I have always loved the cozy domestic atmosphere evoked by Graham Nash in his famous song, Our House. The song describes the home he shared for a while with Joni Mitchell in Laurel Canyon and celebrates some quiet and soul-satisfying moments of everyday life.

“The house had a large, life-size, wooden carousel pig in the corner. Bricks, wooden floors, lace curtains, a couple of stained-glass ornaments in the window, which were the jewels that I was talking about in the song.” Nash tells the story behind the song and shares his happy memories of the place in Canyon of Dreams.

The book, by Harvey Kubernik, is a compilation of stories about the famous musicians that came together in Laurel Canyon in the 60s to create a magical and creative place that continues to inspire artists today.

There is a picture of zoned-out Eric Clapton staring at Joni Mitchell who is playing guitar while David Crosby in the background is trying to make a point. In the foreground, baby Owen Elliot placidly watches the circle of adults. They are all hanging out at Mama Cass Elliot’s place.

According to Nash, her house was a gathering place, like the salons of Gertrude Stein in Paris – that is Gertrude Stein with acid. The book tells of parties and people, the politics of the entertainment business, love and lust, and all that wonderful music.

Fans of Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap will love this book.

- Jane

Today's blog comes from Candace Weir, Central Library staff:

My friend Bob, who is a wonderful musician, hangs some of his instruments on the living room wall – and very nice they look there. I think that personal collections have tremendous decorative power because they reveal the passion and interests of the homeowner. Recently, he added a ukulele to his collection of guitars, banjo and violin.

The ukulele is an instrument that I have not always respected. I suppose watching Tiny Tim on television as a younger person prejudiced me somewhat. When Bob plays the ukulele for his mother-in-law in the nursing home, he finds an appreciative audience.

This week we got a brand new book, Make your Own Ukulele by Bill Plant, and it made me think about Bob and the happy music he makes for himself and others.

The Ukulele gallery beginning on page 12 shows shapes of a very cheerful persuasion – hearts and cupcakes – as well as other quirky and unusual models. Who knew that there were four different types of the instrument? Also, who knew that they could be made from recycled materials?

Instructions begin with the basic “boxer” instrument. The last section shows how to construct a professional-grade ukulele. One way or the other, there is the promise of great fun in this little book.

- Candace

Over the holiday season, my head and heart were in the 18^th century with books, music and film.

A few weeks ago, on CKUA , I heard Peter North interviewing Sylvia Tyson about her recent novel, Joyner’s Dream, and its companion CD. Their lively discussion and the clever concept caught my fancy.

Tyson’s tale is a family saga that begins in England in 1780 and follows the family fortunes to North America and present-day Toronto. The story is revealed through entries in a secret journal that is hidden in a cask that contains a violin passed down through the generations. Larceny - and a talent for music - are family traits.

Tyson wrote the names and descriptions of songs and melodies played by her characters and woven into the story. “My Darling Evelyinda” is a bawdy song from the pubs. “Old Horse” accompanies a fertility ritual at community celebrations.

After writing the book, she researched the music of the period and wrote songs in the historical style for a companion disc, Joyner’s Dream, the Kingsfold Suite.

And what wonderful music it is. She is accompanied by her long-time musical friends from Quartette. The arrangements by Terry McKenna are magical. McKenna is a specialist in ancient plucked instruments, and performs with Tafelmusik, Opera Atelier, the Canadian Opera Company and the Stratford Festival.

Tyson spins a very entertaining tale and then provides the soundtrack for it – a wonderful combination that transports you back to life in another century.

Next blog: Garrow’s Law.

Last week, I attended A Taste of the CPO, the annual concert that dips into the musical offerings for the upcoming season. Throughout the program, Resident Conductor, Mélanie Léonard, told stories about the music and invited members of the orchestra to share their anecdotes as well. The stories were as much fun as the music.

We learned, for instance, that Aleksandr Borodin was a chemist who laboured for twenty years in his spare time to write the opera Prince Igor. The best known music from this opera, the Polovtsian Dance no. 6, became "Stranger in Paradise" in the musical Kismet.

Music and stories are my favourite form of entertainment at home as well. I grew up listening to radio where the two are an integrated experience. Often, it is a story that hooks my attention and makes me listen more closely to the music. This is what attracts the audience to stations like CBC and CKUA.

If you are a fan of Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap on CBC, you will be happy to learn that we have a new collection of stories from the program. Bachman, a legendary Canadian rock musician has more than 120 gold and platinum awards for performing and producing. And he is a great story teller.

Late nights I tune into The Road Home hosted by Bob Chelmick on CKUA. Chelmick chats about his home in rural Alberta , sustainable living and his latest projects. He reads poetry and plays music around a theme.

“A poem is storytelling at its most refined and distilled,” says Chelmick. “It belongs on radio.”

You’ve got me reading Billy Collins, Bob. Good show.

A few years ago, I cancelled my subscription to cable TV and do not miss it at all. I cannot imagine living without the radio. Without radio, I would be bereft.