Candy

How do you explain a mixed tape to someone who's never experienced music outside of the digital age?

A few weeks ago a friend and I were explaining to her 10-year old daughter what a mixed tape was. More like what a compilation or mix in general was. In the process of explaining, she said, "A mix can be inspired by anything. Even… candy!"

And thus the seed was planted in my head. Not only did I crave sugar for the next few weeks, I realized I needed to complete this task: create a mix about candy.

The mix is a mix itself of different genres- both time and music style. A little bit for everyone, as a good box of chocolates is designed. My favorite piece on this mix is Savoy Truffle by Phish. Ben and Jerry's has an ice cream flavor called Phish Food, after the band who is also from Vermont (where the ice cream is made). Originally written by George Harrison for The Beatles, Phish gives it their own modern and rock flare, and does it spectacularly. Funny enough, George Harrison wrote it for his buddy Eric Clapton who became known for eating an entire box of chocolates in one sitting!

So, this is my first G-rated mix (not that I choose explicit music by any means). In the spirit of George for Eric, Phish for George, and Ben and Jerry's for Phish… this is my rendition for Taylor. Welcome to mixed tapes, T!

Now… time to quench this hunger. If ya'll excuse me… it's time for me to go get a pint of Phish Food!

Candy

1. I Love Rocky Road / "Weird Al" Yankovic 2:34

2. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) / The Four Tops 2:44

3. Savoy Truffle (Live) / Phish 2:43

4. Candy Everybody Wants / 10,000 Maniacs 3:20

5. Ice Cream / Sarah McLachlan 3:02

6. Sweetest Thing / U2 3:03

7. Candy Store Rock / Led Zeppelin 4:08

8. Candy / The Presidents Of The United States Of America... 3:17

9. Candy / Iggy Pop 4:15

10. The Candy Man / Sammy Davis, Jr. & Mike Curb Congregation 3:13

11. Candy (Wade Robson Remix) / Mandy Moore 3:39

12. I Want Candy / Bow Wow Wow 2:45

Coming soon...

I've been surprisingly inspired lately. Not really sure why. Not really sure for what. Lots of changes are happening in my life, all of which are positive I think. I'm teetering on the edge of normalcy. Something I'm optimistic about... and scared about. I've begun to see the light at the end of the life-long tunnel, and I like it.

I was itching to create a new mixed tape. Not sure about what, but I really wanted to create one. So, I sat down at my computer and stared at the incredible list of music I've aquired in the last few years. And then a memory came to me... one that was recent. One that was only on Tuesday.

Tuesday was a great day. I skied Vail for the first time in (I think) fifteen years. I forgot how majestic that town is, and remembered why it's continued to be my favorite 'town' in America. Moreover, I got to share it with somebody. I did my best to refrain from telling too many stories, though many slipped out.

"This is where I learned to ride a bike."

"This is where I caught my first fish".

It continued, though it could have been worse. I didn't want to scare this new friend off, so I kept it pretty simple. I left out stories like, "...and on closing day one year this is where I met the crazy snowboarder who offered to wax my friend's board in exchange for a joint". Like I said, just thought I'd keep it simple. I did share the "I skied Highline at Vail with my cousin and best friend in high school, and it just about killed us" story. Which reminded me of Tom Petty's Free Fallin'. We sang that day-in and day-out on the slopes, and more specifically, on the lifts for an entire spring break trip to Colorado in 1992. I will always think of Beth when I hear that song.

Tuesday afternoon, we went to the Red Lion in Vail for a drink after sking in the most amazing spring weather in January I'd ever seen. The sun beamed through the perfect blue skies making the snow glitter like pixies had just spent all night sprinkling every run with their magical dust. I was giddy all day. But sitting there in the Red Lion, where I've already accrued so many stories, the lone singer on stage started in: It's a cool day, living in Receda. There's a freeway, running through the yard....

And against my usually strong will, I could not and would not refrain from singing right along with him. Fortunately for me, the volume was up on his microphone and half the bar was belting right along with me so my voice was easily disguised and thus not resulting in the avalanches or broken glass it's been known to cause. I just... couldn't... help... myself! I sang along with every song that afternoon. Singing along was contagious, and I had caught the bug.

