Polyphonic Ramblings #1

So a my friend's wife's friend's cousin's ex-roomate's roomate (or something like that) has arranged for a mix tape swap. Excellent idea, as making new mix tapes is something I really enjoy. So, I'm putting up the playlist I made for the first lucky random recipient of my tunes. Here's my thoughts on it.

#1 - 5 Star Mix

Made of a selected bunch of my 5-star rated songs on my laptop (home)

1. Achilles Last Stand - Led Zeppelin

Zep's one and only (I think) foray into the world of prog rock. Epic storyline, long guitar solos, killer drumming by rock's best drummer (or in the top 3, I suppose), John Bonham.

2. Peaches en Regalia - Frank Zappa

An instrumental classic. Zappa is a great composer, it sad that he isn't around, writing music that would do modern classical composers proud. At least this one is a bit more melodic. My version of a pop song.

3. "Outside Kick Ass Violin Solo" - Aphex Twin

Caveat Emptor on this one, as far as identification is concerned. Dredged up off the internets, nice groove.

4. Hurricane Camille - Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

Nice peppy jazz number off of Bela's first album.

5. Koko - Charlie Parker

The penultimate bebop tune by the best damn alto player evar, Bird. The tempo is blinding fast, but the 32nd notes are even faster.

6. Rush - Cowboy Bebop OST

Classic jazz from the Japanese, via the quirky space-cowboy anime series Cowboy Bebop.

7. Welcome Red - Benevento Russo Duo

The next generation of jazz is from folks like this, who wield the drum kit and keys like the old masters, but adding electronica elements.

8. Dogs - Yonder Mountain String Band

Covering the Pink Floyd tune on Animals, bluegrass almost seems more appropriate for this song. Tells the story of the vicious, solitary and sad cutthroat modern capitalist, who thinks he's on his own, but just a pawn in the greater game.

9. Inhale to the Chief - Keller Williams

A quirky guitarist who likes to play loops and layer them on top of one another to make a one-man band (live!), this piece is just him wailing away on his guitar with some great tonalities.

10. Cadence and Cascade - King Crimson

Off of their second album, this mellow acoustic piece riffs off of the opening lines of the prelude movement of Bach's cello suites.

11. Dave's Energy Guide - Phish

A song abandoned by Phish by the 1990's, this piece is reminicent of King Crimson's Discipline. Played at Nectar's, the club that made each other famous.

12. I am Hydrogen - Phish

My favorite ballad by Phish, this tune is usually played as a segway between Mike's Song and Weekapaug Groove. From the same show.

13. Atoms for Peace - Thom Yorke

The lead singer of Radiohead makes his solo debut with "The Eraser" (previously reviewed by myself). This song is a peaceful way to round out the mix.

Hope you enjoy the music.