A Good Song and Some Sunshine

I sit here on this Sunday afternoon filled with appreciation for the life I live and joy for days to come. This joy is compounded with the situation in which I type on these keys. The sun is shining through an open window and "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac is playing on Youtube.

Stevie Nicks' intent to convey her message and let the listener into her emotional landscape is compelling. It moves me to ponder my own life, reflect on what would compel me to write such a personal song. Those thoughts and feelings flow into my mind and meet the warmth felt by the sun. Just as a river would in the wild. I may not have the answer to if I can "flow through the ocean's tides" but this moment felt right now is certainly helping.

I get lost in this experience for nearly four minutes and that is enough. It is a breath in of the freshest mountain air. It is the perfect splash of wave on my legs as I walk into the ocean. It is exactly what I needed. It is all these things and more. It is a good song and some sunshine.

The Beauty of a Good Mix

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to read a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and will think about for the rest of my life. This joyful literary experience was found in Rob Sheffield's memoir Love is Mixtape. Mr. Sheffield's words will linger on because of the connections I found with them. Like Rob, I am a Boston area Roman Catholic who lives for music and makes mixes for anyone and everyone in. In book, Rob chronicles his relationship with his wife through the mixes they made. The novel is written after she has passed away and Rob reconnects with her through the music the packaged together for one another.

 Now I have never experienced a loss equivalent to that of Rob's nor have mixes played such a role for me, but I have benefited from some good mixes in my day.   

Way back in 2009 following my high school graduation, a dear friend gave me a mix of late 80’s early 90’s alternative. It was a genre of music I was just beginning to discover as I was just getting into my young adulthood. I found myself connecting with these pioneers as I broke free of my high school self in anticipation of finding myself at college. For me, this mix was a coherent album that I listened to from start to finish. With each listen, connections formed between the songs and it would sound weird not listen to them in that order.

Some of the highlights from that mix include "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode,  "Losing My Religion" by REM,  and "Left of the Dial" by The Replacements. I recommend checking them all out. 

I have been know to make a mix or two myself. For one friend of mine, we make a point to exchange every six months or so. It is almost like a check up into how the other one has been doing. What is he listening to? What is he connecting with? What is on the soundtrack to his life currently and what does that say about his life? During the exchange, not too much is said but the excitement is high in anticipation in what the other will think. Usually within the week, the report comes in. 

With this friend and others for whom I have made a mix, I find myself returning the the playlist in my itunes when I am looking for some good to music. It is almost like having a custom radio station always waiting for me to listen. It is one that was carefully craft so as to allow for a maximum musical experience of escaping into a certain mood or feeling. For example, I recently made a mix entitled "Chill Mix Spring 2013". I included songs that I thought had that feeling of the air getting warmer and people relaxing that is embedded in Spring. Among the tracks were "The Unforgettable Fire" by U2, "Boy" by Little Numbers, and "Safe and Sound" by Capital Cities.

In the past I have done the same for a person's birthday, including the immortal "Birthday" by The Beatles and "Birthday" by Kings of Leon. 

Any way you do it, a good Mix is an escape, an entry way into musical experience comprised of diverse and different artists coming together for your listening pleasure. There is certainly some beauty in that.