I drove home the next day searching my iPod for more sing-a-long songs to screach out on my way down to Denver. Since then, I've sung along to every song I know both on the radio and on the iPod. I've sung outloud! I NEVER sing outloud! And you know what? I friggin' love it.

So, after gazing at my library of music for a few minutes, I realized that I needed a mixed tape of sing-a-long songs. Even if you can't sing, who doesn't turn into Pavarotti in the shower or car? There are private places each of us has where we can sing to our heart's content. It's time to create this mix so not only our hearts can sing when it wants, but the rest of our bodies can, too! And the best part? If you can't sing, it makes it all that more spectacular to do it anyhow.

Coming soon: Sing-A-Longs Mixed Tape

Dating Sucks

This mix was made over a year ago. Actually, it's about 18 months old. I'm publishing now because, frankly, it just feels apropos to do so. I took a break from dating in the last few months and opted for just having a great time instead. Last night, I realized I'm ready to jump back in and try it again… eternally hoping for a positive result from my efforts.

So, here's the story- the summation, if you will: I really liked a guy. Our chemistry was intense, our draw to each other was magnetic, and yet something was always in the way. My crush had grown so strong that one day I sucked up my pride, walked right up to him and told him I liked him and wanted to date him. My heart was pounding so loudly in my ears I couldn't even hear my own voice. My palms were soaked, my voice was shaking, and the grin on my face was so forced I looked like I had just had a ton of Botox. His answer? He had JUST started dating a girl whom he really liked.

Bottom line: I didn’t stand a chance.

And thus my broken heart gave birth to this mix in the fifteen minutes immediately following that humbling moment of my existence. I cried later that day, and haven't again over a guy since. That moment, as painful as it was, let me know that I was capable of not only knowing my own truth, but sharing it openly. I still listen to this mix often. It's melancholy. It's calming, in some strange way. But it always reminds me that I can recover from hurt. No matter how often. I'm jumping back in because, well, I really like a guy.

*DATING SUCKS*
20 songs, 1.5 hours, 86 MB

Name Time Album Artist

Apologize (feat. OneRepublic) 3:04 Shock Value Timbaland
Somebody 4:36 101 Depeche Mode
Only You (1999 Version) 2:54 The Best of Yaz Yaz
With Or Without You 4:56 Joshua Tree U2
I Can't Be With You 3:08 No Need To Argue The Cranberries
Victim of Love 3:38 Erasure: Pop! 20 Hits Erasure
Superman (It's Not Easy) 3:42 America Town Five for Fighting
Somebody to Love 4:57 Queen: Greatest Hits I & II Queen
She Will Be Loved 4:17 Songs About Jane Maroon 5
What Do I Have To Do? 4:09 Wither Blister Burn & Peel Stabbing Westward
Breathe 3:18 Breathe - Single Melissa Etheridge
Love Is A Battlefield 5:22 13 Going On 30 Pat Benatar
No Woman, No Cry (Live At The Roxy) 5:22 Songs Of Freedom (Disc 3) Bob Marley
Let Her Cry 5:08 Cracked Rear View Hootie & The Blowfish
Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal) 4:28 The Dutchess Fergie
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For 4:38 Joshua Tree U2
I Want You to Want Me (Live) 3:39 Cheap Trick: The Greatest Hits (Remaste... Cheap Trick
It's a Hard Life 4:10 Queen: Greatest Hits I & II Queen
Play the Game 3:33 Queen: Greatest Hits I & II Queen
Heart of Stone 4:16 If I Could Turn Back Time: Cher's Greate... Cher

Home for the Holidays

Who says you can't go home? This mix starts with Bon Jovi stating exactly what I'm thinking. Who says, huh? I mean, since 1992 (oh man, that's 15 years!) I've spent no more than three days in my hometown 'visiting' at a time. I planned a trip for ten days. Ten days that turned into fourteen. Fourteen that changed my life.

