9 FM or cjsw.com

Thanks!

Andrew

PS Shepp and Shipp!

December 9, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191209

I didn't really plan it this way but this show ended up being a somewhat mellow, kinda cosmic affair (a listener who texted the booth called it "soothing"; never had that adjective before!). It also definitely had a recent slant to it; I think the oldest piece of music I played came from 2017, maybe 2016.  Nothing wrong with any of this, of course.  Maybe I'll switch it up next week... or not 😀

Next's week's program will be on Monday, January 16, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.

Thanks!

Andrew

December 2, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191202

And December begins, with a BTT episode featuring a fair number of tracks (11), mostly new (the oldest piece, "Lele's tune part 2" by Tara Davidson, comes from 2014), and mostly Canadian.  Top band name: The Plastic Waste Band, which is definitely a play on "waistband" and is probably a play on The Plastic Ono Band.

The next show will probably somewhat akin to this one (but we'll see!). Find out on Monday, December 9, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com. Thanks!

Thanks.

Andrew

November 25

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191125

Another all-over-the-place show, music-wise, plus I managed to smuggle in some Dead (a "Dark star" snippet from the 2019 vault live release, Saint of circumstance). And I played 11 jazz(ish) songs in one hour (normally, it's about nine).  And that's it 😀

Next show, the first in December: Monday, December 2, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.

Thanks!

Andrew

November 11, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191111

I almost forgot to post about the Nov. 11 program! It was good, a little more out there than the previous week.  Fave track" "Deserted cities of the heart" (maybe my top Cream tune) by Jack Bruce and a big band. And I played some Coltrane!

I also can't forget to talk about the recent fantastic CJSW funding drive.  Last I heard, donations to the station totalled $237,000 (nicely over the goal!) and Breaking The Tethers Brought in a total of $290.  Many thanks to everyone who pledged on my program:

Dave
Kat
Steven
Robert
Jonathan
Joanna
Shamim
Thomas

Many thanks also to those who pledged on other CJSW shows!  As they say, it's all good!

Andrew

November 18, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191118/

Boy, this one was all over the musical map.  And a good thing too! Fave tracks. this week: "The seven planetary heavens" by The Comet Is Coming (hadn't heard them before but I dug what I heard!) and "Ivan" by the Mats/Morgan Band (the cover for the album this comes from, Thanks for flying with us, features the band members dressed as airplane pilots; one of the members is blind 😆).

Next show: Monday, November 25 (last program in November), 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com. Hang with me if you can!

Thanks.

Andrew

November 4, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191104

An interesting show this week, I think.  There was nothing played that wasn't released in 2010 or later. I didn't plan this to be an "almost-all-new" program but it's the way it turned out. This was also a mellower-than-usual show; nothing wrong with that but I think I'll need to throw in a freak-out or two next week :-)

Speaking of next week, there will be a BTT episode on Rememberance Day. Tune in on Nov. 11, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com,

Thanks.

Andrew

October 28, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191028

This was the first Breaking The Tethers show after the annual CJSW funding drive so it was back to the usual mix of tunes; different styles, from  different times.  Maybe my fave tune/guilty pleasure was the cheesy indo-jazz-pop version of the Byrd's "Lady friend" by Bill Plummer and the Cosmic Brotherhood.

Speaking of the funding drive, last I heard, the count of money pledged is just over $230,000.  This is excellent. Many thanks to all pledgers.  I'll have more follow-up from the funding drive over the next few weeks.

Speaking of stuff coming up, the next BTT program will be on Monday, November 4, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com (the usual time and place!).  Be sure to tune in then!

Thanks.

Andrew

October 21, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191021

Today's program was the 2019 funding drive show for Breaking The Tethers.  Musically, I played a selection of tunes from the BTT digital mix (a few folks really liked the bagpipes from Mujician's "Part 4").  Monetarily, I pulled in some cash for the station; many thanks to everyone who donated on my show (and on other shows).

As of writing, you can still pledge to the CJSW funding drive.  Go to cjsw.com/donate or call 403-220-5000.

Next week, it's back to a regular Breaking The Tethers episode. For the most part, I'm not sure what I'm going to play; I do know I'm going to feature something from Brian Baggett and from the new Troy Roberts recording.  Join me on Monday, October 31, 10-11 am MT. 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.

