A little late due to a family bereavement but I got my first mix CD in the mail to Meridian yesterday. Hope it is well received. Look forward to receiving mine soon.
I'm now listening to Dolemite's CD. When this happens, it's a sign that my mix is complete and in the mail - finally! I haven't had a chance to sit down with it for more than a 30 minutes at a time, so I'm still working through the 22 songs on the mix. There are a lot of bands I've heard of, but never heard on it, so I'm looking forward to getting exposed to them. This includes Animal Collective, Mirah, Devandra Banhart and Xiu Xiu. There's also an artist named Joe who I'm interested in hearing.
Looks like I got the same mix from Dolemit this week...and it's been ruling my CD player. A few misses on some of the softer stuff, but some amazing tracks on there...full review to come after I get to Prof. Zodiac and Murph.
Over the last week, I've been grooving to MB's discs and am ready to post a few comments. The disc I've been listening to more has been Building Beauty. It's a great disc that really plays like two distinct mixes. The first half is indie rock with the second half being old ska, rocksteady and soul tunes. Building Beauty Dntel - The Dream of Evan and Chan - I initially didn't care for this tune. Why? I don't know but because it was first on the disc, I got to hear it a lot and it eventually grew on me a lot. Has sort of an Arab Strap feel to it Dismemberment Plan - You are Invited - Amusing story of party hopping with a good hook on the chorus. Grandaddy - The Crystal Lake - This is kind of funny because I have this album but dismissed it shortly after the first few listens; haven't listen to it in a year or two. While this tune didn't blow me away, it's made me interested enough in Grandaddy to pull Sophtware Slump back off the shelf. Thanks for turning me onto my own CD collection. Death Cab for Cutie - We Looked Like Giants - I had heard so much about these guys that I was excited to hear them finally. The song is good and it grew on me but I don't understand why they get so much more attention than other bands. John Vanderslice - Coming and Going on Easy Terms Interpol - Length of Love Live - I've tried and tried but I can't get Interpol to click for me. I've heard them from a lot of different sources but it just isn't shaking me. Elliot Smith - Coming Up Roses - I've seen Smith open for other bands but have never owned any of his discs. But between this tune and the one on the other mix, I think I'll be getting some. Good tune. Filthy Thieving Bastards - Red Roses - Great friggin' song. Is this pretty typical of their other stuff? Metric - Dead Disco DGeneration - She Stands There - Nice punk tune to have wrapping up the indie rock first half of the disc. The Articles - Mr Pink - Never been into ska but I dig this tune. The Rulers - Copasetic - I used to work as a janitor for UPS doing the 4am to noon shift with an old guy named Robert who, 50% of the time, would reply to any question with "It's copasetic." It was kind of a freaky time in my life and this song brought back a lot of memories. Alton Ellis - Can I Change My Mind - Since this project started, I've received about 13 mixes from fellow BSers and the first album I've received two songs from is Alton & Hortense Ellis(655321 had sent me cut from it back in June)...yet another reason to love this project. Plus, without knowing it, I had sent MB a Hortense Ellis tune off the album. Love for the Ellis family all around. Rita Marley - A De Pon Dem - Nice tune that has given me renewed respect for Rita's voice. Sweet and smooth. Higgs & Wilson - There is Reward - Another fine lo-lo-lo-fi rocksteady. The organ solo is a bonus. Version City Rockers - Wayfarer's Prayer Velvelettes - Needle in a Haystack - Where are you finding this stuff? Great Phil Spector-sounding tune. Joe Tex - Under Your Powerful Love - I love the strings and horns during the chorus and 70's pornlike production during the verses. Another solid find. Melba Moore - The Magic Touch - This has been my hands-down favorite tune on the disc. A little short but it just grooves. I need more Melba Moore in my life. Betty Swan - Kiss My Love Goodbye - Betty Swan, along with Melba and Marlena, makes a snappy trio of soul/R&B singers. It's a crime that none of these three aren't better known. Marlena Shaw - Let's Wade in the Water - I think I exposed my love for Marlena in my earlier post. Since then, MB has helped me track down a Marlena Shaw album that I've been looking for. Thanks again! Jimmy Radcliffe - Long After Tonight is All Over - nice closer to a great mix. This has been a fun disc to get to know and I fully plan on ripping off a lot of these tracks for mixes going to friends. You seem to have an impressive library of soul/rocksteady/R&B stuff which I sorely lack so this was a great disc for me. Thanks a lot for putting it together. I'll post my comment on See the Light tomorrow.
Just lurking and reading.... and those are massively impressive track lists from Mad Bishop (unsurprising), but I just love the inclusion of this song. A more hilariously hellacious sub 2 minute track may not exist.
Ok, here's the complete run down of Dolemite's mix with some commentary by me. Generally, if I commented it means I liked the tune. If I didn't, it doesn't necessarily mean I didn't care for. I think we need to start sending soft copies of the track lists, if we've got em. I'm too lazy to write these things up usually.
