Dear Annika;

First of all thanks so much for the tape. I really enjoyed! My only problem was not understanding the lyrics of the German and French songs but thats ok

My favorite song from the album was Joan Baez's "The Dream Song". I fell in love with the song and listened to it over and over again. It's perfect, wonderful. I was familiar with her songs but I've never heard of this one before. So thanks a million for bringing that song into my music knowledge!

My other favorites were Noir Desir, Nancy Griffit, Queen Bee, Patrick Bruel, Bruce Cockburn and Art Garfunkel & James Taylor's Crying in the rain. I knew this song from the band A-Ha but this versions is as good as (or even better) than A-Ha's version.

I really wanted to write a longer review of the tape but because of my MA lessons I can find only a few minutes to spend on the internet, so please forgive me for this time.

Thanks so much again Annika. And thanks a million for putting Joan Baez's wonderful song into your tape. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to find it anywhere.

Take care;

Zeynep

Hi Zeynep,

thanks for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed my tape and especially THE DREAM SONG by Joan Baez. It's one of my favourites, too.

This song is on an album called "Play Me Backwards" and I'm sure you can get it somehow, can't you? It's a really nice album, although the best song surely is THE DREAM SONG.

As for CRYING IN THE RAIN - yes, I know the version by a-ha, but I never liked that one. I only really liked the song when I heard it by Art Garfunkel and James Taylor accidently on the radio. At first I couldn't believe it was actually the SAME song until I realized it WAS! It's such a difference!

Thanks again for your review!

Cheers,
Annika

Hi!

Can you let me know of the whereabouts of my tape?

That would be great!

Cheers,
Annika

Hi Annika,

I've listened to your compilation, but I'm afraid most of the songs weren't really for me...

There was Nanci Griffith for example. I bought her album "Midnight Grande Hotel" because there was a track which featured Tanita Tikaram (one of my favorites). I had to learn that she sings only in the backing vocal. "It's late, it's too late." And that's all :o) But I did not regret buying the album, as I really like it. But not this track which is on your collection.

When I saw Celine Dion on your tracklist... :o) I mean I hoped that her earlier songs are better (this was an early song, wasn't it?), but I had to realise, I'll never like her music. I tried, I swear! :o)

However, this Queen Bee song was fantastic. Actually, what I liked about your cassette that there were many songs in German. And this song touched me, although I don't understand much german, only a few a words. But that was enough :o) It's the mood of it...

So, there were some nice moments while listening to your music.

Also, I see now, that everyone tried to include as much music as possible. As you made a cassette, you had 90 minutes to fill. I don't know why, but I find it very hard to pay attention to a 70-80-90 min. long album. Even to compilations. I deliberately kept my CD short.

Oh, and this Crying in the Rain thing. I like this song, but I'm a very visual person: since I've seen the A-Ha video for this song, I just can't enjoy this version as much as A-Ha's. That video is amazing. But it was nice to listen to the original (?).

Thanks for the cassette, anyway.
Andr.

Hi András,

thanks for your review!

I've listened to your compilation, but I'm afraid most of the songs weren't really for me...

That's o.k.! We all have different tastes!

There was Nanci Griffith for example. I bought her album "Midnight Grand Hotel" because there was a track which featured Tanita Tikaram (one of my favorites). I had to learn that she sings only in the backing vocal. "It's late, it's too late." And that's all :o) But I did not regret buying the album, as I really like it. But not this track which is on your collection.

I also have Midnight Grand Hotel and I love it, too, although rather because of Nanci's main vocals! ;) I didn't even know that Tanita Tikeram sings the backing vocals in It's late, it's too late. I quite liked Tanita's first album (not only because Twist in my sobriety, I also like I love you and Preyed upon for instance), but never checked out the others.

When I saw Celine Dion on your tracklist... :o) I mean I hoped that her earlier songs are better (this was an early song, wasn't it?), but I had to realise, I'll never like her music. I tried, I swear! :o)

Yeah, I knew it was kind of risky to put a song by Celine Dion on my compilation. It's a rather new song actually, but it was written by another great French songwriter called Jean-Jacques Goldman, who I really like. I guess her voice is not everyone's cup of tea. Thanks for trying, though!

However, this Queen Bee song was fantastic. Actually, what I liked about your cassette that there were many songs in German. And this song touched me, although I don't understand much german, only a few a words. But that was enough :o) It's the mood of it...

I'm glad you liked Queen Bee! Hafencafé is one of my favourites, too. I'm glad that you appreaciate the German songs. If you would like to learn more about the lyrics just check out my sleeve notes somewhere in this thread.

Oh, and this Crying in the Rain thing. I like this song, but I'm a very visual person: since I've seen the A-Ha video for this song, I just can't enjoy this version as much as A-Ha's. That video is amazing. But it was nice to listen to the original (?).

