Tape 492
Originally recorded during the summer of 1994 (exact date unknown)
How to Make a Mix Tape:
Gather together the following items:
One blank cassette tape (90 minutes is preferred, but any length will do).
Your latest music purchases (on CD, vinyl, or cassette)
Records or tapes from your childhood
Ridiculous cover versions of classic songs
Odd thrift store finds (click http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2007/06/cool_and_strang.html for more info)
A collection of spoken word phrases, movie lines, and other soundbites
Favorite songs that you can listen to over and over again
To begin your tape, choose a vocal clip or something else that will provide a memorable opening. Next, find a song that is similar in feel or sound to the original clip. When that song ends, choose a song that flows lyrically or musically from the first. If you are not able to do that, throw in another soundbite or strange phrase. Continue to do this until you have filled up one side of the cassette. Then, turn the cassette over and repeat the entire process.
When you have finished recording, the next step is to create a new cover for your tape. You can use your computer to do this, or if you prefer a more hands-on approach, use a typewriter, clip art, glue, and markers. Save the original cassette insert to use as a template for folding your new cover. Finally, you will need a title for your tape. This is the perfect opportunity to immortalize a favorite movie line or employ one of those strange phrases you’ve collected. Now, you are ready to enjoy your tape.
A Rip in the Fabric of Time
Side A: 46:56 minutes, 32.3 MB
A children’s read-along storybook version of “Dumbo” opens Side A of “A Rip in the Fabric of Time.” The circus calliope sound soon gives way to another children’s record, this one sampled by Information Society for use in their song “A Knife and a Fork.” The second song is “My Favorite Town Osaka,” by Shonen Knife. A brief clip from “Star Trek” leads into Madonna’s “Bye Bye Baby.” Next up is another song from Information Society. Although I usually try to limit myself to one song per artist on a tape, this one fit so well I had to go with it. British artist Robyn Hitchcock follows Info Soc with a bizarre song about his wife and his dead wife.
The next track is one I discovered on a record company promo cd. I know nothing about the Volebeats, other than the fact that I really enjoy their country-ish “First Time Next Time.” Aztec Camera is next, and you can never go wrong there, even if you’ve used the same song on other mix tapes. After a short vocal interlude from an album partially created by inhabitants of a nursing home (http://www.duplexplanet.com/visitorcenter.html), the tape continues with classics from the Replacements and Naked Eyes. Next, The Three O’Clock remind us why they led the Paisley Underground movement of the 1980’s during their song “With A Cantaloupe Girlfriend.” After the original “Theme from Mission Impossible” and a short commercial break from the guys of “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, we are treated to four different cover songs ranging from the strange to the sublime. And so ends the first side of “A Rip in the Fabric of Time.”
Tracklist:
1. A Knife and a Fork -- Information Society
2. My Favorite Town Osaka -- Shonen Knife
3. Bye Bye Baby -- Madonna
4. If Only -- Information Society
5. My Wife and My Dead Wife -- Robyn Hitchcock
6. First Time Next Time -- The Volebeats
7. Oblivious -- Aztec Camera
8. Kiss Me on the Bus -- The Replacements
9. Always Something There to Remind Me -- Naked Eyes
10. With A Cantaloupe Girlfriend -- The Three O’Clock
11. Theme from “Mission Impossible” -- Lalo Schifrin
12. Wild Rebels -- Joel and the ‘Bots
13. Dancing Days -- Bad Livers
14. Run for Your Life -- Nancy Sinatra
15. People are Strange -- Echo and the Bunnymen
16. Mack the Knife (excerpt) – Ludwig the Zither Soloist
Links:
Information Society: http://www.informationsociety.us/
Shonen Knife: http://www.shonenknife.com/
Madonna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpOIVR6LQTs
Aztec Camera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgDOXqMmVdA
Replacements: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXAmzGD7Vc0
Naked Eyes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtPKa7MXLfA
The Three O’Clock: http://digivinyltal.blogspot.com/2009/06/three-oclock-baroque-hoedown-1982.html
MST3K: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XL7fqjK_l4
Run for Your Life: http://mockable.org/the-creepiest-beatles-song/