tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17657856238303006302024-01-31T09:26:58.944+00:00Mix Clubthermalsatsumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05779925171712284416noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-62290502994107110792017-11-18T23:12:00.000+00:002017-11-18T23:12:36.692+00:00The Animal Tracks Mix <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be honest, it took me a few minutes to get the connection between the tracks in this playlist. Then I realized that either the artist or the song had some sort of animal reference in the name. Once that was clear, things made a bit more sense. I always appreciate someone who can find creative ways to stick to a theme, so well done Alan. I'm sure I couldn't have been as creative.<br /><br />This is a fairly diverse mix of songs, including soundtracks, pop songs, a novelty tune, a new wave classic, and others. Some of it I liked, most of it I didn’t, but that’s how this goes, correct? I’d rather listen to something new and maybe find something I like than just listen to exactly the same things over and over again. Thanks to Alan Williams for putting this together.<br /><br /><br /><b>Main Title/John Williams/Jaws - From The “Jaws” Soundtrack</b><br />I wonder if there is anyone over a certain age who would not instantly recognize this. I’m reasonably sure that my niece who is 15 would recognize this. To be honest, I’m more familiar with this piece of music than the movie, which I think I might have seen once back in the 70s.<br /><br /><br /><b>The Bird On The Second Floor - Bernard Cribbins</b><br />For some reason, probably due to some weird licensing restriction, this track isn’t available to me (listening on Spotify, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because I can't find the CD that Alan sent in the pile of junk on my desk</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">).<br /><br /><br /><b>The Animal Song - Savage Garden</b><br />I had heard of Savage Garden, but until today I had never heard Savage Garden. I’m pretty certain that this will be my only exposure to Savage Garden.<br /><br /><br /><b>House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals</b><br />As with the Jaws theme, this is a track that I would be surprised if someone who grew up in the US or UK didn’t instantly recognize. A classic tune, always welcome.<br /><br /><br /><b>Kitty Jay - Seth Lakeman</b><br />This is… some sort of folk song? Fiddle, voice, maybe some other instrument? In my mind I imagined sweeping vistas of green mountains with men in kilts and women with flowing red hair and some villainous English lord skulking in the background. Or maybe I’ve just seen too many shows on Masterpiece Theater on PBS (which in the US shows a lot of BBC period dramas).<br /><br /><br /><b>Bond Smells a Rat - John Barry Orchestra (Diamonds Are Forever)</b><br />I haven’t seen this movie in decades, but I still recognized this piece of music.<br /><br /><br /><b>A Good Heart - Feargal Sharkey</b><br />For some reason I was sure that Feargal Sharkey was much older than 59 (only six years older than me), but obviously I was wrong. How the man who recorded “Teenaged Kicks,” which John Peel considered his all-time favorite song went on to record this is beyond me. The weird thing is that I’m a fan of Maria McKee (the songwriter, from the band Lone Justice), but this song isn’t for me.<br /><br /><br /><b>Dolphins Make Me Cry - Martyn Joseph</b><br />What is this I can’t even.<br /><br /><br /><b>Shoot the Dog - George Michael</b><br />All I know about George Michael is that he was in WHAM!, and my sister liked them back when. I knew he had a solo career, but I couldn’t name you one song from it. Songs like this (and the one above) remind me just how out of touch I am with popular music.<br /><br /><br /><b>Where Eagles Dare - The Band of Royal Lancers</b><br />I think I saw this movie with my maternal grandfather, a WWII veteran and former US Marine. This has that classic WWII war movie / action-adventure sound to it. I can see the credits rolling over an airfield somewhere in Europe with strapping young men about to take off into the wild blue to do heroic battle, interrupted by a commercial for Turner Classic Movies.<br /><br /><br /><b>Stand and Deliver - Adam & The Ants</b><br />A classic from the New Wave/New Romantic times. Early Adam & The Ants was always over the top and fun.<br /><br /><b>I Came Upon A Roadkill Deer - Bob Rivers</b><br />One of my cousins has a huge collection of novelty songs like this. I avoid that cousin whenever I’m back home.<br /><br /><br /><b>Blackbird - Dido</b><br />As with Savage Garden, Dido is someone I’d heard of, but had never heard. And as with Savage Garden, I’m pretty certain this will be all I ever hear from Dido. Good beat, though.<br /><br /><br /><b>Bat Out of Hell - Meat Loaf</b><br />Another one that is unavailable to me for some reason. No matter, because I’ve heard this song eleventy billion times on various classic rock stations over the years. Don’t let your meat loaf, or something (I think that’s a Butt-head quote, but I could be wrong…) (listening on Spotify).<br /><br /><br /><b>Eleanor - The Turtles</b><br />A classic tune. I have an aunt that I like named Eleanor (everyone calls her Ellie), so I always have fond memories of this song.<br /><br /><br /><b>Wild World - Yusuf Islam / Cat Stevens</b><br />“Tea For The Tillerman” is such a classic album. I think at one point I owned it on vinyl. I was glad to hear this track.<br /><br /><br /><b>The Future Holds A Lion’s Heart - Darren Hayes</b><br />My initial impression is that this is the main theme to an 80s teen movie where the protagonist from the wrong side of the tracks fights against some kind of injustice and eventually prevails and gets the girl from the rich family, and walks off with her into the sunset with the collar on his polo shirt popped and a bandanna around his neck, and I’m just going to stick with that.<br /><br /><br /><b>Four White Stallions - Counting Crows</b><br />Every time I hear this band I want to punch the lead singer in the face, so my opinion of this track should be considered biased and unreliable.<br /><br /><br /><b>Albatross - Fleetwood Mac</b><br />Early Fleetwood Mac. I’m only familiar with their “Rumors” era stuff, but they’ve really got a deep and interesting early catalog also.</span>Alan Bowmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15970114295266022866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-28872318397229856822017-11-16T04:13:00.000+00:002017-11-16T04:13:06.025+00:00A mixed bag.<span style="font-family: inherit;">I received this mix from Rosalind. I had no idea what to expect, and I think at the end of it, I still don't. Full of surprises, Rosalind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We start out with Cut the Cake, by Average White Band. It is definitely funky. I am transported to a disco scene where people wear sequins and bell bottoms, everyone's dancing and someone has dreams about making it big somewhere.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We move into Shape of Things by Blossom Dearie. This is a change of gears somewhat. It is jazzy and cheerful sounding, but a bit dark if you actually listen to it. Jazz and murder marry, I find.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Straight into Nothing Ever Happens by Del Amitri. I remember this from somewhere, and liking it a lot. It's very much a child of its time, pop rock after all, singing about things changing and never changing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tomorrow's Girls by Donald Fagen is a jazzy pop song that I don't know how to feel about. I find the lyrics annoying. No girls are your girls, Mr Fagen. I wish I was more eloquent and then I could put my finger on why I find this song upsetting. I think it just hasn't aged well. Or maybe it's me, and I just don't like girls described as having hungry eyes under any context. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then a song about war. A slightly humorous one. The Minotaur's Song by the Incredible String Band. It's psychedelic folk, which makes me think of my mother and flower dresses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes reminds me a bit of Flight of the Conchords. It's a bit my mother in flower dresses as well, which of course would not be unlike Flight of the Conchords. It's not, by the way, it´s Kevin Ayers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Leonard Cohen with Alexandra Leaving. Man. Cohen always hits the nail on the head, doesn't he? What tremendous grief for a loss that is still to happen. Or at least that's how it feels to me. The way some people are lost to you the moment you meet them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Journey by Duncan Browne reminds me somewhat of James Taylor, Bob Dylan? Very folksy, the sort of music that my parents would listen to when they were hanging out with friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Mary Hopkin & Morgan Visconti with Dog Eat Dog lies somewhere between folk and pop and the singer's voice sounds a bit young Dolly Parton. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Only to do What is True feels bluesy. It's by a band called Medicine Head. I don't know what to make it. In my notes I wrote the title, followed by "It is" and then nothing. I just started writing about the next song. Which, I mean, I've gone back, and tried. And no. I think it is a temporal anomaly and I just can't seem to grip any corner of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bathsheba Smiles by Richard Thompson feels very much like the typical aren't women treacherous and deceitful line. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Abhainn
an T-Sluagh by Runrig I loved. I don't know if it is the musicality of the language or the music itself, but it is beautiful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And suddenly, Broadway. Ute Lemper with Speak Low. I don't think I've ever watched the musical this is part of. It's nice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dogging by Fascinating Aida. There's a pastime you don't hear songs about very often! And it will probably stay that way. It reminded me of Les Luthieres, an Argentinian group some friends of my parents loved and my parents would send me and my sister elsewhere while they listened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fighting Away the Tears by Feist. I don't know. I mean, Feist is cool and all, but this song seems oddly out of place in this mix.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And to end: K-Passa with an unnamed track. iTunes recognises it as Innominate, which I think means nameless anyway. It's a cool song, and a good end to the mix.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall I think I found some interesting things I had never heard before and will follow up on, thank you, Rosalind!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-89203192330063968182017-11-01T16:21:00.000+00:002017-11-01T16:21:19.257+00:00Mix Club CD – Anime Soundtracks<div dir="ltr" style="border-bottom: solid #4f81bd 1pt; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 4pt 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many thanks to Alan for this cd and the extremely comprehensive set of notes to go along with it (which should be readable </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/19yBjdfxwT1k_x-8Z5ZlU5gW48MOGWWZ0H9xwdpdK9xg/edit" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, this promises to be an interesting experience. I haven’t watched a great deal of anime or read any manga to speak of, although I’m aware of the culture and some of the tropes. I’m going to dive right in and start listening. The cd has selections of a few tracks from different anime series, so I think it will be interesting to compare and contrast.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #335b8a; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Azumanga Daioh </span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s Begin</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This sounds pretty much what I was expecting - a bouncy, upbeat tune that sets the scene ...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soramimi Cake (the opening theme, or OP, for the anime by Oranges & Lemons)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New School Term 1</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, a change of pace. This sounds like a recorder being played in a school hall and I can imagine the feelings of nervous anticipation.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What Do You Mean?</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This sounds like lounge jazz, so it took me slightly by surprise. I’m intrigued to know the context of this now.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Six Are Always Together</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back to the upbeat stuff, and I’m imagining the protagonists holding hands and spinning round in circles to this.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Raspberry Heaven (the ending song, or ED, for the anime by Oranges & Lemons)</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even though my knowledge of Japanese is limited to the ability to describe every part of a sword and what to do with it, I think I prefer the vocal sections. I like the way that they mix English and Japanese too - is this a common thing?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #335b8a; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flying Witch </span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kowata Makoto</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, the comfy anime. I really like this - a simple piano track accompanied by guitar. Lovely.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Lingering Freeloader</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More relaxing stuff. This reminds me of the Animal Crossing soundtrack, at least the bits at night time, where you potter round the village talking to the night owls.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flying Witch</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is very evocative - I can picture the young witch swooping through valleys and over mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Happiness of Dreams and Waysides</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The more I hear of this, the more I like it. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nichijou no Mahou (the ED for the anime, sung by the voice actresses for Makoto and her cousin Chinatsu)</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And a song to finish with, a very sweet duet too. I think this is one anime that I would really like.</span></div>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 24pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #335b8a; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Getsuyoubi no Tawawa </span></h1>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Track 1</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OK, so I googled this one for context ...</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Track 2</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">… and I can sense the ‘bouncy’ theme. Ahem. Actually, it sounds interesting that, breast fixation aside, there is anime that is just about people talking, without any space ships, ninjas or superhero drama.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Getsuyoubi no Tawawa ED</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A nice theme song to finish on.</span></div>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 24pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #335b8a; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nichijou </span></h1>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nichijou no Title Kyoku</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fukkatsu no Yukko</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This sort of reminded me of Peter and the Wolf, after seeing that used recently in an episode of season three of Fargo. I get the orchestral Disney comparison too.