Call us morbid if you must, but making music is all about documenting this crazy rollercoaster of life and death. This month Duff McKagan and Jeff Angell of Walking Papers join us in imagining soundtracks to take us into the great beyond.
Susan Gifford -- Reader of the Month
What are you listening to?
My earwig, five days running:
“Hook” from Travelogue: Blues Traveler Classics.
What song(s) would you request for your
wake or memorial service?
Bob Dylan’s
“I Shall Be Released” articulates a longing
to be finally set free, and Mary Chapin
Carpenter’s “Heroes and Heroines” illustrates
people pursuing their dreams despite
continual uncertainty. The final line: “And
Lord help the fool who said you’d better
quit while you’re ahead. A dreamer born is a
hero bred, on Earth and up in Heaven.”
Tessa Jeffers -- Managing Editor
What are you listening to?
Sly & the Family Stone’s
Higher! box set. (Thank
you falettinme listen to
four discs of funk nastiness!)
What song(s) would you request for
your wake or memorial service?
“Hang
You From the Heavens” by Dead Weather,
Beastie Boys’ “Bodhisattva Vow,” “Drivin’
Nails in My Coffin” for a bit of honky-tonk
humor, and lastly, Sigur Ros’ “Saeglóplur”
as the outro to my life, a final ode to my
peeps to say that which hath no words.
Jeff Angell -- Guitarist, Walking Papers
What are you listening to?
Walking Papers demos
and rehearsal recordings in
order to work on lyrics and
melodies. Aside from that, lately I can’t get
enough of: Lucinda Williams’ Car Wheels
On A Gravel Road and Essence, Morricone’s
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly soundtrack,
The Kills’ Blood Pressures, Nick Cave and
the Bad Seeds, and Metz.
What song(s) would you request for your
wake or memorial service?
“When the
Music’s Over” by The Doors or “Lay Me
Low” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Andy Ellis -- Senior Editor
What are you listening to?
Cousin Harley B’hiki Bop.
Paul Pigat plays great hillbilly
jazz and surf-spy guitar,
plus all the wicked steel on this album.
That’s just not fair!
What song(s) would you request for your
wake or memorial service?
First, “Bold as
Love,” then the Grateful Dead’s “Attics of
My Life,” and finally “In My Life.” After
that: Party time! Break out the libations and
crank up Sticky Fingers.
Chris Kies -- Associate Editor
What are you listening to?
The soundtrack to my
recent 2,500-mile road
trip included Smashing
Pumpkins’ Gish, Down’s NOLA, Elvis’
1956, Storytellers: Johnny Cash & Willie
Nelson, Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience,
Stones’ Sticky Fingers, and QOTSA’s S/T.
What song(s) would you request for
your wake or memorial service?
Since I’ve
bonded with my wife and many friends—old and new—at William Elliott Whitmore
shows, I’d hope he’d play a set holding my
breath for “Diggin’ My Grave,” “Rest His
Soul,” or “Black Iowa Dirt.”
Duff McKagan -- Bassist, Walking Papers
What are you listening to?
The new Queens of
the Stone Age, Alice In
Chains and Black Sabbath,
Celebration Day by Led Zeppelin, and
Disclosure and Purity Ring because I have a
teenager that I’m musically influenced by.
What song(s) would you request for
your wake or memorial service?
“I Wanna Be Your Dog” by Iggy and the Stooges and
Motörhead’s “Ace Of Spades.” What else? Duh.
Shawn Hammond -- Editor in Chief
What are you listening to?
The Kinks’ BBC Sessions
1964–1977, the Andreas
Kapsalis & Goran Ivanovic
Guitar Duo’s Blackmail, and Radiohead
Live at Tramps June 1, 1995.
What song(s) would you request for
your wake or memorial service?
Oingo Boingo’s
“Dead Man’s Party.”
Rich Osweiler -- Associate Editor
What are you listening to?
Deer Tick’s soon-to-be-released
Negativity. Led by
John McCauley, these alt-country
rockers can really weave a story—lots of desperation and heartbreak in these
huge-sounding tunes.
What song(s) would you request for your
wake or memorial service?
I’m headed for
the freezer à la Ted Williams so won’t need
such a service, but if I had to choose, AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” or “(Don’t
Fear) The Reaper” by BOC.
Jason Shadrick -- Associate Editor
What are you listening to?
Chris Thile, Bach Sonatas
and Partitas, Vol. 1. This
cements his rep as one of
the all-time great mando pickers. His spot-on
takes of Bach come from being both a
humbled student and a hungry artist wanting
to push his instrument to the furthest limits.
What song(s) would you request for your
wake or memorial service?
I tend to go
for the less obvious choices, so it would be
“Just Friends” by Pat Martino or anything
from Jim Hall Live!.
