This collection of songs was pulled together for an evening of washing dishes and cleaning a very messy kitchen. While our kitchen does have a dishwasher in it, there is something about cleaning dishes by hand. It can be a great time for solitary reflection and allowing the mind to wander. Great music can take you places and when better than when you’re elbow deep in lukewarm, grimy water. Convincing a family member or friend to join in the workload, gives time to chat about life, work, friends, art, politics and so many things that an hour in front of the television does not.

The tracklisting for Volume 8 is:

1. Grey in L.A. – Loudon Wainwright III
   From the album: Strange Weirdos: Music From And Inspired By The Film Knocked Up
2. Gotta Get Away – The Rolling Stones
   From the album: Singles 1965-1967
3. Well…All Right – Albert Hammond Jr
   From the album: Yours To Keep
4. If I Should Die Tonight – Brakes
   From the album: The Beatific Visions
5. Baby I – Amy Millan
   From the album: Honey From The Tombs
6. Sleep Tonight – Stars
   From the album: Do You Trust Your Friends?
7. Way You Walk – Papas Fritas
   From the album: Pop Has Freed Us
8. It’s A Shame – The Spinners
   From the album: A One Of A Kind Love Affair
9. Tengo Frio – Ely Guerra
   From the album: Petrol Presents: Departure Lounge, Love
10. The Bed’s Too Big Without You – The Police
    From the album: Reggatta De Blanc
11. When The Sun Comes Up – Bert Jansch
    From the album: The Black Swan
12. Where Is Love? – Lily Frost
    From the album: Petrol Presents: Departure Lounge, Love
13. My Dreams Are Getting Better Every Day – Vera Lynn
    From the album: Vera Lynn Yours
14. One Life Away – M. Ward
    From the album: Transistor Radio
15. In The Morning – Nina Simone
    From the album: Just Like A Woman: Nina Simone Sings Classic Songs Of The 60’s
16. Here Comes The Sun – Peter Tosh
    From the album: The Best of Peter Tosh
17. Reversed – Elizabeth Sheppard
    From the album: Start To Move
18. Daughter – Loudon Wainwright III
    From the album: Strange Weirdos: Music From And Inspired By The Film Knocked Up

Yahoo! Music Unlimited subscribers can listen to this mixtape here.

I’ve put together Volume 7 of the Over In About An Hour mixtape series a while back and have been slow to post it. My apologies for the delay in getting it out the door.

While on IM with Lucas Gonze, I commented that playlist blogs have really become the liner notes for digital music. Playlist creators can use blogs to tell the stories of how and why they woven particular artists, albums and songs together in their own unique tracklisting.

Playlists blogs move the mixtape experience beyond a private exchange been friends. The playlister can share their creation with friends and complete strangers. New listeners can seek out discoveries in a way that flipping the dial on traditional radio makes challenging.

Blogs are communication tools that provide listeners with a opportunity to give feedback and engage in dialogues. This new digital liner note can foster conversations and create new friendships. I’ve never met Lucas or Robert of the Radish but because of comments they shared about my playlists I feel comfortable pinging them on IM about songs that I feel the need to share at that moment.

So here is Volume 7. This mixtape is part jangle, part eighties, part hip-hop and a few dashes of R&B spun together for driving around. While living in Seattle, I use to do roadtrips to Whistler, Vancouver, and Stevens Pass to hit the slopes. I’d end up taking a couple of handfuls of CDs with me for the ride. I’d pop discs in and out of the changer depending on my mood, the traffic, the weather and how much new snow was waiting for me. This collage of songs isn’t from any one specific trip but it does reflect what you might have heard if you were sitting in the passenger’s seat.

Be sure to check out comments that Lucas made about Volume 7. You can find them here. Add your own thoughts on my blog after you’ve had a chance to give this mixtape a listen. Yahoo! Music Unlimited users can listen to this mix by clicking here