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choushizuku Yukko</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Shinonome Kenkyuujo</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nichijou no Talk</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hmm, this doesn’t really grab me as much as the other things, perhaps because it does sound more like a western soundtrack (not Western, but you know what I mean).</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="6" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kigen no Yoi Hakase</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kawairashii Doki Doki Kan</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think maybe I need to see this anime for the context to make sense.</span></div>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 24pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #335b8a; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Non Non Biyori </span></h1>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Track Listing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></div>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nanairo Biyori (this is the season 1 OP by nano.RIPE)</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ah, back to the proper stuff. I like this! Lovely, catchy stuff.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ren-chon and a Sunny Road</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a wistful piece, and more recorder music as well (I assume). The recorder is a heavily underutilised instrument, outside of school assemblies and folk music. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Non Non Biyori Theme</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can hear the theme here, reprised from the previous track (or maybe the other way round). Nicely done.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="4" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exciting Day</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Appropriately enough, this conveys a sense of nervous anticipation. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="5" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet You Tomorrow</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am amazed at the care and attention that goes into some of these pieces, with far more going on than the generic, aural wallpaper that we get in western drama series. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="6" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spring Has Arrived </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The harmonica on this really reminds me of something, possibly the Harvest Moon theme, or something along those lines. Really nice.</span></div>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 24pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #335b8a; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ARIA</span></h1>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gondola no Yume</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enough with the pastoral settings and school girls, we’re off to the future! Now, this doesn’t sound like the future I was expecting, but it really works. I can picture a world where people are getting on with their lives as gondoliers on a version of Venice on a terraformed Mars. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mizu no Kagami</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love the ethereal choir on this. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rainbow (season 1 ED)</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oddly enough, this reminded me of an Oasis song transposed up several octaves, but I really like it. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="4" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Neo-Venezia no Suisaiga</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Actually, I think I would really like this one. I’ve been obsessed with Venice ever since playing Tomb Raider II and later on, Assassin’s Creed II, then writing a Nanowrimo set in the city. I will have to go there one day, but in the meantime this anime sounds intriguing.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<ol start="5" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Euforia (season 2 OP)</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And a lovely closing theme. There are plenty of tracks on there that I would listen to again, and I certainly want to watch Flying Witch and Aria.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks Alan!</span></div>
<br />thermalsatsumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05779925171712284416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-81908649990876328292017-10-31T10:24:00.000+00:002017-10-31T10:24:15.135+00:00Mix From NancyMy mix arrived from Nancy. Looking at the songs it seems that there's a bit a theme running through the choice of tracks, a kind of outdoors, nature, landscape mix.<br />
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There are a few tracks here that are familiar, but many that aren't, including a couple that are completely new to me. Here's the track listing and some thoughts on each one:<br />
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1. Mama Nature Said - Thin Lizzy<br />
I know Thin Lizzy and although this track is probably nearly as old as I am, it's a good one. Good choice of an opener to the mix.<br />
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2. The Dog Song - Rachael Ray<br />
There are some interesting effects in this track, with a good piano tune running throughout.<br />
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3. Muswell Hillbilly - Southern Culture on the Skids<br />
I've heard this before, but I had no idea who wrote / sang here. I like the electric organ track, and the lyrics are pretty good too, great build up for the next track.<br />
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4. This Year - The Mountain Goats<br />
I'd never heard of The Mountain Goats before, but I really liked this track. Some good lyrics as well as a catchy tune.<br />
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5. Walk Through The Bottomland - Lyle Lovett<br />
A bit more of a relaxed tune after The Mountain Goats, bringing the tempo back down. Good choice to place this in the mix here. Some good duets, and I like Country Music too.<br />
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6. Down To The River To Pray - Alison Krauss<br />
Alison Krauss has a great voice but sadly I don't really like the song.<br />
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7. River Deep - Mountain High - Ike & Tina Turner<br />
Probably the most well know track on the mix, and one that's been covered by many other artists.<br />
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8. Sunshine - Maysa<br />
This was another new one to me, and I do like a bit of soft jazz.<br />
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9. Poison Ivy<br />
For some reason the artist details dropped off of this one, and although I feel like I should recognise who the artist(s) are I have no idea. Good track though.<br />
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10. Eagle In The Sky - Sean Arington<br />
When I first played this I actually thought this was someone else, but this is another artist that I'm not familiar with. Really liked this one though. Possibly my favourite on the mix.<br />
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11. Blue Ridge Mountains - Fleet Foxes<br />
Blue Ridge Mountains always makes me think of Laurel & Hardy, and although at one time the Fleet Foxes were quite popular in the UK, I never really got into them. I think it's the singing. Instrumentally I like their music, but the voice track is a little odd (to me at least).<br />
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12. Aloha - Walter Hyatt<br />
Another one that is unfamiliar and reminds me of 1950's movies.<br />
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13. Bird Song - M.I.A<br />
Upbeat and catchy, and probably my second favourite in the mix. Can you count all the different bird species that are mentioned?<br />
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14. Walk Between Raindrops - Donald Fagen<br />
This is a great choice for a closing track to the mix, it winds you down after nearly an hour of listening and finishes things off nicely.<br />
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Thanks to Nancy for my mix, I've been listening to it quite a bit, and my thoughts above may well change, so the above are really just my initial thoughts, as I listen again in the car or with headphones I think my brain picks up on different things. I'm looking forward to a lot more plays over the coming days. Kudos Nancy - great choice of tracks.<br />
<br />Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02491729578618258942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-16286725159293097132017-09-28T13:02:00.000+00:002017-09-28T13:02:00.314+00:00Return of the Mix ClubWell, it's been a while, hasn't it?<br />
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The idea has been floated of running another one of these, and Nancy has offered to run the administrative bit of matching up people to send and receive mixes. I think that the best place to do this might be to add your name as a comment to this post if you're interested and we'll take it from there.thermalsatsumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05779925171712284416noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-41629703061584926122009-01-07T14:17:00.002+00:002009-01-07T14:19:26.770+00:00Prog Rock ArrivesMy CD from Rosalind arrived yesterday. Haven't had a moment to listen to it yet, but will do so and review soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-12012929314073906742009-01-06T14:43:00.002+00:002009-01-06T17:06:45.716+00:00Unsettled WeatherHere's a weather-themed mix from Ann. Not delayed in the Christmas post - it's me that's delayed. A curious mixture of thing I knew, things I didn't know, things I thought I knew but didn't, things I thought I didn't know but did, things I thought were one thing that turned out to be something else,<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Forever Autumn - from Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds</span><br />A spoken intro, straight out of a 1950s scifi film (which I suppose it is really, give or take a couple of decades), and then something that surprised me with its familiarity. The familiarity of something not heard for a very long time but familiar all the same. But this is the Moody Blues, surely? At least, it's the chap who sang with the Moody Blues? I'm sure that's who I remembered it as being anyway. Smoky, dreamy and nostalgic.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Thunder Rolls - Garth Brooks</span><br />That's Brooks, not Crooks, I guess. The thunder really does roll, which is a bit twee. Years ago when I used to spend time in upstate New York pootling along a stretch of US 20, I hatched a scheme to drive the full length of that road from Massachusetts to Oregon. I never did carry it out - I guess it's not too late - but this is the kind of music that I imagine playing on the stereo as I pass through the plains of South Dakota. Brooks has that Country Twang, as irritating to my ear as the nasal whine of the hardcore Englsih folkie, but I've been trying hard of late to come to terms with contemporary Country and while I wouldn't go outr of my way to listen to this, it's perfectly agreeable when it comes up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">November Rain - Guns 'n Roses</span><br />Is this really Guns 'n Roses? I don't really know what Guns 'n Roses are supposed to sound like because I've tended to avoid them on the basis that they would be loud, discordant and in your face. Which isn't a very sensible approach to music at all. As if proof were needed, I like this a lot. It feels a lot more like late-60s West Coast rock than 80s heavy metal and it packs in a surprising amount of subtlety. At nearly nine minutes it's hardly an exquisite little pearl though!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ride Like the Wind - Scorpions</span><br />Isn't this the German outfit whose rather tasteless album sleeve caused some controversy recently after being pulled from Wikipedia by the moral police? Anyway, this sounds as though they're trying to be Guns 'n Roses and not quite getting there. Nothing to object to but it hasn't grabbed me yet.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall - Roxy Music</span><br />Bob Dylan's genius was writing songs that could be bent and manipulated in all sorts of ways and still survive to sound great. Bryan Ferry's was to bend and manipulate just about any song to make it sound fresh and original. Put the two together and you've got real class, which this undoubtedly is.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics</span><br />What can I say? Love it to bits, as I love just about everything Annie Lennox does.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Water on Glass - Kim Wilde</span><br />Typically slick and bouncy eighties fare. The opening suggested something more exciting to come, but what arrives is pleasant without grabbing me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Southern Freeze - Freeze</span><br />I thought I didn't know this one but I did. A disco track with a lovely warm soulful voice over a humdrum synthetic ground.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's Raining Men - The Weather Girls</span><br />Something very familiar - the sound of countless office discos and the odd provincial gay club I've ventured into. Great fun, but should ideally be listened to in a slightly drunk crowd.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Traffic and Weather - Fountains of Wayne</span><br />I though it sounded like a great title for a song about crawling home down a snarled-up Western Avenue on a wet Friday night (I've done that a few times). In the end I wasn't sure if it was meant to be taken seriously. "We belong together like traffic and weather." Hmmm. Not my kind of thing I'm afraid.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lightning - REO Speedwagon</span><br />More 1980s theatrical rock. It's a very American genre, this; I can't imagine a British band doing this kind of thing successfully. It would fit in well with that coast-to-coast drive and I imagine this helping me get through the industrial wastelands of northern Ohio and Indiana.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ravel in the Rain - Black</span><br />This is something new to me, but I'd very much like to know more. Dark, dreamy and velvety with some quite delightfully lyrical flights on guitar and sax.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rainy Days and Mondays - The Carpenters</span><br />It's cheesy, of course, but there's cheese and cheese, and Karen Carpenter's distinctive variety was always more than a lump of plastic-wrapped cheddar. Nothing too subtle, and not especially pungent either. I wouldn't seek this out but I wouldn't be dismayed if it came up in the mix.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tender Falls the Rain - Randy Crawford</span><br />It's difficult to have too much Randy Crawford. Not one of her monuments, perhaps, but very welcome.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I Won't Let the Sun Go Down On Me - Nik Kershaw </span><br />A familiar slice of 80s synthpop. Nice; nothing special for me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Windy Town - Chris Rea</span><br />Chris Rea always sounds to me like Leonard Cohen fronting Dire Straits. There's not much of the profound poetry of the former, nor the lyrical guitar of the latter, but the effect is always agreeable.