You'll love the Ambulance album. If you don't like it, I'll refund you the money. It's that easy to recommend.
Haven't heard back from Meridian whether he liked/disliked my mix and I haven't received one back. Hmmmm ....
Nancyb's mix 1Little Pink "rocking horse" 2 Los Lobos w/ dave alvin "somehere in time" 3 old 97s "smokers" 4 Fiery Furnaces "straight street" 5 Virgil Shaw "wet splashes" 6 pter case "two hereos" 7 99 tales "baby out of jail" 8 Trailer bride "vagabond hotel" 9 James Brown "gt up offa that thang" 10 Raio 4 "party crashers" 11 libertines "the saga" 12 Cato Salsa experience "m.f." 13 Reigning sound "too much guitar" 14 los halos "reasons to smile 15 black rebel motorcycle club " we're all in love" 16 ravonettes " beat city" 17 black keys "midnight in her eyes" 18 Long Winters "prom night at hater high definatly two halves to this cd. liked the Peter Case, Los Lobos, Cato Salsa Experience, Reigning Sound, and black keys songs. when i first read a review of the Fiery Furnaces cd a couple monthes ago, i figured i would love the cd but i haven't gotten into it. i gave it a couple tries, but for some reason it doesn't click. overall very good with many bands i hadn't heard. nicely done Nancyb
Ah, you picked up on the two halves. Kind of hard to miss, I guess. I couldn't resist including the Fiery Furnaces because of the piano and the soccer references. Of my friends who've given the latest Fiery Furnaces a try, they've all hated it.
I stuck some Fiery Furnaces on the last set of discs I sent... to two people... We'll see. There was something about them that I liked. I heard Blueberry Boat on XMU, and the changes in temp and style intrigued me. BTW... Murf... I still have to finish your review. I will though. I found someone else's disc first, so that's why I'm writing the review for his first... I didn't lose it... I moved this past weekend finally... so I need to check boxes!
A review of the disc I got from Prof Zodiac! It's called "Some Strings and a Piano" 1. Carl Orff – O Fortuna: Prof thought I wouldn’t know this track… but I remember it mostly as “O Fortuna” by Apotheosis, one of the most popular club tracks in history. In fact, I had an original Radikal Records cd of this track and sold it on ebay for around $80.00! People will buy anything! It went out of print and was hard to find because the estate of Carl Orff wanted it gone. Great track. 2. Chuck Prophet – What Makes the Monkey Dance: I’ve often wondered this very thing! In a way, this reminds me of Frank Zappa. An interesting track. I’ve never heard of him. 3. Clayton Luckie – Carry On: A guy singing and playing guitar. This is the kind of song that will have to grow on me. I might get to appreciate it if I listen to it several times, but I don’t notice anything remarkable about the song. 4. Grateful Dead – Wish You Were Here: One of my favorite Pink Floyd songs. When I was in college for my first freshman year, there was a guy who played guitar on my floor… We always used to make him play this… and Over the Hills, Far Far Away by Led Zeppelin. I don’t know why the Dead were playing cover songs live… but I like the original better! 5. John Coltrane Quartet – Tunji: Jazz is the music I probably know the least about. I have never gotten into it, but I have been trying. I like some of it these days. My stepmother is a pretty well-known jazz singer in Chicago… so I try. Believe it or not, this is the first John Coltrane song I’ve ever heard (I think). This isn’t bad at all. I really don’t like the dissonant stuff. That’s what I have a problem with in jazz, for the most part. But this isn’t like that. I’d love to hear and learn more. 6. Johnny Cash – San Quentin (Live): He’s a classic. He’s a country singer I don’t really mind… and I’m no big fan of country. I do like the old stuff though… this I like quite a bit. I actually have an interesting and recent country music story that I’ll tell sometime in the future! 7. Mieka Pauley – Companion to a King: Never heard of this person! This is a pretty good song. I could see how this guy’s voice could grate on someone… well, really it could go either way. I think his graveliness isn’t over the top… so it’s not bad. The guitar isn’t bad in this song. Simple, but it works. 8. Mieka Pauley – The Way it Is: Hmmm… this makes me wonder if there was a possible misprint on the cd label. This is a woman singing... and the music sounds very different. She has an interesting voice… reminds me of a combination of a few female artists. Funny… it seems like she hits the high notes better than the low ones. Wow. This really reminds me of someone, but I can’t place it! 9. Aha. This is Mieka Pauley. Something was wrong… I don’t know what track 7 is, but this is clearly the same woman singing in track 8. I think I like the previous song better. She sounds like she’s straining in this one. 10. Uh oh. This is track 10, and it’s something else completely… not Floyd. Hmm… People Just Ain’t No Good… . Ah… that’s Nick Cave. I remember when I heard him when I was younger. I didn’t like him then… but I think I can appreciate him more now. Yeah, this is much better. 11. Pink Floyd – Bike; Very familiar with this song. I could tell you stories about altered states of mind and this song… and a tape that was warped so that the sound came in and out and was completely freaky… but I won’t!!! I like Syd Barrett Floyd stuff! Is this song about anything? 12. Red House Painters – Song for a Blue Guitar: Nice, easy song. Good guitar, nice vocals. Resonant voice. Good harmony with a woman. I kind of like the slide guitar in this song. It fits. 13. Slobberbone – Sister Beans: A very nice mellow song. 14. Tim Hall – Dirt in the Wind: Excellent guitar in this track. Wow. It’s all guitar. Nice track. This guy’s a good player. 15. Tom Waits – Little Drop of Poison: I have never understood this guy… How’d a guy who sings like this become a recording artist? Well… it’s interesting stuff. This reminds me of the kind of music you hear in some French movies. In fact, I think I’d understand it better if it were French. It sounds like an interesting story. All in all, a very different and eclectic disc! Some stuff to make me to “Hmmm…” Some stuff to make me go “HUH?” and some stuff to make me go “Heeeey!” So thanks, Prof! You’ve given me some interesting music and expanded my horizons quite a bit!
