Shortly after Cupid’s Hunt 2010, I promised some Class of ‘75 mixes to celebrate classmates and friends lost and found. I haven’t forgotten. Every once in a while, a playlist forms in my head, only to (poof!) vanish like a puff of smoke. There were so many memorable songs that year (at least, I think so); I wasn’t sure where to start.
So, for Cupid’s Hunt 2012, I’ll focus on some of the love songs that rocked those blue-light-in-the-basement parties brought to mind whenever I hear one played on the radio. Nothing by Smokey (I’m glad I was able to finish his mix); and nothing by the Tempts (I’m working on their mix, too). I probably should have paid special attention to Barry White as well. Working with “Let Me Live My Life Loving You” has given me a few ideas. Also, there’s a little surprise by Solo from 1995. Hearing it the first time reminded me of “Let’s Do It Again”. Their sound it reminiscent of Sam Cooke; and will be featured in a tribute for him later this year.
But for now, pick your spot on the wall.
For Todd Grundy and the Furys, who threw the best basement parties I can remember.
What would those basement parties have been without Earth, Wind & Fire? Every garage band wanted to play like them (when they weren’t playing Kool & the Gang); everyone who thought they could sing wanted to hit Philip Bailey’s high notes. Oh, and the slow jams!
“That’s The Way Of The World” was my first EWF album. I’m not even sure when I bought it. I had “Shining Star” as a single (remember vinyl 45s?); but getting the album didn’t seem a priority until I heard “Reasons”. I remember that I arrived at college intent on showing how hip I was by letting EWF blast through my dorm door (the way kids were doing when I visited my brother at his school); only to hear EWF blasting through every third door I passed on the way to my room. Oh well, I could still fall back on J5 and the Tempts. I was sure that nobody there would have collections that rivaled mine.
“Gratitude” was a Christmas present from my godmother. She loved “Singasong”, and to this day, I think of her whenever I hear it. And, of course, who could forget that live version of “Reasons”? Studio “Reasons” was good for listening and lip-syncing in the dorm room; but, live “Reasons” was a true, blue-light-in-the-basement, up-against-the-wall, New Year’s Eve party slow jam.
When I ’dipped my toes’ in this year’s Cupid’s Hunt Podcast Collaboration Event, I had in mind one list of tracks to post on Facebook or MySpace. Each song on the list had a theme; be it first love, great love, love gone wrong, “I want you” or wedding jams (Greg and I married four days before Valentines Day). The list grew, split and became several lists…all while I was learning the basics of blogging; podcasting; soft-and hardware and whatever else had come down the pike since I bought (and never used) dj software back in the days of Windows 98.
My first mix is some of my favorite songs that say “I want you”, smooth and cool. Screaming and shouting might wake us up; but it’s smooth and cool that keeps us awake on the night shift.