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fairytale of New York - The Pogues and Kirsty McColl</span><br />A real (Christmas) cracker to finish with. So familiar it doesn't need a comment from me, save to say that the juxtaposition of the rough-and-ready voice of Shane Macgowan with the trained voice of Kirsty McColl was an act of genius. The band are fabulous as ever and this is my favourite of all the ubiquitous Christmas songs.<br /><br />An interesting and on the whole very enjoyable mix. Thank you Ann!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-45398856900389597362009-01-04T18:19:00.001+00:002009-01-04T18:19:56.034+00:00Nichole's Christmas MixWell, there has been an embarrassment of riches here, with two cds from Nichole, each containing over twenty tracks. I have to confess that I have only been listening to the Christmas mix so far, and enjoying it hugely. So, here's my review ...<br /><br /><b>Deck the stills - Barenaked Ladies</b><br /><br />A charming little opener, that reminded me of a round on 'I'm sorry I haven't a Clue' with the challenge being to sing the song 'Deck the Halls' using only the words Crosby, Stills and Nash. It made me smile.<br /><br /><b>There's no place like home for the holidays - Leon Redbone<br /><br /></b>A lovely sonorous little tune, in the western tradition - I could imagine Bob Wills singing this one. I love this man's voice, and definitely want to hear more of his work.<br /><br /><b>I'll be home for Christmas - Matchbook Romance<br /><br /></b>A complete change of tack, with an imposing intro of majestic guitars, bass and drums leading into a rather twee song that's at complete odds with the music behind it. An oddity, but quite fun as a Christmas tune.<br /><br /><b>Please come home for Christmas - Willie Nelson<br /><br /></b>Back to the country vibe with an old favourite now, singing a maudlin song about somebody wishing their wife would come home for Christmas (or if not Christmas, then by New Year's Night). Delightful, in that so-miserable-it's-cheerful C&W way.<br /><br /><b>Little Drummer Boy / Silent Night / Auld Lang Syne - Jimi Hendrix<br /><br /></b>This was a set that I hadn't heard before, and I'm mightily impressed. Hendrix truly was a genius with the electric guitar, producing sounds and emotions that were uniquely his own. I love the way he manages to bend notes and add vibrato to them without losing the sustain. The only thing that would make this better would be to lose the rather superfluous and unnecessary drum beat behind the guitar.<br /><br /><b>Let it snow! </b><b>Let it snow!</b><b> Let it snow! - Dean Martin<br /><br /></b>A smooth classic, with not much to say about it really, other than to wonder just who would eat popcorn at Christmas, exactly?<br /><br /><b>Have yourself a merry little Christmas - Ella Fitzgerald<br /><br /></b>Another classic, but a version that was new to me. Very much appreciated.<br /><br /><b>Even Santa Gets the Blues - Marty Stuart<br /><br /></b>Another genre to add to the mix, with some very laid back blues and some virtuoso guitar work. Another artist to add to the list for further investigation.<br /><b><br />Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley<br /><br /></b>A classic live performance from the King on the 1968 NBC TV special, that reminds us exactly how much we lost when Elvis died.<br /><b><br />I want to spend Christmas with Elvis - Debbie Dabney<br /><br /></b>The perfect companion to the previous track!<br /><b><br />Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt & Henri Rene<br /><br /></b>Another loss to the world of music, Eartha Kitt really did have an amazing voice with an effortless delivery that sounds like melted chocolate. Delicious.<br /><b><br />God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan<br /><br /></b>A bouncy, upbeat version of this carol, that turns into an extended medley, but this didn't really grab me as much as I thought it might.<br /><b><br />Christmas in Prison - John Prine<br /><br /></b>A rather charming little ditty about spending the festive season behind bars.<br /><b><br />O Holy Night - Wynonna Judd<br /><br /></b>This seemed a touch over-produced to me. I think that I would prefer to hear Wynonna Judd singing a cappella rather than with the rather twinkly and sugary musical accompaniment here.<br /><b><br />Peace - Norah Jones<br /><br /></b>Ah, a simpler arrangement - just a piano and Norah Jones singing. Lovely.<br /><b><br />Christmas Time is Here - Diana Krall<br /><br /></b>Continuing the mood, this is a surprisingly mellow, if not downbeat rendition.<br /><b><br />White Christmas - Otis Redding<br /><br /></b>Otis has a mighty fine voice, but an annoying habit, I say, an annoying habit, I'll tell you one mo' time, an annoying habit of repeating, repeating certain bits of the lyrics.<br /><b><br />Frosty the Snowman - Jackson 5<br /><br /></b>Ah, another wonderful classic from the days when Michael Jackson didn't actually look as white as Frosty himself.<br /><b><br />Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano<br /><br /></b>I was expecting a bit more classical guitar on this track, rather than the smooth, lounge jazz that it turned out to be. Good all the same, and it has sort of grown on me.<br /><b><br />Zat You Santa Claus? - Louis Armstrong</b><br /><br />A lovely opening, with whistling, icy wind and sleigh bells before old Satchmo's gravelly voice asks the question in the title. A great bit of jazz.<br /><br /><b>Love for Christmas - Felix Gross<br /><br /></b>This sounds like an oldy, and it's another bit of jazz although of the more restrained variety than the preceding track. Great stuff, particularly the smoky sax solo.<br /><b><br />Trim Your Tree - Jimmy Butler<br /><br /></b>More jazz, and Jimmy Butler manages to make his offer to 'trim your tree' sound utterly filthy, promising to bring along his 'hatchet and beautiful Christmas balls' and will sprinkle his 'snow' with abandon. Ban this sick filth now! ;-)<br /><b><br />Santa's Secret - Johnny Guarnieri & Slam Stewart<br /><br /></b>I laughed out loud at the revelation of Santa's secret being his reefer habit. A wonderful gem of a song and utterly unexpected.<br /><b><br />I have a Little Dreidel - Barenaked Ladies<br /><br /></b>Ah, this is much better than the previous medley, although it does sound a bit rude ...<br /><b><br />The Christmas Song - Joe Williams<br /><br /></b>A lovely, laid back version of a classic. I particularly liked the haunting sax playing way back in the background somewhere.<br /><b><br />Auld Lang Syne - Lou Rawls<br /></b><b><br /></b>A perfect end to the disc, with a stunning a cappella rendition of the song.<br /><br />All in all, an excellent Christmas compilation with the vast majority of the songs being new to me and all enjoyable. Thanks, and this is one disc that will certainly be getting hauled out on an annual basis.<br /><br />Now for the second disc ...<br /><br /><br /><b><br /></b>thermalsatsumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05779925171712284416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-23449186250956449442008-12-30T02:30:00.002+00:002008-12-30T04:32:31.653+00:00A Very Special Christmas from Neil - Review<span style="font-weight:bold;">Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade</span><br /><br />Great start to the mix! I don't think this song has gotten much airplay here, but it sounds like an instant classic. Very catchy and very rock and roll, and the scream "It's Chriiiiistmas!" towards the end is excellent.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Roy Wood</span><br /><br />Another 70s era song, but with a more 60s feel. Upbeat and fun, the saxophone line really moves it along, like three girl backup dancers. I'd never heard this one before either, and it's a fun one.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Fairytale of New York - The Pogues and Kirsty Macoll</span><br /><br />This one I have heard quite a few times before, as a friend of mine is a big Pogues fan. It's a sad story - bringing "maggot" and "faggot" together in rhyme as they were always meant to be - but uplifting in the end. It's a nice change of pace from the standard holiday tune and a good addition to the mix. And I really like Kirsty MacColl's voice.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Santa's Laughter - The Attery Squash</span><br /><br />"Santa's laughter mocks the poor, you've known it all along" - a jolly and cynical little tune. Not a bad one, nor is the sentiment out of place, but it's a fairly forgettable song.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses</span><br /><br />The Waitresses! Quintessential early eighties sound - somehow I missed or forgot about this Christmas story-song. I really like their sound - a favorite!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Donde Esta Santa Claus - Augie Rios</span><br /><br />This one is so bad it's good - like Cheesy Poofs, for instance. It's sung by child in a Spanish accent - the many many many whys of this song are probably not worth pondering - and I <i> think</i> he even sings "I know that I should be the sleeping" even though the googled lyrics show no unnecessary "the"s. Anyway, huge hit for me - thanks for including it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Mel and Kim </span><br /><br />Cutest version of this song I've ever heard. I also enjoyed the youtube clip, with more comedy. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hazy Shade of Winter - Bangles </span><br /><br />The Bangles did a nice job with this classic. I think they brightened up the original with all their energy. Not one of my favorite songs, but I did enjoy hearing this version.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Girl In a Time Machine - The Fast Ood Rockers</span><br /><br />I didn't care for this one the first time I heard it, but it really grew on me with a few repetitions. I found a youtube video that clarified the Christmas connection - there seems to be a big story behind the song. Unfortunately, I've never seen a Dr. Who episode - maybe if I had, I would like it even more! <br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Christmas - The Who</span><br /><br />This one just doesn't sound like a holiday song to me, despite all the repetitions of the word Christmas. The lyrics are interesting and seem to question the Christian salvation dogma, so that's cool. But unfortunately I've never had more than fairly lukewarm enthusiasm for The Who.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea </span><br /><br />I got to know Chris Rea on a previous Mix Club CD, from Alan, and it's nice to hear him again. This is a sweet song I can imagine getting lots and lots of radio play around the holidays. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gaudete - Steeleye Span</span> <br /><br />This is gorgeous! I'd never heard it before, nor much of Steeleye Span. I'm very fond of acapella singing and multi-voiced harmonies. Definitely one of my favorites, and I'm sure I'd like more of their music, especially if they do more of this sort of thing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">In Dulci Jubilo - Mike Oldfield</span> <br /><br />This one got off to a nice start, a simple instrumental arrangement of the Christmas carol, but by the time the electric guitar came in, I felt like I'd heard enough of that melody. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ring Out, Solstice Bells - Jethro Tull</span><br /><br />One for the pagans! This one definitely lifts the spirits, or reminds me to lift a glass of spirits, something like that. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Snowflakes - Pizzicato 5</span><br /><br />I'm not sure if Pizzicato 5 is ironic or post-ironic, but I love them. This song is two brief minutes of fey charm.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Child of Snow (Poppoya) - Miu Sakamoto</span><br /><br />I really like this one - the singer has an absolutely lovely voice. Very clean sound.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Finlandia (Op. 26) - John Sibelius</span><br /><br />It goes like this: You're walking in a blizzard in the mountains in some very cold northern place - say, Finland - and you're all alone except for maybe an elf and/or dwarf companion, but definitely no wizard who could throw a fire ball and warm things up for you. And it's so f*ing cold and the wind is blowing so hard that you can only take a single step, and then you have to stop and store up energy for the next step. And that's how you go through the beginning of the music, one slow step at a time in this hostile, frozen world. And then after awhile the wind and snow start to let up. You're still going slow and you still have icicles in your nose and eyelashes, but it's getting a bit easier and you start to consider the possibility of survival. A bird flies overhead - life! Then down below you, you see the distant valley with smoke rising from chimneys, and now you have something to live for, because where there's smoke there is probably a cup of hot chocolate or maybe tea, somewhere. You make your way down into the valley, quickening your pace as the sun emerges from behind gray clouds. As you approach the town, you hear music, happy music, coming from the town square. You keep walking until you get there, and what you find is a party - a big party with dancing around a giant bonfire, and big mugs of warm, spiked cider. You dance with a stranger, and suddenly all the strangers want to dance with you. You're light on your feet despite your fatigue, and lighter still when they lift you onto their shoulders and bear you to the stage where the band is playing. On the stage is a throne, and the people are crowning you king! Because you are the most awesome person they've ever seen! And now you're king of the whole town! Wow, that kind of sobers you up for a minute, so you take some time to contemplate the long journey you've made and where it's landed you. You remember the cold for a little while, but soon the coronation music recalls you to the present where you are king, you are awesome, and you are warm.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Middle of Winter - John Otway </span><br /><br />I think this is my favorite of the mix - definitely the one that stays in my head the most and that I keep coming back to. He seems to have the perfect voice for the endearing and pathetic character of the song who stands freezing outside his ex-girlfriend's house. I could definitely listen to more of Mr. Otway. <br /><br />Overall, an A+ mix that cheered my holiday, with several new favorites - especially Gaudete and the last. Thanks!Anonymous Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04742574438291069769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-23246449028286610142008-12-21T17:50:00.002+00:002008-12-21T17:54:47.926+00:00Mix Club 8Hooray,<br /> got my cd this week and it is great. Thank you Nancy I am enjoying it very much. It's a nice mix of duets,both older and modern, and, being a "trekkie", I was very impressed with the William Shatner track. This is what I hoped for when I joined mix club some tracks I did n't know but with a similar age and taste to my own. Once again, very pleased. Thank You Very Much.<br />Ann.tontosgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02060584475972007506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-182931456840625582008-12-20T17:09:00.002+00:002008-12-20T17:12:20.870+00:00Just ArrivedA holiday mix from Neil (a John Otway track is as good as a signature.) Thanks - can't wait to listen, maybe with a cup of mulled wine.Anonymous Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04742574438291069769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-20281739764212760162008-12-14T20:42:00.002+00:002008-12-14T20:42:54.700+00:00CD on it's wayRosalind - CD is in the post, should be there soon, Christmas post permittingtontosgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02060584475972007506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-7865304078774114602008-12-14T13:37:00.001+00:002008-12-14T13:38:07.308+00:00Disc On It's WayOr at least it will be tomorrow, when I've been to the Post Office!