Over the years, I've made many mix CDs, culled from my CDs, records, and iTunes purchases, for myself. More often than not, these have been pairs-of-segues compilations. Each pair of songs usually has a similarity in style, feel, or lyrics, resulting in a smooth transition; in some cases, however, I've paired songs together because of their deliberate, contrasting outlooks. Some of my favorite pairings:
1. There's Nothing Like This-Omar
2. Midnight And You-Stanley Turrentine
(If I ever get to program a Quiet Storm format, these songs will have to follow each other.)
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3. Just Once More-Dressy Bessy
4. The Sympathy Song-The Greenberry Woods
(Catchy indie rock..."The Sympathy Song" picks up where "Just Once More" leaves off.)
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5. Algo Contigo-Maria Creuza
6. So Many Stars-Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
(A compatible, late-night Brazilian pairing...)
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7. Solsbury Hill-Peter Gabriel
8. Keep On Going-Fleetwood Mac
(These tracks provide an interesting contrast between moving on and staying on the same path. "Keep On Going" comes from "Mystery To Me," the strongest Bob Welch-era Fleetwood Mac album, and has an unusual feel for a Fleetwood Mac track; Christine McVie sings Bob Welch's lyrics, and the orchestral accompaniment gives the proceedings added gravity.)
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9. Hazy Jane II-Nick Drake
10. Seasons-Neil Halstead
(It still puzzles me that Drake's thoughtful, introspective music wasn't known more widely during his lifetime. Halstead conjures up Drake's spirit convincingly on "Seasons.")
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11. Bells & Loaves & Letters-The Kennedys
12. New Day-Mike Levy
(Two inspiring ways to approach a new day--or a new life...Maura Kennedy's pleasant voice brims with optimism, as usual, and Mike Levy's more controlled delivery reminds the listener that a bright future might be just around the corner.)
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13. Rotunda-McCoy Tyner
14. Blues For Anne-Straight Ahead
(Captivating jazz with minimalist vocals in just the right places...)
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15. Bad Time-The Jayhawks
16. Say Oh Say-Courtney Jaye
(A strong cover of a '70s Grand Funk Railroad tune followed by a song from last year that sounds like a '70s throwback...As in tracks 3 and 4, these are two effective point-counterpoint sets of lyrics between genders.)
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17. Far Celestial Shore-Mavis Staples
18. Castles In The Air-Don McLean
(A positive rendering of the afterlife followed by a rendering of one's imperfect life on Earth; the same opening chords unite these tracks.)
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19. Out In The Park Til Dark-Rohn Lawrence
20. Quiet Afternoon-Stanley Clarke
(Setting the scene for a relaxing day at the park...)
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