Comfort Music

Good sunday Mr G.Charles,

So the question was ''Who is watching over us when we become adults ?'' I think the spirit of all those who put their love into us become a guiding light before each step we make. And the memory of these people is our comfort. Today I like Quand reviendras-tu and to close to comfort. Have a nice week.

Hello Mr. Charles,

I have two things on my mind, and one of them really needs to jump out now! This Sunday morning (sept. 28th '08), near the end of your show, you played a lovely version of "In My Life," arranged for solo guitar and vocals. The guitar work, I thought, was beautiful. As a guitarist, I am always appreciating the lovely, intricate and provoking styles of the strings, and this tune grabbed my attention in particular. Who were the players?? I need to know! I would love to learn the piece myself, and therefor need to know the musicians who played it.

I also wanted to say that your musings on the comfort of looking forward to the end of suffering were quite insightful. Thank you for a lovely program, both musically, and intellectually/spiritually.

Sincerely,

Graham

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Hi Graham - the guitarist playing "In My Life" was Tuck Andress (of the group Tuck & Patti). You can find full details of their album over on our playlist (you'll find the link on the left side of your screen). ST.

Gregory,

Everything's gonna be alright.

Thank you for the comfort music,
reflective thoughts,
and for singing.

You have a beautiful voice and I enjoy your singing/piano segments. Please sir, more singing! :)

Claire de Lune is one of my life-time favs. Gorgeous. So many great tunes today. Merci beaucoup!

A la prochaine!

With Appreciation,
Nancy

Hello Gregory!

Thanks for a particularly satisfying program this morning! In the midst of what appears to be the "dumbing down" of Radio 2, I've been giving much thought to what makes good radio. What is essential is an intelligent, articulate broadcaster who is genuinely engaged in the music she/he is playing and whose comments reflect that engagement in fascinating ways.

That would be you! The way you wove your own voice into the musical selections this morning was superb--the kind of creativity that elevates mere broadcasting to art.

Again, thanks!

Yes, Charles! I had a really great time this week-end with comfort song.

Yes...I enjoy your voice...couldl you finish a song when you start one?
Don't want tocramp your style...but your voice is awesome...
growing up in California in the '70s I identified with carol King, Kames Taylor, Dionne Warwick,Bonnie Raitt, Dusty Springfield and Joni Mitche...although Gordon Lightfoot taught me how to play calssical guitar via an old 33 1/3 teach yourself album...remember those? Favorite Comfort classical is a...Midsummer's Night Dream...by Mendlesohn...or...the Pastorale Symphonies on Beethoven..I'm not sure of the spelling...

Thanks for reminding me of what is still important...caring and conforting others...really allows us to comfor tnad care for ourselves..
Peace, Bro!

Bonne Dimanche!

Mr. Charles,
What was the second last song you played on today's episode? It was a beautiful fiddle piece with a repeated G note.
Merci beaucoup.
Shane

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Hi Shane - the cut you're looking for is called 'Grace' by Canadian fiddler/composer Oliver Schroer (who passed away in July). It appears near the end of his double CD set titled 'O2' on the Big Dog label. ...and you're right, it is beautiful. ST.

Gregory, your show is like chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy......total comfort
Thank-you so much.
All the best,
Sandi

Driving home from Peterborough to Sault Ste Marie... your show kept me company for a while. I must say that it made the time go by in the most comfortable way... :)
Which Chris DeBurgh song was that?? Loved it!

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Korinne, the Chris de Burgh song was 'Tower'. Thanks for your comment. ST.

After playing Debussy 'Clair de Lune, you mentioned two songs', and then sang a bit of the 2nd in French. What were the titles/artists of these songs? They were beutiful.

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Hi Jill - the 2 pieces were by Gabriel Fauré, the PAVAN and the CANTIQUE DE JEAN RACINE. You'll always find that kind of information on the playlist (click the 'playlists' link on the left menu bar). Thanks for your comment. ST

I happened to catch your show for the first time tonight while I was in the car picking up my sister from work. The "comfort music" theme was something I have only thought of passively, and my sister and I ended up taking a scenic route home so that we could listen to more. I'm afraid my comfort music may not be as classy, but I'm very contemporary with my music. I sometimes settle down with Matthew Good's "Avalanche" if I'm moody and in the need of comfort music; Incrid Michaelson's "Keep Breathing" if I need supportive comfort, and Death Cab for Cutie's "Passenger Seat" when I'm comfortable, but wanting that feeling to stay. Keep up the great work and know that I'll be listening the more I drive!

I tuned in just in time to hear the tail end of a beautiful choral piece just before 10PM PST. Is it possible to get a play list of the show? September 27, 2008 in the key of Charles. Great show!

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Hi Norm - Thanks for your comment. That beautiful choral piece was called A QUIET PLACE, which you heard sung by TAKE 6. There's a link on the left of this page that will take you to all the playlists. ST.

Everyonce in a blue moon the CBC finds someone incredibely skilled(lazy man's excuse is "talented")
Some years back I would listen to you on french CBC and marvel at you taking a piece you just played apart by piano and voice, explaining the intricacies of the piece-I missed that, you don't do that anymore. Until I listened tonight to the Key of Charles and found you doing it again. Thank you. I grew up in Austria and was fed musik with my mother's milk.
Robert Martschin in Dawson Creek,BC.