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-88500237572978167382008-12-12T02:17:00.001+00:002008-12-12T02:18:45.894+00:00Ann, it's in the mail.So, five to ten business days from yesterday, you should be receiving a small package.Anonymous Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04742574438291069769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-6469861587691309352008-12-07T13:22:00.002+00:002008-12-07T13:27:20.300+00:00Let's get this party startedFirstly, let me apologise for being so slack in getting this under way. Thanks to Nancy for giving me a prod and reminding me that I hadn't sorted anything out. I'm going to be sending out the emails a bit later on today, in what will be a compact and bijou Christmassy (or not as the case may be) round.thermalsatsumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05779925171712284416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-8320888118766178522008-10-31T14:33:00.001+00:002008-10-31T14:33:58.893+00:00Time for another round?It's about time we had another round, don't you think? Who wants to play?thermalsatsumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05779925171712284416noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-75546800579989275052008-10-31T14:32:00.003+00:002008-10-31T14:43:48.296+00:00Halloween Mix<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thermalsatsuma/283767059/" title="samhain 020 by neilh, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/283767059_f20a97ca17_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="samhain 020" /></a><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0" width="230" height="50" ><param name="movie" value="http://8tracks.com/mixes/5989/player"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://8tracks.com/mixes/5989/player" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="230" height="50" allowscriptaccess="always" ></embed></object><br /><br />Some music, appropriate for the season - enjoy! <a href=http://8tracks.com/thermalsatsuma/halloween-mix>Click here</a> for track details, or just use the widget above to play the mix.thermalsatsumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05779925171712284416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-67005053100387263922008-10-12T15:25:00.002+00:002008-10-12T16:30:35.091+00:00"Reverse Review" for Rosalind<span style="font-style:italic;">Profuse apologies to Nancy for the delay in posting this review. </span><br /><br />No big - life gets in the way sometimes, I know. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />3rd of July - The Jody Grind<br />Lovely, mellow song with a slight Latin tang. Doesn't send shivers up my spine exactly but I'd enjoy chilling out with this in the background.</span><br /><br />I never noticed anything Latin in this song. Hmm. It's the first song I ever learned to play on the bass, and one of my favorites of their brief collection.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">¿Donde Estabas Tu? - Omara Portuondo<br />This is the full-throated, hip-grinding slinky, Latin Real Thing. This one makes me want to grab somebody sexy and drag them onto a dance floor for some serious intertwining of limbs.</span><br /><br />I don't know if you know Spanish, but the whole song is an angry lament to the missing guy, who is most likely off with some other woman. The singer was profiled in Buena Vista Social Club, my favorite music movie of all time, and this is from a solo album she released after the soundtrack. If you like this, I recommend the album for more of the same vibe.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Gold Mine - Take 6<br />More mellow chill-out music. Starts out sounding like an orchestra tuning up, and segues into something between Manhattan Transfer and the Swingle Singers complete with cool piano-bar finger-clickin'. Nowt wrong with that, but it's music for drifting off to.</span><br /><br />This is actually a gospel song by a gospel group, though their style of music is clearly jazz. We have very different reactions to this one, because it makes me want to move. Something about it is exhilarating to me, although the feeling isn't coming from religious sentiment.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Falling For A Funny One - Eye to Eye<br />Still smooth and slinky. This time with a dollop of something close to soft seventies soul. I like this one. It's got a nice beat to it and I can imagine running along Walney beach with this in my earphones, gliding along to the rhythm.</span><br /><br />This song is exactly what the eighties sounded like to me. The singer is Deborah Berg. I wonder what's become of her and her beautiful voice. I also like the words to this. It reminds me why I married my husband. :-)<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Gone Daddy Gone - Gnarls Barkley<br />And now a complete change of time and tempo. There's something of the 60s West Coast counterculture about it, except that it's been sanded down and given a coat of varnish. Plummy arrangement with all rough edges rubbed off, and a growly voice devoid of menace. I can't help feeling it should be more thrilling than it is.</span><br /><br />This is one of my new favorite groups. I never heard them until Mark (spouse) played it in the car on vacation this summer, even though they'd won an emmy a couple years ago. The two members are Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo Green, both from this area. Danger Mouse actually lived and worked in Athens, GA for a long time. Cee-Lo is a rapper from Atlanta. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Stella - Ida Maria<br />This one I do like. I've never heard of Ida Maria before but I'd like to hear more. Sexy little lesbian love call.</span><br /><br />She's a Norwegian singer, also a recent discovery to me. There are several really memorable tunes from this album.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />New Experience - Michelle Malone<br />And here's more 60s stuff given a 21st-century twist, in this case a song incorporating an original twist on John Phillips's San Francisco. Nice voice.</span><br /><br />I always thought so, too. She's from Atlanta, was popular in the early nineties. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Since I Met You Baby - BB King and Katie Webster<br />Absolute classic 1950s gospel blues. This is real spine-tingling, toe-curling stuff and they don't make 'em like this any more. So what if the production sounds its age?</span><br /><br />This is from a CD of BB King duets. I heard Katie Webster for the first time in 1989 on a blues program when I was living in Eugene, Oregon. This one song of hers, "My Sexy Red Negligee" got a good bit of airplay, and I tracked down an album of hers after that. Unfortunately, I don't know how to convert vinyl to digital. Anyway, I'm glad you liked this one.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Eight Ball - The Jody Grind<br />Somebody likes The Jody Grind a lot around here - I'm building up a fine collection now. Ah yes, they take their name from a classic Horace Silver jazz tack from the 60s, and that figures. Here they are again, and this time they're doing something like vintage Jefferson Airplane which I like.</span><br /><br />This was from their first album, which was much less polished than their second (and last).<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Jimmy Olsen's Blues - Spin Doctors<br />At first I thought I was going to really like this, judging by the opening. Afterwards it turns into a routine piece of guitar rock which does little for me. I must be getting old!</span><br /><br />I'm not a particular fan of mainstream guitar rock either, but this, for me, is a fine specimen of its type. I always want to get up and dance around the room to this one. Early nineties again. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Micky's Monkey - Mother's Finest<br />This is also guitar rock but there's something in the play of the voices that sounds a little more dangerous and therefore more satisfying.</span><br /><br />I love this group and debated many times which track to include. Mother's Finest was an Atlanta band in the seventies. They were still popular when I was in high school (early eighties) and it was cool to wear their tour t-shirts, embossed with the big letters "MF." <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Sunday Morning - K-OS<br />Nice solid beat to this one. The vocals sound deceptive, as if this is one that is going to grow on me. The arrangement is clever and demands to be listened to. I can imagine this one going out running with me.</span><br /><br />This song is totally off my beaten path, and I love it. They're a Canadian group - Canadians are always surprising me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Rose Garden - Southern Culture On The Skids<br />Country standard with a memorable tune, performed here with great gusto. Maybe it's being taken a tad too fast, as if they are rushing through it without stopping to savour the venom that runs through the song.</span><br /><br />This is a southern rock group that parodies southern rock. I loved their version of this old song with the rock and roll guitar. I saw them play one time at a local club - lots of fun!<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Honeysuckle Rose - Holly Cole<br />Lovely rendering of the Fats Waller classic. Whimsical, theatrical, camp as hell and with a glorious fiddle accompaniment.</span><br /><br />Another Canadian, and yes, camp is the word! Great voice, though, huh?<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />David - Nellie McKay<br />I had the singer's Ding Dong on a previous Mix Club sample and I came to love that. This is another in the same mould of original and disturbingly chirpy psychosis. Nellie McKay is a real discovery for me and I will be hunting her music down.</span><br /><br />"disturbingly chirpy psychosis" - great description!<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Mary Ann - Steve Miller<br />I like this. Smooth, cool, jazzy and infectious. I'm a sucker for this kind of louche, piano-bar stuff, don't you know?</span><br /><br />Me, too. The album is Born 2 Blue - you would probably like the whole thing.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Ruby - Walter Hyatt<br />Hmm. Here's more of the piano-bar stuff. Somebody is getting to know my susceptibilities too much. There's a real old-school Tin Pan Alley feel to this, even though it can't be. Waiter, another martini if you don't mind. Straight-up, rocks on the side, and an extra olive please.</span><br /><br />Walter Hyatt is one of my favorite musicians of all time. He was a protegee of Lyle Lovett, and died much too early - age 45, 1996 - in an airplane crash. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In Her Kiss) - The Nylons<br />Gorgeous doo-wop twist on the great Betty Everett song. Betty's is the best version (step aside, Cher) but this one has an infections campness about it.</span><br /><br />The Nylons are lots of fun. I got to hear them live one time - very impressive show. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Lounge Axe - The Jody Grind<br />Hello, here's the Jody Grind again. I have a feeling that seeing these guys live is quite an event. I can't easily get over to Atlanta but maybe they'll play Forum 28 one day. And I is Annie Lennox!</span><br /><br />As you might have guessed by now, they never will. Their lead singer, Kelly Hogan, is still performing solo and with other musicians in the alt country genre. She's based in Chicago now, so doesn't get back to Atlanta much. The guitar player, Bill Taft, is still playing in Atlanta, in a band called Hubcap City. Bass player Robert Hayes and drummer Walter Brewer died in a car accident after the release of their second CD. I heard them play many times in Athens and Atlanta, and it was always a great experience!<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Poupée de cir poupée de son - France Gall<br />Blimey, this takes me back! Not that I'm familiar with the particular song, but certainly of the form - the peculiarly French kind of 60s pop music associated with Johnny Halliday and Françoise Hardy that bravely tried to hold the line against les Anglo-Saxons. Pleasant, and unmemorable but for hinted-at memories of warm baguettes and artichauds au vinaigrette!</span><br /><br />I heard this one time, and it was like one of those drug-resistant bacteria - I have never really gotten it out of my head since. For all its cuteness, the song is laden with an irony that makes it more interesting than it might be. Written by Serge Gainsbourg and sung by teenager France Gall, it won the Eurovision prize in 1965.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />So, a lovely, mellow compilation. Not everything grabbed me in a what-have-I-been-missing way (as happened with my last mix from Nancy), but there's nothing here I wouldn't enjoy hearing again, and one or two that are a delight. Others will, I'm sure, grow on me. </span><br /><br />Glad you liked it. I was aiming for a more upbeat mix for you, but it didn't seem to work out that way in the end!Anonymous Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04742574438291069769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-63890305418784808812008-10-11T22:15:00.000+00:002008-10-11T22:16:20.313+00:00Nancy's MixProfuse apologies to Nancy for the delay in posting this review. The world seems to have gone mad in the last few weeks, and this was an ill-starred mix. Thanks to Nancy for sending a replacement disc when the original didn't materialise (although it did arrive some time after the replacement.) She also sent an extra disc on that occasion, and I will review that shortly.<br /><br /><b>3rd of July - The Jody Grind</b><br />Lovely, mellow song with a slight Latin tang. Doesn't send shivers up my spine exactly but I'd enjoy chilling out with this in the background.<br /><br /><b>¿Donde Estabas Tu? - Omara Portuondo</b><br />This is the full-throated, hip-grinding slinky, Latin Real Thing. This one makes me want to grab somebody sexy and drag them onto a dance floor for some serious intertwining of limbs.<br /><br /><b>Gold Mine - Take 6</b><br />More mellow chill-out music. Starts out sounding like an orchestra tuning up, and segues into something between Manhattan Transfer and the Swingle Singers complete with cool piano-bar finger-clickin'. Nowt wrong with that, but it's music for drifting off to.<br /><br /><b>Falling For A Funny One - Eye to Eye</b><br />Still smooth and slinky. This time with a dollop of something close to soft seventies soul. I like this one. It's got a nice beat to it and I can imagine running along Walney beach with this in my earphones, gliding along to the rhythm. <br /><br /><b>Gone Daddy Gone - Gnarls Barkley</b><br />And now a complete change of time and tempo. There's something of the 60s West Coast counterculture about it, except that it's been sanded down and given a coat of varnish. Plummy arrangement with all rough edges rubbed off, and a growly voice devoid of menace. I can't help feeling it should be more thrilling than it is.<br /><br /><b>Stella - Ida Maria</b><br />This one I do like. I've never heard of Ida Maria before but I'd like to hear more. Sexy little lesbian love call.<br /><br /><b>New Experience - Michelle Malone</b><br />And here's more 60s stuff given a 21st-century twist, in this case a song incorporating an original twist on John Phillips's <em>San Francisco</em>. Nice voice.<br /><br /><b>Since I Met You Baby - BB King and Katie Webster</b><br />Absolute classic 1950s gospel blues. This is real spine-tingling, toe-curling stuff and they don't make 'em like this any more. So what if the production sounds its age?<br /><br /><b>Eight Ball - The Jody Grind</b><br />Somebody likes The Jody Grind a lot around here - I'm building up a fine collection now. Ah yes, they take their name from a classic Horace Silver jazz tack from the 60s, and that figures. Here they are again, and this time they're doing something like vintage Jefferson Airplane which I like.