LONG LOST LOVES
A Collection of Widows and Orphans
anxiety.muxtape.com

This is a mix of some of the music I tend to hoarde away and share rarely, if ever, with other people - probably because I'm afraid it's too oddball or esoteric for an otherwise potentially fun mix compilation, or just because some music I just wanna hide away for myself as my own guilty little pleasures. But mostly because it's weird.

That said, my challenge was to dig through all my music and find the stuff that really moves me in some way, but that I've never been brave enough to share with other people thus far. So with that in mind, take a deep breath and dive into the windmills of my mind....

THE SONGS:


Bruce Haack & Esther Nelson - Upside Down

I've owned the Bruce Haack album for years but I never quite knew how to classify it. Is it retro kitsch? Is it vintage electronica? Is it outsider music? Is it children's music? I guess the answer is yes, it's all of that. It's playful and surreal and dorky and perhaps just a little bit unintentionally creepy. And apparently Bruce and Miss Esther have a bit of a following - one of their songs was covered by the rock band eels and included on their recent b-sides and rarities compilation. Good stuff.

Sarolta Zaratnay - Fekete Beat

An anthology of this woman's music arrived in wrecka stows with high recommendations from Saint Etienne's Bob Stanley, so my curiosity was immediately tweaked and I took a chance. Sarolta scratches an itch I often get for late '60s/early '70s mondo exotica a-go-go. Think of a groovy A-frame house with wood paneling, thick amber glass and daisy appliques abound, inhabited by a bevy of panty hose models sporting Egyptian eyeliner and ironed Cher hairdos. From reading the liner notes of her anthology, Sarolta is much more than a campy sex kitten, but what's on the surface is such a sweet candy shell, I'm not quite ready to crack it open yet to find out what's inside because I'm still enjoying the sugary goodness. Yum.

Dick Hyman - Topless Dancers of Corfu

I initially meant to choose the Dick Hyman song which ended up sampled on Beck's "Odelay" album, but I goofed and added this song instead. When I listened to it, I realized it fit much better in the mix. Happy accidents!

Moondog - Moondog Monologue

I like this track for so many reasons. First, when you see someone on TV pretending to be a beatnik, with the bongos and the beret and the crazy daddy-o poetry, you never really think much about the source. Well, here it is. The real thing. Only, Moondog didn't dress in black turtlenecks and berets. He dressed as a Viking. And he was blind. And homeless. And a composer of jazz and classical-style music. Moondog's story is certainly a fascinating one - Google him or look up the Wikipedia entry on him sometime, you're guaranteed an interesting read. As for this track, I have to say I really like the poetry - a manifesto on eccentricity announced by a gentlemanly genteel voice.

David Lynch - Ghost of Love

This is one of my favorite songs ever to be connected with anything vaguely Lynchian, and there's been a lot of great music connected with his films over the years. There's something simultaneously bluesy, evil and ethereal happening in this song, and if this track lasted two hours I'd still put it on repeat. (and yes, that is David Lynch himself singing.)

Vincent Gallo - I Wrote This Song for the Girl Paris Hilton

Keeping up with the Hollywood musicians mini-theme, here's a very pretty little song by the wackjob responsible for "Buffalo 66" and "The Brown Bunny". Much of his music is surprisingly charming and sedate. This song reminds me of a warped stag party filmstrip from the early '60s, only with maybe a little more class. Then again, consider the title's subject. Fortunately the song survives unscathed.

The High Llamas - Literature is Fluff (Instrumental Version)

This song is beautiful. I don't care what you think of the first 2/3rds of the song, the magic is in the last minute or so. Tell me you don't think about being lifted to Heaven on a cloud when you hear the last minute of this song. Sweeter than sugar. Gorgeous.

Johnny Cash - Mister Garfield

Only the Man in Black could get away with recording a breezy, almost silly, ballad about a presidential assassination. This song makes me smile every time I hear it. I'm not sure if that's okay, but I'm sure JC doesn't mind. You can hear him smiling as he sang it.

