The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology: The 80's (cont.)

Finished reading the 80's section of the ACMA and moving on to the 90's. But, before I do...

The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology: The 80's

Reading through the 80's portion of the recently published Austin Chronicle Music Anthology and enjoying it immensely. To call it a time capsule would be deceiving, since time capsules are full of dusty artifacts, decades disconnected from the here and now. To say it's like reminiscences from older cousins is closer, although that still carries with it the inevitable downsides associated with nostalgia. This is more like a trip back in time, and, for those of us non-native Austinites who weren't there when but wish we'd been, it's just the thing. Favorite quote from a review or interview, thus far, is from Alejandro Escovedo; "There's a lot of people who carry on the tradition, but not the tradition of change."

Here are some of the bands that have served as the soundtrack:

Happy Birthday, Johnny

Listening to a lot of Johnny Cash today, on what would have been his 79th birthday.

What Harry's Listening To

Every now and then, Harry will get the notion to make a mix of new favorites of his. He made 2 or 3 in 2010 and wore them out, but is also attentive to what Rachel and I are listening to and will ask about songs that stand out for him, who the band is, etc. Months ago, he heard "Istanbul, Not Constantinople" and suddenly couldn't get enough of They Might Be Giants. They have since become his new favorite band (knocking longtime contenders, the Beach Boys, into 2nd place) and featured heavily on the mix he's been compiling this week and completed today. So, I've been listening to what Harry's listening to. It's not half bad. Here's the tracklist:

1. Number Three -They Might Be Giants
2. Istanbul (Not Constantinople) -They Might Be Giants
3. Allegro Con Brio (from Beethoven's 5th Symphony) -Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra
4. Video Killed The Radio Star -The Buggles
5. Call Me -Blondie
6. Dinner Bell -They Might Be Giants
7. Barbara Ann -The Beach Boys
8. That's Right (You're Not From Texas) -Lyle Lovett
9. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' -Michael Jackson
10. Hotel Yorba -The White Stripes
11. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart) -Vienna Chamber Orchestra
12. They'll Need A Crane -They Might Be Giants
13. Particle Man -They Might Be Giants
14. Tutti Frutti -Little Richard
15. (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock -Bill Haley & The Comets
16. Such Great Heights -Iron & Wine
17. Boss of Me (Theme from Malcolm In The Middle) -They Might Be Giants
18. Fake Believe -They Might Be Giants
19. We Want A Rock -They Might Be Giants
20. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On -Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Birdhouse In Your Soul -They Might Be Giants
22. She's An Angel -They Might Be Giants
23. Whistling In The Dark -They Might Be Giants
24. Letterbox -They Might Be Giants
25. They Might Be Giants -They Might Be Giants

1986

Mix cd project that I'm a part of has different compilers working on tracks off albums from various years. My assignment is 1986. Which means that I've been listening to a lot of music from 1986. Which has turned out to be a surprisingly good experience. Here's my mix:

1. Kiss -Prince (from the album Parade)
2. The New Style -Beastie Boys (from the album License To Ill)
3. Don't Dream It's Over -Crowded House (from the album Crowded House)
4. In Your Eyes -Peter Gabriel (from the album So)
5. Lives In The Balance -Jackson Browne (from the album Lives In The Balance)
6. Brilliant Mistake -Elvis Costello (from the album King of America)
7. Wild Wild Life -Talking Heads (from the album True Stories)
8. She's An Angel -They Might Be Giants (from the album They Might Be Giants)
9. Begin The Begin -R.E.M. (from the album Life's Rich Pageant)
10. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out -The Smiths (from the album The Queen Is Dead)
11. Back In The High Life Again -Steve Winwood (from the album Back In The High Life)
12. The Way It Is -Bruce Hornsby & the Range (from the album The Way It Is)
13. Guitar Town -Steve Earle (from the album Guitar Town)
14. Graceland -Paul Simon (from the album Graceland)
15. Stuck With You -Huey Lewis & the News (from the album Fore!)
16. Danger Zone -Kenny Loggins (from the Top Gun soundtrack album)
17. Livin' On A Prayer -Bon Jovi (from the album Slippery When Wet)
18. It's Tricky -Run-D.M.C. (from the album Raising Hell)
19. Walk Like An Egyptian -The Bangles (from the album Different Light)

1986 marks the year when I really started buying my own tapes and listening to something besides my parents' music. That makes my memories of the music of '86 particularly sharp and meaningful. In some ways, my parents' influence on my musical taste was evident (Graceland/The Way It Is) in others we were in very vocal disagreement (Raising Hell/The Queen Is Dead). It has been a lot of fun to take this look back and to remember...

Neil Young

Listening to a lot of Neil this week as well. Especially this album:

Okkervil River

Made my sister, Sarah, an Okkervil River mix this week. Here's the track listing:

1. Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe (from the album The Stage Names)
2. A Hand To Take Hold of The Scene (from the album The Stage Names)
3. Pop Lie (from the album The Stand Ins)
4. Lost Coastlines (from the album The Stand Ins)
5. Red (from the album Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See)
6. Black Sheep Boy (from the album Black Sheep Boy)
7. For Real (from the album Black Sheep Boy)
8. It Ends With A Fall (from the album Down The River of Golden Dreams)
9. You're United Again (from the album Sleep and Wake-up Songs)
10. Plus Ones (from the album The Stage Names)
11. Blue Tulip (from the album The Stand Ins)
12. Listening To Otis Redding At Home During Christmas (from the album Don't Fall In Love...)
13. Westfall (from the album Don't Fall In Love...) 
14. The Latest Toughs (from the album Black Sheep Boy)
15. The War Criminal Rises and Speaks (from the album Down The River...)
16. The Velocity of Saul at the Time of His Conversion (from the album Down The River...)
17. No Hidden Track (from the album Sleep and Wake-up Songs)

And here's the video for track 7

Will Oldham

Will Oldham came to my register in the bookstore today. So, I'm reminded of how great this is.

Charles Bradley

Fan.tastic.

Nothing Painted Blue

Listening to a lot of Nothing Painted Blue. With so many bad bands in the 90's, how were so few people paying attention to this great one?