This trip should have been the same as every other- just longer. If you break it down, it was composed of many of the usual trips home: a major holiday, family, drama, and going home with overweight luggage. This time, however, it included walks down memory lane. It wasn't so much a walk down memory lane as it was a constant check-in with myself: Am I OK? (A friend recently said that walks down memory lane are good, so long as you pick the right lanes. I was hoping every step of the way that I had. Thanks, Dave, for the great line.) Though I spent the majority of the time doing things I used to love to do like going to the beach (Beach Boys: California Girl), driving the Golden Gate Bridge (Timbaland) , eat everything in sight (everything on this mix), it wasn't about the old memories. It was about creating new. As a plus I was able to check off a few things off my "Things to Do Before I Die" list… my favorite being driving across the Golden Gate Bridge in a convertible, top down (Styx: Come Sail Away). The best part about it was it rained buckets the whole time. Amazing… absolutely, spiritually amazing. I can't remember the last time I was that exhilarated. I was truly happy in that moment.

I reconnected with a lot of people I hadn't seen in years. Floods of memories of driver's education (S&G: Hazy Shade of Winter), the halls of Ralston Middle School (The White Stripes: We're Going to Be Friends), many moments from Carlmont High School (Depeche Mode: Enjoy the Silence; Tom Petty: Free Fallin'), and even parties with little kids who just aren't that little anymore (Adam is 30? How the hell did that happen?). I've even included new songs where memories were created on this trip (G&R: There was a time). I remembered the good with the bad. I stayed up until the wee hours of most nights, seeing morning hours I spent the week before waking in, not staying up until (Warren Zevon: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead).

So- back to the mix. It includes songs I heard while in CA, both played by me and played in random bars and restaurants. It includes songs that belong for the sole reason of the lyrics. It includes songs that were just stuck in my head, for whatever reason. It includes songs that have no relevance, I just wanted to include them. I've also purposely included remakes. (Check out Erasure's version of ABBA's: Take a Chance on Me. Seriously the coolest remake ever). I spent fourteen days remaking memories. I walked Miramar Beach in Half Moon Bay remembering when I learned to surf there (The Beach Boys: California Girls). But instead of thinking about the past, I focused on that very moment. I watched the sunset like it was my last. I pranced in very cold waves. I created new memories that will be as equally cherished as the old ones. Remakes of music are an artist's respect of someone else's art. Each memory was treated like a piece of art that I was remaking in that moment. And each moment of this trip was treated as a last chance… forever.

So I sit here, in my seat on the plane still at SFO getting ready for takeoff. I just texted a friend: "Don't have expectations of anyone and or anything, other than yourself. Then, you will never be disappointed". Why didn’t I listen to my own advice? Why did I show up in California with expectations? I shouldn't have because each and every moment exceeded my expectations. Why is that bad? Because I just don't want to leave.

By the way, I'm not OK. I'm leaving my heart in San Francisco.

*HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS*
42 songs, 2.9 hours, 170.1 MB