<br /><br /><b>Jimmy Olsen's Blues - Spin Doctors</b><br />At first I thought I was going to really like this, judging by the opening. Afterwards it turns into a routine piece of guitar rock which does little for me. I must be getting old!<br /><br /><b>Micky's Monkey - Mother's Finest</b><br />This is also guitar rock but there's something in the play of the voices that sounds a little more dangerous and therefore more satisfying. <br /><br /><b>Sunday Morning - K-OS</b><br />Nice solid beat to this one. The vocals sound deceptive, as if this is one that is going to grow on me. The arrangement is clever and demands to be listened to. I can imagine this one going out running with me.<br /><br /><b>Rose Garden - Southern Culture On The Skids</b><br />Country standard with a memorable tune, performed here with great gusto. Maybe it's being taken a tad too fast, as if they are rushing through it without stopping to savour the venom that runs through the song.<br /><br /><b>Honeysuckle Rose - Holly Cole</b><br />Lovely rendering of the Fats Waller classic. Whimsical, theatrical, camp as hell and with a glorious fiddle accompaniment.<br /><br /><b>David - Nellie McKay</b><br />I had the singer's <em>Ding Dong</em> on a previous Mix Club sample and I came to love that. This is another in the same mould of original and disturbingly chirpy psychosis. Nellie McKay is a real discovery for me and I will be hunting her music down.<br /><br /><b>Mary Ann - Steve Miller</b><br />I like this. Smooth, cool, jazzy and infectious. I'm a sucker for this kind of louche, piano-bar stuff, don't you know?<br /><br /><b>Ruby - Walter Hyatt</b><br />Hmm. Here's more of the piano-bar stuff. Somebody is getting to know my susceptibilities too much. There's a real old-school Tin Pan Alley feel to this, even though it can't be. Waiter, another martini if you don't mind. Straight-up, rocks on the side, and an extra olive please.<br /><br /><b>The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In Her Kiss) - The Nylons</b><br />Gorgeous doo-wop twist on the great Betty Everett song. Betty's is the best version (step aside, Cher) but this one has an infections campness about it.<br /><br /><b>Lounge Axe - The Jody Grind</b><br />Hello, here's the Jody Grind again. I have a feeling that seeing these guys live is quite an event. I can't easily get over to Atlanta but maybe they'll play Forum 28 one day. And I is Annie Lennox!<br /><br /><b>Poupée de cir poupée de son - France Gall</b><br />Blimey, this takes me back! Not that I'm familiar with the particular song, but certainly of the form - the peculiarly French kind of 60s pop music associated with Johnny Halliday and Françoise Hardy that bravely tried to hold the line against les Anglo-Saxons. Pleasant, and unmemorable but for hinted-at memories of warm <em>baguettes</em> and <em>artichauds au vinaigrette</em>!<br /><br />So, a lovely, mellow compilation. Not everything grabbed me in a what-have-I-been-missing way (as happened with my last mix from Nancy), but there's nothing here I wouldn't enjoy hearing again, and one or two that are a delight. Others will, I'm sure, grow on me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-62212948902316098702008-10-07T23:49:00.003+00:002008-10-08T00:48:12.222+00:00play it loud - a reply<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Play It Loud-a-mix <br /><br />It took a while to travel a long way, I’d had a preview of the content, but no details. So when the CD marked “Play It Loud” arrived I was already tense with anticipation. Tension increased when I looked at the track listing. There’s at least one old favourite, but the rest were either artists I’d heard of but never really listened to or artists who were completely new to me.<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Hello There – Cheap Trick<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />“Are You Ready to Rock”, “Are You Ready or Not”? This is a great start, perfect choice for a CD labelled “Play It Loud”. Definitely got me in the mood, although I can’t help thinking now, after several plays, of an aged rocker who’s voice has been strained by too much hard living! Anyway first up a hit, good start.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">Oddly enough, there are two wizened-old-rockers in Cheap Trick and neither of them are singing! It is one of the pretty-boys. <br /><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Diamonds and Guns – Transplants<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />Didn’t like this at first, but it’s grown slowly on me.</span> <br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Which sums up The Transplants brilliantly - they grow on you, like a fungus or athlete's foot. On first hearing their songs are awful, really awful, not helped by the fact that Tim Armstrong can't sing. However, by the fourth or fifth listening, you're hooked. Unfortunately for Tim, who is a living leg-end in the nu-punx world (I kid you not), I find his songs bubble-gum-pop (or pap), and tend to laugh all the way through them. This is helped by the fact that I permenantly mis-hear lyrics. And face it, what better slogan could you shout than: Be IKEA! Which turns out to really be: Be keyed-up! Me, I'd rather "Be IKEA!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">This is How You Remind Me – Nickleback</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />This reminds me of many miles run on a treadmill in the gym. Mainly because this is where I remember hearing this most, with it being a regular track played on the gyms music channel. It’s not a favourite of mine, but it is good to run to! Has a good beat to keep pace to, without ending in heart attack! A hit.</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Are you having fun yet?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Beat It – Fall Out Boy Ft. John Mayer<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />Jacko eat your heart out, this a way better cover than your original. Much more up tempo. Great for driving to, although you have to watch your speed there. Another hit.</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">See if you can get a copy of Alien Ant Farm's cover of Smooth Criminal. I know that there is a lot to dislike about Mr. Jackson but, his music, isn't half bad (you know it) when it's played another way.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Such Great Heights – Postal Service<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />“I have to speculate that god himself did make us into corresponding shapes like puzzle pieces formed from clay.”<br /><br />I love this song. Have I told you that? Well I love this song. It is by far and a way, my favourite on the whole CD. Every time I listen I hear something new. A new lyric, a tune, rift, whatever. It reminds me of several other tracks that I would probably list in my “all time favourite top how-ever-many we are listing this week” list. Not because it sounds the same, has similar lyrics, just because it makes it into that all time list. I’m going see if I can track down the rest of the album. Hit, hit, hit. </span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">The lead singer of Postal Service is Ben Gibbard. He is also the lead singer for Death Cab For Cutie. If I get round to it - and you know how good I am at getting round to stuff - I'll send you some more Postal Srvice and some Death Cab. I'm nice that way!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Ava Adore – Smashing Pumkins<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />I had heard of the Smashing Pumkins before but never really listened to any of their music. This however is one of those tracks that you overhear on a hot summer, when you’re queued at traffic lights and it’s playing on someone else’s car stereo, and then have to try and track down (only ‘coz I’d be too embarrassed to lean out of the car window, and ask the person in the car where the music is playing as to what the track is)! Fortunately Will was kind enough to provide this information on the track listing! Another hit!</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Glad you liked it. I'm late to the Smashing Pumpkins party, late in the way that I'd heard none of their stuff until I arrived here. I have since been educated and am in love with the band.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Breakerfall – Pearl Jam<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />I’m sorry this is the first miss. Pearl Jam? Nah I can take ‘em or leave ‘em. It just doesn’t do it for me I’m afraid. Hit skip and move on.</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Pearl Jam was also a group that I hadn't really heard much of, living in England. It was always (or seemed to me) a choice between Nirvana or Pearl Jam, and I took the Nivarna road. However, that was then, this is now. Now I'm a Pearl Jam man. Sorry you didn't like it but...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">No One Knows – Queens of the Stone Age<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />Not heard of these guys (or girls, they sound like guys though) before. It has one of those beats that are catchy and soon has you throwing yourself about the room. This point is one that is a little difficult to achieve if you are driving in the car however! A hit.</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">They are guys and (bonus geek info) Dave Grohl is the drummer on this track. Dave Grohl you ask? Ex-Nivana drummer, present lead of the Foo Fighters. And I love the Foos! So, this was my attempt to sneak two Dave Grohl tracks on to one CD - and it worked. Yeah me. If you liked this, try the whole album: Songs For The Deaf.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">El Matador – Los Fabulosos Cadillacs</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />I have no idea what the lyrics are to this because they’re all in Spanish (I think), but it has a great tune.</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">This is just sheer brilliance. I love this song. Neil h. might well notice that it was on the compilation I sent to him too. I've no idea what the lyrics mean either (Maria has just translated them and sent them to you) and, to be honest, I don't care. I play this loud, really loud, and then watch my latin-american wife demonstrate what hips are - you know, those things that this white-middle-class-anglo doesn't have.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Paper Planes – M.I.A.<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />I never want to meet these ladies. They’re scary and have guns; but they do have a rather catchy tune! Whilst the lyrics really irritated me for what they stood for, I have to say they “pack and deliver like UPS trucks”. Hit.</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">A song that I wanted to hate the minute I heard it - and failed miserably to do so. It's a grower. The biggest downfall is that I wanted no-one else to find it. I wanted it to be just mine. Problem is, it is a great track, good enough to be all over the radio at the moment - which worried me that you'd have heard it before and would be bored with it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Kill – 30 Seconds From Mars<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />A slight change of pace just over midway through the disc, great ‘coz I need a breather. A bit reminiscent of Nickleback though, and the feeling that I am back on that damn treadmill. An OK track but not one that stands out to me, although I did like the lyrics.<br /></span><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Jared Leto's band. You don't know Jared Leto? You mean you never watched "My So Called Life"? Bet your gf did :^)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Song 2 – Blur</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />I never liked Blur (or Oasis for that matter). This however is one of their songs that has that catchy woohoo, but I can’t bring myself to break my deep-seated dislike for them. A miss I am afraid.</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Eh? You don't like Blur? You don't like Oasis? But, but, but if anything, this song is the least Blur-ry song they did and, and, and...ok, I'll take the miss.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Oxford Comma – Vampire Weekend<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />Never heard of them before. Not a hit or a miss, but I find it difficult to write much about it though. Some nice lyrics and good backing track, but I can’t see that I’ll be following up with anymore of their songs.<br /></span><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">I've never heard of them before either. It was a track that came out of nowhere. Not sure if I like the rest of the album, I need to sit and listen to it a bit more, but this track stuck out, and I thought, why not. I tried, you tried, no-one died in the process. Let's move on.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Bleed American – Jimmy Eat World<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />A live track this one, but I am sorry it was just noise to me. Hit skip again.</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Damn! This is one of my all-time-top-300-tracks (or something like that). I wasn't sure about the live version but I was going for "energy". In retrospect, the studio version is great as well...but not for you? Fair enough. It's good to talk.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Chronicles of Life and Death – Good Charlotte</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />Heard of, but never really listened to before. I like the lyrics, and it fits well with the music. I also sense that there are better tracks than this one to find, so I will be following up on this. </span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">I'm always a bit disappointed with Good Charlotte. I really, really like a couple of their tracks and then discover that the rest of the album is a bit meh! Oops, this isn't the idea of Mixclub is it? Will I get kicked out the club? Here I am, just sending tracks, I'm supposed to be encouraging you to listen to the whole album. Follow it up!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Paradise City - Guns n’ Roses</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />An old favourite of mine, and no CD requiring extreme volume would be complete without some Guns n’ Roses. A definite no-brainer of a hit. </span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">I cheated here. I knew there would be some stuff you hadn't heard of/didn't like. I just went for the brownie points. You've mentioned before, on here, that you like G'n'R, so I went for the no-brainer. Did you spot it? Oh!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">King of the Kerb – Echobelly</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Hit again. Another group that I’ve heard of but never listened to, and on the strength of this track will be following up for more.</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">When the whole "Brit-pop" thing happened, many bands appeared and disappeared under the weight of Blur/Oasis/Pulp. In some cases, this was good news. In the case of Echobelly, it was bad news. Great music and a brilliant vocalist. Me, I like Echobelly.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Everybody Get Dangerous – Wheezer</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Never heard of Wheezer, but think I have heard the track before (possibly on a film score). Reminds me a bit of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, who I like, so I’ll be following up here too. Another hit. Everybody get dangerous!