Love Is A Mix Tape

I've just finished reading the above book, by Rob Sheffield.

Absolutely brilliant.

Very very sad, but also just captures the whole power of music as well. And at times I felt like he was describing my life - which I'm sure many readers would think as well! I won't go through the storyline - you can read that on the Amazon link, but it really made me think about things - I seem to really be thinking about music in my life since Mum, and this book really reinforced that.

I remember sat in the front of the radio in the sunporch in Taupo, creating mix tapes from the radio. Listening to the Top 20 and taping the songs as they came on - always managing to get a bit of the announcer in as well!

Then going to university and music being one of the key connectors as I became friends with Raewyn. I always felt a bit of a fraud - she seemed so much cooler and into better music than me but I went along with it, figuring that I could bluff my way along. And 20 years later we're still friends :-). And so many of my other friends as well - even now I'm making new friends through a shared love of music and gig going...

And there is the whole magic of making mix tapes for people. I still have tapes that friends made me (Raewyn, Jonathan....) and we would have huge mixing sessions at Marlborough Street if there was going to be a party - although we would re-use old tapes there was always new music that needed to be added. And while creating a CD is the same principle I don't quite think it is quite the same...

And when Kevin and I first got together, it was music that was the common bond, we both made tapes for each other (him many more than me it has to be said...), and even now I still pick up so much new music from him. (And he lent me the book...)

Anyhow - I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this - but it was such a great book, and spoke to me in so many ways that I just wanted to try and put some of that down. I absolutely recommend it - but with tissues. I cried, I laughed and I've gone back to music that I haven't listened to for ages because of it.

I guess in some ways it has made me appreciate even more the love of music that Mum and my family have given me. I just can't imagine not having music to love and hate.

As always - any music recommendations always welcome!