Thanks!


Andrew

CJSW Funding Drive 2019 and Breaking The Tethers

The annual CJSW Funding Drive (FD) is almost upon us!  This is an important week (probably the most important week!) for Calgary’s campus and community radio station where we call upon our fine listeners to pledge support to CJSW to help the station grow and develop for the next year.  Here’s the basics about the Drive for 2019:

*The Drive will run from Friday, October 18 at 9 am through Friday, October 25 at 6 pm (all times MT).

*The Breaking The Tethers Funding Drive show will take place on Monday, October 21, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.  Great music will be played, I’ll chat about CJSW and the FD, fun will be had, and money will be raised for the station.

*The theme this year celebrates CJSW as a radio space pioneer: Interstellar Signals: Are You Receiving?

*The website for the FD is cjsw.com/donate

*The Twitter hashtags for the FD are #interstellarsignals and #areyoureceiving.

*The goal for this year is $225,000.

*There will be incentives given as thanks for pledging, at various levels. Check these out at cjsw.com/donate. As always, there’s some cool stuff available!

*There will also be some show-specific incentives.  During the Breaking The Tethers FD program, there will be several jazz CDs up for grabs (get ‘em early; there’s only a handful).  In addition, there will be a special digital-only mix available.  Here’s what’s in the mix:

Mujician – “Part 4”

Gerry Gibbs Thrasher People – “Dance of the freedom people”

Chilly Gonzalez – “Blizzard in b-flat minor”

Bruce Cockburn – “The Mt. Lefroy Waltz”

Justin Kauflin – “Transition”

Zara McFarlane – “Woman of the olive groves”

Soft Machine – “Out-bloody intro”

Soft Machine – “Out-bloody-rageous, part 1”

Marc Ribot featuring Sam Amidon & Fay Victor – “How to walk in freedom”

Amos Hoffman & Noah Lemish – “Eshal elohay”

Timo Lassy & Teppo Makynen – “Firebrick”

Jeff Snyder/Frederico Ughi – “Good knight”

Resavoir – “Resavoir”

Shirley Crabbe, Michael Arnowitt & ImproVisions Jazz – “Against the wind”

Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez – “Super Mario”

De Lorians – “Roccotsu”

Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters – “Blues for Charlottesville”

These are all great tunes.  Each one has been played on Breaking The Tethers in the past year.

*You can donate online already at cjsw.com/donate. One the Funding Drive officially begins, you can pledge via the website or by calling 403-220-5000. You can also talk with me anytime about the Drive; my email is wallersmooth@gmail.com and my Twitter handle is @01Waller.

That’s it for now!

Many thanks!

Andrew

October 14, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191014

The main feature in this week's Breaking The Tethers show was the live performance by Sound of the Mountain with Japanese improvised music legends Tetuzi Akiyami and Toshimaru Nakamura. Sound of the Mountain were on BTT in 2017 (they were on another CJSW show, Unprocessed, in 2018) and it was great to have them back again (and on Thanksgiving day!) with their special guests. Be sure to check out the recording of their creation.

The 2019 CJSW funding drive begins this Friday, October 18. I'll have a more fulsome posting on Breaking The Tethers and the Drive in the next day or two but I'd like to point out that the next edition of the program will be the Funding Drive edition of BTT for this year.  Good music will be played and fun times will be had!  Date and time: Monday, October 21, 2019, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.  Between now and then, be sure to check out cjsw.com/donate!

Thanks!

Andrew

October 7, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20191007

Welcome to October. The first edition of Breaking The Tethers in this 10th month was definitely a good one, IMHO.  First off, I played some newly-released John Coltrane, the title track from Blue world. I hope forgotten Coltrane tracks keep being unearthed for a long time to come. I also was happy to feature a track in tribute to the recently-departed Ginger Baker, the hard-hitting “The day the sun come out” from the second Ginger Baker Trio album, Falling off the roof. RIP, Ginger.

The next BTT show will be on Monday, October 14, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.  I suspect this episode will be much like the Oct. 7 show (though not the same tunes, of course :-).  Feel free to join me.

