Stephen Blyth's Blog

Wary as I am of making promises I can’t keep, in 2009 I will occasionally produce a mixtape to share with friends. This page records the songs on each tape with links to artist websites. I’m also listing planned mix-ups.

Here is a succinct definition about what a mixtape is from Wikipedia:

A mixtape or mixed tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto a compact audio cassette.

A mixtape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a theme or mood, to a highly personal statement tailored to the tape’s intended recipient.

Numero uno: Dine out ~ August 2009

It all started when Michael visited and I’d said I’d share some music I’ve been listening to of late. I’ve included older tracks from Dirty Three and Les Yeux Noir after being woken up to the use of fiddle by these bands. Increasingly I’m falling in with a folky crowd.

1. “Revolver” Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan from Ballad Of The Broken Seas (2006)
2. “Two Tears” Eliza Carthy from Dreams Of Breathing Underwater (2008)
3. “Akacos Ut” Les Yeux Noir from A Band Of Gypsies (2000)
4. “Stellar” Dirty Three from Whatever You Love, You Are (2000)
5. “For Slavoj” A Hawk And A Hacksaw from Darkness At Noon (2005)
6. “My Family’s Role In The World Revolution” Beirut from The Lon Gisland EP (2008)
7. “Surprise Me 44” Tunng from This is… Tunng: Mothers Daughter and Other Tales (2005)
8. “Strange Form of Life” Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy from The Letting Go (2006)
9. “In The Hidden Places” The Mountain Goats from Get Lonely (2006)
10. “Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head! (Rebuild! Restore! Reconsider!)” Sufjan Stevens from Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lakes State (2003)
11. “Burn That Broken Bed” Iron And Wine / Calexico from In The Reins (2005)
12. “King Of Hearts” Jenny Scheinman from Jenny Scheinman (2008)
13. “A Little Bit Of Rain” Fred Neil from Original Seeds (Vol. 2) – Songs That Inspired Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds (2004)

Album image:Signature Clothes Pin Napkin Holder by Sifu Renkda.

Whika rua: Newport Folk Festival 2009 ~ coming soon

Bless NPR’s little cotton socks. Live recordings of 30 artists preforming at the August 2009 Newport Folk Festival are available online.

I’ve been wistfully listening to Gillian Welch, David Rawlings Machine, Iron and Wine, and Elvis Perkins and Dearland, wishing I’d been hearing from the lawn. Still to listen to Billy Bragg, Pete Seeger, Mavis Staples, The Decemberists, Joan Baez and more.

My favourite tunes will make it into a mixtape.

Numero tre

I still have to check, but I think Wilco is the band I have the most music, dvds and books by. So I’ll share some of my favourites soon. Including live recordings and interviews.

Links

Wilco: back to the beginning, WorldCafe (NPR) live recording and interview, 31 July 2009
Wilco: Uncompromising and iconic, WorldCafe (NPR) live recording and interview, 13 July 2007