CD Project rolls on: Wesley is up to bat.

[stoney321]

reremouse requested "Wesley" and karabair seconded the motion. I think Wesley is my favorite character in all of Jossverse. While I love Giles and Spike and their mirrored and flipped growth charts, Wes was the one character who spiraled out of control, and then stayed there. (But Fred redeemed him! Aaaaand he shot that guy's knee off for questioning their ability to save her. Fantastic bit.) Going through his timeline I realized that he had some of my most favorite moments in both shows.

And I give you MY WESLEY. (notice the use of "my." Not sure if you all will agree...)


Disc one (yeah, there was just too much for him)

Studious Lad
1. Allegro Assai,Piano Concerto No. 20, Mozart. One of Mozart's most famous piano concertos, and his next to last. The piano was brand new at this point in history. (Harpsichord and piano-forte preceded, which have no noise control.) Mozart had an overbearing father that LITERALLY wrote the book on proper violin play, and was highly regarded in the world of music. He was notoriously hard on his son. Mozart finished this piece a mere 20 minutes before it was first performed. His father famously said after his masterful performance, "you played without incident." And then left. Big parallels with Leopold/Mozart and Roger/Wesley.

The Watcher's Council
2. In The Hall Of The Mountain King, Grieg. I love this piece. It sounds like small men scurrying around the feet of a sleeping demon, then the demon awakes and devours them all.

"They're not girls, they're a job, er, a sacred duty."
3. Englishman in New York, Sting. Yeah, yeah, he's in California, but you get the meaning. Proper and out of place.
4. Bring That Friend of Yours, Dirty Crabber. Naughty song about getting your girl to "expand her horizons." I think it also works for Wes becoming both Faith and Buffy's Watcher. One girl is good and decent, the other... not so much.
5. Paganini's Variation On A Theme, Rachmaninoff. Let's not forget the pining of Wes for Cordelia Chase. This is a hopelessly romantic and overwrought song and was the first song I thought of for this CD. This is the theme from Somewhere in Time? Looks like Christopher Reeve finally saw the penny...

Fired? Me?!?
6. Take This Job And Shove It, Johnny Paycheck. When all hell breaks loose (almost literally) with Faith killing a human, Wes losing her, then the WC catches her, she escapes... And we know through back story on Angel that he's fired. This song is funny in that he bitches and moans and acts tough, but is really just thinking in his head. No balls.
7. Penance, Ennio Morricone, the soundtrack from The Mission. I'm sure Wes suffered (financially, family-wise and the like) from screwing up with Faith. Penance is not remorse or repentance, by the way.

Rogue Demon Hunter
8. O Fortuna, Carl Orff. Let me just let you in on something: Carl Orff is a hack. He's made fun of in the classical music world for his oversimplification of music, for the pretentiousness of his lyrics, etc., etc. However: because of all of that, this song is perfect for our leather clad, motorcycle driving Rogue Demon Hunter. Have I mentioned how funny Alexis Denisoff is?
9. I'm Busted, Ray Charles. Poor Wes staring at the eggs on Cordy's plate, starving because it doesn't pay to be a so-so Rogue Demon Hunter. "The bills are all due and the baby needs shoes, and I'm busted." I used to sing this with my folk's band when I was four. Ah! look at the little child singing about abject poverty! Too cute.
10. Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want, The Smiths. "See the luck I've had, would make a good man bad." Poor Wes. I know what's coming.

Angel Investigations: We Help The Helpless
11. War on War, Wilco. "There's a war on war, you're gonna lose. You gotta learn how to die, if you wanna, wanna to survive." Have I mentioned that I love Wilco?
12. Dance of the Dream Man, Angelo Badalamenti. This is from the Twin Peaks soundtrack. Good horn, stand up bass and drum. All pulled together with the finger snap. We are now at the Hyperion and there is a cool jazz vibe along with the film noir now that they are a full fledged detective agency.
13. Human Behavior, Bjork. I still haven't decided if this is for the people they help, or foreshadowing of what is going to change in Wes. It's probably both.
14. I Will, The Beatles. "Who knows how long I've loved you..." Fred is in the picture and Wes loves her. "Will I wait a lonely lifetime? If you want me to, I will."
15. Helter Skelter, The Beatles. Remember Billy? And Wes is infected and tries to kill Fred? (One of my most favorite episodes, BTW.)
16. Jungle Fever, Stevie Wonder. Fred chooses.