Also next week, the 2019 edition of the annual CJSW funding drive (FD) begins on Friday, October 18, running through October 25. The drive is an important time when the station looks to its wonderful listeners for their support and also says thanks for that support. You can pledge already; take a look at  cjsw.com/donate. The Breaking The Tethers FD edition will take place on Monday, October 21, usual time, usual station.  I’ll have more on all of this in more postings soon.

Thanks!

Andrew

September 30, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190930

An all-over-the-map kind of show, with a surprising number of tracks recorded or released in 2011 (I didn't plan this) and three (!) tracks with vocals (have I ever done this before?!).  And I got to play a tune from one of my all-time faves, Forgas Band Phenomena.

The next program will be at the usual time and place. Join me on Monday, October 7, 2019, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.

Andrew

PS I'll whisper it again... CSJW Funding Drive 2019... It's coming soon...

September 23, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190923

Sometimes, in 60 minutes, you can play a couple of long tracks AND still end up having the usual nine songs on the playlist! This is what happened today.   The Keith Jarrett and Horace Silver tunes were long; almost everything else was surprisingly short. One of these days, I'll do a show where everything played is 3 minutes long or less.  I'll be sweaty and beat afterwards!

Also, loads of Can Con played today!

Next show: Monday, September 30 (the end of September! where has this month gone?!), 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.  Please join me then!

Thanks.

Andrew

PS Don't forget!  The annual CJSW funding drive is coming soon... look to October...

September 16, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190916

Not much to say today. This was just a good show, with a fair amount of variation and a lean to what could be called “spiritual jazz”. I also got to play a Lee Morgan tune, something I am always happy to do, a track that I hadn’t heard before last week.

There’ll be more music next week. Join me on Monday, September 23, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.

Thanks.

Andrew

September 9, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190909

All new or material from the last couple of years this week.  I didn't quite plan it this way but that's the way it turned out and I'm good with that.  Everything sounded fine, regardless. 

The surprise of sorts for me this week was the "Basement suite" by Andre Wickenheiser. For some reason, I hadn't planned on playing anything from this fairly new, local release. However, I ended up playing it first in the show and I found I quite liked it; it worked well in the pole position.

Next episode: Monday, September 16, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com. Join me then!

Thanks.

Andrew

PS I'll mention it again... CJSW Funding Drive 2019 is coming!  Next month!  Stay tuned!

September 2, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190902

Here's the Labour Day edition of BTT.  I didn't get political this year but my thoughts are always with the little guy, working hard. And I played some good music, mostly from the past few years (and including a gong workout!). I was also a major butter fingers with the board today and I tripped a bit too much over my tongue. It'll be a cleaner show next week, promise!

On the subject of next week, there'll be another fine show on Monday, September 9, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com. Please hang with me then!

Andrew

August 26, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190826

Alright! I've finally caught up to the latest show. Which, I have to say, was a damn good one. There was CanCon (Choboter, Cockburn, Blake), Ethio-jazz ("Mulatu" by Mulatu Astatke), avant garde stuff (e.g. "Horticultural techniques" by the Telepathic Band), and a mellow end to the proceedings ("Dear John" by Kait Dunton).

Next week’s program will be at the usual time and place (on Labour Day!).  Go to 90.9 FM or cjsw.com on Monday, September 2, 10-11 am MT.  I’ve got a few things lined up for this show already. Should be good!

Finally, a note in your brain: The 2019 CJSW Funding Drive is starting soon!  Keep your eyes on October...

Thanks.

Andrew

August 12, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190812/

I was away in the UK for this show but Paul Brooks very ably filled in for me (his first show in something like a year!).  He did a great job, playing some really interesting material. The podcast is very much worth listening to.

Andrew

August 19, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190819/

I was back on air this week after some time away. This program was almost all newly-released material, with the exception of the show-ending freak-out by the Hamilton Noise Orchestra, which was released in May 2017.

Andrew

August 5, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190805

This was just a good show overall.  While there was plenty of variety, there was a definite lean to jazz-rock, especially from an experimental perspective (e.g. Dylan Ryan/Sand, Thinking Plague). I was also particularly fond of Jack Kilby's jazz version of Radiohead's "Life in a glasshouse" (which was pretty jazzy in the original version). I'm finding I'm increasingly enjoying jazz covers of Radiohead songs, which seem to be fairly common these days.

