Dreaming With Jimmy and Roy

Like a lot of other folks, I’m really looking forward to the 4^th season of Mad Men starting next Sunday. In addition to the writing, acting, clothing, etc., I like the fact that it’s set in the early 60s (though I imagine the 4^th season will begin at some point in 1964). One of the things I find interesting about the time period is that you saw relatively little nostalgia for the era up until the mid/late 90s (the pretty brief Rat Pack/Swingers infatuation). See, my pop culture theory is that nostalgia for a time period is that it usually takes about 20 years – since the people who were 15-16 at the time are now 35-36 and capable of writing about it.

Now, I don’t really have any good explanations for why the early 60s defies this theory. Perhaps part of it may be attributed to the old canard that rock music died during this period (until the Beatles and Stones brought it back to life). Just to be clear, I cancelled my subscription to that canard a long time ago as I like a lot of the popular music from that time period. In particular, I’ve always liked the operatic quality a lot of that music had, exemplified by Roy Orbison and, on the jazz side, Jimmy Scott. It’s that operatic quality they both share, as well as the fact that they have so many so songs about dreams that I thought they’d go together well in a mixtape. (P.S. I cheated a little and used some of their material that wasn’t recorded in the early 1960s. Remember, I don’t have to be as historically accurate as Mad Men.)

Disc One

In Dreams Roy Orbison

Street Of Dreams Jimmy Scott

My Prayer Roy Orbison

Stay With Me Jimmy Scott

Things That Are Love Jimmy Scott

The Actress Roy Orbison

Imagination Jimmy Scott

Shahdaroba Roy Orbison

The Crowd Roy Orbison

If I Should Lose You Jimmy Scott

Sweet Dreams Roy Orbison

I Have Dreamed Jimmy Scott

I Had A Love Once Jimmy Scott

Leah Roy Orbison

Dream Jimmy Scott

Disc Two

If You Are But A Dream Jimmy Scott

Lonely Wine Roy Orbison

Distant Dreams Roy Orbison

I Wish I Knew Jimmy Scott

Love Hurts Roy Orbison

There Is No Greater Love Jimmy Scott

Why Try to Change Me Now Jimmy Scott

The Great Pretender Roy Orbison

Don't Take Your Love From Me Jimmy Scott

Blue Angel Roy Orbison

What Good Would It Be Jimmy Scott

She Wears My Ring Roy Orbison

Beautiful Dreamer Roy Orbison

Unchained Melody Jimmy Scott

Dream Roy Orbison