1. Corvette – Golden Smog
   From the album: Another Fine Day
   
2. The Day We Hit The Coast – Thrush Hermit
   From the album: Clayton Park
   
3. Good To Me – Brendan Benson
   From the album: Lapalco
   
4. Alsatian – Mike O’Neill
   From the album: What Happens Now?
   
5. The Ocean In-Between – Matthew Sweet
   From the album: Kimi Ga Suki * Raifu
   
6. The Neighbor – Jason Falkner
   From the album: Bliss Descending
   
7. Nothing Happening – Ben Kweller
   From the album: Ben Kweller
   
8. Lonely Nights – Bryan Adams
   From the album: You Want It, You Got It
   
9. Love Vibration – Josh Rouse
   From the album: 1972
   
10. Pride And Joy – Marvin Gaye
    From the album: Anthology
    
11. Think (About It) – Lyn Collins
    From the album: Funk Gold
    
12. Here I Come – The Roots
    From the album: Game Theory
    
13. Verbal Clap – De La Soul
    From the album: The Grind Date
    
14. Listen!! (Main Edit) – Talib Kweli
    From the album: Ear Drum
    
15. Beef – Mos Def
    From the album: Rawkus Records Best Of Decade I, 1995-2005
16. The Arrival – Atmosphere
    From the album: You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having
    

Volume 6 of the Over In About An Hour mixtape series is now available for your listening pleasure. There wasn’t much of a story behind this playlist. It’s a collection of songs that I’ve been enjoying and felt like sharing with others.

Would love to hear your thoughts on the artists, albums and tracks I’ve included in the series. Feel free to leave a comment or two.

Yahoo! Music Unlimited users can listen to this mix by clicking here.

1. You And I Are A Gang Of Losers – The Dears
   
   The first of two tracks from The Dears on this playlist. I’m a bit of a fan of putting bookend tracks from one artist on a playlist.
2. Here It Comes – The Doves
   
   One of those bands that seems to make its way back onto the stereo every now and then.
3. Do You Believe In Rapture – Sonic Youth
   
   A band and a record that I like more and more each time I listen to them. I’ve been reading Thomas Ricks’ Fiasco and this song was a good accompaniment to the book.
4. Let Him Dangle – Elvis Costello
   
   Elvis in a mood as he retells the story of the death of Sidney Miles and the two teenagers involved in the shooting – Chris Craig and Derek Bentley. Bentley was executed in 1953 for the crime. 45 years later he received a posthumous pardon for the murder.
5. Maggie’s Farm – Bob Dylan
   
   The first version of this song that I can remember hearing was performed by U2 at The Conspiracy of Hope Tour in 1986. My well worn VHS tape of the MTV/MuchMusic broadcast of the show from Giants Stadium, NJ eventually inspired me to track down the original.
6. Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones
   
   Perhaps the flipside to the Sonic Youth track included here. The work of guest vocalist Merry Clayton makes this an incredible song.
7. Clinically Dead – Chad VanGaalen
   
   Indie Canadian rock from Calgary. This album was originally released in 2004 before Chad signed to SubPop.
8. Lit Up – The National
   
   
9. Fiction – The Concretes
   
10. Is This Home On Ice – Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah
    
11. Black Lexus – Joseph Arthur
    
    A new record from Joseph Arthur. Liked this track but am still undecided on the album.
12. Eanie Meany – Jim Noir
    
    Sounds like it is right out of another decade. A catchy single.
13. Think I’m In Love – Beck
    
    The new Beck record is forthcoming. This is one of four tracks that I’ve heard. Love that he is back together with Nigel Godrich.
14. This Modern Love – Bloc Party
    
    Eagerly awaiting the next record from these guys.
15. Ballad Of Humankindness – The Dears
    
    This record is almost a given to make my top ten list for 2006. Murray Lightburn’s vocals remind me of Damon Albarn of Blur and they fit nicely on top of the art rock song structure.

Some time during my high school years, I think it was the summer of ‘86, a guy by the name of Mitch Lapa threw a party while his parents were out of town. Mitch had gone to my high school for a couple of years before switching to another closer to his house. I knew his sister Loretta better than Mitch but can’t remember how I ended up at his place that night.

The house had had all its furniture moved upstairs. The barren dining room was now furnished with a borrowed card table and a lone strobe light with a blue gel on it. Stacks of vinyl records were littered around the makeshift dj booth. A couple of speakers were hidden underneath old white bedsheets. The night was warm. The cigarettes and other flavours were burning. Resourceful teens have acquired copious amounts of beer and liquor. The crowds gathered in the front and back yards (as well as an impromptu picnic collective in the neighbour’s backyard – they were away too).

