One challenge I face when making a mixtape is the limitation of my own collection. I make mixtapes by transferring CDs and tapes (and potentially vinyl!) to tape.
My taste is somewhat wide in overall scope but ultimately not extremely deep. I specialize in “Classic Rock” with an appreciation for most ALL genres. Obviously, there are some outliers from that form in my collection but that is what sparked me to start the project – there’s so much good music out there that I am totally unaware of. In the past year I have ‘discovered’: John Prine, Robert Cray, Rory Gallagher, Blossom Toes, Atomic Rooster, Electric Wizard, Electric Octopus, Goliath, Taj Mahal, and so many more!
But, here’s the thing: knowing of it and owning it are two different things! It usually happens in some way where I make a tape or a track list and the instant it is finished, WHAMMM! I get hit with the perfect song but it’s usually one that I don’t own. This creates another dilemma which is whether to wait or not. Sometimes, I’m so focused and full of enthusiasm that I can’t stop. Other times, I head down to the record shop in search of a specific album for a specific song, so I can include it in a specific mix.
This project has sent me to the record shop a number of times already and we’re only 2 (two) tapes in! I’ve had the pleasure of recently acquiring: Some Girls – The Rolling Stones, Maggot Brain – Funkadelic, Get Born – Jet, Second Winter – Johnny Winter, and Fat of the Land – Prodigy.
This is the beauty of the program! There is no possible way for you to know everything that I post. If you search around enough, even the most cultured audiophile will find something new. By the same token, I don’t know everything that you know! Hell, I don’t even know who you are. I am going to continue to keep sharing the music I love and as the tapes begin to roll in, I will receive the gift of knowing about new music that has already made an impact on someone’s life!
Respect,
Derek/O’KNC/CTEP
Cassette Tape Exchange Program 