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Return To Sender

Return To Sender
Created by:	johnny_luddite
Tracks:	19
Length:	01:19:38
Keywords	1. Mix Contest 15 2. Mix Contest 15 3. Mix Contest 15
Created on	8/29/07 12:05am
Level	5
Points	2443
Total visitors	68
Unique visitors	37
This mix was ranked #3 out of 14 entries for this contest

description:

I did a funeral mix for myself here a while back, but I was never totally happy with it, so here is my chance to have another go. It has to be a balance between stuff I would like, and what would go well for the actual event and people that are there. I would like my funeral to be fun, a celebration of a not totally wasted life, but funerals are sad too. You are saying goodbye to someone you probably didn't want to say goodbye to, so I think that along with the fun choices there should be space for sentiment. My previous funeral mix ("From The Cradle...") was an attempt to use music I loved to tell the story of my life. This time out, I just want to play some music that means something to me, a few that mean nothing and one or two that mean everything. Most of all, I want people at the funeral/wake/party/rally to have fun, but be kept on their toes a little. Let the Dom Perignon, Ruddles County and tears flow!

tracklist

1	Debbie Reynolds : Tammy
	Ok, we start with this for two reasons. 1) This was number one in the US charts on the day I was born, August 31st, 1957. 2) If this was playing as people entered the funeral home/church/whatever for my funeral service it would make them think momentarily that they were in the wrong place. Then they would discover that they were at the right service and realize that I was just gently messing with them one last time. Hopefully they would smile! SHOW MORE
	Track 1 from Best Of Length: 00:03:09
	Track Description: Ok, we start with this for two reasons. 1) This was number one in the US charts on the day I was born, August 31st, 1957. 2) If this was playing as people entered the funeral home/church/whatever for my funeral service it would make them think momentarily that they were in the wrong place. Then they would discover that they were at the right service and realize that I was just gently messing with them one last time. Hopefully they would smile! SHOW LESS
2	The Timelords : Doctorin' The Tardis (12inch mix)
	So the assembled throng are still assembling when the sugary serenity of Debbie Reynolds is broken with the KLF posing as the Timelords and mashing up the Doctor Who theme. My scary aunties (who will of course outlive me) will be muttering by now. I would like to think one or two people will be dancing. I would quite like the sound that Doctor Who's Tardis makes to be synched to every movement of my coffin as well. SHOW MORE
	Track 2 from Doctorin' The Tardis EP Length: 00:08:12
	Track Description: So the assembled throng are still assembling when the sugary serenity of Debbie Reynolds is broken with the KLF posing as the Timelords and mashing up the Doctor Who theme. My scary aunties (who will of course outlive me) will be muttering by now. I would like to think one or two people will be dancing. I would quite like the sound that Doctor Who's Tardis makes to be synched to every movement of my coffin as well. SHOW LESS
3	Son House : John The Revelator
	I wrestled long and hard with the question of whether to include any religious music. As one of the people who would gain comfort from such sounds would be my wife, whom I love very much, I decided to go for two tracks. This has such a wonderful downhome gospel feel to it, and regardless of your belief system, this is the kind of music that just makes one feel good. SHOW MORE
	Track 3 from The Original Delta Blues Length: 00:02:32
	Track Description: I wrestled long and hard with the question of whether to include any religious music. As one of the people who would gain comfort from such sounds would be my wife, whom I love very much, I decided to go for two tracks. This has such a wonderful downhome gospel feel to it, and regardless of your belief system, this is the kind of music that just makes one feel good. SHOW LESS
4	Bob Dylan : Gotta Serve Somebody
	I love this track, I like the fervour and I like the ambiguity. When the Aunties hear the line about "It may be the devil, or it may be the lord, but you gotta serve somebody" they will exchange appalled glances. Nice. SHOW MORE
	Track 4 from Slow Train Coming Length: 00:05:25 Year: 1979
	Track Description: I love this track, I like the fervour and I like the ambiguity. When the Aunties hear the line about "It may be the devil, or it may be the lord, but you gotta serve somebody" they will exchange appalled glances. Nice. SHOW LESS
5	Fleetwood Mac : Albatross