Unlike most of parties of those days, the Steve Miller, Beastie Boys, and David Wilcox tapes were – thankfully – nowhere to be found that night an hour outside of Toronto. Instead a mix inspired by the eclectic CFNY 102.1 punctuated the night air. CFNY would play anything and everything. Its styling leaned to what then was truly alternative – indie, new wave, punk. Fans, including Neil Peart of Rush, nicknamed the station “The Spirit of Radio”.

Begin the day
With a friendly voice
A companion, unobtrusive
Plays that song thats so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood

Off on your way
Hit the open road
There is magic at your fingers
For the spirit ever lingers
Undemanding contact
In your happy solitude

Invisible airwaves
Crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle
With the energy
Emotional feedback
On a timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price —
Almost free…

All this machinery
Making modern music
Can still be open-hearted
Not so coldly charted
Its really just a question
Of your honesty

One likes to believe
In the freedom of music
But glittering prizes
And endless compromises
Shatter the illusion
Of integrity

For the words of the profits
Are written on the studio wall,
Concert hall —
Echoes with the sounds…
Of salesmen.

– Neil Peart
The Spirit of Radio
From the album Permanent Waves

This list is by no means definitive of that night’s soundtrack. It’s quite likely that many of this tracks were not even played then. They do reflect the “spirit” of the proceedings.

1. Age of Consent – New Order
   
2. Death or Glory – The Clash
   
3. Heaven – The Psychedelic Furs
   
4. Sound And Vision – David Bowie
   
5. Going Underground – The Jam
   
6. Jumping Someone Else’s Train – The Cure
   
7. She’s In Parties – Bauhaus
   
8. Warm Leatherette – The Normal
   Had added this to my playlist and then discovered that Robert Of The Radish had done a full playlist on Mute records, The Normal and Daniel Miller. Worth a read and a listen.
9. No New Tale To Tell – Love and Rockets
   
10. Mad World – Tears For Fears
    
11. Only You – Yaz
    
12. Bring On The Dancing Horses – Echo & The Bunnymen
    
13. Add It Up – The Violent Femmes
    
14. One Step Beyond – Madness
    
15. Twist & Crawl – English Beat
    
16. The Spirit Of Radio – Rush
    Listen to the lyrics. So true of the problems with traditional radio today.

users can listen to this mix by clicking here.

To learn more about CFNY and its impact read some of the testimonials from SpiritOfRadio.ca. Some of the station’s old djs and fans have recently posted their home taping sessions as a 24/7 Internet radio station.

I wonder if the current high school generation will look back in twenty years and find a special night to build a playlist around. With all their cameraphones, myspace, and file-sharing they’ll probably have a perfect recollection instead of my fuzz one.

Feedback and comments are welcomed.

The tracklist is:

1. Brighter Discontent – The Submarines
   John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard pair up for musical and emotional journey on Declare a New State! This record gets better with each listen. Download it from the little digital music store called Zunior.com
2. Every Time We Say Goodbye – Oscar Peterson
   The gifted Canadian pianist tackles the Cole Porter songbook.
3. Winter – Joshua Radin
   A record so good that I want a physical copy of it. Three separate trips to the local shops and I’m still empty handed. He gets lots of play on the Last Kiss soundtrack.
4. You Don’t Make It Easy Babe – Josh Ritter
   First learned about Josh Ritter during my Hear Music days in Seattle. Fortunate to see him play in a wide range of settings and this track always stood out as a highlight during his performances.
5. Sent To The Moon – Tullycraft
   This came up as a recommendation while using Yahoo! Music earlier today. Liked the slight change of pace it added to the mix.
6. Leave (Alternate Version) – R.E.M.
   This version in my opinion is much better than the album take.
7. Let It Die – Feist
   Can’t say anything new about this record that hasn’t already been said. Add it to your collection if you haven’t got it already. Waiting for the next Feist disc due soon.
8. Know – Nick Drake
   Nick Drake. Alone. From the album “Pink Moon“.
9. Maybe Not – Cat Power
   Chan Marshall’s vocals and minimalist production leave lots of space for mind to wander.
10. Left And Leaving – The Weakerthans
    The first of three Canadian songs in a row. Search around online for MP3s of these guys and Sarah Harmer’s performance at the CBC’s Glenn Gould Studios in Toronto, ON.
11. Coffee Stain – Sarah Harmer
    Storytelling is part of the art of great songwriting. Sarah captures both in this track from “You Were Here“.
12. Look Out For My Love – Neil Young (with Crazy Horse)
    Neil, minor key, and a restrained Crazy Horse.
13. She – Gram Parsons
    I love the Emmylou Harris version of this song. The original contains as much passion as those that followed
14. Miss Being Mrs. – Loretta Lynn
    From the 2004 disc she and Jack White worked on. Worthy of a place in any record collection.
15. Something Nice – Mike O’Neill
    Used to play hockey against Mike when we were growing up. He crafts beautiful light pop songs that are always over before I’m ready for them to be. Download the album over at the Zunior.com store.
16. Heartbeats – Jose Gonzalez
    Love this record especially with the headphones on.
17. The Light Behind My Head – Dolorean
    Thanks to Tim Ziegler for hooking me on Dolorean a few years back. A significant number of spins for this one as the Starbucks crew spent many late nights on the Third Street Promenade building out the Hear Music Coffeehouse in Santa Monica, CA.

