Mixtape Madness

A Rip in the Fabric of Time (Episode 6)

Retrollama — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:20:09 GMT

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/

A Rip in the Fabric of Time: The B-Side

Retrollama — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:10:04 GMT

Side B: 45:36 minutes, 31.4 MB A bit of Cheap Trick serves as an introduction to Beck, who is soon followed by a ridiculous classic from the “Grease” movie soundtrack. Next, 80’s performance artist John Sex invites listeners to hustle with his muscle, Shriekback covers KC, and one-hit wonders Curiosity Killed the Cat sing their one hit. After that, Madonna somehow coerces Warren Beatty to sing a duet with her, and Chet Baker wants to get lost. An extra-scratchy vinyl version of “Moondance” paves the way for four more British artists, and Ludwig the zither soloist returns. The Velvets close the tape with their ever-haunting “After Hours.” Tracklist: 1. Loser -- Beck 2. You’re the One That I Want – John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John 3. Hustle With My Muscle – John Sex 3. That’s the Way I Like It -- Shriekback 4. Misfit – Curiosity Killed the Cat 6. Now I’m Following You – Madonna and Warren Beatty 7. Let’s Get Lost – Chet Baker 8. Moondance – Van Morrison 9. Inside Out – The Mighty Lemon Drops 10. A Million Things – The Lucy Show 11. World Shut Your Mouth – Julian Cope 12. Crash – The Primitives 13. D’Waldbua (The Forest Boy) – Ludwig the Zither Soloist 14. After Hours – The Velvet Underground Links: Beck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFi8toT60Js John Sex: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-42r6fT32M Curiosity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTBAbwXYsa0 Julian Cope: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa8gYL_SC9o The Lucy show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjC4WD1t5ys&feature=related Ludwig: http://18.media.tumblr.com/geEX7hDB7pg377dtBlifURkto1_500.jpg

The Bonnie Situation (Episode 5)

Retrollama — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:36:53 GMT

The Bonnie Situation Tape # ?? Originally recorded sometime during the winter of 1994 (exact date unknown) The title for this tape comes from a segment of the film “Pulp Fiction,” released in November 1994. The cover was created on my first computer (a Power Mac 7100), which had been recently purchased. By this time, I had a large collection of audio samples from movies, television, and old children’s records. I began to incorporate them into my tapes whenever possible. Side A: 46:11 minutes, 31.8 MB The tape opens with Criswell’s introduction to the Ed Wood masterpiece, “Plan 9 From Outer Space.” Next up is a scratchy version of “Pop Muzik,” one of the first ever electro-pop songs. Other electronic songs follow, many of them built around a certain riff (or is that lick?) Nirvana’s cover of “The Man Who Sold the World” is also here, and after some pure pop from World Party and Matthew Sweet, the tape continues with Japanese artists Pizzicato Five and the 5678’s (who would reach semi-fame years later with their cover of “Woo Hoo”). Side A ends with Primus, and I can’t quite remember why. Links: The Bonnie Situation: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bonnie%20Situation M: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Scott Perrey and Kingsley: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perrey_and_Kingsley The Human League: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqqBs6kkzHE Nirvana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUWXcIJC7Q0 Matthew Sweet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzQ8ef-RpQo&feature=related Pizzicato Five: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z22nzBVLCto A live version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eC2qR6jBgE&feature=related The 5678’s: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_5.6.7.8's Side A: 1. Pop Muzik -- M 2. Swan’s Splashdown – Perrey and Kingsley 3. Da Da Da -- Trio 4. Fascination – The Human League 5. Supernova – Liz Phair 6. Backwater – The Meat Puppets 7. The Man Who Sold the World -- Nirvana 8. Is it Like Today? – World Party 9. Sick of Myself—Matthew Sweet 10. Twiggy vs. James Bond – Pizzicato Five 11. Woolly Bully -- The 5678’s 12. Jerry Was a Race Car Driver -- Primus

