Tag: mix cd

Casey’s 2012 Mix CD

Sean and Steven’s Fifth Annual Holiday CD Exchange Party was tonight in Denver, and I was unable to attend in person. Like last year they’ve graciously allowed me to participate via proxy which I really appreciate.

It’s an interesting experience for me to sit down and make a mix CD — something I consider a lost art form in today’s a la cart world. I always start with what songs moved me over the past year. Many of which come from one or two sources: new songs I’ve heard or songs that I’ve associated with friends (both new and old). This year was no different. I started out heavily influenced by a very small set of new artists I discovered. But because no one wants to hear a mix CD of just Beth Orton and Pink Martini, I had to diversify the selection a bit.

Over the course of three weeks I threw songs I liked or that spoke to me into a playlist, and then whittled down the several dozen songs to enough for a CD. It was only when I had the final list that I realized they were all about relationships, friendships, and love. So I arranged them into a sort of ballad. Not that this is necessarily my story of 2012, but it’s a story.

  1. Incredible Machine – Sugarland
  2. Anywhere – Beth Orton
  3. Central Reservation – Beth Orton
  4. Clementine – Pink Martini
  5. Never Meant to Love You – Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons
  6. Dream A Little Dream Of Me – The Mamas & The Papas
  7. Let’s Never Stop Falling In Love – Pink Martini
  8. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
  9. The Truth About Love – P!nk
  10. Hang With Me – Robyn
  11. Blow Me (One Last Kiss) – P!nk
  12. Walk of Shame – P!nk
  13. Singing In the Rain / Umbrella – Glee Cast
  14. It Happens – Sugarland
  15. Somebody That I Used To Know – Walk Off the Earth
  16. Bolero – Steve Sharples

Every song on the list has a meaning to me, although not necessarily what it may appear at face value. Many songs were added because they remind me of an important person in my year — and you know who you are. To those few people: thank you for being a part of my year. I can’t imagine my 2012, and my life, without you.

Casey’s 2011 Mix CD

Every year my friend Sean has a CD exchange party. Attendees create a custom CD of music, makes a few copies, and exchanges it with others. This year I wanted to participate, albeit remotely since the gang is in Denver.

2011 was a tumultuous year for me and I couldn’t have gotten through it without friends and music — although too often the two come together. Many of the songs map to people who’ve helped me make it through the year (mostly) sane. Other songs highlight some of the times I went through. Still others are simply fun. If you see a song here and think of me, then there’s a really good chance I added it because I thought of you.

  1. Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
  2. Big Booty – Willie Nelson
  3. Raise Your Glass – Pink
  4. History Repeating – Propellerheads & Shirley Bassey
  5. Dog Days Are Over – Florence and the Machine
  6. The Beautiful People – Christina Aguilera (from Burlesque)
  7. It Happens – Sugarland
  8. Misery – Maroon 5
  9. Suddenly I See – KT Tunstall
  10. Chasing Pirates – Norah Jones
  11. Set Fire To The Rain – Adele
  12. No Such Thing – John Mayer
  13. Dream A Little Dream Of Me – Michael Buble
  14. Glitter in the Air – Pink
  15. I’m Movin’ On – Rascal Flatts
  16. For Good – Wicked (original cast recording)
  17. Bari Improv – Kaki King (from August Rush)