Love your program. However, I am usually unable to catch it at the time it is playing. Would it be possible to provide it as a poscast as well? That way I'd be listening to every single episode.
Heiko Fettig, Gatineau, QC

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Thanks for your note, Heiko. Sorry, no podcast because pretty much all the music we play is under copyright. So at present, we can't offer this for legal reasons. ST.

Sunday Night listening is so much better since they replaced the boring classical stuff with you!!I enjoy all your musings and your obvious passion for music of all varieties. My only complaint is your cutting short of the songs you sing and play for yourself; please don't stop so soon!! Keep up the good work!!

Dear Charles

Thank you oh thank you!! That was absolutely beautiful!!!!
I was completely mesmerized listening to you sharing your wonderful ideas, the awesome selection of music, and your fabulous voice and piano playing. I phoned two of my friends and demanded that they turn on their radios to listen to you!

Well done!!!

Sincerely
Linda Young

Dear Charles.
I will very appreciate if you can help me to find the names of performer and her song. On past Sunday (September 28) I was walking in K-Country and enjoined your morning program “Comfort Music”. Unfortunately it was not clear announcement of the song, but when it started I was drawn in it. So magic were woman’s voice and lyrics. Still I am under impression of it. One thing I know for sure that after this song Sarah McLachlen performed here song “Building a Mystery”. Thanks in advance. Alexander

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Thanks for your question, Alexander. You heard Eva Cassidy singing 'Autumn Leaves' - full album details are always available by going to the playlist (see link on the left). ST for GC.

Dear Gregory,

I am a UK citizen who visited British Columbia last July and was lucky enough to hear your wonderful program. Your singing, opinions, stories and humour were much appreciated. On one Sunday I heard a remarkable choral rendition of Chicago's "If you Leave Me Now". I went and bought the King's Singers cd as soon as I returned to the UK. It has triggered a whole new passion of mine: finding choral versions of classic pop/rock hits. My favourite so far is the Capital Children's Choir version of Guns'n'Roses "Sweet Child of Mine". Have you heard it? Pure genius! If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have discovered a lot of inspiring music and musicians. I now listen to your program on my computer in London. Long may you continue Gregory!

Gregory,

Great show. Always comforting. Question for you: you introduced an artist as your 'lover' and told an amusing story about how the two of you were dating but she didn't know it yet (story of my life)... what was her name?

Thanks again for putting on a great show and looking forward to many more.

Yared
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Hi Yared and thanks for your comment. ...the name you're searching for is Martha Wainwright.

Hi Charles,

This morning you mentioned your "comfort music" and then stated that someone had suggested another piece to you, it was entitled something like "Aude Musiq" but I've forgotten the composer! I loved it and I want to remember it, thank you!
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Hi Shannon - that was "An die musik" by Franz Schubert. Thanks for your comment. (ST)

I know it's a long shot that you would even read, let alone answer a question this morning but I have to try.
I am organizing a funeral for my mother this afternoon. I have finally managed to get a copy of Oliver Schroer's Grace that I heard on your show last week. It seemed to sum up her life/death so I will play it today. Your comment on the song hit me as a perfect description and I would love to steal some of your words. However, now in my very poor state of mind I cannot remember what you said. If you get this mail this morning could you email me?

Thank you. And thank you for that show. Any way I can hear it again?
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We're all very sorry to hear of your loss, Joanne. I'll be in touch via e-mail.

Picture a dreamy kid trudging home from a one room school dragging a lunchbox along the roadside drifts to make a track, finally getting home to rest frozen hands on the oven and seeing the macaroni and cheese inside bubbling, hearing Motown on the radio - yes, that's my comfort food, Motown, maybe if narrowed down to a single song, "What Does it Take (To win your love for me)". Something about that sense of longing just out of reach that can lift you outside of the everyday, take you back to a more innocent time. Another comfort album would be Alice Coltrane's "Illuminations", or maybe that's a different category, spiritual.
Thank you Gregory for playing music I would never hear anywhere else and that deserves to be preserved! My Ipod is packed with your shows and the best part is always your singing and piano playing.

Dear Gregory,
I thank you so very much for giving us such a wonderful show. Listening to you is always a pleasure and your choices of music is great.
Sunday evenings at times can be a downer especially when you have a busy and stressful week ahead to look forward to. Your program never fails to relax and inspire me! What a wonderful and smooth way to end the weekend!

The other day I heard a beautiful interpretation of the song "Cry Me a River" by the Italian Singer "Mina"
(Mina Mazzini).I thought you would really appreciate her version of the famous song.I'm sure that many listeners would enjoy it too! You may have already heard this great voice since she sings in many languages.
I thought that
'Crying' would make a very interesting theme for a future programe.Theres so much to work with-perhaps you can include Mina's version?Oh! Listen to her version of 'Summertime" too! It's amazing!
Liza Minelli loves this singer too! Enjoy!
Thanks and I hope to here from you soon!

Maurice

REPLY: Thanks Maurice. We actually used the crying theme for our April 5th episode... you can have a listen here.

Thank you for a wonderful, wonderful show! SOme of my favourite parts are when you yourself play the piano and sing.... You have a beautiful voice and your knowledge of music is inspiring. Can't wait until your show tonight!