I made a preliminary version of this mix for a road trip down Rt. 1 to Santa Cruz with my friends Hal and Emily. Growing up in the suburbs of Buffalo, I never thought that I would one day be a Californian. But, somewhere along the way, with the top down, the Ocean on my right, and some pesticide-free organic veggies in my bag, I realized that I'll be out here for a very long time.
Going Back to Cali - LL Cool J
"Her bikini - small; heels - tall
She said, she liked, the ocean"
Best...haiku...ever
California Love - TuPac
My white version would have different shout outs at the end of the song...
"Mill Valley in tha house, uh yeah. Atherton, Atherton definately in tha house hahaha. Walnut Creek, The Creek. Hey, you know Humbolt is up in this. Humbolt, where you at? Yeah, La Jolla, La Jolla always Hoe Ya. Even Malibu tryin to get a piece baby. Rancho Cucamonga where ya at? yeah"
Goodbye California - Jolie Holland
As were driving down the coast, Hal asked "does she talk in that voice too?" I sure hope so.
California Uber Alles - Dead Kennedys
I doubt Jello Biafra would have guessed that Jerry Brown (his aura smiles and never frowns) would one day be Mayor of Oakland, not President of the United States. Fresh Meat For Rotting Vegetables was one of the first full albums I ever bought back in the 8th grade.
California - Joni Mitchell
Leslie Platt played me this song in Washington DC in 1998, quoting a friend from Colgate who said "Everyone should listen to Joni Mitchell's Blue before falling in love."
Going to California - Led Zeppelin
This version, from a concert at London's Earl's Court in '75, sounds almost ambient.
Estimated Prophet - Grateful Dead
The song is actually about the tripped out folks hanging out by the stage door at Dead shows. Without the band to follow around, they are now scattered throughout California, talking to themselves.
California Here I Come - Bill Evans
Unlike West Coasters Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker and Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans played cool jazz in New York. However, this song would still sound great playing on the stereo in a mid century modern home.
Do-Re-Mi - Woody Guthrie
California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see;
But believe it or not, you won't find it so hot
If you ain't got the do re mi.
Seventy years later and the lyrics still apply
California Stars - Jeff Tweedy
Also from Woodie Guthrie.
A classic concert closer for Wilco.
