If the lush, orchestral musical journeys the band takes us on with each record are any indication, Fan Modine mastermind Gordon Zacharias is one worldly and wise guy. Indeed, it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that Zacharias spent some time hitchhiking around the country and has all sorts of genres listed on his musical resume. Plus, this diverse mix tape (watch the playlist here) definitely makes us want to pick his brain over a few drinks. Fan Modine’s Gratitude For The Shipper is available now via Daniel 13 Press.
“Through The Valley” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/ThroughTheValley.mp3
SIDE A
La Marseillaise “French National Anthem Ireland Vs France Rugby 2011”
The most punk song that was ever written? The revolution will be on a C90 mix tape. Video
Japan “Visions Of China”
I’m guessing David Sylvian did little else in high school than listen to Roxy Music and hang out in Chinese restaurants. I did mostly the same, just substitute the Roxy for Japan. Video
Pete Townsend “Hiding Out”
Did Brian Eno sneak John Cale and the Neville Brothers in for this session? I have no idea what this song is about, but it sure makes me feel good. Video
Oran “Juice” Jones “The Rain”
The sparse play between the bass and guitar gets me every time. Gotta feel bad for Juice, though. He made her, and she two-timed him. And he goes so far to sugarcoat his name-calling (“Hushpuppy-wearing crumb cake”) so that it almost sounds like he loves her for who she really is. Video
U2 “Love Comes Tumbling”
This is like that little dream you had years ago that you remember only faintly. You want to get back to that place, but it just keeps eluding you. So, you put on this song. Video
Wire “Kidney Bingos”
I catch hell for liking this period of Wire more than their earlier works. “Purists” can suck it. Video
The Pastels “Million Tears”
The Pastels were my first “indie” crush. I was rather young and staying at a French youth hostel in Brixton. A Parisian I hung out with was a devotee of the band and educated me. Got to see them on that magical trip. And Heavenly, too. Video
The Bats “Afternoon In Bed”
This came on in a rented Prius coming back from an ATP in the Catskill’s, and it brought me to tears. It might have been the medical lollipops or the fact that we had just been pulled over (and spared) by a park ranger on the highway for going 110 mph. Video
John Cale & Brian Eno “Spinning Away”
Somehow, I think this might be from the same session as Townshend’s “Hiding Out.” Video
Momus “At The End Of History”
His was a great “comeback” to witness in Boston and NYC in the mid-’90s. Video
Martin Gore “Compulsion”
Sure wish I had held on to that comp with Joe Crow I found at Rocks In Your Head years ago. Wonder how much unreleased or barely released works he has. Video
Roxy Music “Triptych”
Sometimes you need to get medieval. Usually at the end of side one. Video
SIDE B
Duncan Browne “Ninepence Worth Of Walking”
He’s up there with Nick Drake for me and relevant to this mix because of his glam outing, Metro. “Better a tear of truth than smiling lies.” Video
Sylvian & Sakamoto “Forbidden Colours”
True love enhanced by danger. A timeless/spaceless tune. Space makes the heart grow fonder. Time heals all wounds. In a song. Video
Scott Walker “The World’s Strongest Man”
Time to be hero. At least to the truth of your own heart. You aren’t really a hero. You’re Scott from Ohio. Video
John Cale “Andalucia”
The closest song I can think of that sounds like making babies. Video
Procol Harum “Pilgrims Progress”
It always starts off simple. Then gets complicated. Then gets simple again. Video
Bruce Springsteen “Girls In Their Summer Clothes”
This is the best Mag Fields song Stephin Merritt never wrote. Or, has Phil Spector just held his gun to many of our heads? Video
Marlene Dietrich “The Boys In The Back Room”
Must have a drunken interlude before closing the tape out, mustn’t we? If you have made it this far, you’ve probably been drinking. Video
The Moles “Minor Royal March”
Stevie Wonder may have guested on drums for this tune because it has a certain “Innervision” quality I’ve heard nowhere else. Ray would agree. Video
XTC “Dying”
Listening to this song, I’m sitting in that kitchen every time. Thanks for the spot of tea, Colin. Video
Dennis Brown “Perhaps”
I always thought this would make a great opening song for a movie. A movie that ends the same way it begins. Video
Lilys “Can’t Make Your Life Better”
The artwork for this album was being designed in the room next to me while I was recording my first. A pre-release cassette of the full-length was lent to me, and it almost made me give up my project completely. I just couldn’t fathom how or who could come up with this amazing, beautiful work. Video
Nina Simone “Here Comes The Sun”
My favorite song done in such a glorious way. I love her band here. You can hear how enthusiastic they are to be playing with her in every note. Video