Andrew

July 29, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190729

Lots of "out there" material in this program.  My fave was Alice Coltrane's "Journey in Satchidananda", recorded live (glad you dug it, Adam!) though I liked it all.  And there was some non-crazed tunes as well; some funky stuff ("Lufunki" by Souljazz Orchestra), a drum workout ("Firebrick" by Lassy and Makynen), and more.

One more show for me and then I'm away for a week.  I'll be on air on Monday, August 5, usual time, usual place.  I'll be off on Monday, August 12; Paul Brooks will be filling in for me (thanks, Paul!) I'll make my return on Monday, August 19.

Andrew

July 22, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190722

Definitely a lean to the crazy this week, featuring "Red, black, & green" by Pharoah Sanders and "Part 4" by Mujician (bagpipes!), among others. It was also cool to play another version of John McLaughlin's "Follow your heart" (which first appeared on McLaughlin's Extrapolation album as "Arjen's bag"). And for those who heard me mess up on air about who else has covered "Follow your heart", I was thinking of Joe Farrell who recorded the tune on Song of the wind, which came out in 1970.

The next edition of Breaking The Tethers, before I'm off air for two weeks, will be next Monday, July 29, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com. Please join me then!

Thanks!

Andrew

July 15, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190715


14 songs! Wow! I haven't done this many in one hour for quite some time.  I think the most recent closest one was 13. Of course, some of today's 14 were quite short (one was 14 seconds) and the others were not on the long side (nothing over 6 min).

Somewhat long story but there ended up being no Breaking The Tethers episode last week; I had a medical procedure (nothing's wrong!)  I'll also be away a couple of Mondays in August, the 5th and 12th. The show on the 12th will feature guest host Paul Brooks (thanks, Paul!).  I'm not sure who will be doing the program on the 5th but I'll let you know as soon as I do.

BTT continues next week, Monday, July 22. Please join me from 10-11 am MT at 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.

Thanks!

Andrew

July 1, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190701

Happy Canada Day!

This was a show in the same style as the last few, focusing on releases from mostly the last few years.  Of course, I included a bunch of Canadian tunes, including the show starter, "Poco" from the new Brad Turner Quartet release.

There'll be a Breaking The Tethers show next Monday, July 1, but I won't be on it.  I'll be having a medical procedure that day so a replacement host will be in for that episode; more on this later.  Otherwise, the program will be on at the usual time, 10-11 am MT, on CJSW, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.

Andrew

June 24, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190624

This edition of Breaking The Tethers was definitely in the same vein as the last few weeks, showcasing mostly new or recent material with a fair amount of Canadian content. Basically, I am somewhat inadvertently working through the backlog of "stuff I wanna play" from the last few years. Not a bad thing that!

One thing I haven't talked about for a long while but that I should mention are requests.  I like them! I'll take them!  You can send them to me via this blog, by texting the CJSW booth when I'm on air, by calling 403-220-3991 when I'm on air, on Twitter (my handle is @01Waller), through Facebook (look me up), or by email (wallersmooth@gmail.com) - take your pick! I can't guarantee that I'll play your request but I'll do my best; at the least, I will consider it :-)

The next BTT show will be on Canada Day, Monday, July 1! Happy almost Canada Day! I don't think I'll do an all-CanCon program but I'll certainly include a fair chunk of music from up here. Join me from 10-11 am MT at 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.

Thanks.

Andrew

June 17, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190617

I seem to be falling into a bit of a pattern with the recent editions of Breaking The Tethers, including this episode.  Here's the recipe: Mostly music from this century if not the last few years + some Canadian stuff + a lean to the avant/unconventional.  Doesn't seem like a bad pattern to me (though it will change at some point, as it always does!)

One more show in June! Join me on Monday, June 24, 10-11 am MT on Calgary's campus and community radio, CJSW, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.

Andrew

June 10, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190610

This show was much like other recent shows, with a fair chunk of new material, nothing too old, and leaning a bit out there.  In terms of release date, there was actually nothing played that wasn't from this century.  Aside from my occasional "all new" programs, I don't think I've done this ever before; there's almost always a tune or two from the last century (I know we're almost 20 years into the 21st century but it still feels a little weird saying that).

This week's fave: "Mama koto" by the Art Ensemble of Chicago, celebrating their 50th anniversary. I particularly dug the synthesizers on this track.

Next BTT: Monday, June 17, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com. Hope you can join me!

