Category: Music

I always think about this song, Atom and His Package’s¹ “Possession (not the one by Danzig)”, whenever I am packing, but never more than this time. As I wrote back in March, I’m leaving Texas. I hope it is for the good (not necessarily *for good*). I’ve moved a lot before. Among my friends, my moves are somewhat legendary in their number. But this is a big one, where there is no coming back for little things I may have … Continue reading “Possession – Monday Mixtape”

I’m continuing to go through my tapes from long ago. An especially good one is from just after that big break up I wrote about last time. Unfortunately, it has some obscure stuff on it that even Shazzam can’t figure out, including a very weird version of the William Tell Overture.¹ I loved getting obscure music on those tapes, and now it’s biting me on the butt, when I can’t find it again. One track jumped out at me: “Tukka … Continue reading “Tukka Yoot’s Riddim – Monday Mixtape”

Good morning, Monday! It may feel like it’s a little late in the year to start off with a song talking about “Next Year”¹ (meaning this year), but you can reboot and restart any time. In the Jewish tradition, Nisan–the month which starts in 2 weeks–is the first month of the year². (And yes, “new years” is the 7th month.) It’s the first month, and the month slaves became free. You can restart your perspective at any time. So let’s … Continue reading “Next Year – Monday Mixtape”

“Every little soul must shine….” This little gem from Paul Westerberg is our jam this Monday. It’s a cover, but he plays it with such heart, you’d never know. Or would you guess its origin. Before Westerberg jangled it up, “Mr. Rabbit” was most famous as a song performed by Burl Ives, on a 1963 children’s album of animal songs.¹ The song is listed as “Southern, Traditional.” So today’s inspiration is to take whatever is laying around and make it … Continue reading “Mr. Rabbit – Monday Mixtape”

I love the groove of this track, J.J, Jackson’s “It’s Alright”. Not only does it simply jam, its message–that even if you’re down, you don’t have to create down work–truly inspires. Thanks to Chuck Palahniuk, we have been reading a lot of Nora Ephron. As you saw 2 weeks ago, we read the novel–her only novel–Heartburn, which was a fictionalization of her heartbreaking breakup with her second husband. It’s was a rough, ugly breakup, but a funny novel. (Chuck was … Continue reading “It’s Alright – Monday Mixtape”

Mike Doughty is a musician that I just love. His writing is fun, lively, and inventive¹. A number of years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing him live at Antone’s in Austin. It was a great show. And he bubbled up in my mind recently, as I plumbed the depths of Spotify to expand my playlists. This song, “I Hear the Bells” from Haughty Melodic, makes a great theme for today, this Monday. Go and get it. Listen for … Continue reading “I Hear the Bells – Mixtape Monday”

Monday Mixtape was a feature on a very old blog¹ of mine, and I’d like to revive it. And I can think of no better song for our inaugural post than “Whole Wide World.” The original is by Wreckless Eric, and it’s a banger. I first heard this song in the movie “Stranger That Fiction,” which is a masterpiece of storytelling. I love this movie so much, well, I can tell you that 1) the Timex watch in the movie … Continue reading “Whole Wide World – Mixtape Monday”