#91, December 21, 2005

Serene Dip

There are certain rules to doing some post-mod, post-rocker Ipod shuffling – engaging in serendipity. You have to be open to raiding a son’s or a daughter’s cd collection, even if it means coming up with large chunks of Eminem and Vanessa Carlton or even, god forbid, Brittany Spears. You have to add your classical collection to the Itunes, all the jazz, the funk, the Indian tabla and raga music. You’ve got to be open to and have everything. And once you have it, you are not allowed to refuse to listen to anything. Failure to abide by these rules means you are refusing to accept your place in history, and you are turning to the mystification and untruth of self-presentation – imposing yourself on your landscape and your music -- you are being Hegelian. Let go, chill, and drive between the lines.

Another Serene Dip into the archive:

“One of These Things First – Nick Drake, Garden State

Great way to start a drive! Don’t know where this comes in the movie, Garden State, and it isn’t as memorable as Simon & Garfunkle’s “Only Little Boy in New York,” which makes one want to just throw one’s hands up in the air in an act of surrender, but it is a great song – the kind of song, indeed, that one wishes one had been the first to write and sing.

“Stupid Thing” Aimee Mann, Ultimate Collection

Think I’ve heard this before.

“Gone” – Jack Johnson, On & On

Haven’t quite worked this guy out yet. John Martyn/David Gray mix?

“Fantasize” – Liz Phair, Whitechocolatespace..

Always interesting to listen to. Don’t know this as well as the self-titled album, should listen to it more.

“Cousin Mary” – John Coltrane, Giant Steps

I have to bring my article based on this song over to this blog. What music!

“Your Man” – Smash Mouth, Smash Mouth

Would probably need to listen to this a few times for it to start meaning something to me.

“Make Up” – Lou Reed, Transformer

What is the origin of the phrase "coming out of the closet"? It must have preceded this song, surely. Lou Reed just can’t be underestimated. This is a song for crossing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge into New Jersey – not sure why.

“Urge for Going” – Joni Mitchell, Hits

One of those great juxtapositions, but you don’t always know why it’s so good.

“Jamming” – Bob Marley and the Wailers, Exodus

Does it really have a “g”? This isn’t just makin’ jam!

“Creatures of Love” – Talking Heads, Little Creatures

Why did this come up two days running? Still not disappointing. “I’ve seen sex and I think it’s alright.” Should use this as the epigram to my Generation Sex poem. Can I upload that poem to my web site?

“Kasparov vs. Deep Blue” – Moxy Fruvous, Live Noise

Mmmm! Doesn’t make too much sense as a track on an album, but mildly humorous to hear once.

“Crazy Mama” – J.J. Cale, Naturally

What an album – goes down smooth and easy.

“Blame it on the Sun” – Stevie Wonder, Talking Book

This was Stevie Wonder at his peak.

“Opel” – Syd Barrett, Crazy Diamond (disk 3)

I don’t think he’s singing about the car; I am just not sure he knows what he’s singing about!

“Without You” – Asia, Asia

Somewhat fraught, but it may grow on one – not like a fungus, one hopes.

“She’s on Fire” – Train, Drops of Jupiter

Not their best, not their worst.

“Samba Pa Ti” – Santana, Abraxas

Just seven notes and you know that there is a heaven, well at least for four minutes and forty-seven seconds.

“Atom Heart Mother Suite” – Pink Floyd, Atom Heart Mother

World War I images assault you; one of the great medleys (along with side two of Genesis’s Foxtrot and side two of Abbey Road).

After this, you are ready for the day.