I've never seen the video by a-ha - but then I'm not so much into videos anyway. And no - on my tape it wasn't the original version. This song was originally recorded by the Everly Brothers. But I really consider their version quite a dull one (no offence!)

Also, I see now, that everyone tried to include as much music as possible. As you made a cassette, you had 90 minutes to fill. I don't know why, but I find it very hard to pay attention to a 70-80-90 min. long album. Even to compilations. I deliberately kept my CD short.

That's true. It's my first tape tree, so I didn't consider this. But by now I have found out that it's very hard to listen to so much new music!

Anyway - thanks for your lines,
Annika

First off, I have a soft spot for tapes (Annika’s Mix is in that format). Mix tapes are way more fun to make, even if the tape format is basically a pain in the butt (fast forward/rewind). I have hundreds of tapes lying around gathering dust because I don’t have a tape player hooked up anymore to my stereo (incidentally, when I found a tape player that actually worked, Days of Open Hand was in the deck…strange). Anyway, I decided to forgo my usual review style for a more traditional approach. Ladies and Gentlemen it’s time for SCOTT’S HAIKU REVIEWS!!!!!!! Think of it as 24 really bad/juvenile poems!!!!

1. Mana
Trip hop beat is cool
The singer sounds like Sting though
I don’t mind this song

2. Tish Hinojosa
Singer Songwriter
Her voice has a pretty twang
I like this A LOT!

3. Paolo Conte
Voice is Cohenesque
The tune has a jazz scat thang
Don’t really like jazz

4. Bruce Cockburn
Slow acoustic song
Vocals sound like Tindersticks
Thought I’d hate this, don’t

5. Nanci Griffith
I once owned this CD
Hallucinating? Maybe
Oh yeah, I like this

6. Tuck and Patti
Oh no, it’s smooth jazz
I just can’t get into this
I’m so uncultured

7. The Bandits
Song sounds familiar
Where do I know this song from?
This will drive me nuts

8 and 9. Superjones
Like a marriage of
Ian MacCulloch and Live
I must say good stuff

10. Noir Desir
Belle and Sebastian
Sounds like a French version of…
I kind of dig this

11. Art Garfunkel and James Taylor
Are you serious?
Just don’t like either guy
Oh dear god, boring

12. Element of Crime
This reminds me of
Nick Cave, Shane McGowan song
But it’s in German

Flip the tape…I did want to say that I really enjoyed hearing that Nanci Griffith song again (it’s been a long time, I swear I had this when it came out many years ago when I was in high school). She has such a pretty voice. I really dug the Tish Hinojosa song as well (not too familiar with her). Admittedly I’m a sucker for twangy female vocals. I liked the Bandits song a lot, and I really NEED to know where I’ve heard this song. Also, kudos for timing side one perfectly. That’s hard to do with a tape.

OK at this point I want to admit that SCOTT’S HAIKU REVIEW is getting a bit old…But since I’m a fan of beating dead horses…I shall continue, and try to spice it up a bit.

1. Roch Voisine
I have a feeling
If this song were in English
I’d still not like it

2. Queen Bee
Just don’t like her voice
Song is kind of boring too
I like basketball

3. Patricia Kaas
A bit overdone
This isn’t interesting
I need a Pepsi

4. Reinhard Mey
Another dull song
What happened? Side one was good
Still need a Pepsi

5. Carmen
Natalie Merchant
Vocals sound a bit like hers
Maniacs once ruled

6. Joan Baez
I’m digging the strings
Rather hear Rasputina
Joan’s voice annoys me

7. Die Strombolis
Don’t like the music
Spell check says Die Trombonist
There’s no trombonist here

8. Catherine Delasalle
Eyes starting to close
Another acoustic song
I’m so very bored

9. Patrick Bruel
Is this French country?
Soul Asylumlike vocals
OK, this ain’t bad

10. James Taylor
I hate James Taylor
One of the worst songs ever
Man this just plain sucks

11. Celine Dion
Celine Dion sucks
I dream of murdering her
Dreadful, die b!tch die

12. Jim Croce
Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown
You don’t mess around with Jim
I’ll just end this here.

End notes: To be perfectly honest I wasn’t looking forward to listening to this tape and I put it off as long as possible (the inclusions of James Taylor and Celine Dion really had me unenthused). Music snobbery aside, Side 1 was surprisingly enjoyable at times. I just did not like side 2 at all (very boring).

Talk to y’all next month

scott

Scott,

I am saving part two of SCOTT’S HAIKU REVIEW to read on bad days....you are just too funny.

Please continue to beat dead horses and add on that spice, heavy handedly.

This beats what I'm doing...designing a Human Resources newsletter called "At Your Service". Kill me now... the arsenic is in my left hand drawer, next to the paper clips.

Still Giggling—Catherine

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"If we don't change the direction we are headed,
we will end up where we are going."

—Chinese Proverb

Hi Scott,

thanks for your review and your honesty. As for Catch Me, it was orginally by Saint Etienne, and the song was called Hobart Paving. Hope that helps.