	I think I used this in my other funeral mix, but it is a given. This is the music I want played just as the coffin starts rolling off to the incinerator. It is quite simply the most beautiful piece of music I know. The guitar playing of Peter Green is so light and yet conversly so passionate. This song encapsulates everything I believe in without a single word being sung or spoken. I was reminded of this today. I listen to a lot of the old concerts posted on the Wolfgang's Vault web site. They have a 1969 Fleetwood Mac show up there, and the version of Albatross is just wonderful. Before playing it, Peter Green said that here was a song that brought peace for many people including him. I had tears in my eyes as I listened. As this song plays at my funeral, it will be one of the times for tears, but I won't let the moment last too long... SHOW MORE
	Track 5 from The Collection Length: 00:03:08
	Track Description: I think I used this in my other funeral mix, but it is a given. This is the music I want played just as the coffin starts rolling off to the incinerator. It is quite simply the most beautiful piece of music I know. The guitar playing of Peter Green is so light and yet conversly so passionate. This song encapsulates everything I believe in without a single word being sung or spoken. I was reminded of this today. I listen to a lot of the old concerts posted on the Wolfgang's Vault web site. They have a 1969 Fleetwood Mac show up there, and the version of Albatross is just wonderful. Before playing it, Peter Green said that here was a song that brought peace for many people including him. I had tears in my eyes as I listened. As this song plays at my funeral, it will be one of the times for tears, but I won't let the moment last too long... SHOW LESS
6	The Bay City Rollers : Bye Bye Baby
	I can hardly believe I am doing this myself, but I think this would have a good effect on the huddled masses. Some would giggle, thus moving swiftly away from too many tears, although for the aunties, who would not know irony if it came and lived in their spare room for the rest of their lives, this moment will probably be the most moving of the day as they sing "Bye Bye Petey, Petey Bye Bye" dabbing away the odd teardrop as they do so! SHOW MORE
	Track 6 from Once Upon A Star Length: 00:02:50 Year: 1975
	Track Description: I can hardly believe I am doing this myself, but I think this would have a good effect on the huddled masses. Some would giggle, thus moving swiftly away from too many tears, although for the aunties, who would not know irony if it came and lived in their spare room for the rest of their lives, this moment will probably be the most moving of the day as they sing "Bye Bye Petey, Petey Bye Bye" dabbing away the odd teardrop as they do so! SHOW LESS
7	Frank Zappa : Watermelon in Easter Hay
	This would be ideal music to play as folk left the chapel/rest home/asylum/brothel/bar where my funeral service was held. I love guitar, the sound it makes, the sound great players make on it, the scratchy sounds I make on it. On much of Uncle Frank's recorded output, the brain or the dick has ruled, but I chose to believe that on this shimmering guitar solo of an instrumental, the heart is the dominant organ. SHOW MORE
	Track 7 from Joe's Garage Length: 00:09:05 Year: 1979
	Track Description: This would be ideal music to play as folk left the chapel/rest home/asylum/brothel/bar where my funeral service was held. I love guitar, the sound it makes, the sound great players make on it, the scratchy sounds I make on it. On much of Uncle Frank's recorded output, the brain or the dick has ruled, but I chose to believe that on this shimmering guitar solo of an instrumental, the heart is the dominant organ. SHOW LESS
8	The Beatles : Back in the U.S.S.R.
	Let's get this party started time. The throng has moved on to the party part of the proceedings. Drink is flowing for those that require it. The first few drunks stagger to the dance floor. The duo of aunties are drinking sherry and pulling apart everyone else in attendance. My wife's grown up children are standing around looking bewildered just like they do at everything else to do with me. The Cordova's will have to do without Mariachi to get them through this one, I am afraid! There are so many Beatles tunes I love that I couldn't pick one over the other. My compromise was to pick one I just liked, a McCartney one at that! It makes sense to me. SHOW MORE
	Track 8 from The Beatles (White Album) Length: 00:02:43 Year: 1968