</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Hahahahahahahahaha! That'll learn me! This is the most un-Weezer-ish track ever. The plan was to make you think it was a mistake in the track listing. You are supposed to have known Weezer and thought I'd made this up. But, it is Weezer. It is from their newest album, which includes "Pork and Beans" - a much more Weezer-ish track - , but also has some tracks on it that just had me thinking: Wahay! This is awesome! Follow it up - but go for the newest album, cunningly entitled: Weezer</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Rat – The Walkmen</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Hey Walkmen on my Walkman, how cool is that (sorry couldn’t resist). Again never heard of them, just struck me that the lyrics were a deep and over my head or maybe I was reading too much into them.</span><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">And that is where we differ. I don't really listen to lyrics - I just like the sound! I'd never heard of them either (have we been here before) but, in my desperate attempt to be "hip-to-be-un-square", I occasionally come across tracks from new bands that make me go "Yay". (Actually, I normally come home and Maria blasts something out saying: You'll like this. And she's right.) It was loud, it was room-filling, it fulfilled the requirements of the CD's title. I burnt it and you heard it. It didn't work but, hopefully, no-one died in the process.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">All My Life – Foo Fighters<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />Heard of, never listened to before, but had heard great things of. Enjoyed this track, not the best on the album, but enough to follow up and see if I like more of their stuff. A hit.</span><br /><br />Confession time. This was the track playing on my MP3 player as I walked (ran) down the steps towards Maria at the airport. I had just left England, never to return. Now, listen to the first four lines again:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(71, 71, 71); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; ">All my life I've been searching for somethin<br />Somethin never comes, never leads to nuthin<br />Nothin satisfies, but I'm gettin close<br />Closer to the prize at the end of the rope</span><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">Yep, I'm the bloke that doesn't listen to lyrics! However, The Foos are just the bestest. Please track them down. Oh, hang on, I promised you some Postal Service and some Death Cab....maybe I should stick some Foos on there as well!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">So overall a most excellent ratio of hits to misses. This CD lives in my car at the moment, just so I can play it often, and loud! It has introduced some new music to me and I will be following up on quite a few tracks over the coming months. Thanks Will.</span></span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Pleasure. And it was. I enjoy doing this. After I'd been such a bad Mix-Club-ee, I had toyed with missing out the next round. But, honestly, I enjoy this too much. I'm glad you enjoyed the CD, hoping that the next recipient enjoys the next CD. And will try to be a bit more punctual next time!</span></div>willhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14430615657846293850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-47154127579979286892008-10-07T13:41:00.001+00:002008-10-07T13:43:51.638+00:00Play It Loud-a-mixIt took a while to travel a long way, I’d had a preview of the content, but no details. So when the CD marked “Play It Loud” arrived I was already tense with anticipation. Tension increased when I looked at the track listing. There’s at least one old favourite, but the rest were either artists I’d heard of but never really listened to or artists who were completely new to me.<br /><br /><strong>Hello There – Cheap Trick<br /></strong><br />“Are You Ready to Rock”, “Are You Ready or Not”? This is a great start, perfect choice for a CD labelled “Play It Loud”. Definitely got me in the mood, although I can’t help thinking now, after several plays, of an aged rocker who’s voice has been strained by too much hard living! Anyway first up a hit, good start.<br /><br /><strong>Diamonds and Guns – Transplants<br /></strong><br />Didn’t like this at first, but it’s grown slowly on me. <br /><br /><strong>This is How You Remind Me – Nickleback</strong><br /><br />This reminds me of many miles run on a treadmill in the gym. Mainly because this is where I remember hearing this most, with it being a regular track played on the gyms music channel. It’s not a favourite of mine, but it is good to run to! Has a good beat to keep pace to, without ending in heart attack! A hit.<br /><br /><strong>Beat It – Fall Out Boy Ft. John Mayer<br /></strong><br />Jacko eat your heart out, this a way better cover than your original. Much more up tempo. Great for driving to, although you have to watch your speed there. Another hit.<br /><br /><strong>Such Great Heights – Postal Service<br /></strong><br />“I have to speculate that god himself did make us into corresponding shapes like puzzle pieces formed from clay.”<br /><br />I love this song. Have I told you that? Well I love this song. It is by far and a way, my favourite on the whole CD. Every time I listen I hear something new. A new lyric, a tune, rift, whatever. It reminds me of several other tracks that I would probably list in my “all time favourite top how-ever-many we are listing this week” list. Not because it sounds the same, has similar lyrics, just because it makes it into that all time list. I’m going see if I can track down the rest of the album. Hit, hit, hit. <br /><br /><strong>Ava Adore – Smashing Pumkins<br /></strong><br />I had heard of the Smashing Pumkins before but never really listened to any of their music. This however is one of those tracks that you overhear on a hot summer, when you’re queued at traffic lights and it’s playing on someone else’s car stereo, and then have to try and track down (only ‘coz I’d be too embarrassed to lean out of the car window, and ask the person in the car where the music is playing as to what the track is)! Fortunately Will was kind enough to provide this information on the track listing! Another hit!<br /><br /><strong>Breakerfall – Pearl Jam<br /></strong><br />I’m sorry this is the first miss. Pearl Jam? Nah I can take ‘em or leave ‘em. It just doesn’t do it for me I’m afraid. Hit skip and move on.<br /><br /><strong>No One Knows – Queens of the Stone Age<br /></strong><br />Not heard of these guys (or girls, they sound like guys though) before. It has one of those beats that are catchy and soon has you throwing yourself about the room. This point is one that is a little difficult to achieve if you are driving in the car however! A hit.<br /><br /><strong>El Matador – Los Fabulosos Cadillacs</strong><br /><br />I have no idea what the lyrics are to this because they’re all in Spanish (I think), but it has a great tune.<br /><br /><strong>Paper Planes – M.I.A.<br /></strong><br />I never want to meet these ladies. They’re scary and have guns; but they do have a rather catchy tune! Whilst the lyrics really irritated me for what they stood for, I have to say they “pack and deliver like UPS trucks”. Hit.<br /><br /><strong>The Kill – 30 Seconds From Mars<br /></strong><br />A slight change of pace just over midway through the disc, great ‘coz I need a breather. A bit reminiscent of Nickleback though, and the feeling that I am back on that damn treadmill. An OK track but not one that stands out to me, although I did like the lyrics.<br /><br /><strong>Song 2 – Blur</strong><br /><br />I never liked Blur (or Oasis for that matter). This however is one of their songs that has that catchy woohoo, but I can’t bring myself to break my deep-seated dislike for them. A miss I am afraid.<br /><br /><strong>Oxford Comma – Vampire Weekend<br /></strong><br />Never heard of them before. Not a hit or a miss, but I find it difficult to write much about it though. Some nice lyrics and good backing track, but I can’t see that I’ll be following up with anymore of their songs.<br /><br /><strong>Bleed American – Jimmy Eat World<br /></strong><br />A live track this one, but I am sorry it was just noise to me. Hit skip again.<br /><br />The Chronicles of Life and Death – Good Charlotte<br />Heard of, but never really listened to before. I like the lyrics, and it fits well with the music. I also sense that there are better tracks than this one to find, so I will be following up on this. <br /><br /><strong>Paradise City - Guns n’ Roses</strong><br /><br />An old favourite of mine, and no CD requiring extreme volume would be complete without some Guns n’ Roses. A definite no-brainer of a hit. <br /><br /><strong>King of the Kerb – Echobelly</strong><br /><br />Hit again. Another group that I’ve heard of but never listened to, and on the strength of this track will be following up for more.<br /><br /><strong>Everybody Get Dangerous – Wheezer</strong><br /><br />Never heard of Wheezer, but think I have heard the track before (possibly on a film score). Reminds me a bit of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, who I like, so I’ll be following up here too. Another hit. Everybody get dangerous!<br /><br /><strong>The Rat – The Walkmen</strong><br /><br />Hey Walkmen on my Walkman, how cool is that (sorry couldn’t resist). Again never heard of them, just struck me that the lyrics were a deep and over my head or maybe I was reading too much into them.<br /><br /><strong>All My Life – Foo Fighters<br /></strong><br />Heard of, never listened to before, but had heard great things of. Enjoyed this track, not the best on the album, but enough to follow up and see if I like more of their stuff. A hit.<br /><br /><br />So overall a most excellent ratio of hits to misses. This CD lives in my car at the moment, just so I can play it often, and loud! It has introduced some new music to me and I will be following up on quite a few tracks over the coming months. Thanks Will.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-65052613066726976052008-09-26T19:01:00.001+00:002008-09-26T19:01:46.142+00:00Soundtracks - the reply ...Alan here stepping into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tontosgirl's</span> shoes (man my feet are swollen), with a review of the soundtracks CD that Neil sent.<br /><br /><b>Yay! Thanks for taking on the typing duties, Alan!</b><br /><br />Now right up front I need to be honest. When <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tontosgirl</span> opened her envelope and out came this CD her face fell a little. It's a CD of soundtracks. She doesn't do soundtracks. I on the other hand <b>love</b> soundtracks, soundtracks make movies. Anyway with a little encouragement from me, she slipped the CD into the drive on the PC and ripped the tracks, I was hopping around the room in anticipation. "Go on put it on shuffle-play," I said. "You might find something you like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">afterall</span>. Look there's a Tom Petty track, and some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Vangelis</span>."<br /><br /><b>I will admit that this is one of my more unusual mixes, and I nearly scrapped it but then thought 'what the heck' and sent it anyway.</b><br /><br />Click shuffle play, and the first thing the PC selected was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cluckin</span>' Bell from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">GTA</span> soundtrack. A HIT! Both for me (obviously, I've been playing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">GTA</span> IV since it was released), and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">tontosgirl</span>.<br /><br /><br /><i>1. Interstate '76 Theme. / 2. Never Get Outta The Car</i><br />Here's why <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">mixclub</span> is such a great idea. Not only does the CD you get sometimes inspire you to listen to a new artist, in this case it can do so much more. A CD of movie and game soundtracks can send you looking for a new movie to watch or a new game to play. Both tracks come from the game Interstate '76 which I have never played, but probably would enjoy. A hit for me, but sadly a miss for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">tontosgirl<br /><br /><b>Interstate 76 is one of my favourite games of all time, and a forerunner to GTA et al. As you can probably guess it was set in an alternate 1976, and it featured a superb soundtrack of original funk complete with all of the fuzzy guitars and wah wah peddles that you could wish for. It's also one of the only games ever produced to feature a key to press to get a poem read out over the cb radio in your car.</b><br /></span><br /><br /><i>3. A Lawless Town, Christopher <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Lennertz</span></i><br />Another hit for me, I'm not sure where this comes from, and I couldn't find it from a quick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">google</span>. It does have a very cowboy feel to it though. So I wouldn't be surprised if it were from a western movie or a game where men with guns take on overwhelming odds!<br /><br /><b>This is from 'Gun' which is a sort of Grand Theft Horse-o featuring a variety of western cliches in a free roaming environment. Excellent fun, particularly the bits where you are just riding around rounding up cattle on the plains. </b><br /><br /><br /><i>4. Honeybee Kingdom, Mario <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Yokota</span>. 5. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Buggie</span> Running Beeps, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Kenichi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Sugiy</span>...</i><br />No didn't like either of these and neither did <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">tontosgirl</span>. From <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">SuperMario</span> or something similar I suspect, but in all honesty don't know. Too repetitive for me I'm afraid.<br /><br /><b>Honeybee Kingdom is from a very odd level in Super Mario Galaxy where Mario dresses up as a bee and flies around. Just an all round cheerful little number, I think. Buggie Running Beeps is from the first level of Rez, which was a Dreamcast game originally and is now available on Xbox 360. It doesn't work half so well without the high def visuals which are perfectly synchronised with the music and the rhythm of the attacks. </b><br /><br /><br /><i>6. Truth and Reconciliation Suite</i><br />I think this is from the game Halo, but I could be wrong (I'm a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Playstation</span> man, not an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Xbox</span>). It's good though, really takes you through the track and keeps building all the time. A Hit for me, but not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">tontosgirl</span>.<br /><br /><b>Yep, this is from Halo, and it's a good example of the sort of music from the game as a whole. I love the way it moves from ethereal choirs, to stirring orchestral music and then all out rock guitars. It's available on PC now, if you play games on PC.</b><br /><br /><i>7. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Cluckin</span>' Bell & 9. Weasel News.</i><br />Both hits with both of us, see my comments at the start of the review for more.<br /><br /><br /><i>8.Green Onions, Booker T & The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">MG's</span></i><br />This was a reversal of opinions. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Tontosgirl</span> loved it, as an old familiar favourite. I didn't. It just plods on to me.<br /><br /><b>I think it's the repetitive keyboard line and drums, layered with the guitars that really appeals to me - perfect for those Northern Soul nights.</b><br /><br /><br /><i>10. Zombie, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Fela</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Kuti</span></i><br />A double miss for this one, neither of us liked this one.<br /><br /><b>I find this one utterly infectious, real get up and dance sort of music</b>.