Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield had been on my list of books to check out after reading a post by Kerry on the Pickle Me This blog. Then BGB’s Shaft posted about it on our very own blog. With a copy to borrow in my own area code, I finally read it myself.
If you’re not familiar with the book, it is a non-fiction account of personal tragedy in Sheffield’s life. Sheffield is an editor for Rolling Stone, and his wife was a music writer as well. She died suddenly of a brain aneurysm, and he remembers her through the framework of the mix tapes that they compiled together and separately over the years.
I was sympathetic to the idea of this book, because I am almost as big of a music geek as I am a book nerd. Unfortunately, in the early goings of the book, I focused more on the mix tape play list that starts each chapter than the story. I was critical when Sheffield broke many of the unwritten rules of mix tap mastery. For example, starting a mix tape with five songs by the same artist? Not allowed.
To give you some idea of where I’m coming from on this score, I once had to “liberate” a mix tape called “Master Jams 4″ from a party. It was so bad that I had to make sure it would not be heard again. (Of course, it is in my car today - readily available for comedy purposes.) But I digress.
When Sheffield’s wife dies, his writing about that experience is incredibly raw and honest. I was able to put the music snobbery behind me. Processing the inexplicable by surrounding himself with the music that they shared rang absolutely true. I had the misfortune of attending the two separate funerals last year of friends that were each under 40. CDs were handed out to those in attendance at each. It helps. It’s something tangible (that’s not really tangible) that you can hold on to in order to remember. Music has the power to transport you directly to places that you hadn’t thought about at all since the last time you heard that particular piece of music. I think that music is as close as we can get to a time machine.
So yeah, I was moved by the book. I recommend it if the subject matter doesn’t scare you off. Sheffield is an excellent writer, and he handles what is clearly a difficult personal topic with style and grace. Skip it if that music:time machine analogy doesn’t work for you.
May 10th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Mr. DJ — I’ll expect a copy of Master Jams 4 when you return the Sheffield book. Gracias.
May 10th, 2007 at 11:04 am
So glad it didn’t disappoint. If one is assured enough to stomach sentimentality, this book is a lovely little read.
May 10th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Nice post. I can relate. Mixed tapes are like old notes passed in class, or a letter from an old boyfriend — another time and place. The song selections may be as meaningful as choice words on a page. I’m not throwing mine out (my husband might), technology be damned.
May 10th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I heard selections from Master Jams 4 the last time I was in his pickup. It may be even worse than advertised.
May 11th, 2007 at 3:01 am
As long as Master Jams 4 has an extended remix of Clarence Carter’s “Strokin’” I’ll be happy. Honestly, hearing that 10 times a night from 1988-1990 just wasn’t enough. I mean, when the man was makin’ love, he wasn’t just makin’ love — he be STROKIN’!
Throw in Fine Young Cannibal’s “She Drives Me Crazy,” And I’ll be jammin’ all night! Either that, or trying to scrape out my eardrums with a corkscrew as I chug battery acid.
May 11th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Oh, rest assured that Master Jams 4 is the worst mix tape of all time. Some people have called me a hero for removing it from circulation, but I’m no hero. It’s true. I only did what any of us would have done in the same situation. I only wish that I had done more, like disable the “record” button on the tape deck to make sure that this sick bastard never inflicted pain like this again.
The tape was “liberated” from a party in South Miami in the ‘90-91 time-frame. It features that song by Kenny G (seriously), it has several power chord ballads by bad metal bands (”You’re My Angel” and “When I See You Smile” are both represented), really bad rap (”The Principal’s Office” by Young MC), The Hannukah Song by Adam Sandler (that never gets old or goes out of season), “The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats, “Janie Got a Gun” by Aerosmith, etc. I’ll try to post the full play list, but it will require sitting in my truck for 90 minutes.