It's Summertime!

George Gershwin summed it up best: "Summertime, and the livin' is easy". In case you missed it, the much anticipated Summer Solstice arrived early this morning! Of course summer means different things to different people. One thing it means to me is spontaneous roadtrips with music blaring from the car stereo. If you are looking for some new music to add to the soundtrack of your summer, check out today's edition of The Strombo Show (5pm EST) on one of these Corus Radio stations: The Edge 102.1 (Toronto) The Fox 99.3 (Vancouver) Power 97 (Winnipeg) Y108 (Hamilton) FM96 (London).

If you are a fan of The Hour, one downside to summer is that we are now into repeats. Perhaps you'll be able to catch an interview you missed when it originally aired or have the opportunity to re-watch a special favourite.

Monday, June 22nd

Award-winning documentary film director and author Mariane Pearl.



Music legend Tony Bennett.

Tuesday, June 23rd
(Do you see a pattern here?)


Canada's best known "Hit Man", music producer David Foster.


British journalist Sir David Frost.

Super Dave Osborne (aka Bob Einstein).

Wednesday, June 24th

Canadian literary icon Farley Mowat.

Film director, producer, writer and actor Spike Lee.

Reformed computer hacker MafiaBoy (aka Michael Calce).

Thursday, June 25th


British Columbia native and multi-award winning singer, Michael Bublé.



Journalist, television personality and author Barbara Walters.


The King of Culinary Cursing, chef Gordon Ramsay.

Friday, June 26th

Former Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Hon. Paul Martin.


Actress and author Valerie Bertinelli.


Television and movie legend Bob Newhart.

Speaking of Bob...if your travels ever take you to the entrance of Chicago's Navy Pier, you too can have a session with the 'doctor'.

Hour Books: The Book of Negroes

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill was one of the last books featured in Season Five of The Hour and the winner of the 2009 Canada Reads competition on CBC. It chronicles the amazing life of Aminata Diallo, a young woman stolen from her African home, sold into slavery and then travels from place to place looking for freedom from slavery, including a little known incident in Canada's own history.

Most Canadians know of Canada's involvement in the Underground Railroad, but few know that Canada had its own race issues and was not immune to the slave trade. Author Lawrence Hill found inspiration for the novel from the story of the migration of these black settlers to and from Africa. He took the name of his novel from the actual Book of Negroes, a relatively unknown historical document that lists the names and characteristics of the black loyalists who migrated from New York state to Nova Scotia towards the end of the American Revolutionary War with the promise that they would receive land and liberty when they arrived in the British colonies.

Unfortunately, what they were promised and what they found were two completely different things. In 1784, a group of unemployed white settlers attacked the black settlement of Birchtown, Nova Scotia, destroying the settlement. This attack became known as the first race riot in North America. Feeling angered and betrayed by the British, some of these settlers made the first journey back to Africa only ten years after arriving on the continent.

You can view a copy of the Book of Negroes through the Nova Scotia Archives.

This novel is a very interesting read. It's also a very heavy read, there were times when the sheer volume of suffering was really disturbing. Hill has a gift for painting an image in the mind, I often felt like I'd been transported right into the scene. This is not a "happily ever after" novel, there is a lot of sadness and human suffering in this book. But woven into the book is a demonstration of the strength of the human spirit.

If you've read the novel, leave us a comment and let us know what you thought of the book.

Check out Lawrence Hill's interview on The Hour.

Stroumboulopoulos. Reporting for Duty. Jury Duty.

As I walked the Queen West area of Toronto with some friends this past Friday night after a fabulous Japanese dinner, we noticed hoards of kids strewn about the sidewalks clad in sweats, some in sleeping bags, some hunkering down in pup tents. Curious and or nosy as I am, I asked a seemingly friendly, normal young lady what people were lining up for. Her answer was somewhat shocking and disturbing... we're lining up for wristbands for the MMVA's.


Yes... the Much Music Video Awards. Hosted by the triumvirate of virginal musical pablum -- the Jonas Brothers. Featuring musical powerhouses like Lady Gaga and special guests from The Hills. God help us all... is this how far music has fallen?


Resisting the urge to Yakitori all over the sidewalk, we soldiered on... talking about our excitement for upcoming music festivals including this week's NXNE and reminiscing about who we may have camped out for when we were 15. Conversation progressing, we realized that at their ages, our musical tastes were also not fully formed... okay kids. Mama'll give you a pass. You're forgiven.


This time of year is an important one in the Canadian music industry. The nominees for the Polaris Prize -- the initial long list of 40 discs have been announced - the submissions from music journalists, bloggers, media types hand in their 5 picks for best Canadian album of this past year. After this, jurors will vote again to narrow down to the short list of 10. The short list will be revealed on July 7th and then it's on. The Grand Jury will debate the merits and announce the final pick -- the $20,000 prize winner at the Polaris gala on September 21st.


Not surprisingly, the list is not without omissions... but as always, covers a wide spectrum of genres and geographical regions. I'm happy to say that of the list of 40, I own 11. Yes, own. That aside, my favourite part of Polaris is that the contest is based on artistic merit - not sales- and provides music lovers a fabulous opportunity to really explore the musical landscape that the scenesters have laid out with their long list selections.


Some notable points on the list?


Former Polaris Grand Prize winner Patrick Watson makes a return appearance on the list -- this time for 'Wooden Arms'. Could they win again?


Profanity takes a backseat to no list -- last year it was Holy Fuck who made the top 10 -- will the equally controversially named Fucked Up be so lucky with their entry 'The Chemistry of Common Life'?
Many artists who receive play or have been live studio guests on The Strombo Show have made the cut. Jill Barber, Arkells, The Stills, Joel Plaskett, Metric and K-OS -- to name a few.


I really feel that a good bet for top 10 are Hey Rosetta -- who kicked ass at the East Coast Music Awards. Great Lake Swimmers, Jill Barber, Joel Plaskett and The Stills are among my top picks.

I will definitely check out some acts I've never even heard of... Think About Life, Lhasa and Bison B.C. to name a few.

Check out the long list HERE. There is also a featured contest for those who wish to guess who will comprise the top 10 finalists...


What would your top 10 be? Any glaring omissions this year? Who'd your ultimate winner be?

Take care... happy listening. Let's hear it for Canadian Music!!!!!