The Bonnie Situation: The B-Side

Retrollama — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:18:35 GMT

Side B: 46:49 minutes, 32.2 MB This side of the tape begins with an introduction to Esperanto, the forgotten language of world commerce. Dave Edmunds does a cover of “I Hear You Knocking”, and Nick Lowe does his biggest hit “Cruel to Be Kind.” One of my favorite Madonna tracks is here, as is my favorite Paul McCartney song ever. “Daytime Nighttime Suffering” originally appeared on the flip side of the 1979 Wings hit “Goodnight Tonight.” When it came out, I played the song so much that I actually wore out the grooves, and had to buy a new copy! Also here is the theme song from the best television program ever, “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” done by Man or Astroman? (See the links below for the original theme and for more information). Links: Jellyfish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHwwKSxJA-A Madonna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJq7-oyEYaY Man or Astroman?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Or_Astroman Mystery Science Theater 3000: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_Science_Theater_3000 See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcUkKltAidM Veruca Salt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AI95BVkiW0 Side B: 1. I Hear You Knocking -- Dave Edmunds 2. Cruel to Be Kind -- Nick Lowe 3. I’m an Adult Now -- The Pursuit of Happiness 4. Baby’s Coming Back -- Jellyfish 5. What Do All the People Know? – The Monroes 6. Human Nature -- Madonna 7. I Know – Dion Farris 8. Love Theme from “MST3K” -- Man or Astroman? 9. Save it for Later – The English Beat 10. Sense – The Lightning Seeds 11. Daytime Nighttime Suffering -- Wings 12. Voodoo Lady -- Ween 13. Seether – Veruca Salt

Wintering in Sumatra: Tape #302 (Episode 4)

Retrollama — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:50:04 GMT

Tape #302 Originally recorded on 1-2 May, 1989 This particular tape has a strange history. I bought a used car from an acquaintance, and found an unlabeled cassette while cleaning underneath the seats one day. I popped it into the tape deck, only to find the entire first album by The Colourfield. Since I already owned the album, I decided to leave the first track there, and record over the rest of tape to make it my own. The cassette’s title comes from a chapter of a Jean Cocteau biography that I was reading at the time. Side A: 46:11 minutes, 31.8 MB This tape contains many Beatle-related songs. “Goodbye” was a demo written for Mary Hopkin, and Mary Hopkin herself does a version of the classic “Que Sera Sera.” Nancy Sinatra covers “Day Tripper,” and Emitt Rhodes channels Paul McCartney on “Somebody Made for Me” (which was also a solo recording done at home on a four-track machine in 1970). Elvis Costello’s "Pads, Paws and Claws" was co-written by Paul McCartney. Elvis Presley is also here, with “Treat Me Nice.” (This mix can be found on the “Jailhouse Rock” soundtrack). Side A of the cassette ends with two scratchy childhood favorites, which are followed by the Who. Links: The Colourfield: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2XAuJ8bxOY Mary Hopkin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbhEtYdZ3Wo Elvis Presley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZURw8iSPQpY Ben Vaughn: http://www.benvaughn.com/about/bio.html, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOrYqpJ9B0U Violent Femmes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pywqGiwuw_k Fairground Attraction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHAhaR7WNkY Side A: 1. The Colourfield -- The Colourfield 2. Goodbye (demo) -- Paul McCartney 3. Que Sera Sera -- Mary Hopkin 4. Somebody Made for Me -- Emitt Rhodes 5. Day Tripper -- Nancy Sinatra 6. Treat Me Nice -- Elvis Presley 7. Nightmares -- Violent Femmes 8. M-m-motor Vehicle -- Ben Vaughn Combo 9. Girls, Girls, Girls -- Elvis Presley 10. Pads, Paws, and Claws -- Elvis Costello 11. I Got a Message for You -- Robyn Hitchcock 12. All Day and All of the Night -- The Kinks 13. Orange Crush -- R.E.M. 14. Perfect -- Fairground Attraction 15. What Do You Get When You Fall in Love? -- Dionne Warwick 16. Cruella DeVille -- “101 Dalmations” Soundtrack 17. Substitute -- The Who

Wintering in Sumatra: Tape #302 (The B-SIde)

Retrollama — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:17:18 GMT

This side begins with two of the year’s biggest hits, from Madonna and the Fine Young Cannibals. “Scarlet Pussy” is a strange Prince track that was originally only available as the b-side of the 12-inch single “I Wish You Heaven.” (The song is actually credited to Prince's feminine alter ego, Camille). Kraftwerk is here, with the brilliant “Pocket Calculator.” There are two more covers on this side of the tape: Echo and the Bunnyment do a live version of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black,” and R.E.M. cover the Velvet Underground. The Velvets themselves appear with “Sweet Jane.” The tape concludes with yet another song from Elvis. 46:49 minutes, 32.2 MB Links: Madonna: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi-koOafKOk Kraftwerk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MobpPTVobOk&feature=related The Who: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Qv_0maOBA The Beatles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge-Xl8MTLoo Tom Tom Club: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR44slemNZ0 Echo and the Bunnymen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rjgbn72TXI Side B: 1. Like A Prayer -- Madonna 2. She Drives Me Crazy -- Fine Young Cannibals 3. Scarlet Pussy -- Prince 4. Pocket Calculator -- Kraftwerk 5. Big in Japan -- Alphaville 6. There She Goes Again -- R.E.M. 7. Pictures of Lily -- The Who 8. Rain -- The Beatles 9. Suboceana -- Tom Tom Club 10. It Don’t Come Easy -- Ringo Starr 11. Paint it Black -- Echo and the Bunnymen 12. Sweet Jane -- The Velvet Underground 13. Good Luck Charm -- Elvis Presley

