November 10, 2002

10:43 PM

Playing with Lists and Playlists:Hi, my name is Carlos and I'm a playlist junkie. They're just as much fun to read as to compile or even, if you're really desperate and have the time (or are too young, busy or sensible to have a less than encyclopedic knowledge of popular music) actually listen to. Thanks to Wood's Lot, which featured the "excellent pinko" anti-war set, I came across this intriguing, humorous and idiosyncratic collection of playlists by Scott Williams of WFMU. (Here is how to listen online.) My favourites are An Italian Lesson and Pleasant Here At The Lake. I wonder what he has planned for tonight (or tomorrow night?), as Monday is the day of his weekly show...
posted by Carlos Quevedo (14 comments total)

Wow, thanks Carlos. I'm actually listening to the anti-war set right now. I haven't heard Aphrodite's Child since high-school. I haven't been paying very much attention to playlists, but I think I like the idea. It's a bit like sharing a "roll your own concept album". It also seems like a great way to introduce yourself to artists that somebody else considers noteworthy for reasons other than having a nice rack and tight ass.
posted by substrate at 5:18 AM on November 11, 2002

i didn't know there were such people as 'playlist junkies'. you'd be a nightmare on 'desert island discs'. could you cut it down to eight songs?
here's something for you - a mix album which requires a playlist 'prizes given to the first person to do the knowledge and name them all' (RHS of this *excellently* designed page).
posted by asok at 5:21 AM on November 11, 2002

Related: The Art of the Mix. (More 'blog style.')
posted by neustile at 5:22 AM on November 11, 2002

Check out Yule Shoot Your Eye Out, which currently lists five years of Christmas show playlists from WZBC in Boston.
posted by kickerofelves at 5:29 AM on November 11, 2002

ahh ZBC... there was a time you could listen online....

Anyhow, my favorite WFMU show is definitely Advanced D&D with Donna Summer.
posted by soplerfo at 5:46 AM on November 11, 2002

WFMU is the greatest station in the history of radio. Great post, Q.
posted by oissubke at 5:59 AM on November 11, 2002

Most of my mix albums have themes. My favourite so far is "heavy metal covers of pop songs". You haven't heard Michael Jackson's "Beat It", until you've heard it at 140 BPM with double-bass kick drums.
posted by Dark Messiah at 6:32 AM on November 11, 2002

KCRW playlists over here.
posted by jonah at 6:54 AM on November 11, 2002

WFMU's "Whole Lotta Chug"'s got music from the WickerMan soundtrack - have you guys heard that? Fearless djing.
posted by DenOfSizer at 8:08 AM on November 11, 2002

Several DJs at my station (WPRB) post their playlists:
Classical Disoveries
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Noise to Annihilate a Few Seconds
Idiot Control
(and more are linked from the schedule page)


Mine aren't linked there, because I've been too lax updating my own page. Apologies about the pop-up on mine.

In terms of WFMU, it's all about Bill Kelly, Mike Lupica, and the bygone days of Irwin Chusid.
posted by jann at 8:46 AM on November 11, 2002

ahh ZBC... there was a time you could listen online....

Don't I know it.

In terms of WFMU, it's all about Bill Kelly, Mike Lupica, and the bygone days of Irwin Chusid.

No Secret Museum of The Air ? No Citizen Kafka?

[Marge Simpson, irritatedly] Hmmmmmmmm... [Marge Simpson, irritatedly]
posted by y2karl at 10:46 AM on November 11, 2002

If we're going to go whole hog on FMU, this post wouldn't be complete without a mention of Glenn Jones on Sunday afternoon. The man who for a brief but glorious period of time held the world record for longest continuous broadcast.

was a time when i would sit on my roof in the snow in order to listen to this show. for the record, it was before the days of streaming.

ibj for life.
posted by mr.abominable at 10:56 AM on November 11, 2002

Partially related: The Automatic Mixtape Generator.
posted by fishbulb at 12:23 PM on November 11, 2002

i'm with you mr.abominable, jonesy and x-ray burns are great.

and i'm not just saying that cause x-ray's practically my cousin.

well, ok maybe that partly why i'm saying that.
posted by goddam at 10:29 AM on November 12, 2002