Thanks.

Andrew

June 3, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190603

While I may have stretched the definition of jazz a bit with what I played today (what are labels anyway? 😃), I thought this was a particularly good show.  Lots of tracks played (12!) from all over the musical map (though leaning to the out-there side of things a bit), both new(er) and from the past.  I'm aiming to make next week's program along the same lines.

On that note, the June 10 edition of Breaking The Tethers will be at the usual time (10-11 am MT) and usual place (CJSW, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com). Please tune in. It'll be good!

Thanks.

Andrew

May 27, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190527

Mostly new material this week, with 7/9 tunes being 2019 releases (and the other two coming just from the previous few years - time to play something older!). 

My fave tracks on this show were probably the songs that made up the first set. Minor key Azar Lawrence + afrobeat + Pretzel logic-era Steely Dan cover is definitely up my alley.

Join me next week for (likely) a similar kinda show, on Monday June 3 (yes, it's going to be June already!), 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.

Andrew

PS There is still time to complete the CJSW listener survey.  It's available until the end of May.

PPS A few words in your brain: CJSW Funding Drive 2019...

May 20, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190520

Only six tracks played this week but it was all good stuff.  For the most part, I haven't played that many long tunes recently so I made up for that by including two pieces about 15 minutes long each here ("The bride" by the Brotherhood of Breath and "Pegasus" by Wayne Shorter).

Looking at the tracklist on the Breaking The Tethers page on the CJSW site (see above), I noticed that the last two songs, "Lulu's back in town" and "The halfway three", are in the wrong spots.  "Lulu" was the last track played and "The halfway three" was just before it.  Apologies for any confusion.

The next episode of BTT will be Monday, May 27, 10-11 am MT, cjsw.com or 90.9 FM.  I suspect it'll be a similar kinda show to what we had today.

Andrew

May 13, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190513

I am bad.  I forgot to post about the May 13 show.  My apologies.  To be quick, it was a good one.  Lots of tunes played (10!) with plenty of variety.

There you go.  All done 😀

Andrew

May 6, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190506

The big thing this week was a visit Apollo Suns from Winnipeg. On tour supporting their new release, Dawn offerings, they dropped by CJSW to chat and play some tunes, their second time here. The music was fantastic and it was great to chat with Ed and the other members of the band again.
You can hear the performance again by following the link above.

I played a song for the late Linda Cunningham, "The oracle" by Kenny Barron and Dave Holland,  I know she liked this song and the record it came from. I send it to wherever she may be...

Next week, it's back to a regular show.  Join me on Monday, May 13, 2019, on CJSW, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com, 10-11 am MT.

Andrew

April 29, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190429

The first thing I need to do here is to note the recent passing of Linda Cunningham, longtime CJSW volunteer and occasional host and co-host of Breaking The Tethers. Linda filled in for me quite often (as recently as March 25) and we hosted several BTT Christmas and Funding Drive shows together; those two shows this year will be lonely without her.  I got to know Linda over the last few years and I have to say she was quite the character.  She was sick but I thought she'd be around a bit longer. She'll be missed by me, her CJSW family, and many more.

Anyway, this show ended up being another all-new program. I had planned to play some older material from a handful of CDs from home but I left them at home (I've done this before!).  So, I just went with the new stuff at the station. It ended up being a pretty good show, with a large number of tunes played (for a jazz program), a fair amount of Canadian content, etc.

The main event for next week's edition of Breaking The Tethers will be a live performance by Winnipeg's own Apollo Suns!  They were on my show about a year ago and are very kindly returning as they tour behind their new release, Dawn offerings (apollosunswpg.bandcamp.com/).  Tune in for some great live music on Monday, May 6, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.

Thanks!

Andrew

April 22, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190422/

This was the CJSW Listener Appreciation Week (LAW) edition of Breaking The Tethers.  Most CJSW programs present some sort of special show during this week.  I was somewhat stumped about what to do when I thought "let's just go crazy".  And that's what I did.  I went for the all-freak-out show, featuring four wild jazz tracks, beginning with Coltrane's infamous "Om" (apparently recorded on LSD), in it's entirety.  Needless to say, I had fun! Next week's program will be back to the more usual formats; a mix of jazz-type stuff, in some different styles, from some different time periods.