Primordial Soup: Tape # 258 (Episode 3)

Retrollama — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:44:09 GMT

Tape # 258 Originally recorded on 25 April, 1988 Although this tape was made as a way to compile some of my latest music purchases, some old favorites are included as well. The A side features current tracks by Echo and the Bunnymen, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Robyn Hitchcock, whom I’d just met at a record store appearance in Philadelphia. Thomas Dolby, David Bowie, and the Sex Pistols are also here-- plus there’s a cover of Prince’s “Kiss” by one hit wonders Age of Chance. 45:11 minutes, 31 MB Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Chance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-eaVjdd4gM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8oGyGo1q-k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUbNzxifJTU Side A: 1. Like the Weather -- 10,000 Maniacs 2. Desire -- Gene Loves Jezebel 3. Europa and the Pirate Twins -- Thomas Dolby 4. Iko Iko -- Cyndi Lauper 5. Bedbugs and Ballyhoo -- Echo and the Bunnymen 6. Dirty Creature -- Split Enz 7. Kiss -- Age of Chance 8. Queen Bitch -- David Bowie 9. Holidays in the Sun -- The Sex Pistols 10. She Sells Sanctuary -- The Cult 11. Song From the Edge of the World -- Siouxsie and the Banshees 12. All Together Now -- The Beatles 13. Balloon Man -- Robyn Hitchcock

Primordial Soup: Tape # 258 (The B-Side)

Retrollama — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:31:00 GMT

Side B begins with Paul McCartney’s demo version of “Come and Get It.” Robyn Hitchcock is back again, this time in a duet with Glenn Tilbrook, of Squeeze fame. Other returning bands are The Rutles and Melon, the Japanese pop group formed by ex-Plastics members Chica Sato and Toshio Nakanishi. Terry Hall, of The Fun Boy Three, sings his version of “Our Lips Are Sealed” here, which he co-wrote with Go-Go Jane Wiedlin. Morrisey and the Smiths finish off the set miserably. 46:50 minutes, 32.2 MB Links: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/cherryred/artists/woodentops.php http://www.littlehits.com/2006/07/close-lobsters-just-too-bloody-stupid.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwrVSfhTDUw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLyzwFwiEXc&feature=related Side B: 1. Come and Get It -- The Beatles 2. Flesh Number One (Beatle Dennis) -- Robyn Hitchcock (with Glenn Tilbrook) 3. I Must Be in Love -- The Rutles 4. Inside Out -- Mighty Lemon Drops 5. Just Too Bloody Stupid -- Close Lobsters 6. Eight Miles High -- The Byrds 7. Maybe It Won’t Last -- The Woodentops 8. My Bag -- Lloyd Cole and the Commotions 9. Cook of the House -- Wings 10. Turning Japanese -- The Vapors 11. Pleasure Before Your Breakfast -- Melon 12. My Best Friend’s Girl -- The Cars 13. Our Lips Are Sealed -- The Fun Boy Three 14. Flying -- The Beatles 15. Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now -- The Smiths

Chokies: Tape # 86 (Episode 2)

Retrollama — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:05:20 GMT

Tape # 86 Originally recorded on 31 December, 1984 “Chokies” is one of my earliest compilation tapes. The title was a friend’s nickname for Devil Dogs, his favorite dry snack cakes. The tape was recorded at his house on New Year’s Eve 1984. It has the distinction of being the only tape I created completely away from home. Most of the songs were recent releases, with a few classics sprinkled in for good measure. The Plastics and Ippu Do were two of my favorite Japanese bands, while Japan was a British band obsessed with Asian culture. This side of the tape ends with a hidden track from A Flock of Seagulls, which I neglected to write down on the original title card. 46:59 minutes, 32.3 MB Links: http://www.drakesdevildogs.com/ http://www.rockofjapan.com/plastics.html http://www.lifeintokyo.net/familytree_tsuchiya.html Side A: 1. Absolute -- Scritti Politti 2. Flaming Desire -- Bill Nelson 3. Zoolook -- Jean-Michel Jarre 4. Copy -- The Plastics 5. Like a Virgin -- Madonna 6. Lay Your Hands On Me -- Thompson Twins 7. Walking on the Moon -- The Police 8. Ten Feet Tall -- XTC 9. Run and Run -- Psychedelic Furs 10. Visions of China -- Japan 11. China Step -- Ippu Do 12. Telecommunication -- A Flock of Seagulls

