Hello, musical friends, welcome to Episode 7 of our little party podcast. We have good news! Mary is back in “Stu-stu-studio” to talk more music with us this week. Also, a big controversy this week. Tune in to the end of the show and listen to the fuss!
In other news, we have made Disc 2 of Nick Pond’s mix tape available for downloading. Follow this link to a zip file and you can listen to the mixtape as it was meant to be heard – in other words, no interruptions from Dave or Mary.
If you enjoyed Karen Dalton’s track on this week’s mixtape, you may enjoy listening to this BBC radio documentary about her. Fascinating stuff! And what a talent!
This week’s episode features Side 1 of Thomas Callaway’s first mix tape (of three) featuring:
- Felt – “Grey Streets” – Forever Breathes the Lonely Word, 1986
- The New Pornographers – “Mutiny, I Promise You” – Challengers, 2008
- Field Music – “All You’d Ever Need to Say” – Field Music, 2010
- Sufjan Stevens – “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross” – Carrie and Lowell, 2015
- Local Rabbits – “The Deal” – Basic Concept, 1998
- Belle and Sebastian – “If You Find Yourself Caught in Love” – Dear Catastrophe Waitress, 2006
- Michael Hurley – “O My Stars” – Snockgrass, 1980
- Karen Dalton – “Something on Your Mind” – In My Own Time, 1971
- Destroyer – “The Sublimation Hour” – Streethawk: A SeductionI, 2001
- Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – “1% of One” – Pig Lib, 2003
We also played some supplementary tracks this week, such as:
- Television – “Venus” – Marquee Moon, 1978
- Papa Too Sweet and Harry Jones – “(Honey) It’s Tight Like That” – Roots’n’Blues – The Retrospective, 1925-1950, 1992
- Jo Ann Kelly (with John Fahey) – “Shave ‘Em Dry” – Retrospective, 1990
Thanks for listening.
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For what it’s worth, I didn’t say, “put your favorite songs on the mix tape.”
I said, “I don’t care what you put on here as long as it’s music you love.”
Thank you both for the podcast.
Been awhile since I listened to this mix tape.
Forgot how great it is.
Thanks again.
You’re welcome, sir!
This episode felt so short! My faves were in the middle this time: numbers 3 through 6.
Very enjoyable Listening Party. It’s interesting to hear Mary sounding more and more confident and insightful in offering her feelings abut the songs.
Just a couple thoughts…
-Who was the bass player from Blonde on Blonde who produced Karen Dalton’s album? (I don’t think you mentioned his name.)
-To me, the lead singer for Local Rabbits sounds like a guy struggling to sound like Carole King.
-Please, no more Sufjan Stevens. So depressing–he sounds like a drama queen with a guitar.
I’m with Mary– that 1% of 1 song was way too long, and I’m sorry, but much of that guitar solo near the end was off key. The song did have some nice moments though.
-I really enjoy the depth that Dave goes into the story and career arcs of the bands. Even though I’ve never heard of any of these bands before, I love to hear Dave give the behind the scenes stuff. So far, the only song you guys have played that I’ve ever heard was from a previous show–Paul Stukey’s (Stookey’s?) Wedding Song.
Sorry for the negativity, I do really enjoy the show– I’m on the road while I listen so I forget a lot of what I’d like to comment on.
Please save me a seat in the Listening Party Lounge for the next one!
Danny
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PS: I agree with Dave- I disliked the song Su-Su-Suddio, but I love the name “Stu-Stu-Studio.”
PPS: I agree with Mary, I would love to hear the list of Dave’s 10 favorite songs. I’m sure it would be difficult to choose—but so interesting and fun to hear. Please do it!
Another great show, folks, both for the music and the discussion. I’ve started giving each episode a second listen, and find that several songs that seem so-so on first hearing, can come over much more strongly next time around.
That said, the Felt song was… okay. I quite liked the non-singing style that reminded me of, yes, Television and a bit of Lou Reed. But they really suffered by comparison when you followed up with actual Television. Venus is such a joy. “‘Did ya feel low?’ ‘Nah..'” – I mean, that on its own is wonderful.
Is there any solo Tom Verlaine to come in a future listening party? His album The Gift is a bit of a lost masterpiece.
New Pornographers – I quite liked this first time. Second listen sealed the deal. It’s a very slickly produced track, which is my one reservation.
Field Music – much heavier than I expected. The intro riff was almost Zeppelin. Must check out more from these guys. I saw this article a few weeks ago about their latest venture which sounds, well, interesting – https://bit.ly/2QvHb62
Sufjan – totally loved this. More! Nuff said.
Local Rabbits – ditto. How come these guys aren’t more celebrated?
Belle and Sebastian – well, there are elements I like, but there’s something off-putting about the way they write and perform in a way that kind of advertises their cleverness and sensitivity (see also Divine Comedy, Pet Shop Boys and Beautiful South). Maybe another listen is called for, or else they’re just not my thing.
Michael Hurley – weirdly charming, and charmingly weird. The harmony was wonderful, so thanks for highlighting that, and giving credit to Jill Gross. Kind of a Welch / Rawlinson vibe between the two of them.
Karen Dalton – what a voice. Totally agree about the vocal similarity with Billie Holliday – also a kind of backward guitar quality. The overall effect is quite eerie, melancholy and otherworldly. Thanks for linking to the radio biog.
Destroyer – again, second listen made me like it even better than first. Good sequencing to follow Karen Dalton with this, Mr D.
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – I’m with Dave. This rocks! I love the live feel, which made a good contrast to New Pornographers. The guitar workout feels so ragged and unplanned, while the rhythm section has it all locked down. You can tell they’re listening to one another and having fun creating the track together, and that’s infectious. Mary’s right about prog, though.