Name Time Album Artist
Who Says You Can't Go Home (Featurin... 3:50 Have a Nice Day Bon Jovi & Jennifer Nettles
San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers... 3:02 Forrest Gump [Disc 2] Scott McKenzie
Train in Vain 4:44 Medusa Annie Lennox & Steven Lipson
Classic Girl 5:08 Ritual De Lo Habitual Jane's Addiction
Teardrop 5:31 Mezzanine Massive Attack
Club Foot 3:34 Club Foot - Single Kasabian
It's the End of the World As We Know It (... 4:07 Eponymous R.E.M.
Walking On Sunshine 4:01 Anthology Katrina & The Waves
Enjoy The Silence 6:13 Violator Depeche Mode
Kiss Me Deadly 4:04 Best Of 80's Metal, Vol. 2: Bang Your Head Lita Ford
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead 2:58 I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (Disc 1) Warren Zevon
Take a Chance on Me 3:46 Erasure: Pop! 20 Hits Erasure
Should I Stay or Should I Go 3:07 Combat Rock (Remastered) The Clash
2 Man Show (feat. Elton John) 4:26 Shock Value Timbaland
Can't Fight This Feeling 4:57 Boston
Come Sail Away (Edit) 6:05 Styx: Greatest Hits Styx
We're Going To Be Friends 2:22 White Blood Cells The White Stripes
A Hazy Shade Of Winter 2:18 The Best Of Simon & Garfunkel Simon & Garfunkel
California Girls 2:47 Sounds of Summer - The Very Best of th... The Beach Boys
Go Your Own Way 3:51 Clerks Seaweed
More Than A Feeling 4:45 Boston Boston
Living Room 2:25 Kish Kash Basement Jaxx
There Was a Time 6:41 Chinese Democracy Guns N' Roses
In Your Eyes 5:30 So Peter Gabriel
Hard to Concentrate 4:02 Stadium Arcadium Red Hot Chili Peppers
Piece of My Heart 4:24 Melissa Etheridge: Greatest Hits - The Ro... Melissa Etheridge
Tonight Tonight 4:15 Smashing Pumpkins
Midnight Confessions (Single) 2:45 20th Century Masters - The Millennium C... The Grass Roots
Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Love... 5:04 Singles The Smiths
Weapons of Choice 5:48 Fatboy Slim
California Dreamin' 2:41 Forrest Gump (Disc 1) The Mamas & The Papas
You Can't Always Get What You Want 7:33 Hot Rocks, 1964-1971 [Disc 2] The Rolling Stones
Even The Losers 3:39 Greatest Hits Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Here Without You 3:59 Away from the Sun 3 Doors Down
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free 4:16 The Dream Of The Blue Turtles Sting
Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? 4:25 Play Moby
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) 5:25 Journey's Greatest Hits Journey
Homesick 4:39 Train Train
Say 3:52 Say - Single John Mayer
The Show Must Go On 4:24 Queen: Greatest Hits I & II Queen
Shattered (Turn the Car Around) 4:14 All Sides O.A.R.
San Francisco Days 2:59 San Francisco Days Chris Isaak

School Daze...

I'm a social media junkie. I live on Facebook. I've been pounding the pavement on my page there for a few years now. I think if you really want to get to know me- go to my page and spend the hours needed to peruse the entire thing. Then you'll understand the insanity.

In the last few months, I've been reliving my school years. Friends from yester-year/decade/millenia have come crawling out of the woodwork and have shown up on Facebook. Friends from elementary school are back in my social sphere, confirming what I've tried to long forget: that I went to Catholic school. Junior high was marginally better, but not by much. Most importantly, the friendships I earned when I was as my happiest- high school- are back on the scene. Since then, I've packed on a few pounds... of baggage. Failed relationships, marriage, plans falling through the cracks of life, and many other little wounds have created a tough exterior. They've even callused some of the inside. But the little gestures from those who knew me back-when have slowly begun to help chip the crustiness away.

I created this mix on an airplane. A lot of wine, cold medicine, and first class to Europe is how this mix was born. And, one little snippit coaxed it along: my diary. Apparently, I kept it. More importantly, I was quoting music moments back then, and even documenting what songs were played at the dances. So, here's your mix Carlmont High School Classes of '90-93! This one is for you!