users can listen to this mix by clicking here.

I’ve decided to join the fray by dedicating Volume 3 of the Over In About An Hour mixtape series to Amanada and Andrew Baron. The playlist titles capture some of the back and forth of the past few weeks. All the tracks can be found on. You can hear the Volume 3 (boomed vs. unboomed) mixtape here if you are a YMU subscriber. The tracklist is:

1. It’s A Hit (from the album More Adventurous) – Rilo Kiley
2. What New York Couples Fight About (from the album Charango) – Morcheeba
3. Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt (from the album With Love And Squalor) – We Are Scientists
4. They Put Her In The Movies (from the album Bliss Descending) – Jason Falkner
5. Bad As They Seem (from the album Everything I Long For) – Hayden
6. Brother’s Gonna Work It Out (from the album The Mack) – Willie Hutch
7. Love & Appreciate (from the album Murray’s Revenge) – Murs
8. Divine Intervention (from the album Girlfriend [2 Disc Reissue Edition]) – Matthew Sweet
9. Friends You Learn To Hate (from the album Sweet Release) – The Flashing Lights
10. Before You Leave (from the album Clayton Park) – Thurst Hermit
11. On To You (from the album Shine A Light) – The Constantines
12. Let The Cool Goddess Rust Away (from the album Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
13. Unemployable (from the album Pearl Jame) – Pearl Jam
14. Time Is Tight (from the album Stax Gold) – Booker T. & The MG’s
15. Back From The Dead (from the album Down In Albion) – Babyshambles

Feedback as always is welcomed. I know there are hundreds of other songs out there that would have fit but I limited the playlist to an hour’s worth of tunes.

PS. Andrew and Amanda – if you’re reading this, please enjoy it with a smile as it is intended to lighten up a rather public and difficult time for you both.

Yesterday morning I saw a stunning picture posted on Thomas Hawk’s Digital Connection. The photography was the work of Lane Hartwell. The picture stayed in my head all day and I found myself going back to look at it a couple of times. I then started thinking about songs that might have been playing the moment the photo was taken. While I suspect it was likely some top forty fare blaring on loudspeakers, in my head it was something that equaled the beauty of Lane’s work.

I’ve created Volume 2 (songs for a picture) of Over In About An Hour as a soundtrack to this photo. The mix tape includes:

1. Moving Pictures, Silent Film – Great Lake Swimmers
2. California (All The Way) - Luna
3. Quiet Town – Josh Rouse
4. These Arms Of Mine – Otis Redding
5. Please – Bing Crosby
6. Almost Blue – Elvis Costello
7. Everything Must Go! – The Weakerthans
8. Star Witness – Neko Case
9. Worth A Song – Matt Murphy
10. Trouble Sleeping – The Perishers
11. The Good Night - The Submarines
12. Say Yes – Elliott Smith
13. Bulletproof - Blue Rodeo
14. Long Distance Call – Phoenix
15. Made Up Lovesong #43 – Guillemots
16. Last Night Of The World – Bruce Cockburn

I am also thinking about another mix for this picture that has a completely different vibe to it. If it comes together I’ll post it here.

Many thanks to Lane for her permission to post her work on my blog. In our email exchange she mentioned the Neko Case track as her inspiration for taking the photograph.

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

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.