| 06/06/2007 |
| Mix Tape... |
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Tara Murtha Contributing Writer |
Eleni Mandell Miscellany-time Summer Mix
Eleni Mandell is one of the most artistically interesting, best writer/musicians you may not have heard yet.Consider this a Paul Revere-ride declaration of independent music day. I am on a high horse, riding out the waves of my last painkiller of the week (long story) to announce Eleni Mandell will be performing at the Tin Angel this Friday in all of her old Hollywood glamour and spilled sugar cart-noir, smoldering splendor. It's no secret that I've been a big fan of Miss Eleni since being given her 2004 album Afternoon - the title track included as a favorite in my own requisite Mix Tape roundup at the end of last year. The latest record, Miracle of Five, is a departure from previous albums in that it's lighter on the signature sauce and sass-backwards femininity that twists, pops and crackles with the sexiest of come-hither crooning.
Summertime is Mandell's favorite time, and as the days heat up we're pleased to present Miss Eleni's Miscellany-time Summer Mix. * Surrender by Cheap Trick I had a huge crush on Robin Zander when I was 8 years old. Cheap Trick always makes me think of summer, riding in the way back of a station wagon before parents cared about seat belts. * Crosstown Traffic by Jimi Hendrix I wait all year to play this song. It doesn't work for me unless it's hot, and I especially love hot, summer nights. This song is actually good for any time of day. * Victoria by The Kinks This has to be one of the best songs to sing along to, at full volume, while driving. I only wish I had discovered this song long before I did. Think of all those good times I missed. * Along Comes Mary by The Association This is a regular on Oldies radio in LA. You can probably hear it every single day, maybe every hour, but I still never get sick of it. These guys sound as white as can be but that doesn't mean you can't dance to this song. It proves that hand claps and goofy back-up vocals never go out of style. * Queen Bitch by David Bowie All I want to do is find a bibbity-bobbity hat and swish and sway when I hear this song. I've never felt like one of the "cool kids" but no doubt Bowie and this Queen were! * Kiss by Prince There is nothing sexier than when Prince dips into his lower register at the end of this song. I remember my brother calling me out on my Prince fandom when this video came on, way back in the day. And yes, it was summer. * Is This It? by The Strokes I don't listen to that much contemporary music but I really love The Strokes' first record. Every song is great. My whole band sings along to this when we're touring and we even sing the bass line, which is genius. * Isis by Bob Dylan Barefoot in the living room during the summer means that it's time to bust out Desire. This is my favorite song on the record and it gives me a wistful, hopeful, romantic feeling just thinking about it. * Wade in the Water by The Staples Singers I love Gospel music and this song is one of my favorites. The Staples Singers are so good, it's hard to describe. Why can't I be one of them? At least I got to meet Pops before he died (he needed a dentist when he was in L.A. for the Grammy's and ended up going to see my Dad, whom I worked for at the time). * Tenth Avenue Freezeout by Bruce Springsteen I love BBQ music and Springsteen is BBQ central. I can dance, eat and even toss a frisbee to this song. To call in for a day off of the crap mainstream radio is shoveling at you, dial elenimandell.com or myspace.com/elenimandell.
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