Alison's review
Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time by Rob Sheffield
Alison's review
rating:
bookshelves: memoirs
recommended for: lovers, listeners, writers, people who like Pavement
status: Read in August, 2007 — I have a copy to sell/swap
rating:
bookshelves: memoirs
recommended for: lovers, listeners, writers, people who like Pavement
status: Read in August, 2007 — I have a copy to sell/swap
"It's a fundamental human need to pass music around, and however the technology evolves, the music keeps moving."
Love is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time is a nice little book with a perfect title. It was written by Rob Sheffield who is a journalist, a music-lover, and a widower. The format of the book is to use actual mix tapes that he and his deceased wife put together to introduce a chapter. The chapters are reflections on their life together from when they met to when they were married and the good years they had together.
"I wonder whether I should tell Steven Tyler I used to hate "Angel," too, but after my wife put it on this romantic mix tape, tucked in between Big Star and the Beatles, I fell in love with it. I decide not to tell him. I'm sure somewhere in his cosmic rock-star heart, he knows the whole story."
The territory seemed very familiar at first: collected musings on how music reflects our moods, our spiritualit...more
Love is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time is a nice little book with a perfect title. It was written by Rob Sheffield who is a journalist, a music-lover, and a widower. The format of the book is to use actual mix tapes that he and his deceased wife put together to introduce a chapter. The chapters are reflections on their life together from when they met to when they were married and the good years they had together.
"I wonder whether I should tell Steven Tyler I used to hate "Angel," too, but after my wife put it on this romantic mix tape, tucked in between Big Star and the Beatles, I fell in love with it. I decide not to tell him. I'm sure somewhere in his cosmic rock-star heart, he knows the whole story."
The territory seemed very familiar at first: collected musings on how music reflects our moods, our spiritualit...more
I have picked up this book several times in the store. It looks like something both Chris and I would like, since we are both mix-tape makers. Well, before the Ipod came along, we did it a lot more. Chris still makes mixes for people he is in shows with as end-of-the-show gifts. I think I may enter that contest--sounds fun. You will have to tell me your song list if you decide to enter. Only six songs, though? That kind of sucks.
Bethe--I see you have made so many comments that I failed to catch. I am so bummed! Yes, six songs was just a teaser. My cousin is the ultimate mix-cd maker. I bet he has made me fifty. The last one started with Billie Holiday & ended with REO Speedwagon...boasting the likes of Feist, Echo & the Bunnymen, & Al Green. Classic! And if you like the sounds of that, you'll love this book!
Yes, now instead of mix CDs, we have what Chris and I call "serendipitous I-Pod moments" -- when you put your I-pod on shuffle, and it comes up with some kick-ass combination of songs from the most unlikely artists. I love when that happens.
I remember you used to talk about your cousin Todd, who was into music. He always sounded so cool. I see that he is one of your goodreads friends, now. He reads cool books, too!
The guy who wrote "Love is a Mix-Tape" is always on those VH1 "100 Greatest" specials, being interviewed about one thing or another. He always has very smart things to say.
I have heard that he's on there a lot. And that he looks nothing like you think he would--to be writing such a sensitive book.
Yes, if not for Todd I would still be wearing flannel shirts & hiking boots and listening to the "Singles" soundtrack. He keeps me somewhat "current". His music knowledge is vast. I, and many of his friends, have encouraged him to read some of our favorites, but it's not really his "thing." He's really picked up though since starting GoodReads. Feel free to leave him a comment!