Chokies: Tape # 86 (The B-Side)

Retrollama — Tue, 06 May 2008 03:50:34 GMT

Save for Queen and the Beatles, the rest of this tape is so ‘80s you can practically taste it. The Prince track was the b-side of the “Let’s Pretend We’re Married” single. Blondie does Buddy Holly, and Yoko does her best song ever. Although it appears that the tape ends with Aztec Camera, they are followed by Squeeze, whose song “Is That Love” was also never written down on the original title card. This probably stems from my OCDness, which wouldn’t permit me to leave any blank space on a tape. 46:30 minutes, 31.9 MB Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVzoDM4rzb0 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let's_Pretend_We're_Married (Copy and paste the above link to make it work) Side B: 1. Bedsitter -- Soft Cell 2. Irresistible Bitch -- Prince 3. Numbers -- Kraftwerk 4. Radio Silence (Single Mix) -- Thomas Dolby 5. Whip It -- Devo 6. I’m Gonna Love You Too -- Blondie 7. Walking on Thin Ice -- Yoko Ono 8. Bela Lugosi’s Dead -- Bauhaus 9. Tomorrow Never Knows -- The Beatles 10. Sleepwalk -- Ultravox 11. Killer Queen -- Queen 12. Oblivious -- Aztec Camera 13. Is That Love -- Squeeze

Jiffy Squid: Tape # 327 (The Premiere Episode)

Retrollama — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:28:52 GMT

Originally recorded on 18 January, 1990 Named after a restaurant in the 1989 Jim Jarmusch film “Mystery Train,” Jiffy Squid contains many of my favorite tracks from the 1960s, as well as some songs that had just been released (Stone Roses, R.E.M., and Paul McCartney). It also features several rudimentary “mash-ups” that were created by combining versions of songs covered by different artists. The interludes between tracks come from such varied sources as Monty Python, Yoko Ono, Yma Sumac, and Willy Wonka. Side A: 1. I Saw Her Standing There -- The Beatles 2. Substitute -- The Who 3. Good Morning Starshine -- “HAIR” Original Broadway Soundtrack 4. Happy Together -- The Turtles 5. Foxy Lady -- The Cure and Jimi Hendrix 6. Pop Song ‘89/Hello I Love You -- R.E.M./The Doors 7. Heinz Baked Beans/Spam Song -- The Who/ Monty Python’s Flying Circus 8. Rain -- The Beatles 9. She Bangs the Drum -- Stone Roses 10. I Am a Rock -- Simon and Garfunkel 11. Subterranean Homesick Blues -- Bob Dylan 12. All Together Now -- The Beatles 13. Down on the Corner -- Creedence Clearwater Revival 14. Every Word Means No -- Let’s Active 15. Figure of Eight -- Paul McCartney 16. Time of the Season -- The Zombies 17. Breathless -- Jerry Lee Lewis

Jiffy Squid: Tape # 327 (the B-side)

Retrollama — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:03:27 GMT

“LSD”, a song you’ve probably never heard, is by my friends’ band Pink Slip Daddy. (They were hugely popular in the Philadelphia area during the late ‘80s). And yes, that is Charles Manson singing on track 17. Links: http://www.myspace.com/pinkslipdaddy http://bomplist.xnet2.com/0410/msg01462.html Side B: 1. Wild Thing -- The Troggs 2. Pepperland -- George Martin Orchestra 3. Sodomy -- “HAIR” Original Broadway Soundtrack 4. I Want to Marry a Lighthouse Keeper -- Erika Eigen (“A Clockwork Orange” OST) 5. Satisfaction -- Phyllis Diller, The Rolling Stones, and Devo 6. Cinnamon Girl -- Neil Young 7. Face the Face -- Pete Townshend 8. LSD -- Pink Slip Daddy 9. All Day and All of the Night -- Kinks 10. Wild Honey Pie -- The Beatles 11. Summertime Blues -- The Who, Eddie Cochran, and the Flying Lizards 12. Magic Carpet Ride -- Steppenwolf 13. If I Only Had a Brain -- Ray Bolger (“The Wizard of Oz” OST) 14. Dear Prudence -- Siouxsie and the Banshees 15. Let’s Be Natural -- The Rutles 16. Tempted -- Squeeze 17. Home is Where You’re Happy -- Charles Manson 18. Why Don’t We Do it in the Road? -- The Beatles 19. My Generation -- Patti Smith