On the subject of Listener Appreciation Week, LAW is still going on, with the last day being Friday, April 26.  There's a patch to pick up, prizes to win, and more! Check it all out here.

Join me soon for the next Breaking The Tethers, on Monday, April 29, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.

Thanks.

Andrew

April 15, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190415

This week's episode ended up being an all-new show.  I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do and I figured, "all new, why not".  I still have quite a backlog of new release material on my "to play" list plus it's been a little while since I did a program like this.  I think it worked out quite well, with a nice mix of music.

CJSW Listener Appreciation Week (LAW) is coming up soon, from April 21-28.  Here's what you can do:

Visit your favourite CJSW show page and claim your very own limited edition patch!

Wear our heart on your sleeve. We're nothing without you, our amazing listeners.

Join the CJSW Radio Squad!

Step 1: Go to cjsw.com
Step 2: Visit the page of your favourite program
Step 3: Claim your FREE patch

For the Breaking The Tethers LAW show, I'll be doing an"all freak-out" special, presenting an hour of way out-there jazz. Suggestions for tracks to play are very welcome.  Join me on Monday, April 222, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.

Andrew

April 8, 2019

http://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190408/

Another all-over-the-map kinda show. Wide and varied music, both old and new. This program was also notable because I played three (!) pieces with vocals (is that a record for BTT?) and I managed to fit 12 songs into the hour of the show; I've played more on occasion but I rarely get beyond eight or nine.

I'm hoping that the next edition of Breaking The Tethers will be just as cool. Join me on Monday, April 15, 10-11 am MT on CJSW, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.

Andrew

April 1, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190401

I was back on air this week after a week's absence (thanks again to Linda Cunningham for filling in last week).  Aside from dealing with the robot takeover of CJSW this morning, all went well. Musically, I thought this was a particularly strong and well-put-together episode, if I may say so myself 😃.

The next BTT show will be at the usual time and place: Monday, April 8, 2019, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.  Please tune in!

Andrew

March 25, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190325/

I couldn't do the show this week so regular guest host Linda Cunningham more than ably filled in and presented her usual great show.  Many thanks to Linda as always!

I will be back on air for the next episode of Breaking The Tethers, which will be on Monday, April 1 (hmm, April Fools Day...), 10-11 am MT, CJSW 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.  Please tune in! All are welcome!

And, of course, Breaking The Tethers is sponsored by the good folks at Citizen Dental Hygiene (citizendh.com)

Andrew

March 18, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190318/

Because I left a bunch of CDs at home 😄, I ended up doing an all-new music show this week, just using songs in the CJSW library.  The main thing about this show was that there was a special interview: Lace Shaw from Citizen Dental Hygiene (CDH), the sponsor of Breaking The Tethers, came into the studio and we chatted about CDH (what it does, programs it offers, etc), flossing and toothpaste, and Lace's work as a drummer (with the band Stripmall). Many thanks to Lace for dropping by!

I won't be around for the next BTT episode, on Monday, March 25.  Linda Cunningham will be filling in and will do her usual fantastic job.  Join Linda from 10-11 am MT at 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.

I'll be back for the Monday, April 1 program (hmm, April Fools day...)

Thanks.

Andrew

March 11, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190311

Only five tracks played this week, largely due to the fact that two of the pieces were fairly long, “Circle in the round” by Miles Davis (a long-time fave of mine; haven’t played it for several years; this was the "short" version) and “The new fact” by Matthew Shipp (another artist I haven’t featured for quite some time).

Lace Shaw from Citizen Dental Hygiene, the sponsor of Breaking The Tethers, was supposed to be  my guest for an interview this week.  It didn't work out - no worries. Lace will be in next week!

I ended up being sick for the Monday, March 4 show. Apologies for missing this one.

The next BTT show will be on Monday, March 18, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com. Please join me!

I won't be around for the program after that, Monday, March 25, but Linda Cunningham will be filling in for me. Thanks Linda!

Andrew

February 25, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190225

From this past Monday, here's a show that I really dug (not that I don't like them all, of course! 😀).  Plenty of variety here, running from boogaloo (JV's Boogaloo Squad - thanks for the kind note on Twitter and the follow!) to freaky atmospheric stuff (Bennie Maupin) to hard bop (Harold Mabern) to avant jazz (Nick Fraser) plus more. More like this next week.

