Minnesota Mixed CDs

I'm trying to put together some gifts for the families who will be hosting me throughout the trip. I've settled on a variety of items that I'll try to mix and match to suit each family. One of these items is a mixed CD* of Minnesota musicians. Below, you'll find the playlist. I'm sure I'll get some judgy looks/clicks for several of the songs I've chosen, but I'm trying to find a middle ground between recognizable, not offensive (or profane) and "good". 


* I've had discussions about the phrase "mix CD" versus "mixed CD" and I think it's clear that it's mixed CD. You could rearrange it and say that the CD is A mix, no problem...but otherwise, it's mixed. Adjectives versus nouns. I think I'm right on this one. If not, well, tough. It's my blog.


1. Let's Go Crazy - Prince; 2) A Girl Named Hope - Atmosphere; 3) Big Sur - Mason Jennings; 4) The Times They Are A Changin' - Dylan; 5) 5ves - Heiruspecs; 6) Save It For a Rainy Day - Jayhawks; 7) Stuck Between Stations - Hold Steady; 8) Slow Burn - Doomtree; 9) If You See Her, Say Hello - Dylan; 10) The Woman With The Tattooed Hands - Atmosphere; 11) Ballad For My One True Love - Mason Jennings; 12) Heartsprings - Heiruspecs; 13) Runaway Train - Soul Asylum (yes!); 14) Little Red Corvette - Prince; 15) Corrina, Corrina - Dylan; 16) Forest Whitaker - Brother Ali; 17) Alex Chilton - Replacements; 18) Never You Mind - Semisonic (curveball!); 19) Where Does A Stranger Go On Christmas Eve - Happy Apple


Another piece of the gift basket may or may not include a copy of the new Bela Fleck album titled Throw Down Your Heart. Three reasons I'm including this in the package: 1) I like the music; 2) it's really good (won two Grammys)**; 3) our Rotary team met Nicole Smaglick who was involved in the production of the album***.

** Grammy's included Best Contemporary World Music Album; Best Pop Instrumental Performance. 

*** Nicole also runs a business called the Amias Project, which "has mobilized over 200 Barabaig men and women in central Tanzania to design and craft jewelry and handbags inspired by traditional fashions". These items are then sold in the US (and around the world?) to generate income and educational opportunities for the Tanzanian communities. Cool stuff. 

There are a few other things I'll be picking up in the next 24 hours to complete the package. I haven't settled on the final items, but my guess is that they'll be assorted pictures of Minnesota. 


53 hours!