It was made for me by the Supposed-to-be-Best Man, circa 1997 and is a perfect example of the music Jake and I shared a love for, most from when we were kids. Our relationship was fun and passionate and deep and rocky but constant and full of the strongest love I've ever been a part of. Neither of us ever got over the guilt of betraying the Supposed-to-be-Groom - we were doomed from the start, but it is a year I would not give back for anything.
Side A:
1. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes - Crosby, Stills, & Nash (My love for CSN [&Y] is long documented and never wavering. I learned how to harmonize by listening to their songs and warbling along. They're one of maybe three musical acts that have the ability to transport me back to each stage in my life. There has never been a time when I didn't listen to them, and I can't imagine a time when there will be. Stephen Stills wrote this as he was on the verge of breakup with Judy Collins. It's a beautiful song detailing love and its failings. "I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are and you make it hard...change my life, make it right, be my lady.")
2. But Anyway - Blues Traveler (Jake and I saw these guys a couple of times at The Greek Theater, which happens to be my most favorite place to see a concert ever. Great live act. "Some day an answer will find us, quite a long shot, but anyway. I think the past, the past is behind us." Unfortunately, we could never get over our past.)
3. Pride & Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughan (So. Effing. Good. I owe my knowledge and love of SRV to Jake. SRV & Double Trouble Live at Carnegie Hall - get it if you don't have it. "Yeah I love my lady, she's long and lean. You mess with her you'll see a man get mean.")
4. Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin (What can I say about dear, beautiful Janis that hasn't already been said a thousand times? "You're out on the streets honey looking pretty good, but deep down, deep down inside I guess you know it ain't never been right." So true.)
5. Me & My Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin (Gravelly, soulful, heart out for all to hear. Kris Kristofferwho? Her voice makes me forgive it for spawning so many bad karaoke renditions. "Yeah, and feeling good was easy Lord, when he sang the blues. You know feeling good was good enough for me, mhm, good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.")
6. Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan (I also owe my appreciation and love for Bob Dylan to Jake. He exposed me to the rare tracks, the lesser known songs that I listen to over and over again. "But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe...go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse. When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose.")
7. Love Minus Zero/No Limit - Bob Dylan (One of the prettiest songs about unconditional love ever written. All love is a risk. "My love she's like some raven at my window with a broken wing.")
8. In My Life - The Beatles ("And these memories lose their meaning, when I think of love as something new." Perfect song for a new love who is insecure about the past ones.)
9. I'm Waiting for the Day - The Beach Boys (Ah, Pet Sounds. A near perfect album. This, Sloop John B, Wouldn't It Be Nice, God Only Knows...sigh. "I kissed your lips and when your face looked sad it made me think about him and that you still loved him so...You didn't think that I could sit around and let him take you.")
10. I'll Be There - Clarence Brown (Phenomenal and gritty and bluesy and fun. Worth scrolling down and hearing the clip. With songs like this, how could I say no? "Ain't no chain strong enough to hold me, ain't no breeze big enough to slow me, I'll be there if you ever want me by your side.")
Side B:
1. Sugaree - Jerry Garcia (Jake, in addition to many other things, was very much a Dead Head and succeeded in turning me into one to the point where I wouldn't travel around seeing them, but I listen to them and hear beauty and joy and pure love of music and am happy. "One last voice is calling you and I guess it's time you go. Just one thing I ask of you, just one thing for me. Please forget you knew my name, my darling sugaree.")
2. I Second That Emotion - Jerry Garcia (I love me the Smokey Robinson and usually don't like covers, but c'mon. Jerry and Bob? Gotta give it to 'em, they make it their own. "Maybe you think that love was made for fools, so it makes you wise to break the rules.")
3. How Sweet It Is - Jerry Garcia (The video quality makes it look like it's from about 1957...who doesn't want a love like this one? "I open my eyes at night, wondering where would I be without you in my life. Everything was such a bore. All the things I've done seems I've done 'em before. But you brightened up all of my days, with your love so sweet in so many ways.")
4. Eyes of the World - Grateful Dead (Definitely one of the goofier, less favorite of mine Grateful Dead songs. I most likely fastfowarded to the end 9 out of 10 times I listened to this tape, but sweet and hey, Bruce Hornsby! "Wake now, discover that you are the song that the morning brings, but the heart has it's seasons, it's evenings and songs of it's own.")
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