Mazzy Star – So Tonight That I Might See

My 1990s – my fourth decade – were filled with the things that used to occupy one’s 30s: building a career, buying a home, building a family, maybe settling into my place in the world. I had all but given up on radio listening, so new music entered my orbit sporadically, unpredictably. And, usually, years after it had been current. So it was with so many artists and albums (so it still is today), and so it was with Mazzy Star.

At that time, mostly eschewing radio, compilations and soundtracks were often my introduction to new artists. Los Angeles public radio station KCRW had a legendary program called “Morning Becomes Eclectic” released a series of CDs featuring live performances from their studios. The first, simply titled “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” found its way into the Borders across from where I worked, and when I bought it (1999?) it quickly became one of my favorite compilations. Then I found out there was a previous series from KCRW called Rare On Air, and I quickly picked up volumes 3 and 4 from that series, and fell just as much in love with them. These were broad, eclectic selections along the lines of what Tiny Desk Concerts do today, and a delight to listen to. I actually hadn’t played them in years, but was on a road trip this weekend so put them on and listened with fresh ears – and 30-something me definitely knew what was up, musically. (Even if, from a zeitgeist point of view, I had absolutely no idea what was up.)

Volume 4 included Mazzy Star’s iconic “Flowers in December.” I loved it immediately. I loved most of the tracks on these collections – but, in general, I followed up with very few of the included artists. For the most part, the collection was enough. But with Mazzy Star, I did pick up two of their albums: 1991’s “She Hangs Brightly” and 1996’s “Among My Swan,” and I played those a lot. Still, never got this one from 1993, which had the supremely popular “Fade Into You,” until March 2023, when I snagged this lovely vinyl release. So, just a 30-year wait. Worth it.

I mean . . . there’s just nothing as low key wonderful as Mazzy Star songs.