Over at Mightygirl, Maggie Mason has been posting a weekly mixtape of new songs she’s been enjoying. Here’s my take on it, looking at some old favorites:

Joni Mitchell: Overture/Cotton Avenue, from Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter

Lots of girls go through a Joni Mitchell phase. In my case, it was less with the folksy “I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now” and more with the jazzy-fusion-with-Jaco-Pastorius-on-bass of this album. Thanks to the cute drum teacher at my high school for lending me his copy — I’ve loved it for a good fifteen years now. (This starts slow, but stick with it).

Mary Lou Williams: The Devil, from black Christ of the Andes

My childhood nightmares were populated with the dancing skeletons from Disney cartoons and the sound of wind in the attic. This song is a little like that.

Takako Minekawa: Fantastic Cat, from Roomic Cube

This song will always make me think of dancing around the photo lab at school with my friends Amanda and Shana while wearing vintage dresses. Oh, 1998.

Iron & Wine/Calexico: He Lays in the Reins, from In the Reins

I used to listen to this in my office at New College, as I worked late for no money and the school fell apart around me.

Frank Sinatra: Young at Heart

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My mother “heard” this song just after I was born, as she was dozing in her hospital room. I don’t know if that makes it my song or hers, but I’m happy to share.