Marianne Faithfull - Ballad of the Soldier's Wife

Listening to Marianne Faithfull gives me the same feeling of security as sitting in a booth in a dark bar with a full pack of cigarettes, a huge pitcher of beer, and a very close friend to share my vices and bend an ear until all hours of the night. You name it, Marianne has been through it. She's seen it, lived it, smoked it, sang it, mourned it, birthed it, lived to tell the tale and she has the Mars Bar to prove it, ho ho ho. There's a reason she was cast as God on AbFab...

Astrud Gilberto - I'm Nothing Without You

The simplicity of this song makes me want to cry. Music rarely gets more romantic than this, as far as I'm concerned. The bittersweet economy of Astrud's voice makes me swoon every time, and this melody is like a trickle of warm maple syrup melting the butter over a stack of pancakes. Delicious.

The Residents - Serenade for Missy

I always wished The Residents would release a collection of the music they recorded for Pee-Wee's Playhouse, but until that happens this is the next best thing. I don't think this song was ever actually used on Pee-Wee's Saturday morning show, but it sure sounds like it ought to have been. And on that note, I'd better put on my eyeball helmet, step on my scooter and bid you all a fond farewell...

I didn't know you were into electronic pioneers as Bruce Haack and Dick Hyman.

Sick.

Listening (while I am supposed to get ready for work). That Moondog thread reminds me of a Disney track straight off the soundtrack of The Three Caballeros.

I am expecting a penquin with a scarf and a wooly hat to walk across my screen any minute.

I like most of the songs on there LOTS and most of them first listens. I will be branching out somewhat more on some of these artists.

I really love, love, love David Lynch's song.

In the meantime there was this easy tune (what's in a name?) compilation series that was real cool, but I forgot the name... I am sure you'd like the series.

HamsterHuey said:

The Ultra-Lounge series! I loved them; I played them alot when I was still working at Virgin. It's how I bumped into Yma Sumac.

Anxiety said:

Where's this art from?

Lammastide said:

oh that? it's just a lil' snapshot i took during radiohead's set at lollapalooza

Bruce Haack? Interesting. I am working on his final album that was part of the trilogy before he died. He died before the album came out but we have the opportunity to "finish" it. Interesting stuff. Very dense.

superspaceboy said:

Cinnie said:

Yeah Bruce was an odd one... All about Jesus coming on a flying saucer. Actually lots of Jesus references.

I was going to post a link to IFO, but it's not up.

I should have known you'd produce a mad hatter style soundtrack I'm just trying to imagine the movie it would come from! Is there a white lipped black eye lidded super long lashed 60s mod chick frontin? Are there aliens? Are psychic visions and mindreading the norm from the womb? Is the world saved or destroyed? This mix sounds like what every perfect high should be. Brilliant!

Anxheimer, you have been missing and we have noticed! Your contribution in all forms, opinion and muxtape, was greatly anticipated, at least by me it was I'm very happy to report that I have heard absolutely nothing from your mix before I only know Johnny Cash and Miss Faithful and had no idea David Lynch or Vincent Gallo ever stepped into the musical arena, though I do know who they are.

There is something about every track that I just love. Have you ever read Weaveworld by Clive Barker? This mix reminds me of that story. Lost gems weaved together to form a secure and safe world for the magical people that live in it. And who knew Paris Hilton could inspire such reflective calm? Would have loved to hear the voice that would have accompanied "Literature is Fluff".

For my favorite, I'm going to go with the David Lynch track. It's the vehicle to everywhere and nowhere I know what you mean about feeling fearful, or hesitant on sharing these tracks but so glad and happy for this project because even though I haven't met your twins, I have been properly introduced to one of your children nonetheless LOVE THIS MIX!

I'm REALLY looking forward to hearing this one. I was hoping the Residents would be on there and sure enough, Anx granted my wish.

As soon as I write some words about guitarslinger's comp, I'll get to listening.

Interesting set.