As for side 2 - I also had the feeling that there were too many ballads on this. Right now I'm beginning to discover new music styles - yet I'll always like ballads!

Cheers,
Annika

Annika,
yes, yes, yes! Hobart Paving by Saint Etienne. I haven't heard that song in so long. I knew Catch me sounded familiar. I actually have that on tape from my college days. Thank you so much.

As for side 2, there's nothing wrong with liking ballads, or death metal, or polka, or the sweet sweet sounds of chickens clucking...it's all about what you like and what makes you happy.

scott

Hi Annika,

Just finished going thru your tape. Side two got a little too slow for me ... both sides had their share of songs that weren't my style, but I still enjoyed listening.

Side One:

1. En El Muelle De San Blas - Maná
Interesting guitar rhythm. It seems a little longer than necessary (since it's on tape, I can't see the track time ... and didn't pay attention to when I started playing it), but other than that, it's not a bad song.

2. I Want To See You Again - Tish Hinjosa
Pretty vocals, nice guitar. A little bit country. I like it.

3. Via Con Me - Paolo Conte
Not really the type of music I'd listen to, but, I don't mind it so much.

4. Closer To The Light - Bruce Cockburn
It's OK, a little too slow for me.

5. Storms - Nanci Griffith
This one I like. Great vocals.

6. Tears of Joy - Tuck & Patti
Not really for me.

7. Catch Me - The Bandits
I'm not familiar with the original, so this is new to me. I like it.

8. Freedom - Superjones
9. Fractured - Superjones
A pretty good rock band. Enjoyable tunes.

10. Le Vent Nous Portera - Noir Désir
Interesting rhythm and beat.

11. Crying In The Rain - Art Garfunkel & James Taylor
Not for me.

12. Über Nacht - Element Of Crime
Kind of interesting. Not really my style, but, not bad.

Side Two:

1. J'ai l'espoir - Roch Voisine
I don't know why, but something about the harmonies makes me think of the church folk group I used to sing in ...

2. Hafencafé - Queen Bee
This one's not for me.

3. Une Dernière Semaine à New York - Patricia Kaas
Not for me. Vocals aren't working for me.

4. Ich Liebe Dich - Reinhard Mey
I kind of like the tone of his voice, but, the song isn't really for me.

5. L'Aigle Noir - Marie Carmen
It's OK. Her voice is nice. The production is a bit too dramatic for my liking.

6. The Dream Song - Joan Baez
I like the strings. (I'm sort of a violinist. I can't help it.) I've always known of Joan Baez, but I never really heard her music. I like the song, but I probably would have liked it better if someone else sang it. Her voice didn't seem to go with the style.

7. Anker Werfen, Segel Setzen - Die Strombolis
Sounds like easy listening. I think it's the brushed drums. Not for me.

8. Ce Que Sait Le Sherpa - Catherine Delasalle
Not really for me. The guitar part seems a bit busy.

9. Trois Ans Et Demi D'Amour - Patrick Bruel
It's different. Pretty good, I like it.

10. Fire And Rain - James Taylor
I can't really comment on this song. One of those songs that's always been there. James isn't for me. Nowadays, he's doing commercials for phone companies.

11. Je Crois Toi - Céline Dion
Not as bad as I expected, but, I still don't like her.

12. Lover's Cross - Jim Croce
Jim's good. I don't know much other than Bad Bad Leroy Brown.

Hi Lauren,

thanks for your review!

You wrote that James Taylor is doing commercials for phone companies these days. Really?! That sucks. I hate artists who do that. Anyway - I still like his music...

Cheers,
Annika

Yeah, he's not actually talking about the company, but there's footage of him playing the song that's used in the commercial ... and, to make it worse, I think it's a cross-promotion to market a new CD ...

What a wonderful collection.

I enjoyed all of the international tracks.

Bruce Cockburn should be a major star. What a great voice. Reminds me of Gordon Lightfoot.

Nanci Griffith rubs me the wrong way. Tuck and Patti too, BUT -

I liked everything else from this collection.

The Bandits had whatever that quality that REM has. I had never heard of Superjones before. I like it.

Love the JT and Jim Croce too.


FJ in SF

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If nothing ever changes then.....nothing ever changes

Hi Fred!

Thanks for your review. You can read more about superjones at www.superjones.com if you're interested.

Cheers,
Annika

The first time I listened to this tape I didn't like it, except for _En el Muelle de San Blas_ and _Fire and Rain_. But that couldn't have been me or this tape because this tape is really good!

(I think my initial problem was the language barrier; a typical American, I speak only english.)

What surprised me is that I actually like many of the non-english songs more than most of the songs in english. Particular favorites (in recorded order):

En el Muelle de San Blas Via con Me Le Vent Nous Portera Crying in the Rain Über Nacht

Thanks.

p.s. I've been holding up the show but I'm back on track now and will post this tape tomorrow. Sorry to keep everyone waiting!