*SCHOOL DAZE*
54 songs, 4.2 hours

Name Time Album Artist
Right Now 5:22 For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Van Halen
Faith 3:16 Faith George Michael
Little Lies 3:38 Greatest Hits Fleetwood Mac
Cry, Little Sister (Theme From The Lost ... 4:48 The Lost Boys Gerard McMann
Good Times 3:52 The Lost Boys INXS & Jimmy Barnes
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me 6:12 The Lost Boys Roger Daltrey
Breakout 3:47 It's Better To Travel Swing Out Sister
Where The Streets Have No Name 5:38 Joshua Tree U2
Here I Go Again 4:39 Best Of 80's Metal, Vol. 2: Bang Your Head Whitesnake
My Prerogative 4:52 Dont Be Cruel Bobby Brown
Chains of Love 3:40 The Innocents Erasure
A Little Respect 3:32 Pop! The First 20 Hits Erasure
Only the Young 4:05 Journey's Greatest Hits Journey
One Love 5:13 Best Shots Pat Benatar
Seventeen 4:08 Best Of 80's Metal, Vol. 2: Bang Your Head Winger
Love Shack 5:22 Cosmic Thing The B-52's
I Go To Extremes 4:25 Greatest Hits, Vol. 3 Billy Joel
People Are People 4:59 Depeche Mode 101 (Disc 2) [Live] Depeche Mode
Just Can't Get Enough 4:01 Depeche Mode 101 (Disc 2) [Live] Depeche Mode
Once Bitten Twice Shy 5:26 Best Of 80's Metal, Vol. 2: Bang Your Head Great White
Rock And A Hard Place 4:11 Jump Back: The Best Of The Rolling Sto... The Rolling Stones
Free Fallin' 4:17 Full Moon Fever Tom Petty
Yer So Bad 3:07 Full Moon Fever Tom Petty
Walk Like an Egyptian 3:24 Bangles: Greatest Hits The Bangles
Enjoy The Silence 6:13 Violator Depeche Mode
Humpty Dance 6:33 Sex Packets Digital Underground
I Touch Myself 3:47 Austin Powers Divinyls
Vogue 4:50 I'm Breathless Madonna
Frizzle Fry 6:04 Frizzle Fry Primus
What I Like About You 2:57 The Romantics: What I Like About You - ... The Romantics
Let's Talk About Sex 4:45 Black's Magic Salt-N-Pepa
Smells Like Teen Spirit 5:01 Nevermind Nirvana
Evenflow 4:54 Ten Pearl Jam
Losing My Religion 4:29 Out of Time R.E.M.
Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead 2:53 I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (Disc 2) Warren Zevon
God Smack 3:51 Dirt Alice In Chains
Mr. Wendal 4:08 3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Lif... Arrested Development
No Woman, No Cry (Live At The Roxy) 5:22 Songs Of Freedom (Disc 3) Bob Marley
Hey Jealousy 3:57 New Miserable Experience Gin Blossoms
Sweet Child O' Mine 7:25 Live Era '87-'93 [Disc 2] Guns N' Roses
Paradise City 7:19 Live Era '87-'93 [Disc 2] Guns N' Roses
November Rain 8:58 November Rain Guns N' Roses
Jump Around 3:37 House of Pain House Of Pain
Everybody Hurts 5:20 Automatic for the People R.E.M.
Wake Up 6:04 The Matrix Rage Against The Machine
Sex Type Thing 3:39 Core Stone Temple Pilots
What's Up? 4:55 Bigger, Better, Faster, More! 4 Non Blondes
I Stay Away 4:14 Jar Of Flies Alice In Chains
Round Here 5:32 August & Everything After Counting Crows
Hero 4:20 Greatest Hits (Disc 1) Mariah Carey
Blister In The Sun 2:24 Add It Up (1981-1993) Violent Femmes
Add It Up 6:14 Add It Up (1981-1993) Violent Femmes
Keep Ya Head Up 4:25 Greatest Hits [Disc 1] 2Pac

A classic oldie but goodie...

I've been on a movie kick lately. As much as my life has always had a soundtrack going, lately I'm finding I'm also connecting with quotes. Not your normal movies, but rather I'm noticing that I'm living out parts of films I've watched in my life. It all started with Gone With the Wind. And old friend brought it up, I hadn't seen it in years, and the craving began. Much like other cravings, it doesn't quit until you quench it. Instead of waiting out the 48 hours it takes Netflix to deliver, I opened a Blockbuster account, put on my pajamas, and settled in for a long Sunday afternoon of Southern accents, large dresses, 1939 romance, and some of the best movie quotes of all time. It was a very different experience watching it at my age than it was when I first saw the movie. I was eleven. I loved the beauty of it. I never caught onto the psychology. And here I am, with two decades of experiences under my belt, and all I could do was relate to the characters- all of them.

Since then, others that have had their glory on my big screen: Kung Fu Hustle, Penelope, Casablanca, Tomb Raider, Zoolander, and of course: High Fidelity. That last one is for me. Nick Hornby wrote one of the best books of all time about a man contemplating his life after yet another breakup. Most importantly, he processes via music. For me, music has been in the background, with reality in the foreground. In High Fidelity (the movie), Rob's mechanism to see HOW he went wrong is through music.

So, here you go... my faves from the movie: High Fidelity. Beginning with what's on the soundtrack. Continuing with what's played in the film. Finishing with what's simply mentioned. Hey- they had meaning to me.