Almost went with Moondog for the sheer in there sounding out there factor, but i've gotta go with the Dick Hyman piece as my #1 pick.

Evening Thoughts is my favorite track from...



...Moog: The Electric Eclectics of Dick Hyman.


He was also an amazing assimilator of the piano styles of many great players.
(Hubie Blake, Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, etc.)


And finally to the uninitiated, if you've got a spare tab of LSD, down it and watch the Bruce Haack documentary.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

Love that disc.

theAudience said:

i totally forgot there was a bruce haack documentary out there! i bought a CD of his on a whim way back when i lived in new york - i found it either at other music or mondo kim's, and looking at the cover and the notes on the back, i couldn't turn it down. come to think of it, i do seem to remember reading an article on haack in recent years and learning he was a bit of an eccentric. i need to follow up on that little corner of crazy.

and tA, you should appreciate the moondog track - it's from the CD ya got me!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

thanks!

if you like that lynch song, i highly recommend the crazy musical output he's been releasing over the past few years. i only found out recently that he's released a good three or four albums in the past couple of years, and they're all fascinating. moonsongs mentioned one of them in the sticky muxtape thread. the style of his albums are stunning to me, just like everything else he does.

vincent gallo, eh, he's a little more - a LOT more - hit or miss. i love the album my muxtape song came from. the album's called "when", and the whole thing is like that. he's also done some metal/prog sounding stuff, which is a little painful.

i love when crackpot visionaries branch out to different genres. can you tell?

reserve my space for later...

Anxiety said:

That's weird. This is one of my favorite Cash songs. Have we talked about this?

errant said:

nope, i don't think i've ever discussed this song with anyone. it's difficult to know anyone who's ever heard this song, let alone allow me to play them a country ballad about the assassination of president garfield.

Anxiety said:

I'm sure you know Hyman has done a lot of work with The Woodman.


Gallo was on Howard Stern about four years back and confirmed he'd "dated" Paris and had put her in a short film he'd made. When Howard tried to get him to bash her, Gallo said, "Are you kidding? Paris is a great girl!" and went on about how sweet she was. But Gallo loves to be contrary, so whether or not this is how he actually feels is debatable. In this same interview, after a caller thanked him for "screwing over" PJ Harvey "'cause (Uh Huh Her) is awesome, man!", VG claimed they never slept together ('Never touched it, never sniffed it, never tasted it').


Keith Richards denied the Mars Bar thing in a '90s video interview ("We were fresh out that day [wheezy laughs].").

Anxiety said:

'like' doesn't begin to cover how much that song clicks with me.

Ace said:

i know it's been disputed, but it doesn't prevent the incident from remaining a significant tidbit of rock folklore. like they say, "never let the truth get in the way of a good story".

Anxiety said:

True nuff.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Supa, I love your emoticon use!


Anx, well done! I'm letting it sink in a bit, before commenting fully, but the combination moondog and david lynch, wow. Those two tracks chemically react together or something, great combo!

Sander said:

When you isolate them it's a whole nother story!

As expected, this is the spaciest mixtape I've encountered so far, so I won't do the usual song-by-song review. I'd be limited to insipid comments like: "I liked this one. It's wierd!" That said... um... I liked this one.

Bruce Haack/Esther Nelson - My immediate favorite. Maybe because I've mulled over an evocative opener for my own mix, "Upside Down" struck me as really clever because there is zero exposition -- it launches right into those freaky electronic harmonies. The kiddy lyrics are smart and perfect in their simplicity, and the overall atmosphere is just as you described: playful, surreal, dorky and absolutely friggin' creepy! And for its brevity, it makes me work perhaps more than any subsequent tracks. I'm thinking: "Are they being cynical, or are they actually serious with this!?!" Really fun stuff.

