"Speaking In Tongues"

This was the title of the mix I got from Neil - although I had to guess his identity! It wasn't too hard actually because as far as I know he's the only one of this group who knows anything about me, and the tracks were too perfect for me to be from a total stranger. And then there was the dead giveaway: the John Otway track! I've only listened to the CD twice, except for a few I've repeated or sampled, so it's kind of soon to give a real review, but here at least are my first impressions:

First track, "I" by Pizzicato 5 - a Japanese pop song in the style of French cabaret, an absolute delight. I'm definitely buying more tracks from iTunes! Excellent beginning.

Next up, "Moi, Je Jou" by Brigitte Bardot. Sweet. So very, very French.

Then more Japanese from a source I wouldn't have guessed: Laurie Anderson in "Kokoku." I haven't listened to Laurie Anderson in so long - not since high school, I guess, when I would sometimes stay over at my friend Katie's house, and she would put on the Oh Superman record after we'd turned the lights out and we both thought it was cool but I was embarrassed to say that it also really creeped me out. So here she is again, still kind of eerie and haunting, but also gentle. With repeated listenings, I like this track more and more.

Now for some Icelandic lyrics: the lovely Bjork singing "Vokuro." I googled the lyrics and found an absolutely beautiful translation. I've always really liked her voice and music, but haven't ever bought anything. Now, maybe it's time . . .

There might be actual walrus voices in "The Walrus Hunt" - the song, or rather aural performance art event? sound painting? by The Residents. It's interesting - the ubiquitously ambiguous adjective - with layers of sound that evoke things like water and squishy footsteps and maybe the rhythm of waves. Not sure it'll get as much rotation on my player as Pizzicato 5 - or anything with a melody - but it was, really, interesting!

Next up, hippie music! (How I miss Eugene sometimes.) "Govinda" by Kula Shaker - according to Wikipedia, "the only British Top Ten hit to be sung entirely in Sanskrit." How cool is that?

Achtung! "Krieger" by Die Fantastichen Vier is hip-hop like I've never heard before. This was cool.

And now is the time that we dance! "Tour de France 2003" by Kraftwerk. The lyrics might be French but the band is still so very, very German. This was really fun and easy to listen to.

Next up, a song close to my heart, "Chan Chan" from the Buena Vista Social Club album. I have this, I bought it after I saw the amazing documentary. My reaction to this music is so strong and personal, it's hard to comment. But I was happy to find it in the mix.

M'encantan los cubanos! "Maracaibo Oriental" by Beny More. I bet you've heard it before. Upbeat, catchy, irresistable.

Y los puertoriquenos tambien! Two tracks from Tito Puente, "Mambo Gozon" and "La vida es una lenteja" - more music I have to buy!

The next track "Tengo Un Novio Tantriko" by Las Ketchup is probably my favorite new discovery on this CD. I'd never heard of them, even though this group of sisters from Andalucia were Grammy nominees. This music is charming.

Allez hop! I've been loving Ca Plane Pour Moi by Plastic Bertrand since approximately 1986. It always makes me instantly happy, at least for three minutes and four seconds.

The token English language song in the mix is "DK50/80" by John Otway and Wild Willy Barret. This song almost echoes the rhythm of Ca Plane Pour Moi, the one that makes you want to jump up and down, but also has a nice melodic thing going on. This is a really nice tune I've liked more with each sampling.

When I saw the last track, "Satyagraha Tolstoy Part 2," I just thought, 11 whole minutes of Philip Glass? Do I have to? It's a prejudice, I admit, stemming from an ill-chosen boyfriend with an excessive enthusiasm for Koyaanisqatsi. But I have to say, this is absolutely beautiful music and I may actually get the whole opera now. (I know, opera!) Oh, and the language? Sanskrit again.

Thanks, Neil!