Mix Tape Monday – Live Tracks

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the first disc covering the world of live music.  One of the best things about the confluence of music and the internet in the early 21st century was the availability of bootleg live performances that, at one time, would have been available only to serious collectors or the lucky few to attend the concerts.  In fact, there was so much of it that this was the only collection to go beyond 2 discs.  So, without further ado,  I bring you Live Music, volume 1.

Tesla – Signs

Tesla’s biggest hit was this acoustic cover of the Five Man Electrical Band hit from 1971.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 5/4/2011

Juliana Hatfield – Say It Ain’t So

This bootleg track has the indie darling covering the hit from Weezer’s debut album.

iTunes stats: Never played

Pearl Jam – My Way

This quirky cover of the Frank Sinatra standard came from a concert in (where else) Las Vegas.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 9/6/2011

Veruca Salt – Seether

A live version of Veruca Salt’s biggest hit.

iTunes stats: Never played

Travis – Baby One More Time

The Scottish band, who I likely would have never heard from otherwise, covered the Britney Spears hit during a concert at The Bay Tavern in Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire, England.

iTunes stats: 13 plays, most recently on 11/27/2012

Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind

From a foreign version of their greatest hits package, recorded live in Sheffield on June 6, 1993.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 5/1/2011

K’s Choice – Not An Addict

Recorded live at the 2001 Rock am Ring festival at the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany.

iTunes stats: Never played

Garbage – When I Grow Up

I’m assuming the live version on this disc is from the 2005 show at Metro that I attended.  The only reason I’m not sure is that I have so many Garbage bootlegs, it’s hard to be sure.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 1/6/2011

Stone Temple Pilots – Dancing Days

An acoustic version of their Led Zepplin cover, which I think may be from the Howard Stern show.

iTunes stats: Never played

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Mix Tape Monday – May 2001

After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended.  That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

This CD was burned in May of 2001 and features new music from Weezer, The Go-Go’s, and American Hi-Fi, along with older songs that interested me at the time for one reason or another.

The Five Blobs – Beware Of The Blob

This old 50s tune was re-popularized by the new midday show on WCKG hosted by Buzz Kilman and Wendy Snyder.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 5/11/2012

The Ramones – Spider-Man Theme

The seminal punk band covered the theme from the 60s Spider-Man cartoon for a mid-90s compilation.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 7/30/2012

American Hi-Fi – Flavor Of The Week

The one hit from the band that has seemingly become the touring band for Miley Cyrus.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 6/13/2012

Smoking Popes – I Need You Around

The local alt band had a hit with this tune from the Clueless soundtrack.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 8/9/2011

Len – Steal My Sunshine

Another one hit wonder, this tune was originally included on the Go soundtrack.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 8/19/2011

Jodeci – Lately

The unplugged version of the old Stevie Wonder hit from technically the first band I ever saw perform live.

iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 9/21/2012

Isaac Hayes – Theme From Shaft

The song was back in vogue in 2001 thanks to the Shaft remake the previous year and Hayes increased profile thanks to his role as Chef on South Park.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 7/16/2012

Snap! – Rhythm Is A Dancer

I’ve always been fond of this early 90s dance hit.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 7/16/2012

Mallrats Clip

Funny stuff from the mind of Kevin Smith which I have never imported into iTunes.

Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag

The minor hit from the Loser soundtrack was a massive hit in Australia, becoming the #2 selling single of 2000.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 12/1/2010

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Mix Tape Monday – Volume 13

Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. I thought it would be a fun exercise to look back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listen to today.

Volume 13 takes us into late spring of 1994 and my the end of my sophomore year of college. The song selection is now mostly completely alternative, with just one or two hip-hop hits to go along with it., with a little pop and Aerosmith on the side.

Side A

Alice In Chains – No Excuses

The Alice in Chains hit was taped off the radio, possibly 93.5 KHY, Lafayette’s rock station.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 5/6/2012

Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm

The follow up to Today was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 8/1/2011

Counting Crows – Mr. Jones

The debut smash for the Counting Crows was taped off 96.5, WAZY.

iTunes stats: Never played

The Cranberries – Dreams

The Cranberries big hit was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 7 plays, most recently on 9/13/2011

Jodeci – Cry For You

The Jodeci hit was taped off the radio with no indication of what station.

iTunes stats: Never played

Julianna Hatfield Three – Spin The Bottle

The hit from Reality Bites was taped off the radio courtesy of Q101.

iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 10/9/2011

Aerosmith – Dueces Are Wild

Aerosmith’s contribution to the Beavis and Butthead album was taped off the radio, again with no identifying bumpers or DJs.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 10/9/2011

Gin Blossoms – Mrs. Rita

The minor Gin Blossoms hit was taped off the CD.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/30/2011

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Mix Tape Monday – Volume 10

Between 1989, my sophomore year of high school, and 1995, my fourth year of college, I put together a nearly 20 volume collection of mix tapes, containing my favorite songs that I had gathered either from the radio, a cassette tape, or (eventually) CD. I thought it would be a fun exercise to look back at all 20 volumes and which of my “favorite” songs I still listen to today.

Volume 10 covers the spring and summer of 1993, following my freshman year of college, and features the top rap and alternative hits of the summer, along with some pop and the last remnants of hair metal.

 

Side A

Pearl Jam – Black

The first song from Pear Jam’s post-video phase was taped from the CD.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 3/11/2012

Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind

The big hit from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s bomb Last Action Hero was taped off the radio from 103.5 The Blaze during a nightly song battle where listeners would call up and vote as two songs “battled” against each other.

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 3/24/2011

UB40 – Can’t Help Falling In Love

The big hit from the Sliver soundtrack was taped off the radio from Lafayette’s hit music station, 96.5 WAZY.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 5/1/2012

Aerosmith – Cryin’

The first installment of Alicia Silverstone’s video trilogy was taped from the CD.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 6/7/2011

TLC – Get It Up

The “hit” from the Poetic Justice soundtrack was taped from the cassingle.

4 Non Blondes – What’s Up?

The ubiquitous hit was taped off the radio from Q101.

iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 10/2/2011

Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)

The unofficial theme to the Bulls third straight NBA championship was taped off the radio from what appears to be B96, as number 5 in the nightly countdown of most requested songs.

iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 3/30/2012

Side B

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Goodbye, iPhone 3G – Music Edition

As I wait for tomorrow’s delivery of my new iPhone 4S, it is time to say goodbye to the 3G that has been my trusty companion for nearly the past 3 1/2 years.  We’ve traveled the world together (well, at least Canada and the UK) and have listened to a lot of music.  Here is every song (all 1597 of them) I’ve listened to on the phone, with some (ok, very little) bonus commentary!

He’s a Pirate Klaus Badelt Pirates of the Caribbean (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) 100
Gordon Beckham Intro 91
Let’s Go-Go-Go White Sox Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers 87
Thunderstruck AC/DC The Razors Edge 84
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam Billboard’s Top Rock ‘n’ Roll Hits: 1969 83
sox05_montage 75
We Are The Champions Queen Queen: Greatest Hits I & II 73
Boom P.O.D. Satellite 70
Don’t Stop Believin’ Journey Journey’s Greatest Hits 69
2008 White Sox Central Division Champs Montage Chris Tannehill WSCR 670 The Score 65

No surprise that the top 10 are all part of (or were part of) my White Sox victory playlist.  This gets played on the way home from every White Sox winner, plus the occassional ride to a game.  Continue reading →