The Kids are All Right: A Memoir by Diana and Liz Welch with Dan and Amanda Welch

I used to LOVE to make mixed tapes. I had a pretty regular formula for what I thought were pretty awesome mixes. There was always a classical piece; something I had heard in a movie, usually. The Hunger soundtrack was one of my favorite resources. From DeLibes “Lakme” to the ‘saccharine’ Bach Cello suites, or from Apocolypse Now, where I first heard “Ride of the Valkyries.” Usually a show tune from Applause, Cabaret or Hair thrown in and the rest filled with pop/dance songs of the day. My favorite genre is Big Gay 80′s music: Yaz, Depeche Mode, Falco, Wham etc. I just called it happy music!

I enjoyed the process of making a mixed tape; albums strewn around me, thinking of songs that fit a theme (or the person for whom I was making the tape), sitting waiting for the song break to hit pause. It took about 2 hours to make a 90-minute tape. It’s just not the same today making a mixed cd.

I still love the happy music!