Disc Two

False Prophet
1. Master of Puppets, Metallica. lml ^__^ lml Holtz is pulling the strings all along and sucks Wes in. This song fucking rocks, and is PERFECT. I don't care if you don't like metal. It works.
2. Judas' Song, Jesus Christ Superstar Soundtrack. Wanna know something interesting? I mean, aside from the fact that scholars agree that Judas is a figment of literature. And aside from the fact that if Jesus knows all, he knew Judas was going to betray him, thus making Judas essential in the saving of mankind, which really sucks that he is purported to be burning in everlasting hellfire for all of eternity, and if he is essential for saving all of humanity, he is as important as Jesus. And aside from this being tied in to Wes/Angel in heavy overtones: there are no choral pieces about Judas written. None. There are hymns asking for understanding, etc. But no requiems, no agnus deis, nothing. So you get this.
3. Requiem: Rex Tremendae, Mozart. This is the last piece Mozart wrote, and it was not completed. It's his most famous work. Rex Tremendae translates to Tremendous God. A requiem is a hymn or mass for the dead or dying. You know the horrible moment after Wes' throat has been cut and the tramp finds him and you think he's saved, but he's only robbed and drug into the bushes? This is the song in my head.

It translates to:
I groan like a guilty man
Guilt reddens my face
Spare a supplicant, O God.

Mournful that day
When from the dust shall rise
Guilty man to be judged
Therefore spare him, O God.

Mericiful Jesus, Lord grant him rest.

Scruffy Wes
4. Eyes of A Stranger, Payolas. "In your look I sense a danger/ you've got the eyes of a stranger." This is from the movie Valley Girl. It kicks ass and is smoky and dangerous and wistful. And man, did New!Hard!Wes look like a stranger. (Where's the good Connor/Wes fic??)
5. Young Lust, Pink Floyd. "Oooh, I need a dirty woman." This is a Lilah fucking song, if ever there was one.
6. Remorse, Ennio Morricone. Remember how I said penance wasn't remorse or repentance? He's getting there.
7. Mass: Agnus Dei, Martin as sung by Dale Warland Choir. (remember to say: ahn yoos day-ee) An "Agnus Dei" is a ritual prayer to the Lamb, usually seeking repentance. This particular one translates to: "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world: Have mercy on me, grant me peace." Lamb... lamb.... Ram? Just sayin'.

Mind Wipe - I Work Where??
8. Let Me Go, Cake. I can't decide if this is to Lilah, his father, or Fred. It's probably all three at some point.
9. Had a Dad, Jane's Addiction. This is definitely for Roger. Cyborg Dad shows up, Wes doesn't hesitate (which made Mr. Stoney jump out of his seat with a "holy shit!") to shoot him. And Wes pukes. And it isn't his father. In the song: "I've got this funny feeling/ he's not there at all."

She's Infected
10. If I Could, Phish. I heart Phish. This is the song that makes believers out of the "jam bands suck" group. "Take me to another place she said. If I could I would but I don't know how." Fred's dying made me so sad. The woman who sings on this track has the most heartbreakingly beautiful voice... "Stay with me, till time turns over." Waahh!
11. Why Does It Always Rain On Me?, Travis. 'Cause Wes is a little self-focused. Everyone else lost her, too, dude. I know. I want to cuddle Wesley to my chest and stroke his pretty feathers.

The Mission Comes First
12. Let Go, Frou Frou. "There is beauty in the breakdown." And he dies, and I was sad for days.
13. Float On, Modest Mouse. "Even if things get heavy, we'll all float on." It was all about the mission, no matter what. And this is about us after the show ended, in a way.

Comments

[inlovewithnight.livejournal.com]

Dude...what kind of service must I render to get a copy of this too? Seriously. I will kneecap your enemies. I will buy you candy. I will write epic fic...with characters I hate. Whatever it takes.
::worships at your feet::

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

it's times like this that I am glad my dad was a bit of the Leopold with music and his daughters. (He is a choir master and a student of religion, so normally I'd be jacked up, but tonight I get to talk about Judas Iscariot and Wesley Wyndham-Pryce and how they actually SAVED THE WORLD. Huh?)

when everyone's is done, I'll ask for who wants extras in their x-mas stockings. no knee-capping is necessary, Candy... chocolate? :D

[paynbow.livejournal.com]

Must write down these songs for future dl'ing (if I can find a dl programme that doesn't choose to crap out on me after a month of joyous dl'ing). I love Wes too! He my fave Jossverse character, even over Spike (*gasp*). I just love his character arc so much...

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Gah! Don't go to all that trouble. I spent almost a week ripping all of these CDs onto my 'puter, and have arranged the playlists and files. If you can hang on for a week, I'll have most everyone done and can start taking requests for duplicates. (who knows the quality of the downloads, you know? It could be Rex Tremendae by Big Al Yankovich or something...

