Struggles & Dreams

Hosted by

Blues, ballads, beats and music from a variety of genres to help us keep on keepin' on...These are songs to move you, to assist with catharsis and regaining perspective and balance. These are songs to inspire you to continue to fight for justice in every little nook and cranny and give you courage to believe. Contact Heather at strugglesanddreams@cjlo.com with any questions or comments you have about the show!


Selected Audio

Most recent playlist (view all)

ArtistSong Title
News & Community Calendar
Chad LinsleyWaiting
Talk Spot - What\'s On Today!
Glenn MillerSlumber Song
SNCC Freedom Singers Led By Cordell ReagonDog, Dog
Miles DavisLe Petit Bal (Take 2)
Nat Adderley (from the album "Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley" 1962)Never Say Yes
Josh WhiteMiss Otis Regrets
Weekend Thoughts
Esperanza SpaldingEndangered Species
Shirley HornCome Back To Me
B.B. KingHelp The Poor
The Franco Proietti Morph-TetLike The Shore Is...
Have a Great Summer - Go See Live Music!
Nina Simone Tomorrow Is My Turn
Oscar Peterson QuartetIf I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)

Last five blog posts (view all)

Well dear friends,

We were graced by the presence of Jeri Brown this snowy afternoon on the airwaves of CJLO. She came prepared to share some of her most recent projects with us, and she did a live reading of the Langston Hughes poem "Borderline". I will try to add audio to the blog this week - I think at least the mp3 of Jeri Brown's January 13th Upstairs performance of "Borderline" put to music should be made easily available for you, my friendly listeners! Keep your ears and eyes open for that new CD Jeri plans to put out May 1st; it sounds like it will be a treat and good food for the soul.

Here is some more information about what we heard today and about Langston Hughes:

Langston Hughes reciting his own poetry:

...

Dearest listeners and friends,

I love a good old recording of poets reading their own poetry, and found this sound clip of Langston Hughes reading his poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" in which he introduces the reading with an anecdote about how the poem was inspired. Have a listen!

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15722

This is just a little teaser; tune in this Thursday for the show for more talk about poet Langston Hughes as esteemed vocal artist Jeri Brown joins us on air!

More blog-lovin' to come!

loveheatheroxo

Music Retrospective for Black History Month

For the month of February, I decided to take a look back at the history of the musical styles and genres I typically play on the show. I thought it would be in keeping with Black History Month, particularly because the genres and styles I play are predominantly African American. I wanted to honour that fact, so I invited my listeners to join me in my time and space travels. Listening to the music in this way also reminds us of the historical and social contexts from which blues, jazz, and hip hop sprung. The blues sowed seeds for jazz, and jazz and jazz poetry sowed...

Greetings dear friends,

This week I will be brief because I am hungry and must not delay or deny my winter appetite further. I played a bevy of blues to begin the show this week, as January has got to be the bluest month of the year. Listening to and playing the blues is very therapeutic - let it all out, friends! Now is the time.

Ballads - If you enjoyed Chad Linsley's "Waiting" today, here is some information to help you follow his local performance activities - www.chadlinsley.com

Paul Motian (passed away Nov 22nd 2011) - Jazz drummer - www.allaboutjazz.com/php?id=9653  This week I played "In...

Hi listening friends!

Firstly - Let's remember and celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. - he was born on January 15th, 1929. As we continue to struggle for what we believe in, many of us still exercise the principle of nonviolence at protests and demonstrations worldwide. As long as people abuse power and hoard wealth at the expense of the lives of their fellow humans and environment, we need heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr. to inspire and motivate us. He taught by example to love and respect one's fellow beings - the most fundamental values, whatever your finer struggle may be. 

Music in Montreal: I am getting a head start on my blogging this week because it's a busy one. Firstly, let me remind you that Mike Rud will be playing with the great Chad Linsley...