On that note, join me for the next Breaking The Tethers edition on Monday, March 4, 2019, 10-11 am, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.  Among other tracks, I'm going to play a long piece from Keith Jarrett's latest release, La Fenice.

Thanks.

Andrew

February 18, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190218

This was my first program back after a week away (I went to Edmonton).  I thought this was a solid show.  I ended up playing a bit more new material than I expected but I still took a couple of trips into the past, including playing some Art Blakey and The Messengers from 1958.

On that note, I could only put in the main title for the Blakey piece that was played so here's the full name:

The drum thunder suite
First theme: drum thunder
Second theme: Cry a blue tear
Third theme: Harlem's disciples


I also did a bad thing and forgot to thank Linda Cunningham on air for hosting the show on Monday\, February 11. So, many thanks, Linda!

Next week's edition of Breaking The Tethers, on Monday, February 25, 10-11 am MT. 90.9 FM, cjsw.com, will likely be much like this one. That is, music you could call jazz, some old, some new, different styles, different lengths, etc.

Andrew

February 11, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190211

I was away for this episode so regular guest host Linda Cunningham took the reins of BTT and did her usual fab job!  Definitely a nifty batch of tunes played. Many thanks to Linda!

I'll be back for the Family Day show on February 18, usual time, usual place (10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com)

Andrew

February 4, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190204

On a freezing cold Calgary day, after a few weeks of "all-new" shows, I went back to the more usual format for Breaking The Tethers, playing a mix of older and newer material. We ended up hearing  some good stuff; epic-style jazz (Kamasi Washington), avant-garde (Dave Holland), Christmas soul-jazz crossed with Dave Brubeck (B3 Kings), piano trio + strings (Danny Green Trio), and more.

The next BTT program will be on Monday, February 11, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com.  But I won't be there.  I'm out-of-town that day so regular guest host, Linda Cunningham, will be filling in. Please join Linda for what will be a great show.

Thanks.

Andrew

January 28, 2018

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190128/

This was another "all-new" edition of Breaking The Tethers, the last such show for a while.  For the next program, on Monday, February 4 (10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com), I'll go back to the more usual format of BTT and play a mix of old and new material. Anyway, here's a few notes from this week's program:

*I fit in two John Coltrane pieces, "Alabama" and "Your lady", which is always a good thing. Both originally appeared on Coltrane's Live at Birdland release but were recently re-released as part of the 1963: new directions package.

*I very much liked the cover of the Beatles' "Julia" by GADAU, especially the distinctive vocals.

*It was kind of "difficult word day" on Breaking The Tethers. Two alone could have tripped me up, "Chemiluminescence" (by Adam Hopkins) and "Quintessence" (by Jazzlab Orchestra), but I managed to get them out clean, more than once.  Sometimes, it's the simple (or simpler) words that twist my tongue in knots.

Andrew

January 21, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190121/

This was a mellower show than usual or, at least, it had a less avant/out there vibe than usual. Heck, it even had a vocal track ("Never let it go" by Andrea Superstein), a somewhat rare thing for BTT.  Maybe the main feature of the program was the beginning and end-of-show Brad Mehldau bookends. 

Oh, also, it was an "all-new" show.  Next week's edition will be the same. I plan to head back to playing material from a variety of periods in February.

On the subject of next week, Breaking The Tethers will be back on air on Monday, January 28, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM or cjsw.com. Please join me.  Everyone is welcome!

Andrew

December 10, 2018

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20181210

There was definitely some nifty music played in the Dec. 10 BTT episode ("How to walk in freedom" by Marc Ribot & company; I love the last section of this song) but the most interesting point for me is that I played 12 tracks in an hour.  This is hard to do when playing jazz; normally, I fit in somewhere around nine pieces of music in 60 minutes.  I'm not sure if 12 is the record but it's up there.

Andrew

December 3, 2018

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20181203

I dug everything played on this program though, looking back, four tracks stand out:

"Delice karma/Karmic delights" by Forgas Band Phenomena from L'oreille electrique - Maybe my favourite song from my favourite 2018 release.

"Probability wave #1/HUP" by The Uncertainty Principle from Live at the Rex - Physics in jazz, with a discussion of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle.