<br /><br />11. Get Innocuous! LCD <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Soundsystem</span><br />Pretty sure this is another take from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">GTA</span> IV, I'm sure I recognise it from cruising the streets of Liberty City. Great track for just chilling, but the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">voice-over</span> from the "DJ" did get a bit annoying at times. Another hit for me, a miss for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">tontosgirl</span>.<br /><br /><b>This is the track that was used in the TV ads for GTA IV, where the drum break was synchronised with an on screen bit of gun play. </b><br /><br />12. Running Down a Dream, Tom Petty.<br />Guaranteed instant hit for me, love Tom Petty. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Tontosgirl</span> also taken with this one, so scores twice! Not sure where it's from in soundtrack fame though?<br /><br /><b>Ah, this is one from the GTA:San Andreas soundtrack, and was the backdrop to one of my gaming highlights. I'd parachuted from the roof of a casino after pulling off a heist, landed in a car park and jacked a car and then drove like a lunatic down the freeway persued by half of the Las Venturas PD heading for my safe house on the desert air strip. This was playing on the stereo as I drove off the edge of a cliff and landed safely on the run way.</b><br /><br />13. Crossroads, Cream.<br />Another double hit. The track speaks for itself really as a classic guitar anthem.<br /><br /><b>This one's from Guitar Hero, and one of the trickier tracks to play as well. Very satisfying to pull off though.</b><br /><br />14. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Cohens</span> Masterpiece, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Bioshock</span>.<br />Another one I would miss from being a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">playstation</span> gamer, as this is another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Xbox</span> track (I think). Out of context though it could be mistaken for some classical piano, quite easily. Not a hit for either of us though, but no strong aversion to it either. Just didn't like it.<br /><br /><b>Bioshock is coming out for PS3 soon, I think, and it's well worth buying. It's probably one of the most atmospheric games I have ever played and the 1950s influenced soundtrack plays a big part of that. </b><br /><br />15. Struggle for Pleasure, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Wim</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Mertens</span><br />I'm guessing from the cover art to the CD that this comes from the film "The Belly Of An Architect", and continues the piano theme from the previous track. This time however you had us both hooked. A double hit, and I think I'll be tracking down the rest of this soundtrack to add it to my collection, based on this one track.<br /><br /><b>This is from the soundtrack to the Peter Greenaway film 'The Belly of an Architect', and is probably his most accessible film. Well worth trying, even if you don't usually like his films. I heard this piece on a trailer for the film which inspired me to get the soundtrack album on import vinyl from Holland for rather a lot of money at the time in 1990. You can get it on iTunes for £7.99 now ... :-)</b><br /><br />16. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Powaqqatsi</span>, Philip Glass.<br />From the movie of the same name, I'm guessing, and other soundtrack with a classical bent. A hit with me, I want to hear more, and probably watch the movie too now. Less so with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">tontosgirl</span>, but I suspect she'll sit through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">dvd</span> with me, and who knows it might grow on her!<br /><br /><b>The whole trilogy is worth watching as a sequence. Stunning visuals of landscapes and cities filmed over many years, synchronised with a hypnotic Phillip Glass soundtrack. </b><br /><br />17. Tears In Rain, 18. Blade Runner (End Titles), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Vangelis</span><br />I only needed to know there was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Vangelis</span> track on here to know that I was going to like most of the album. An inspired choice though. I wouldn't have thought of either of these as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Vangelis</span> soundtracks to put on here. I would of been thinking of other better known ones - Chariots of Fire, Antarctica to name two. Both of these are hits for me though, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">tontosgirl</span>, but they had to grow on her a bit.<br /><br /><b>This is another one where I hunted for the soundtrack for a long time. The end titles weren't on the original release, so I recorded the output from my VHS copy to a cassette. The recent three cd definitive soundtrack release is superb.</b><br /><br />19. Still Alive, Portal.<br />I loved this one from the start, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">tontosgirl</span> described it as horrid, and it made her feel ill! Guess I will have to listen to it via headphones from now on then! I loved the whole electronic voice, and the words and music gelled wonderfully together. I'm guessing this is from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Xbox</span> game? If there is more of the same I'd be interested to hear it.<br /><br /><b>Go and buy the Half Life : Orange Box for PS3 and then play 'Portal'. It will probably take you a couple of hours to puzzle your way through, but it's a superbly balanced and enjoyable game, finishing with this song on the end credits. It never fails to make me smile.</b><br /><br />So that's it. Overall I rated this mix far higher than <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">tontosgirl</span>, she really did appreciate that Neil went to all the trouble of pulling it together and sending it though, and is sorry that she's not well enough to sit down and type the review herself. For me this was an inspired mix. I really liked the whole idea of a mix of movie and game soundtracks. Excellent idea, and it's left me wanting not only to find the rest of some of the soundtracks, but also watch some movies too. I'd even go so far as to say buy some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Xbox</span> games, but I think I might get shot if I do! I'll just have to hope that the platform wars mean that one day games for one platform will eventually be available on another i.e. PS3.<br /><br /><b>My apologies to tontosgirl - probably not the best cd to send somebody for their first mix! I am glad you got something out of it though, and some of the games on PS3 are worth looking out for, particularly Portal. </b>thermalsatsumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05779925171712284416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-38390513530949783992008-09-26T13:05:00.003+00:002008-09-26T13:48:50.616+00:00Funk and Ska - Response to Will<em>Hi, my name is Will, and if you are unfortunate to get pulled out of neil h.'s lucky sock, and have to send me a CD, then realise that I'm bad - and not in a Michael Jackson type way. I'm bad in the way that I don't get round to reviewing your CD for ages...so, here goes. </em><br /><strong>Hi Will, my names Alan, and I am your temporary respondent. Tontosgirl sends her apologies, and hopes you will forgive her lack of a response.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><em>How to diss the new girl: Get her to join Mixclub, let her spend hours selecting tracks, get her to send her bf to the post box with strict instructions to make sure that her "labour of love" gets to Mexico, tell her that the CD has arrived, slam it into the player, dance around all night, and then ignore your duty! Forget to say thank you, forget to write a review. So, Ann, are you annoyed yet? </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>1. Stiltskin - Inside<br />I'd never heard of Inside and here they are doing a song called Stiltskin! Weird? I'd heard of Stiltskin. I loved this track. An "operatic" opening that started to freak me out and then straight into clashing guitars. This is what I wanted! Yes! Quick leap onto the t'internet, I must find out more about Inside. Except, the track listing was the wrong way round :^) It was Stiltskin doing a song called Inside. Brilliant! This is why I like Mixclub. I'd forgotten all about Stiltskin and so spent several happy hours going through youtube and their catalogue.<br /><br /></em><em></em><strong>What do you mean you've never heard of inside? This is mixclub isn't it? Does that not apply to the track listings too? Hands-up this is my fault. I was typing it at the time, and not tontosgirl. Ann's glad that this reminded you of a forgotten band though, that was the idea of this mix. So good news that the first track, even if the listings were reversed, was a hit.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><em>2. Are You Gonna Go My Way - Lenny Kravitz<br />Still jumping arond the flat! Enjoying myself! Singing the wrong lyrics: "bicycle will go my way"! Actually I should hate this track. I can look cool, pretending to drum in mid-air, but there is no way on earth that I look cool playing air-guitar, and Mr. Kravitz tends to demand air-guitar! Great song, scores high on the "luvvin-it" scale, low score on the "impress-girlfriend" scale.<br /></em><br /><strong>Steady Will, you're gonna give yourself a hernia if you keep that up! You did read the disclaimer didn't you? No responsibility will be accepted, yadda, yadda, blah, blah.</strong><br /><br /><em>3. Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry<br />In 1997 I spent three hours searching through charity shops. That night I appeared at "the disco" dressed in *HUGE* flares, a shirt with a collar that could be classified as a WMD, a tank top, and eight inch platform shoes. Four hours later (and several beers worse for wear) I was dancing, in the middle of the floor to "Play That Funky Music". Eleven years later I demonstrated "ma moves". This is an awful song but it is fun, fun, fun! Thank you.<br /></em><br /><strong>Your welcome, but please keep your moves to yourself!</strong><br /><br /><em>4. The Rain - Oran Juice Jones<br />Unfortunately I have no knowledge of this song, and therefore have no good memories to fall back on. My gf informs me that her mum liked it, which means that it is irredeamable. Sorry but I hit fast-forward and haven't returned to it since.<br /></em><br /><strong>Shame that you didn't like this one. I am reliably informed by the CD compiler that this was one of the first mixes to include talking over the background song. A bit like early rap music.</strong><br /><br /><em>5. Do Ya Wanna Funk - Sylvester<br />Great start, I thought for a second it was going to be Donna Summer...but it wasn't. And so I'm stuck in a song that isn't as good as I thought it would be. Which is a problem. I really, really want to love this CD and when I saw the title "Funk 'n' Ska", I think I only saw the word "Ska". Am starting to worry that I don't really like "funk". I really don't want to funk with Sylvester. I reach out and hit fast forward again.<br /></em><br /><strong>Would you have wanted to funk with Donna Summer then? This track was one that Ann spent a subsequent ten days in hospital to, after falling off her rollerskates and cracking her head open. Ann adds if you really like Donna Summer she can send you a whole CD box set, because she has loads of her stuff.</strong><br /><br />6<em>. My Perogative - Bobby Brown<br />Hang on - I know this. Please don't tell my indie friends but I quite like Ms. Spears. This is a more "funky" version. Ms. Spears' version was a little harder, acerbic, a bit more f*ck you? It's a good song, but I prefer her version. This is a song that says "this is MY perogative" but Mr. Brown's version sounds a little too inclusive. However, it's Friday night, maybe I should be a little more open.</em><br /><br /><strong>A case of the cover version being better than the original or a case of you always prefer the version you hear first? Apparently you will have to agree to differ on this one.</strong><br /><br /><em>7. Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc<br />Ohhhhhhhhhhhh yes! This is brilliant! It is impossible to listen to this (play it loud) and not feel cool! You can strut around the flat, you can wander out onto the balcony, you can shout the lyrics across Tijuana - bring it on. Suddenly I feel a desire to play Fun Lovin' Criminals. Damn! Mayhap I was wrong. Maybe I do like funk.<br /></em><br /><strong>So you got some satisfaction (to paraphrase Mick Jagger) from this one? Cool bananas. Get down and slide to the groove!</strong><br /><br /><em>8. Can You Feel The Force - The Real Thing<br />You know that disco I went to? The one I mentioned in my review of track three? Can you guess who was the highlighted band that night? No? It was The Real Thing! Yep, it was one of those daft moments when a group turns up (three guys and a tape machine) and bangs through their greatest hits. And I was there, boogie-on-down-ing to The Real Thing. And here I am, boogie-on-down-ing in my flat, yet again. Great song - just not too sure that my gf will ever take me out...or talk to me!<br /></em><br /><strong>Well hopefully this track won't ruin relationships, but it's good to hear that it brings back memories, you closet funkster you ;)</strong><br /><br /><em>9. Shout To The Top - The Style Council<br />Paul Weller is a god! Having (musically) grown up with The Jam, and aged with them,(I really enjoyed Setting Sons), I loved the direction they moved in. I followed Paul Weller in the way that I didn't follow Sting! This is wonderful and I can dance to this, doing my indie dance.<br /></em><br /><strong>Ann loves this for the **** the world attitude that this and other tracks by them have. Glad you are akin on this one then.</strong><br /><br /><em>10. Mony Mony - Billy Idol<br />Billy Idol is a caricature. But he's a fun caricature. Go back and watch The Wedding Singer, the man's a genius. Where Sid Vicious got it wrong is that, although he was cuddly (according to John Lydon - which is why he named him Sid Vicious), he never appeared that way. Billy Idol wants to be vicious and fails miserably - a bit like Captain Sensible. Last Christmas we came across a CD with him in a cardigan, slippers, smoking a pipe - why didn't we buy it???? Anyhoo, yep, love this. As great as "White Wedding" was, as brilliant as "King Rocker" was, Billy should just stick to doing covers. Doing covers and practicing his curled lip.<br /></em><br /><strong>Another hit, great. Ann is checking to see if she has his pipe and slippers album. If she does, she'll send you a copy!</strong><br /><br /><em>11. Mirror in the Bathroom - The Beat<br />I love The Beat. Seriously, love The Beat. I am the sad guy who still goes around singing "Stand down Margaret" and, every time I go to the bathroom, sings "Mirror in the Bathroom". This song is pure genius. I am now two-tone-ing around the flat. I love The Beat. Ooops, just hit rewind (for the fourth time) - might never get to the next track :^)<br /></em><br /><strong>Glad that this one is another hit.</strong><br /><br /><em>12. I Am The Beat - Look<br />Tee hee. Lovin' this. I remember it - or, at least, I think I do. I seem to know the words. This must be one of those songs that everyone knows by osmosis. I have a big grin on my face. Could it be because "I'm in demand"? If I am, it is because "I am the beat!!!"<br /></em><br /><strong>I think you're right. I swore blind that I'd never heard of it before, until I heard it played. It's one of those tracks that sticks in the back of your mind, and you forget until the next time that it's played and then you no all the words off by heart (even the Alvin and The Chipmunks solo in the middle)!</strong><br /><br /><em>13. Tomorrow's Just Another Day - Madness<br />The problem with Madness is that they had the wrong following. "Baggy Trousers" meant that too many school kids thought they were talking to them. But, in reality, Madness were talking to a much older generation. Yes, they were/are fun, fun, fun but listen to the lyrics. This is music for a working generation - tomorrow's just another day. Any CD with Madness on it is a great CD.