	Track Description: Let's get this party started time. The throng has moved on to the party part of the proceedings. Drink is flowing for those that require it. The first few drunks stagger to the dance floor. The duo of aunties are drinking sherry and pulling apart everyone else in attendance. My wife's grown up children are standing around looking bewildered just like they do at everything else to do with me. The Cordova's will have to do without Mariachi to get them through this one, I am afraid! There are so many Beatles tunes I love that I couldn't pick one over the other. My compromise was to pick one I just liked, a McCartney one at that! It makes sense to me. SHOW LESS
9	Portishead : Glory Box
	Played to death, as I will have been by my funeral. This is the other song that was on my other funeral mix. This song means more to me than any other because it was the tune that reawakened my love of music and therefore life at the time I was most lost. I make no apology for having it here. To deny it would be wrong. SHOW MORE
	Track 9 from Dummy Length: 00:05:07 Year: 1994
	Track Description: Played to death, as I will have been by my funeral. This is the other song that was on my other funeral mix. This song means more to me than any other because it was the tune that reawakened my love of music and therefore life at the time I was most lost. I make no apology for having it here. To deny it would be wrong. SHOW LESS
10	The Temptations : My Girl
	This will be hard on Karmen, my wife, but I would have to have this played. I sang it for her at our wedding reception less than four years ago. I didn't have any control over the music at our wedding, it was selected by the DJ my wifes daughter hired. It was ok, a mixture of old soul and modern hispanic stuff, but although we were in Ventura at the time, I did fantasize about having the wedding back home in England and having a band of friends up there playing. That was not to be, but at least I did pick up an acoustic and sing this. Karmen will of course be sad but I hope she knows that in my heart she will always be my girl. SHOW MORE
	Track 10 from My Girl Length: 00:02:44
	Track Description: This will be hard on Karmen, my wife, but I would have to have this played. I sang it for her at our wedding reception less than four years ago. I didn't have any control over the music at our wedding, it was selected by the DJ my wifes daughter hired. It was ok, a mixture of old soul and modern hispanic stuff, but although we were in Ventura at the time, I did fantasize about having the wedding back home in England and having a band of friends up there playing. That was not to be, but at least I did pick up an acoustic and sing this. Karmen will of course be sad but I hope she knows that in my heart she will always be my girl. SHOW LESS
11	James Brown : Super Bad
	Not that there is anything wrong with old soul and funk. If I hadn't of been cremated an hour or so before, I would be up on the dance floor myself from this brilliant offering from the hardest working corpse in showbiz. SHOW MORE
	Track 11 from Funk Power Length: 00:09:03 Year: 1970
	Track Description: Not that there is anything wrong with old soul and funk. If I hadn't of been cremated an hour or so before, I would be up on the dance floor myself from this brilliant offering from the hardest working corpse in showbiz. SHOW LESS
12	Smokey Robinson & The Miracles : Ooh Baby Baby
	If angels exist, they sing like Smokey. This would be another slow one for Karmen. The aunties will be split up by now. One of them will be asleep on a comfy chair somewhere, her false teeth rattling in harmony with the Miracles. The other one will be hitting the Haig & Haig and start telling whoever will listen what a great big girly boy I was. SHOW MORE
	Track 12 from Anthology (Disc 1) Length: 00:02:47
	Track Description: If angels exist, they sing like Smokey. This would be another slow one for Karmen. The aunties will be split up by now. One of them will be asleep on a comfy chair somewhere, her false teeth rattling in harmony with the Miracles. The other one will be hitting the Haig & Haig and start telling whoever will listen what a great big girly boy I was. SHOW LESS
13	Junior Senior : move your feet
	There would have to be some space for some ridiculous happy dance music. They don't come any more happy or ridiculous than this. Maybe even the one remaining conscious Aunt would get up and dance to this one. SHOW MORE
	Track 13 from D-D-Don't stop the beat Length: 00:03:07 Year: 2003
	Track Description: There would have to be some space for some ridiculous happy dance music. They don't come any more happy or ridiculous than this. Maybe even the one remaining conscious Aunt would get up and dance to this one. SHOW LESS
14	David Bowie : Time
