Hosts of CBC News Montreal share their shuffle playlists

Weekday evenings on CBC TV in Montreal, Andrew Chang and Debra Arbec fill you in on the day’s local news, with Frank Cavallaro taking care of the forecast. To celebrate the launch of CBC Music, we asked the CBC News Montreal team put their iPods on shuffle and tell us which three tracks came up first.

Andrew Chang
Host, CBC News Montreal

1. “Jerry's Breakdown”      
Martin Tallstrom
“This guy is, hands down, no-questions-asked, an incredible guitarist. He's an even greater pleasure to watch, because of how effortless he makes it all seem.”



2. “A Nightmare to Remember”      
Dream Theater
“I like all kinds of music, even some country! That includes metal and prog rock. Dream Theater's music is wonderfully complex, and one of the most interesting aspects is how they play with various time signatures.”



3. “Classical Gas”      
Tommy Emmanuel
“If Martin Tallstrom is a shining example of speed and soul, Tommy Emmanuel is the embodiment of fire and passion. This guy really gets into it – and not in a reckless way. Considering the kind of music he plays, it's unreal to watch and hear the technicality and precision with which he performs. As a guitarist myself, nobody beats this guy.”




Debra Arbec
Host, CBC News Montreal

1. “Shake it Out”      
Florence and the Machine
“My first song on my runner's play list. Starts slow and builds. Makes me happy and boosts my energy.”



2. “Fake Empire”      
The National
“Love the poetry of the lyrics and the melody. I think of my husband when I hear it.”



3. “Robots”      
Dan Mangan 
“Love that there’s a Canadian this talented.”



Frank Cavallaro
Weather Specialist, CBC News Montreal

1. “Easy Lover”      
Phil Collins and Philip Bailey
“Every time I hear this song, it reminds me of my time in South America in the early ’80s as I was enjoying the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.”



2. “We No Speak American”      
Marco Calliari 
“My dad used to sing the original version to me when I was I little kid, and it was remixed and released a few years ago.”



3. “O Sole Mio”      
Luciano Pavarotti and Bryan Adams
“As I grew up in an Italian family, this song was the emblem of the Campania region in Italy. My dad would always say the sun always shines in southern Italy, especially the Napoli region. And he was right, every time I visit the Campania region it's sunny!”



What did you think of their playlists? Let us know in the comments.