Mix Six: “It’s L.A.”

Download the full mix HERE

Bonjour Personnes de Partie!

Welcome to our little weekly mix of six songs that have been carefully handpicked by either yours truly, or one of our esteemed guest bloggers. By the way, if you would like to do a mix, just let me know and I’ll put you on the list. It’s fun doing these, but it’s also great fun to hear what some of you come up with.

This mix was inspired when we met Gina and her hubby (aka “Hubba Hubba”) for breakfast in Berkeley weeks ago. HH and I were talking about music and I was asking him about songs that addressed life in the City of Angels, and it just kind of snowballed from there. The titles where flying back and forth, and I tried to retain as much as I could. But lacking a pen and paper, I wasn’t able to capture the moment when the Muse of the Mix inspired us.

However, what I have done is compile what I think are the less obvious L.A. song choices. So, there’s no “L.A. Woman” (which will make Jefito happy since he hates The Doors), no “Hotel California” or “Life in the Fast Lane” which makes me happy since I’m starting to loathe The Eagles (it comes from playing their songs everyday at work). But what I did throw into the blender should bring some smiles to many ‘o faces who read this bloggy blog.

Okay, here we go…

Michelle Shocked “Come a Long Way” (Download) In the 80s and early 90s I went through a Michelle Shocked phase that kind of ended with this CD. But what I like about this song is that Shocked takes us on a whirlwind peripatetic journey through L.A. that has some catchy hooks and powerful singing.

David & David “Welcome to the Boomtown” (Download) If given a choice to lunch with “The Bobs” from Office Space or “The Davids” from David & David, I think I’d have to go with The Bobs. Sure I’d have to endure the endless gushing over the music of Michael Bolton, but at least I wouldn’t have to hang with “Hansome Kevin” who deals dope out of Denny’s — ’cause, you know, the cops would probably bust us. 

The Motels “So L.A.” (Download) I suppose this is what happens when a Berkeley band moves to L.A. to get a music career going and the ends up writing their “L.A.” song. It’s got a cool “new wave” vibe, but not so much that the drums ended up being the electronic variety.

Elvis Costello “The Other Side of Summer” (Download) I suppose this is what happens when a guy from Britain goes to L.A. and writes a bitter letter to L.A. Still, I love the contrast of caustic lyrics with a Beach Boys underbelly. Elvis certainly has a knack for wrapping the most miserable of moments of life in a sticky sweet pop treat that just makes it obvious that life’s both sweet and sour.

Missing Persons “Walking in L.A.” (Download) The odd thing about Missing Persons is the amazing talent the drummer (Terry Bozzio) had, but didn’t exhibit in the band. Instead, he let his wife (Dale) have the spotlight so she could do her best hiccuping new wave airhead Val. Ah, who cares, it’s a fun song that allows you to do the Molly Ringwald/Breakfast Club 80s dance.

Frank Zappa “Valley Girl” (Download)Be careful what you intend to make fun of because you might just unexpectedly make the object of ridicule…cool. Which is what happened to Frank Zappa when he and Moon Unit composed this ditty.

Have a Tripendicular weekend kids!

–PK

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9 thoughts on “Mix Six: “It’s L.A.”

  1. You got Jefito! By the way, I ordered a book on The Doors by Ben Fong Torres. Dont’ worry, it won’t show up on your door step.

  2. What an awesome mix! I remember when the Zappa song first came out…sitting on my friend’s floor, listening to the record and laughing. At least at first, it was unlike anything you ever heard on the radio. Then, well, they started playing it on the radio. Oh well.

  3. “…so she could do her best hiccuping new wave airhead…” Couldn’t have said it better myself.

    I know what you mean about the Eagles. Playing or listening to the same set of songs by the same artist over and over again does that to ya.

    Great mix! Have a great weekend.

  4. Duuuuude! Awesome!

    I remember Valley Girl and knowing that even though I lived only about 20 miles or so from the Valley, I didn’t talk like them. But we still said “Fer shure” and “Gag me” all the time!

    Great mix!

  5. Cool Mix Py!

    I admit, I’ve never heard any of these before, but found them quite catchy. I especially liked the Michelle Shocked song. I’m going to have to look for more from her.

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