Yeh, I am sure he is I saw your mix had the Black Keys on it. I cannot get Rubber Factory and thickfreakness out my car CD player right now.
I'm looking at the saved playlist and the mystery track is 'One Moment' by Jon Dee Graham. Don't know why I labeled it Mieka Pauley. Clayton Luckie was an artist I found on the Internet a couple years ago. I don't remember what I was searching for, but I've been unable to locate ANYTHING of his since, so all I've got is the two tracks of his. I gave you the more mellow of the two. I believe I sent Mad_Bishop the other one. For a good Coltrane song, without much dissonance, try "A Love Supreme, Part 1: Acknowledgment." Mieka Pauley is an artist I found through cnet. I love her voice. I also found Tim Hall there. He's got a country-sounding song, but I prefer the guitar piece. As I'm sure you, and Mad_Bishop can likely tell by now, my musical tastes are, as people of my generation would put it, wack. BTW, the Shrek and Shrek 2 soundtracks are very good for music you've never heard before. Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen.
I'm not that much older than you, but I can tell we're different generation-wise: those three artists are comtemporary classics. I wouldn't call your tastes "wack" but they do seem a little out of step with your peers, almost entirly for the better. I have your CD on me to review, but not the track listing. I will do it this week, though.
You might need to wait just a little longer. DC United Season Ticket Sales Increase I don't have Rubber Factory, yet, but I want it.
since Nancy did the hard work for me : Great, great stuff...very funky. A little less funk and it would almost be Northern Soul I was a little indifferent to the Boyracer, and I just plain don't get what the hype surrounding Animal Collective is. This is literally the third mix in a row with some Animal Collective, and I still don't get it. The same goes for Mirah. I'm just unimpressed. Liked both of these a lot. I've had the new Futureheads on my "to-buy" queue, and I think I'm going to have to bump it up now. I bought the Ambulance, Ltd. album a couple months ago after hearing a couple songs and reading the hype for them on here and the blogosphere. They're pretty good, and the album's not bad, but I haven't felt compelled to really relisten to it. This song is amazing. In fact, I went out and bought the album yesterday because I liked this so well. Haven't had a chance to delve too deeply into it yet, but I really like what I hear. Could there be a more inappropriate name for this group though? Destroyer sounds to me like a Hardcore or Proto-Metal band, but this band is far from that. Pretty good, not something I'll go out and buy I don't think. This is a stellar pop song. Why can't all pop music be this fun and danceable? I look forward to finding more from this Norwegian. Meh... Fantastic. Threw it onto a lounge/exotica playlist for party music. Bought this one too, but had been meaning to buy it for a while. Best track on the album Wasn't impressed with the cover, but I loathe the original. I really liked the Xiu Xiu, and will keep an eye out for them in the future. I really liked the mix on your track. You used ProTools? Good work. Overqall, some hit, some miss, but the best mixes are like that. Lot's and lot's of stuff I hadn't heard.
My wife's only 4.5 months pregnant and it's taken over our lives. I can't imagine what it's going to be like when he or she actually arrives!
if you like that, then go to this site http://www.justconcerts.com/concerts/concert.cfm?Concert_Id=304 and play the real audio link on the right titled "destroyer in session". basically, destroyer did a session of about four or five songs from his "your blues" cd with the band Frog Eyes backing him up. they basically put a kinda rock spin on the Destroyer songs. if you like the Destroyer cd, then i think you'l really like this. it's great oh glad you liked the mix cd for the most part
Re Dolemite's mix: I killed two birds with one stone when I posted the track list, using this list to upgrade the original cover provided with the mix. Re:Annie Me Plus One I'm absolutely loving this song.
I've been looking around for torrents, because I'm too busy to hit the record stores in the city, but I plan on getting the Annie album...NOthing like getting off a twelve hour shift at Three AM, and playing that really loud. Does wonders for the stress levels Perhaps this weekend I'll make my way downtown and have a look.