Long Strange Trip

This is a copy of an Art of the Mix description that I wrote and posted on that site July 15, 2003. 

That was around the time I joined the group and this was one of the early mixes I posted there 15 years ago.

"So, yes, these are so called "classic rock" tunes but at this time and place they were fresh and new. Even the ability to have albums playing in your car on a road trip was new at the time. Cassette decks soon to be followed by 8 tracks. The oldest song here is the first one from 1969. The rest are all early 70s.

I had just finished a four year hitch in the Navy and wanted to drive down to New Orleans from Philadelphia for Mardi Gras 1974. A buddy of mine, who was living with me in a house I recently bought, went with me. This mix is based on the music we listened to from a box of cassette tapes.

It became a road trip from hell because of the oil/gas crises that developed from the Middle East war at the time. It didn't stop us but really slowed us down. Each time we stopped for gas it took hours in lines. At one point in Tennessee we were running out of gas late at night with no gas stations open anywhere. We pulled into a station that looked like it would open in the morning and parked next to the pump to get some sleep. We woke up the next morning when the gas station opened and there was a line of cars behind us stretching for blocks. We got gas and boogied on down to the Big Easy.

Of course we had a great time at Mardi Gras. It was probably the last year before hotel reservations were required to get into the city. We slept in sleeping bags (when we slept) on the ground in Tulane stadium which was opened up for young people to crash. They don't do that anymore.

The drive back was just as bad with the gas lines. It was a nasty experience that added an extra day each way. We entered PA in the Western end of the state and then realized that we had the wrong license plate number to get gas. You could only get gas on odd or even days depending on your plate number. It was the wrong day for us so we had to back down into Maryland to get gas and cross that state coming back up into PA in the East.

Today's war in Iraq is happening because of those gas lines. Forget the bullshit about Iraqi freedom and weapons of mass destruction. This war is about oil and gas lines and the lessons not learned during that winter of 73-74.

Anyway. we played lots of tapes during this trip and this mix is a sampling of that trip. A Vol. 2 is sure to come."

1. The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter  

2. Rod Stewar - Every Picture Tells A Story 

3. Elton John  - Burn Down The Mission  

4. Joe Cocker - High Time We Went 

5. Traffic - Freedom Rider 

6. The Band - Life Is A Carnival 

7. Steely Dan - Show Biz Kids 

8. Dr. John - Right Place Wrong Time 

9. Bruce Springsteen - Blinded By The Light  

10. Tom Waits - Ol' '55  

11. The Grateful Dead - Truckin' 

12.   Santana - Everything's Coming Our Way

13.   T. Rex - Telegram Sam

14.   Roxy Music - Street Life

15.   David Bowie - Rebel Rebel

16.   The Who - The Seeker

17.   Neil Young - After the Gold Rush

FEEDBACK:

SMOSS
DATE: 7/15/2003

I remember those gas lines! I'd wait in one with this. nice mix. Love the Cocker and the Roxy Music (and the Traffic is an obvious treasure).

MIXXER
DATE: 7/15/2003

Great music.

ERIK1966LUTIG
DATE: 7/15/2003

Great mix, George!
I especially LOVE the Roxy Music and David Bowie selections.
Oh... and I remember the gas lines, too, even though I was still too young to drive.

BEAR
DATE: 7/16/2003

Lots of nice music and a brilliant story- surely you get Comments of the Week!

ALMOSTFAMOUS
DATE: 7/16/2003

Running the risk of being branded a "young pup", I am too young to remember the gas crisis, but I love this mix! First of all, you have some truly profound music on here. And to make the mix inspired on such memories is a great idea. Perhaps when I get a few more years on, I'll be able to do the same about some amazing road experience that I had. Until then, I'll live vicariously through yours.
Cheers!
-AF.

FEAT FAN
DATE: 7/17/2003

Telegram Sam
You...Are The Main Man.....

Bobby's all right
He's a natural born poet he's clear out of site!

GREAT F&5king tape!!

Love T-Rex!!!

P THE SWEDE
DATE: 9/10/2003

great stuff

MIXXER
DATE: 2/21/2006

This excellent mix has been added to the Exhibit "Where You Got Those Shoes: New Orleans." Check it out at the AOTM Exhibits page.