"A letter to mom" by The Cosmic Twins from The waterbearers - A discovery from 1974. A great drums and piano piece.

"El Barrio" by Joe Henderson from Inner urge - I've been listening to a fair amount of Joe Henderson recently.  Always good.

Andrew

November 19, 2018

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20181119

John Coltrane at the beginning, Alice Coltrane at the end, some interesting stuff in the middle.  What's more to say? 😀

Andrew

November 12, 2018

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20181112

A bit of everything in this show; old and new, different styles, etc. Kind of a typical Breaking The Tethers episode. The surprise for me was how much I liked the Zara McFarlane song ("Woman in the olive groves").  I'm not the biggest fan of vocal jazz, to say the least, but I'd forgotten that Zara is step different and a step better (or more) than the usual vocal jazz fare.

Andrew

PS This would have been my dad's 82nd birthday.

November 5, 2018

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20181105

This was fun show to do (aren't they all?!) and one that fell together very well.  I also put a fair amount of time into the construction of this one (not that I slack off normally!), which may explain why it worked out so good.  Here's a few things of note:

*I managed to fit in the complete "As falls Wichita, so falls Wichita Falls" by Metheny and Mays, from the album of the same name.  I'd played Brian Baggett's (shorter) version of this piece the week before so it seemed appropriate to feature the original as well (I'm not sure I had played the original before... maybe a decade ago?)

*There were two versions of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" on the show, bookmarking a long set of tunes.    There are a surprising and, I think, increasing number of jazz covers of this song out there.

*In the middle of the long set, I featured the revitalized Soft Machine playing their version, in two sections, of the first part of the opus from the Third LP, "Out-bloody-rageous".  One of my all-time fave tunes.  And from a very good new record, Hidden details.  Can't play too much Soft Machine (well, maybe you can... maybe I do?)

Andrew

January 7, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190107

For Breaking The Tethers, 2019 started with a "best of 2018" program.  I picked 10 jazz (more or less) records that came out in 2018 and that reached out and grabbed me.  From each of these, I played one track; some of these had been played before on BTT, others not.  In no particular order, the records are:

Chip Wickham - Shamal wind
Forgas Band Phenomena - L'oreille electrique
Various - The thousand incarnations of the rose: American primitive guitar & and banjo (1963-1974)
John Coltrane - Both directions at once: the lost album
Marc Ribot - Songs of resistance, 1942-2018
Miles Davis & John Coltrane - The final tour: the bootleg series, vol. 6
The Nels Cline 4 - Currents, constellations
Soft Machine - Hidden details
Sons of Kemet -Your queen is a reptile
Steve Tibbets - Steve Tibbets

A caveat: I missed some good stuff, I know.  There was loads of good music released last year and this is just a small representative sample.  If I was to compile this list today, I might make some different choices (or I might not).  I also limited my choices to recordings that I'd heard and heard in full. No offence intended to anyone left off this list.

Andrew

January 14, 2019

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20190114/

This was the first "regular" edition of Breaking The Tethers for 2019 (the January 7 program was a "best of 2018" show).  Well, maybe not that regular.  I planned to do an "all-new" show regardless but I figured I would make it an "all-Canadian, all-new" show, something I don't think I've ever done.  I believe I've had a few all-Canadian programs and I've done many all-new editions of BTT but I don't think I've actually put the two together before.  Anyway, I think it worked well, nicely showcasing 10 recent Canadian jazz(-ish) tunes (including two tracks from the just-released Musicworks compilation, #132).  Fave title from this week: "Squish it" by Lina Allemano (who I mistakenly called Lisa; my apologies).

Next week's program is going to be another "all-new" show.  I'm undecided at this point but I might even do another "all-Canadian, all-new" thing... we'll see...  At any rate, please join me on Monday, January 21, 10-11 am MT, 90.9 FM, cjsw.com.

As always, thanks for listening!

Andrew

October 29, 2018

https://cjsw.com/program/breaking-the-tethers/episode/20181029

I realized I'm now over two months behind in postings about Breaking The Tethers episodes. I am now attempting to rectify this situation.  My apologies for slacking off so badly.  It won't happen again.  Really.  Honest. 

Anyway, click on the link above to go to the tracklist and podcast for the Oct. 29 show, which was a good, solid program with new (mostly) and older music, in several styles.  Enough said.

Andrew