March 24, 2025

I was away at a conference for my other work so Hanna Ferrow took the wheel at BTT this week. And she did good! Fine musical selections were featured, including plenty of new material and lots of Canadian stuff. Can't ask for more than that. Many thanks to Hanna! The audio of this show can be found here.

Before I went away, on the March 17 version of Breaking The Tethers, I announced that I would be back on the first Monday of April. However, I forgot that March has 31 days (something I'm normally pretty good at remembering!) So, my return to BTT will be on Monday, March 31, not Monday, April 7 (though I'll be on air that day too). Join me from 10 to 11 am MT, at cjsw.com or 90.9 FM. 

Thanks.

Andrew

March 17, 2025

Regarding last week’s show, I said it was “solid”, which is completely true. The same term can apply to today’s program. Seven great tracks featured, from different time periods, in different yet complimentary styles. Let me focus on a few of these:

“Xermeris” by Yellowjackets. I don’t play much music like this; it can be too close to smooth jazz for my liking and I have no love for smooth jazz. But the Yellowjackets never quite seem to cross the line into the mush zone. And this track is actually kinda far out, at least for the Yellowjackets.

“A man is like a tree by Healing Force. Albert Ayler wrote bonkers songs and Healing Force does a bonkers version of a bonkers song. Heck, the whole album is crazed. And this is a good thing.

“Penny” by Okonski. Just a pretty piece of music.

“The vibe” by Nanami Haruta. The album that this comes from has loads of trombone, sometimes singly, sometimes doubly. Plus there’s baritone sax here and there. If you dig the bass clef, this might be a good record for you. 

You can listen to these tracks and three more here. 

For the next Breaking The Tethers show, and the last of the month, on Monday, March 24, I will be away. Hannah Ferrow will be filling in for me. Please join her from 10 to 11 am MT at cjsw.com or 90.9 FM for a great show.

I’ll be back behind the board on Monday, April 7, usual time, usual place.

Thanks.

Andrew

March 10, 2025

BTT show number two of 2025 brought some solid music; some old, some new, some well-know names, some not. A few comments:

"Mumbo jumbo" from the Paul Motian Band has always been a favourite of mine, especially the first guitar solo.

Anything from Miles From India, studio or the few live tracks, is well worth listening to.

"Hip ensemble"! Roy Haynes in 70s funky jazz mode! What more can be said.

Steve Lehman and group play Anthony Braxton's "Unbroken and unspoken" - fairly freaky, fairly dense stuff.

"Tyner time" is an appropriately-title exciting piece from day job law professor Perea.

Check out all of these and more on the recording of this program, here. 

Please tune in for more of the same (but different!) next Monday, March 17, at cjsw.com or 90.9 FM, from 10 to 11 am MT. 

Thanks.

Andrew

PS I'll be away for the March 24 edition of BTT. More on this next week.

March 3, 2025

I described this week’s show (mostly) as jazz-rock, with some prog. Lots of faves in this one; heck, I really liked everything. I’ve been featuring a few previously-played tunes, sometimes from years ago, over the past few months. The repeat song here was “Welcome to the basement” by Merl Saunders, a great number that definitely falls into jazz-rock territory. Listen to it all here.

We jump further into March and more great jazzy sounds next week, Monday, March 10. Tune in from 10 to 11 am MT at cjsw.com or 90.9 FM.

Thanks.

Andrew

February 20, 2025 - Alternative To What?

Once again, I was called into duty to guest-host on Alternative To What on CJSW. Regular host Kerry was away. As usual on ATW, I sent feelers out to many points in the musical world. Perhaps the main slant was in an experiment direction but there were also dollops of jazz, blues, David Bowie, comedy, and much more. I thought it all worked quite well. It's all here.

Thanks.

Andrew

February 24, 2025

Breaking The Tethers was on air today but there was no Andrew. I had a medical appointment I had to attend at the same time but, no worries, Drew Miller ably filled my shoes and more. He did an awesome job, playing some great music. Many thanks to Drew! See the fine setlist and listen the program here. 

My dulcet tones return to radio on Monday, March 3, same time and same place: cjsw.com or 90.9 FM from 10 to 11 am MT. Please join me there and then!

Thanks.

Andrew