Smokies Soundtrack
With the 13-hour drive from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Milford, Connecticut, looming ever closer, I took stock today of my music selection. I started out from Philadelphia last month with ten CDs and I’ve listened to little else this trip. They are, in nomination, function, and sample, as follows:
Elephant Revival- These Changing Skies (also on this cd is Desyatnikov’s Russian Four Seasons)
Never is there a bad time for Elephant Revival OR Russian Four Seasons, neither of which have anything to do with each other, there just happened to be space for both on this 80 minute cd. Particularly good for mellow, sunrise drives.
First Aid Kit- The Lion’s Road / Stay Gold
Journey music. Great for dawn/dusk drives, especially if you have a destination and are feeling determined to have a purposeful day. Perfect for contemplating journeys both physical and philosophical.
Santigold- Master of My Make-Believe
Wake up music. Like, it’s 2am and you have to keep driving so you need music that is philosophically active and also has a dance beat.
ZZ Ward- Til the Casket Drops
Outset of a journey music. Heightens the senses, great to sing along to, and full to the brim with life choices.
Carolina Chocolate Drops — Genuine Negro Jig
Perfect for moderately long or short drives in the park. Compliments the scenery and makes for a cohesive, chill journey. Also great to sing with. This, and The Goat Rodeo Sessions, are what Ben and I listened to while making dinners.
Margot Leverett & The Klezmer Mountain Boys
Also compliments the scenery and is great for park driving, especially if there’s no one else on the road, like on the way to Enloe Creek.
Crystal Fighters- Cave Rave / Star of Love
Midday or late night music. Silly, bouncy, and very bubbly.
Stromae- Racine carrée
Mission music. If you know where you’re headed and you have a long way to go until you get there, this is great to dance/sing/pulse to.
Fleetwood Mac- Greatest Hits
Good for a long drive through unremarkable territory, like driving to and from Charlotte, NC or in the middle of the night in Western Pennsylvania. Sing along music to the nth degree.
Austin Wintory / Jesper Kyd — Journey/Assassins Creed
The mellowest. I actually didn’t listen to either of these artists this trip because I didn’t want to fall asleep at the wheel but they’re great to dance to if you’re in a slow, exploratory kinda mood.
BONUS TRACK! Remember this one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psuRGfAaju4