	After my CD mix was done, I would expect whoever was left to play what they wanted. Whether it was stuff I liked or that would amuse me would be up to them. However, before my final 80 minutes fades away, I think I would want to get a little maudlin again. Five minutes of Bowie ruminating on the nature of time would do it. "Time, she flexes like a whore, falls wanking to the floor, her trick is you and me, boy." Bowie helped me cope with life, so he should be able to help me with the death bit too. SHOW MORE
	Track 14 from Aladdin Sane Length: 00:05:09 Year: 1973
	Track Description: After my CD mix was done, I would expect whoever was left to play what they wanted. Whether it was stuff I liked or that would amuse me would be up to them. However, before my final 80 minutes fades away, I think I would want to get a little maudlin again. Five minutes of Bowie ruminating on the nature of time would do it. "Time, she flexes like a whore, falls wanking to the floor, her trick is you and me, boy." Bowie helped me cope with life, so he should be able to help me with the death bit too. SHOW LESS
15	Johnny Guitar Watson : Too Tired
	The last few songs I chose would have to come from the genre that sustained me most over the years. Da blues. The mix of passion, comedy and despair would feel right about now. "Too tired to walk, I'm too tired to run, I can hear my baby callin' but I'm too tired to come..." Yeah. SHOW MORE
	Track 15 from 3 Hours Past Midnight Length: 00:02:43 Year: 1986
	Track Description: The last few songs I chose would have to come from the genre that sustained me most over the years. Da blues. The mix of passion, comedy and despair would feel right about now. "Too tired to walk, I'm too tired to run, I can hear my baby callin' but I'm too tired to come..." Yeah. SHOW LESS
16	Freddie King : Going Down
	I don't know about the whole heaven and hell thing, but if those two places do exist, I think I know which way I am going. It sure as hell isn't up. If I have to writhe in eternal damnation, the guitar of Freddie King is a good way to be played out, though. SHOW MORE
	Track 16 from Getting Ready Length: 00:03:24 Year: 1971
	Track Description: I don't know about the whole heaven and hell thing, but if those two places do exist, I think I know which way I am going. It sure as hell isn't up. If I have to writhe in eternal damnation, the guitar of Freddie King is a good way to be played out, though. SHOW LESS
17	Muddy Waters : I'm Ready
	By now, I think I will be "ready, ready as anybody can be." Karmen will have left with her family, my aunts, if they were there would be gone now, one taken home to nurse her hangover, the other waking up the next morning next to a twenty three year old wine waiter called Manuel. My friends would be thinking about hitting a) Maxwell's diner in Hampstead if the funeral is in London, and b) Denny's if it is in Porterville. (No other late night choice I am afraid.) I am ready! SHOW MORE
	Track 17 from The Chess Box Disc 2 1954-59 Length: 00:03:04
	Track Description: By now, I think I will be "ready, ready as anybody can be." Karmen will have left with her family, my aunts, if they were there would be gone now, one taken home to nurse her hangover, the other waking up the next morning next to a twenty three year old wine waiter called Manuel. My friends would be thinking about hitting a) Maxwell's diner in Hampstead if the funeral is in London, and b) Denny's if it is in Porterville. (No other late night choice I am afraid.) I am ready! SHOW LESS
18	Peter Green : Time For Me To Go
	I have to end with my favorite musician of all time, Peter Green. This is not the greatest track but it hasn't been the greatest life. Like that life though, the song is not without it's charm. "I tell you it's over, I pack up my clothes, it's time for me to go." SHOW MORE
	Track 18 from White Sky Length: 00:03:55
	Track Description: I have to end with my favorite musician of all time, Peter Green. This is not the greatest track but it hasn't been the greatest life. Like that life though, the song is not without it's charm. "I tell you it's over, I pack up my clothes, it's time for me to go." SHOW LESS
19	The Beatles : Golden Slumbers
	Bye bye. Actually it really has all been rather lovely! SHOW MORE
	Track 19 from Abbey Road Length: 00:01:31 Year: 1969
	Track Description: Bye bye. Actually it really has all been rather lovely! SHOW LESS

Tag Board

derhay

The Yay! Badge VII

Level 27

Okay, I need to hear The Timelords.

2/11/08 12:57pm

Rachael

Mixtape Potpourri II: Third Place

Level 26

Nicccce.

My ma wants us to play "Say Cherrio as I go on my way.." as she's being cremated (with hand movements). Fuckin sadist.

9/1/07 12:41am

immers

The Bronze Badge

Level 18

Time, maybe the best bowie song and portishead but the very act of playing Doctorin' the Tardis including the finest sample of blockbuster ever means I want you to win.

8/31/07 8:06am

youandme