blog post CBC host Mark Kelley shares his shuffle playlist

Mark Kelley is a Gemini award-winning journalist, and host of Connect with Mark Kelley. What his official bio won’t tell you is that he once aspired to be a famous rock critic. As he told John Griffin of Urban Expressions.ca, his first brush with rock stardom came when he snuck backstage at a Stevie Ray Vaughn show in Montreal. He capped off the night by doing a vodka shot with Jimmie Vaughan. Mark’s also revealed that his first rock show was David Bowie’s appearance in Montreal during his Station to Station tour.

We asked Mark to set his iPod to shuffle, and tell us about the first 10 tracks that came up. Judging from his comment about the Black Eyed Peas, he may have done just as well had he pursed music criticism.

1. "Better Way (War Mix)"  
Ben Harper
“I use music to fire up my spirit, either on the way into work, or on the way out the door for a 10k run. Harper sweats out a driving, passionate attack on complacency. You owe it to him to listen.”



2. "Fragile Bird"  
City and Colour
“Funk, fuzz and feedback. The Holy Trinity of a great song. Throw in Dallas Green, and you're cooking with fire.”



3. "Love Ain't For Keepin"  
The Who
“One of the best songs from arguably one of the best rock records ever recorded. A two-minute song that still can still blow down doors, 41 years on.”



4. "Beg, Steal or Borrow"  
Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs
“One of the best voices in music today- full of sorrow, heartbreak and, strangely, hope.”



5. "What So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?"   
Elvis Costello
“Nick Lowe first asked the musical question, but Costello’s version gave it power and passion. I miss this Elvis.”

6. "House"  
Ben Folds Five
“Best song by a band few people have ever heard of. Could be the B-side of a single with Barenaked Ladies, ‘The Old Apartment.’”

7. "Pulling on a Line"  
Great Lake Swimmers
“You can't help but get swept away by the hooks and harmonies.”

8. "Testify"  
Rage Against the Machine
“Few bands have been able to capture rage and unrest, and distill it in a way that knocks the air out of your lungs... in a good way.”

9. "Rise Above 1"  
Reeve Carney (featuring Bono and the Edge).
“The only good thing to come out that Spiderman on Broadway debacle. Bono saves some face on this track.”

10. "Hip-Hop is Dead"  
Nas featuring Will.I.Am,
“Hip-hop may be dead, but In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida lives on in this great underplayed track that will make you forget Will.I.Am's overplayed Black Eyed Peas crap.”

What do you think of Mark Kelley's playlist? Let us know on the blog!