Patrick Ballantyne’s Canadian song picks

Popular guest co-host and guest on Song Talk Radio, Patrick Ballantyne dropped by the studio to share two of his favourite Canadian songs. “Help Me” by Joni Mitchell is a great example of her unique combination of melody, structure, and lyrics to evoke a casual conversational tone. Includes a great instrumental hook. Patrick’s other pick was a song by Ian and Sylvia, “The French Girl”, in a very unusual version recorded by Gene Clark. As we discussed the tunes, we talked about:

• Patrick’s new album – “Calendar”
• Hearing songs of yearning at the age of 13
• Joni Mitchell’s unique vocal style
• adding a 2/4 bar in a 4/4 song
• When the root chord is a 7, it creates tension
• Led Zeppelin

Listen to the show