Also, this movie is where I borrow my favorite music quote from, and frankly, the inspiration for this blog: "The making of a good compilation tape is a very subtle art. Many do's and don'ts. You're using someone else's poetry to express how you feel."

So true... so true.


*HIGH FIDELITY*
29 songs, 2 hours

Name Time Album Artist
You're Gonna Miss Me 2:30 The Very Best Of: Going Up The 13th Floor Elevators
Everybody's Gonna Be Happy 2:21 Zoom Karaoke - the Kinks Zoom Karaoke
I'm Wrong About Everything 3:32 The Confessions of St. Ace John Wesley Harding
Oh! Sweet Nuthin' 7:30 Loaded The Velvet Underground
Always See Your Face 3:29 Four Sail (Bonus Track Version) Love
Most of the Time 5:04 Oh Mercy Bob Dylan
Dry the Rain 6:05 The Three EP's The Beta Band
Shipbuilding 4:53 The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Y... Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Cold Blooded Old Times 4:14 Knock Knock Smog
Lo Boob Oscillator 4:34 ABC Music Stereolab
Who Loves the Sun 2:46 Loaded The Velvet Underground
I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be F... 4:53 Talking Book (Reissue) Stevie Wonder
I Want Candy 2:45 The Best of Bow Wow Wow Bow Wow Wow
Crocodile Rock 3:54 Four Weddings And A Funeral Elton John
Crimson and Clover 3:17 I Love Rock 'N Roll (Remastered) Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Walking On Sunshine 4:01 Anthology Katrina & The Waves
Baby Got Going 2:03 Whitechocolatespaceegg Liz Phair
The River 4:59 Bruce Springsteen - Greatest Hits Bruce Springsteen
Baby I Love Your Way 4:24 Reality Bites Big Mountain
I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, B... 4:02 All Time Greatest Hits Barry White
Leave Home 5:33 Exit Planet Dust The Chemical Brothers
We Are the Champions 3:01 Queen: Greatest Hits Queen
Juice (Know the Ledge) 4:02 Gold Eric B. & Rakim
I Just Called To Say I Love Yo 4:22 Stevie Wonder
Leader of the Pack 2:51 20th Century Masters - The Millennium C... The Shangri-Las
Dead Man's Curve 2:31 Jan & Dean: Golden Hits: Vol. 1, 2, & 3 Jan & Dean
You Can't Always Get What You Want 7:33 Hot Rocks, 1964-1971 [Disc 2] The Rolling Stones
Let's Get It On 4:03 #1 Love Songs Of The '70s Marvin Gaye
Smells Like Teen Spirit 5:01 Nevermind Nirvana

What?????

So, here's the shtick. I love mixed tapes, compilation tapes, whatever you wanna call it. I'm a fan. I've been mixing them since I got my first double tape deck in the 6th grade. A small boom box style machine that had no power, very little speaker force, and could barely spit out the songs I was belting along to. I spent hours upon hours borrowing tapes from friends and copying the music onto some generic tape I bought recently, as I was always running out. Then, inevitably, I'd have some sort of an experience. They ranged from having a crush to just eating a great slice of pizza. But in any case, they always inspired a soundtrack, that I would be compelled to create. I would mix the tape, listen to it until the tape wore out, then move onto the next.

In the modern age, with playlists, the creating of a compilation mix is simple. Dragging and dropping has made it so simple that a mix can be created in a matter of seconds. There's no more hitting the pause button. No more timing of songs. But, the fact remains that the true art is simple: the music itself. What's the tempo? What's going on at what point? What does the music inspire within you? To truly understand how to make a compilation mix, you have to be able to answer those questions. And a good mix is always personal. It's between the maker and the one whom the mix was made for. In my case: most are made for me. In some cases: I've made them for others. In every case: I've put my heart and soul into it.

This blog is a list of my compilations. Some are mine. Others are inspired by other existing ones. In any case, they're awesome. If you're interested in downloading or listening to them, I upload most to iTunes iMixes and would happy to share the link/name of the mix with you. Just drop me a line and let me know. In the mean time, let's begin... and hey, thanks for listening.