Q Who?

So, Shadrach Kabango, known simply as Shad, is leaving as the host of q, CBC Radio's morning arts and culture show, and not of his own accord, so it seems.

According to CBC reports, the show has been losing listeners over the past couple of years, since former host, Jian Ghomeshi, was fired over sexual abuse charges.

I don't know: Shad was okay. He had a nice demeanor and seemed comfortable, laid back. He was welcoming to his guests and he was well-prepared (even though, in truth, we know his preparedness comes down to the writers and researchers who line up his guests and get the questions to Shad). I did find, when I listened to him, that while he could ask the questions that were prepared for him, he didn't seem to be spontaneous and wouldn't always follow up with answers that begged more questioning.

I've experienced that, first-hand, when I was interviewed by a previous host to CBC Ottawa's All In A Day.

Which brings me to the crux of this post: the next host of q and the current host of All In A Day.

I know nothing about Tom Power, who will be sitting in the q chair in October. He's been a guest host on the show in the past, and it's possible that I've heard him on the show before. He's currently the host of Toronto's Radio 2 Morning and he's the previous host of the music show, Deep Roots.

I got all of that from the CBC report of Shad's departure. I really don't know anything about Power.

I'm hoping that he'll have better music choices than Shad. Much of the current host's musical tastes are far from mine. I'm hoping that he's a more-engaging interviewer, who doesn't just stick to the script.

When I thought of a replacement for Ghomeshi (I called his sleaziness years before the scandal broke—you can ask my wife), I thought of a local host, the current host of All In A Day, Alan Neal. I remember Neal's enthusiasm and energy when, many years ago, he was the Trends Guy on Ottawa Morning with John Lacharity. I remember when he wrote and performed a song about one of his favourite shows, Dallas. I've talked to him on Ontario Today, when he was a guest host, as I told him of my tale of abduction in South Korea.

And I've been with him and my youngest daughter in a cooking segment on his weekday afternoon show.

He's a great host for many reasons. He's geeky, in that good, fun way. He's informed. He's engaging and isn't afraid to go off script or go for those difficult questions. He knows art. He knows culture. And he comes extremely prepared.

What I really enjoy is that when he interviews a writer, he comes across as having read the writings of his guest. When he interviews a musician, he has listened to that artist's music, often drawing themes in songs and tying that theme together as a vehicle for driving the whole interview. I'm drawn by how impressed his guests are at how insightful Neal is.

Alan Neal would have made a great host for q, though it would be sad if he had to move to Toronto to fulfill that role. It would be Ottawa's loss.

I hope that Tom Power brings life back to the ailing morning show. I wish Shad luck in his next project.

Music Monday: Night Still Comes

There is a song I have, that I downloaded for my iPhone when I was still collecting the iTunes cards at Starbucks, that I had to keep and store on my new phone when I upgraded (in so many ways) to an Android phone.

Neko Case is one of those singer-songwriters that gets a lot of attention on the CBC, and so I have heard of her for some time, listened to her songs when she got the air time, but I never owned any of her albums. Though she is American, she has been active in the Canadian indie-music scene, namely, The Sadies and The New Pornographers.

I like the power of Neko's vocals in her song, Night Still Comes. And in wanting to share this song with you, I found a video of her singing the song, live, on CBC Radio's show, Q.



Happy Monday!

Music Monday: Devastating

I have quite a few friends that have thanked me for introducing them to Hawksley Workman.

You're welcome.

I, myself, discovered Hawksley when my wife and I bought a compilation CD box set of Canadian musicians and it included his song, Jealous of Your Cigarette. It's a whimsical song that, now that my daughters are older, I can't play around them.

When Between the Beautifuls and  Los Manlicious came out (both in 2008), I was hooked, and when my wife and I saw him perform in Ottawa a couple of years ago, we became die-hard fans.

Hawkley oozes talent, from his vocals, to his proficiency on the guitar and drums, all you have to do is listen, and you'll understand.

Here's a version of his song, Devastating, which he performed live on CBC Radio's Q.



You're welcome.

Happy Monday!