Sarolta Zaratnay - This song is my 2nd favorite. I can't place it, but there's something terribly sexy about her voice -- it's naked, muscular, a bit intimidating even. I Googled her only after having heard the track, but she's just as I imagined, especially in this photo:



I also think it's cool Zaratnay served time in jail, according to her Wiki page. Girl's got street cred. .... I just wish it were for something sexier like robbing a bank or beating an ex within an inch of his life on a busy street corner with her bare hands. I'm gonna check out more of her.

Moondog - I eventually will forgive you for being the first to use a spoken-word track in a mixtape. (I wanted that distinction! ) But it's good you went for broke! Moondog! And 8 minutes of him!! That takes balls. I'm less impressed by his poetry than you, but he's interesting, and this is great stuff for wierding out my wife and kid.

David Lynch - Great track. It's a bit too like the Twin Peaks theme for novelty sake, but at least Lynch is consistent in his aesthetic. Love the unsettling soulfulness. I've never seen Inland Empire, but this track feels so utterly bluesy, confessional, self-emptying that I'm gonna guess this is either around a hot sex scene or something terrible like a murder. Am I off? Somehow this also gives me a Chris Isaaky vibe. I know they've worked together elsewhere -- I'm curious to know who plays on this.

Marianne Faithfull - Good storytelling. GREAT voice. Great track. I got nothing else. I definitely need to check her out more.

Astrud Gilberto - Another I never heard of (near misses, because I've apparently come across other references in music to her), but I will certainly check her out. Can't decide whether or not I think the trumpet in this track gets slightly overwrought after a while , but you're correct: Gilberto's voice is like sparkling water, and those are some of the richest strings I've heard in a long, long time. Romantic in a very pure-feeling way.

Nice, mind-expanding mix.
[Edited 8/6/08 16:59pm]

Anxiety said:

I get this song stuck in my head quite frequently. I always enjoy when that happens.

Anxiety said:

Aah yes. Should've gotten 2 of those muthas.

Glad you enjoyed it.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Bruce Haack & Esther Nelson - Upside Down

You mean, it isn't samples? They recorded it themselves? Love the melody above all else. Great way to start, especially with this theme: "Everything you do when you are a child..." I've had quite a long fling with something I call Bleeep music. Strange electronic music with lots of samples. This would have fitted in nicely with all those crazy bleeep mixes I made.

Sarolta Zaratnay - Fekete Beat

I was scared when this came on. I thought the theme of your mix might become a mix of world music, which is kinda the theme I was going for. Needless to say, I love the route so far.

Dick Hyman - Topless Dancers of Corfu

Bleeeeep! Campy bleeep I might add. The song itself is fun but doesn't really have much substance.

Moondog - Moondog Monologue

Bold to put this in a mix. The music is there just to set a mood. Succesfully, since I like the mood, it's quite rich. It evokes all kinds of visual stimulus. However, on a mix it does kill some momentum.

Well said.

David Lynch - Ghost of Love

On the other hand, the spoken words sets it up nicely for this track. Its impact is greater because of it. Eight minutes of monotomy followed or broken by macabre melodies and eerie sounds by David Lynch. I didn't know David made music. He does stick to his guns doesn't he! I like the train soundeffect throughout. Didn't Prince use the exact same soundeffect? Not sure which track though... Something lovesexy, all my dreams perhaps?


Vincent Gallo - I Wrote This Song for the Girl Paris Hilton

Don't know his movies, the music is nice and weird though. Reversed tones or just electronics galore? This piece is the most telling of your overall mix, I'd say.

The High Llamas - Literature is Fluff (Instrumental Version)


A bit of a breather, nice 60s atmospheric music. Bleeep.

Johnny Cash - Mister Garfield

The first time I hear a new track of him, I usually like it (when I have or take the time for it and listen to his lyrics). After that, the interest is gone. Not much staying power for me.

Marianne Faithfull - Ballad of the Soldier's Wife

Love your write-up on her and what she means to you.

Astrud Gilberto - I'm Nothing Without You

I love Astrud, however I don't know much of her English catalogue. And alas, the accent turns me off.

The Residents - Serenade for Missy

Great ending!

Bruce Haack for president!