Hey hey! Welcome to the Wednesday mixtape, the little collection of songs I make every week based on Tuesday’s What We’re Listening To. For this week’s extra tracks, I was inspired by Ray LaMontagne’s new album. It got me thinking a lot about one of his influences, Otis Redding, and how, during my Junior year of college, I was obsessed with somehow recreating The Dock of the Bay. I find that there are so few artists who allow themselves to be as emotionally raw and vulnerable as Redding is on that album. Even the happier songs make your heart hurt. To me, it’s a prime example of everything we artists should be trying to achieve – that level of connection and honesty with ourselves and each other. As a songwriter and a singer, I find it really inspiring. (Not to sound too pretentious about it, of course.) So I picked two of the many songs off that album that break your heart and fix it right up again in the space of three minutes: “The Glory of Love” and “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out.” And then, of course, there are a few songs to get you revved up for all those Halloween parties this weekend! Remember those? Hope you’ve got your costume together (and that it’s not just a mask or an accent). This year I’m Chuck Bass. So excited! Don’t hurt yourself and, hopefully, I’ll see you next week!

P.S. For more on Cranes, check their Myspace out here. Today’s full playlist awaits below the fold…

Mirah - “The Garden” (Stephanie)
Kate Nash – “Merry Happy” (Maggie)
Ray LaMontagne – “You Are The Best Thing” (Rocky)
Otis Redding – “Glory Of Love” (Rocky)
Mirah – “Cold Cold Water” (Stephanie)
Ray LaMontagne - “Sarah” (Rocky)
Otis Redding – “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out” (Rocky)
Pearl Jam – “Daughter” (Allison)
Jimi Hendrix - “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” (Ben)
Ministry – “Everyday Is Halloween” (Summer Camp)
The System – “Don’t Disturb This Groove” (Philip)
Michael Jackson – “Thriller” (Jon)