<br /></em><br /><strong>If this had been my compilation I might have picked another Madness track, but Ann wanted this one because it was less well none, and you've picked up exactly the reason why. Her alternatives were Michael Caine or House of Fun (but people missed the message in these).</strong><br /><br />14. No More Heroes - The Stranglers<br />Again, another group that were a lot "deeper" than people gave them credit for. Seriously - how many punk bands wrote songs about Sweden - let me tell you about Sweden, only country where the clouds are interesting. The fact that they were all over the age of "hope I die before I get old" might have something to do with it. Plus the fact the keyboard player wanted to be in "Yes!" But, a lot of my "political awareness" was because of this song. Yes, I was dull enough to research all the name-checks in this song - and that was before the birth of the t'internet!<br /><br /><strong>Ann likes the dark humour in the lyrics of this one, but again one with deeper meanings, exactly why it was chosen? Leon Trotsky's ears are burning!</strong><br /><br /><em>15. Brilliant Mind - Furniture<br />And this is new. Obviously not new, but new to me. It sounds like something I should have been listening to. Yep, I like this. Like it in the way that if I was sat at a party, and this was on in the background, I'd stop and listen.<br /></em><br /><strong>Quite political this one, and about not being a sheep, baa!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><em>16. Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra<br />Nope. Sorry. Not your fault. I have my foibles. I have the things I dislike. I have music that immediately makes me want to tear my ears off my head. ELO may your back catalogue rot in a place that I never, ever have to hear anything you have ever done! Nothing personal but my lawyer will be in contact with you because you made me listen to this! All of this. Including the fake ending - which filled me with so much hope...and then it came back again. My lawyer will explain!<br /></em><br /><strong>Now are we going to fall out? You don't like Phil Collins, and you don't like ELO! Oh well everyone has personal taste I suppose. Shame as ELO mix opera, orchestral and pop very well (with deep meanings).</strong><br /><br /><em>17. The One I Love - David Gray<br />Do you know me? Seriously, do you know me?? Because, if you did, there is no way on this planet that you would even toy with the idea of putting a David Grey track on a CD you were sending to me...except, promise you won't tell anyone, I like David Grey. Every molecule in my soul, every part of my being, everything that I ever am, should say that David Grey should die. Except, bless his cotton socks, I like him. I like this. I don't know why. I can't explain why. But I like this. So, thank you. Just know, I'll deny it in court :^)<br /></em><br /><strong>Did you not know that David Gray and Phil Collins are clones? Got ya!</strong><br /><br /><em>18. Black and Gold - Sam Sparro<br />I have never been officially diagnosed with ADHD - probably because I don't have it. But when it comes to music, a song has to grab me or forget it. I'm four minutes into this song and, to tell the truth, I've been out, smoked a cigarette, come back, and I'm still waiting for it to start. Oh, hang on, it's finished.<br /></em><br /><strong>Ann says this is a bonus track of modern funk (or cyber funk or something? You've completely lost me).</strong><br /><br /><em>19. Kyrie - Mr. Mister<br />Ok, I am biased, opinionated, probably (a lot) obnoxious. But I'm not sure that I ever want to listen to a song by a person called Mr. Mister. Worse (oh, so much worse), my beautiful, wonderful, multi-lingual gf has just informed me that "Kyrie" in Greek means "Mister" - how much worse can this get??!!?? However, I'll give it a go. Hang on - I seem to be back in the 80s. Is this a track from one of those films that defined "Generation X"? I can already feel everyone around me reaching for their cigarette lighters. Nope, I'm sorry, I have a sudden urge to find someone with a mullet haircut and punch them in the face.<br /></em><br /><strong>Now Will. I hope we are going to remain friends, but Ann has told me to tell you that all '80's albums ended with a cheesy heart-felt track. It was the same as going to the disco. They always ended the same way too, a meaningful, heartwrenching track that you could clutch and fondle to!</strong><br /><br /><em>Brilliant - 13 and a half tracks are a plus. I wish/hope that the CDs I send score as highly. Of course, as is the way of the world, the 5 and a half tracks that didn't quite work will be your favourites. If I have hurt or offended in anyway, I apologise. Thanks for the CD, I really did enjoy it. As neil h. says, music should invoke some sort of feeling, and if it is good - great! And if it is bad - even better!! At least you are making a point. I've downloaded the CD and ripped the tracks I loved into my phone. They will be on suffle play! Whoot! Thank you again. And I'm sorry it has taken so long to review - my bad.</em><br /><br /><strong>Glad to know that you liked it overall. A follow up of Phil Collins and Sam Sparro b-sides is on it's way. Sorry it has taken so long to sit down and write the reverse review, and that I have had to use my audio typist to get my review published. Given that my birthday gadget means that I can burn all my old vinyl albums to mp3, so you should get something really interesting next time we are mixclub partners.</strong>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-12744043989667058352008-09-26T09:29:00.006+00:002008-09-26T13:03:48.855+00:00Review of Soundtracks From Neil HAlan here stepping into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tontosgirl's</span> shoes (man my feet are swollen), with a review of the soundtracks CD that Neil sent.<br /><br /><br />Now right up front I need to be honest. When <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tontosgirl</span> opened her envelope and out came this CD her face fell a little. It's a CD of soundtracks. She doesn't do soundtracks. I on the other hand <strong>love</strong> soundtracks, soundtracks make movies. Anyway with a little encouragement from me, she slipped the CD into the drive on the PC and ripped the tracks, I was hopping around the room in anticipation. "Go on put it on shuffle-play," I said. "You might find something you like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">afterall</span>. Look there's a Tom Petty track, and some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Vangelis</span>."<br /><br /><br />Click shuffle play, and the first thing the PC selected was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cluckin</span>' Bell from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">GTA</span> soundtrack. A HIT! Both for me (obviously, I've been playing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">GTA</span> IV since it was released), and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">tontosgirl</span>.<br /><br /><br /><em>1. Interstate '76 Theme. / 2. Never Get Outta The Car</em><br />Here's why <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">mixclub</span> is such a great idea. Not only does the CD you get sometimes inspire you to listen to a new artist, in this case it can do so much more. A CD of movie and game soundtracks can send you looking for a new movie to watch or a new game to play. Both tracks come from the game Interstate '76 which I have never played, but probably would enjoy. A hit for me, but sadly a miss for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">tontosgirl</span><br /><br /><br /><em>3. A Lawless Town, Christopher <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Lennertz</span></em><br />Another hit for me, I'm not sure where this comes from, and I couldn't find it from a quick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">google</span>. It does have a very cowboy feel to it though. So I wouldn't be surprised if it were from a western movie or a game where men with guns take on overwhelming odds!<br /><br /><br /><em>4. Honeybee Kingdom, Mario <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Yokota</span>. 5. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Buggie</span> Running Beeps, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Kenichi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Sugiy</span>...</em><br />No didn't like either of these and neither did <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">tontosgirl</span>. From <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">SuperMario</span> or something similar I suspect, but in all honesty don't know. Too repetitive for me I'm afraid.<br /><br /><br /><em>6. Truth and Reconciliation Suite</em><br />I think this is from the game Halo, but I could be wrong (I'm a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Playstation</span> man, not an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Xbox</span>). It's good though, really takes you through the track and keeps building all the time. A Hit for me, but not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">tontosgirl</span>.<br /><br /><br /><em>7. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Cluckin</span>' Bell & 9. Weasel News.</em><br />Both hits with both of us, see my comments at the start of the review for more.<br /><br /><br /><em>8.Green Onions, Booker T & The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">MG's</span></em><br />This was a reversal of opinions. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Tontosgirl</span> loved it, as an old familiar favourite. I didn't. It just plods on to me.<br /><br /><br /><em>10. Zombie, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Fela</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Kuti</span></em><br />A double miss for this one, neither of us liked this one.<br /><br />11. Get Innocuous! LCD <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Soundsystem</span><br />Pretty sure this is another take from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">GTA</span> IV, I'm sure I recognise it from cruising the streets of Liberty City. Great track for just chilling, but the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">voice-over</span> from the "DJ" did get a bit annoying at times. Another hit for me, a miss for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">tontosgirl</span>.<br /><br />12. Running Down a Dream, Tom Petty.<br />Guaranteed instant hit for me, love Tom Petty. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Tontosgirl</span> also taken with this one, so scores twice! Not sure where it's from in soundtrack fame though?<br /><br />13. Crossroads, Cream.<br />Another double hit. The track speaks for itself really as a classic guitar anthem.<br /><br />14. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Cohens</span> Masterpiece, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Bioshock</span>. <br />Another one I would miss from being a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">playstation</span> gamer, as this is another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Xbox</span> track (I think). Out of context though it could be mistaken for some classical piano, quite easily. Not a hit for either of us though, but no strong aversion to it either. Just didn't like it.<br /><br />15. Struggle for Pleasure, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Wim</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Mertens</span><br />I'm guessing from the cover art to the CD that this comes from the film "The Belly Of An Architect", and continues the piano theme from the previous track. This time however you had us both hooked. A double hit, and I think I'll be tracking down the rest of this soundtrack to add it to my collection, based on this one track.<br /><br />16. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Powaqqatsi</span>, Philip Glass.<br />From the movie of the same name, I'm guessing, and other soundtrack with a classical bent. A hit with me, I want to hear more, and probably watch the movie too now. Less so with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">tontosgirl</span>, but I suspect she'll sit through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">dvd</span> with me, and who knows it might grow on her!<br /><br />17. Tears In Rain, 18. Blade Runner (End Titles), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Vangelis</span><br />I only needed to know there was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Vangelis</span> track on here to know that I was going to like most of the album. An inspired choice though. I wouldn't have thought of either of these as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Vangelis</span> soundtracks to put on here. I would of been thinking of other better known ones - Chariots of Fire, Antarctica to name two. Both of these are hits for me though, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">tontosgirl</span>, but they had to grow on her a bit.<br /><br />19. Still Alive, Portal.<br />I loved this one from the start, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">tontosgirl</span> described it as horrid, and it made her feel ill! Guess I will have to listen to it via headphones from now on then! I loved the whole electronic voice, and the words and music gelled wonderfully together. I'm guessing this is from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Xbox</span> game? If there is more of the same I'd be interested to hear it.<br /><br />So that's it. Overall I rated this mix far higher than <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">tontosgirl</span>, she really did appreciate that Neil went to all the trouble of pulling it together and sending it though, and is sorry that she's not well enough to sit down and type the review herself. For me this was an inspired mix. I really liked the whole idea of a mix of movie and game soundtracks. Excellent idea, and it's left me wanting not only to find the rest of some of the soundtracks, but also watch some movies too. I'd even go so far as to say buy some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Xbox</span> games, but I think I might get shot if I do! I'll just have to hope that the platform wars mean that one day games for one platform will eventually be available on another i.e. PS3.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765785623830300630.post-22817519237249706252008-09-26T09:06:00.004+00:002008-09-26T09:25:50.272+00:00My Disc From Will Has ArrivedIt's here, from across the Atlantic, a disc labelled "Play It Loud", and a set of instructions to wait until I have a long journey that coincides with one of the last days of summer, or a Friday night after a hard week's work, before I play it.<br /><br />Well know, it's autumn now so I guess I'd have to wait a long time before following playing instruction one. It is however Friday, and I have had the busiest week for a long time, possibly because I have had to take a personal day today, and so my week has been four days but with about six days worth of work! Anyway I shall be following instruction two shortly, and try and get back with a review so that Neil can kick off Round 8. (I'm in by the way, if you're looking for names and numbers Neil).<br /><br />On another note my GF a.k.a the recipient of Neil's disc of soundtracks and sender of Will's Funk and Ska, is not well. Some of you will know that this has been going on for a long time, and that sitting in front of the computer to type up a review is something she had hoped to be able to manage, but it just hasn't happened. She has asked me to step into her shoes (damn their tight, might end up with blisters), and do her typing for her. Unfortunately we can't do the brain swap thing, so the review might have some tonto influence when it's written, but I have interviewed her, so I at least have a general picture of what she thought and what her comments are. Hope that's OK with you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0