Over In About An Hour: Volume 1

The first mix tape of a (hopefully lengthy) series. The concept behind the series is to create one hour (ish) playlists that blend established artists with those that are up and coming, to cross genres, decades and styles and to dabble in moods, lyrical and emotional journeys. Overall its about creating playlists I wished radio stations would play but that only a special few will.

This is a collection of songs that I’ve found interesting for their storytelling and emotional rawness. There are 14 songs clocking in just a tad shy of an hour.

1. State Trooper – Bruce Springsteen
   From the 1982 classic album Nebraska, outlaws on the run in a chilling performance. Had a chance to see Arcade Fire perform a version of this in Vancouver, BC. Wish I had a copy of that one too.
2. I Love The Life I Live, I Live The Life I Love – Muddy Waters
   As Elvis Costello described this Willie Dixon penned track: “These days, I just love the way this record sounds, how the band parts all interlock and the fashion in which Muddy just starts singing whenever he feels like it.” Ditto.
3. From A Whisper To A Scream – Allen Toussaint
   I don’t remember when/how I came across this track but I’m glad I did.
4. Sara – Bob Dylan
   A relationship decaying and proof that some of the best songs on albums are those tucked away right at the very end.
5. Fater – Richard Buckner
   Less than 2 minutes in length but leaves a powerful and long lasting impression.
6. The Greatest – Cat Power
   With strings that hint at Moon River, the lead track from the 2006 release of the same name. It reminded me of the next track as I listened to it.
7. Fade In To You – Mazzy Star
   Hope Sandoval’s voice and the simple sleepy sound of this track continues to “synch” deeper under the skin with each time I hear it.
8. Chills – Ben Lee
   Found this track after watching an interview with him on The New Music. Dan the Automator produced it.
9. Soon Enough – The Constantines
   The stand-out track for me from the album Tournament of Hearts.
10. Unmade Bed – Sonic Youth
    A band I like to listen to with the headphones on. Others would argue they’re better with the room sparsely decorated and amps cranked.
11. Wherever You Go – Built To Spill
    Great record and contender for many 2006 best of lists. Finding new parts I like about it with each listen.
12. Dreams Never End – New Order
    Not something I listen to everyday but I’m glad to hear it when I do.
13. Everyday – Yo La Tengo
    Opening track to the band’s 2000 disc. It is not the best track on the record but it’s an album worth exploring.
14. 23 Minutes To Brussels – Luna
    From the album Penthouse which I rediscovered after reading Musings of a VC in NYC’s nuggets this past March.

If you have you can listen to this mix by clicking here.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 9th, 2006 at 12:43 am and is filed under Mixtapes, Music, Over In About An Hour. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.