Better Days

Welcome to the blog of Doug "Duke" Lang, songwriter and host of Better Days, a radio show spinning journeys from music and language, heard Thursdays ten-to-midnight Pacific time at www.coopradio.org Listen to songs at www.myspace.com/dukelang

Name:
Location: Vancouver, Canada

Monday, December 19, 2005

Better Days 197
Survivors


Thursday, December 22nd
10:00 pm - 12:00 am Pacific (GMT -8)
CFRO 102.7 fm
Webcast : www.coopradio.org

Ruth is in on next week to close out the year, so this
is my final Better Days show of 2005. What a year it's
been. Such pleasures and adventures in music, both in
making it and in listening. The show continues to expand
its audience, and we are enjoying its progress.

My eleven weeks in northern Europe still walk across
my dreams at night, images of friends, images of those
who welcomed me into their homes, a few of whom I'd
never met in person until they gathered me and my
belongings at the airport. Bless you all.

I spoke with Thordis Gudmundsdottir on Sunday, my
dear Icelandic friend, whom I love so much. The days
are very short in 101 Reykjavik right now, the nights
very long. I miss her.

I spoke with Magne Hellesjo also, the Norwegian farmer
in whose house we set up a recording studio to lay down
the tracks which will comprise my soon-to-be-released
cd, Crooked. We're hoping it will be ready by May 2006.

Today, I received copies of Karine Polwart's recently
issued EP, Pulling Through, as well as an advance copy
of her next cd. What a joy to have met her at her home
in the Borders of Scotland.

Tomorrow is the official release date for a cd produced
by John Cutliffe and Andrea Zonn, a wonderful record
called Hands Across The Water, which is one of the cds
I'll feature Thursday night on Better Days.

Yesterday, December 18th, marked five years since
Kirsty MacColl died. She sang with Shane McGowan on
Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues, a song which is
being re-released today, I'm told, in the UK.

Below are the four cds to complete my dozen favourites
from 2005. I'll feature them all Thursday night.

Redbird : Redbird
John Prine : Fair & Square
Rodney Crowell : The Outsider
Various Artists : Hands Across The Water

Remember to join me January 2nd, 2006 for a three-hour
worldwide special, Hands Across The Water, on CFRO
from 2:00 - 5:00 pm Pacific time, broadcast live on the
web at www.coopradio.org It's to mark the release of the
Hands Across The Water cd, the benefits of which go to
the surviving orphans of the tsunami. The show will not
only play music from that cd, but songs to restore your
heart and spirit, songs from around the world.

My best to everyone who reads here and who listens to
Better Days, around the corner at 102.7 fm or around
the world at www.coopradio.org

DL