Freshly Hatched :: A Fuel/Friends Mix For New People
In January, the marvelous website couchsurfing.org brought us a terrific set of houseguests: a couple from the beaches of California asked to stay in my home while they came to Colorado to pick up the due-any-day baby that they had just been chosen to be the adoptive parents of. For two weeks we got to host them and their brand new little guy, all wide eyes and stretching fingers. It was, in a word, magnificent. We forget that they make people that little, that new. Light as air and just about perfect.
As I am wont to do, I made up a mix to send to them back in California (I take seriously my obligation to set the kiddo on the right musical path, since I was the first home he came back to), and thought that you probably know someone in your life who could appreciate it as well. It’s music that little kiddos can love, but also will not drive adults crazy in any way. I tried to throw in some foreign languages for the ole’ neuron connections, and (of course) paid special attention to the lyrics. You could even put it on with no kids around, if you wanted, and I wouldn’t tell. The last half is good for falling asleep to, whatever your age.
I also found myself gravitating towards a lot of self-reflective songs that celebrate and delve into the metamorphosis of welcoming new life into our communities – the breaking up of the earthen crust that hardens over our lives, not even realizing how dry we were until the new green shoot comes pushing up through the cracks. This is a mix about falling in love.
FRESHLY HATCHED: A FUEL/FRIENDS MIX FOR NEW PEOPLE
*the mix fits on one CD, meaning you now have the awesomest (no-cost) present to bring to the next baby shower you get invited to, or for your coworker/cousin/pal. You’re welcome.
The Littlest Birds – The Be Good Tanyas
Iwoya – Angélique Kidjo & Dave Matthews
Nothing I Can Do – Ben Taylor
Wrapped Up In You – Garth Brooks
Mushaboom – Feist
Mahna Mahna (Muppets) – Cake
Like A Star – Corinne Bailey Rae
Dream A Little Dream of Me – Mama Cass
The Rainbow Connection (Muppets) – Sarah McLachlan
When You Are Still (Live on WNRN) – David Wax Museum
This Moment (Victoria Williams) – Matthew Sweet
La Noyee – Carla Bruni
Out Of The Woods – Nickel Creek
Goodnight Moon – Will Kimbrough
Per Te – Jovanotti *my translation here
Didn’t Leave Nobody But The Baby – Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, & Gillian Welch
Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) – Dixie Chicks
Common Thread – Bobby McFerrin
The Sea & The Rhythm – Iron & Wine
Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis) – Eels
ZIP: FRESHLY HATCHED MIX
[wonderful artwork from Ryan Hollingsworth, who also has a great new February mix up on his site]
Name: Heather Browne
great mix as always. Have you heard any of Natalie Merchant’s Leave Your Sleep album? it is quite fantastic, with a varied range of music styles. It has help out little guy get to sleep for the last ten month
Colin — February 13, 2012 @ 8:48 am
I just discovered couchsurfing few weeks ago, haven’t actually tried it out yet. I wonder what it’d be like to surf on your couch, I guess it’d be pretty awesome~
Love the mix, thanks!!
fuse — February 13, 2012 @ 9:58 am
Wilco’s “My Darling” would be a great addition to this mix
Billy — February 13, 2012 @ 11:48 am
Another add would be “Welcome” by Hey Rosetta!
He wrote it about the arrival of a friend’s tiny creation.
Alanna — February 13, 2012 @ 4:13 pm
I would recommend Cloud Cult’s “You Were Born”.
As always, thanks for the mixes!
Adam — February 14, 2012 @ 1:36 pm
What a lovely thing to do, both the hosting and the mixing.
Clare — February 14, 2012 @ 9:03 pm
Thanks Heather, U Rock!!!
artistsatwork — February 15, 2012 @ 5:26 pm
Yup – you really rock!
Thanks so much for the mix lovey! I have it in the car now and have been enjoying it here, there and everywhere!
KC — February 17, 2012 @ 9:44 pm
[...] to (that I know of) are pregnant right now. I will confess that baby fever is catching. I sent this Fuel/Friends “Freshly Hatched” Mix to my friend Amy whose little baby bump is super adorable. And yes, I totally listened to it [...]
What I’m into | BS in the Midwest — February 23, 2012 @ 4:29 pm
Success! My 5 year-old son, who usually has really good taste in music (he got a healthy dose of Wilco, radiohead and The Decemberists in utero) thought that some of the music was the Fresh Beat Band! Meaning, I can listen to it knowing it’s not and he can listen to it thinking it is. Total win-win scenario in my book.
And my 2 year-old daughter? Well, at least she didn’t scream “Buzz! Buzz!!!” (after the song of the same name that Laurie Berkner one) the whole way home.
So, yeah. Good mix. Thanks.
Sammy — April 23, 2012 @ 8:40 pm
thank you!!!!
me and my 3 day old are so enjoying……..
terra — June 17, 2012 @ 11:10 am