I know. Wes was AWESOME! The next big one I'm looking forward to is Spangel for Dovil. I actually pulled over yesterday, wrote down some songs, then ran back to the CD shop. I am a dork.

[mirasol.livejournal.com]

Gosh.
*blinks*
Wow, that's awesome, and I don't just mean excellent. I really do mean as in inspiring awe.
Such a wide range of music and the choices are entirely apt. I'm surprised that you managed to get Wes onto just 2 CDs.

e-mailing my address now.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Got your addy, and my goal is to get you and two others out around lunchtime (it's 7:50 am in Texas now). I'll post your playlist later tonight.

It was HARD to get Wes on 2 CDs. I cut out about 10 other ideas/songs. It was feeling too clunky.

[amontillado.livejournal.com]

Sorry about not getting back to you sooner (just moved, just my net back and is still in the process of catching up on my flist). I need your email addy: if you sent it, for some reason I never got it (fucking technology)

anywhoo: desire_yevette_182@yahoo.com

and I'll give you the snail mail addy asap.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Emailed you, just ran over to your journal and read the posts of woe. :-)

My goal is to get these out after lunch... I'll post later today with the playlists.

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

I am just a new boy...stranger to this town...where are all the good times...who's gonna show this stranger around...

That's so funny, 'cause you told me the other night that you had the perfect Wes/Lilah song and I "uh-huh'd" and then I was listening to "Young Lust" yesterday w/o a single clue. Hee!! Dude, you should do this for a living. I know, I know, copyright crap...that sucks. I listened to "Taste the Pain" and "Break You Off" over and over last night and wrote Spander smut so hot that *I* thought it was hot. I always think my smut is dumb, so you rock!!! (Then I played "Break You Off" for Caza...and...damn, Caza says TMI. Uh, we liked it. *g*)

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Break you off. I said, Goddamn! "You want it in the worst way." I LOVE that song. Why does Mr. Stoney have to travel so much?? But then, when he's home... :D

I'm glad you liked this one. It felt like it was too all over the map when I put this up, like people would look at me like I was an idiot... I wanna get three more done today so I can be "feeling my man" when he gets here tomorrow night.

[anelith.livejournal.com]

This is just...incredible. I can't wait to see what you do with Spangel.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oooh! I am having fun with these lists. I'm working on yours right now!

I love the "Wesley" CD pretty hard...

[violethamster.livejournal.com]

Wow. Intensely interesting and a great exploration of Wes' history and character.

And the thought of that Angelo Badalamenti song playing in the gloomy, art-deco Hyperion gave me a little shiver.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Hey! I earned the "serious" icon! (Which I love, btw.) I was afraid everyone was going to stop during the "Mozart" analogy and say, "hey: isn't this the chick that writes about a mini vampire climbing into another vampire's butt? The hell?"

That AB song is so smokin'!! I missed the Hyperion in season 5. :(

[cityphonelines.livejournal.com]

In my head as soon as I read Human Behavior and the ran the lyrics over in my head my brain went, "Wes/Angel!" It gave me a winter_of_wes bunny.

And Cake, you can never go wrong with Cake.

Very Wes. I need a Wesley icon.

[cityphonelines.livejournal.com]

Um, that should have been: winter_of_wes

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

It's very much a "Wes/Angel" song. And it works for the people they help, too. I'm so glad that you and I are on the same wavelength with most of the music. BJORK!! She was so awesome in concert. Saw her in Vegas many years ago. The woman has one eyebrow, but can pull it off. (It was The Sugarcubes, Public Enemy, and U2. Talk about eclectic!)

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

this entry is now in my favorites; I want to wait until I hear the music then go back and get the liner notes.

rock on. *smooches you* *smooches Wes*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I love our Wes. But I love mine a little more... Because he's mine, you see.
*cuddles scruffy Wes, who is wearing an impeccable suit and is standing stiffly, to my boobies*

[reremouse.livejournal.com]

Aw, neat Wesley! *bg* I can't wait to hear how it all comes together on the CD. You rock!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Can't wait for you to get it... Went out this morning, so hopefully you'll get it Saturday. Let me know here when you get it, so I can keep it in my memories...

I love my dead, gay flist!

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

and so I listened and so I read. comments on

1: Now you have me imagining young Wes taking piano lessons; he's a sort of Harry Potter-Ephram Brown hybrid; I'm losing control of my motor functions. seriously hot.

4: See, I thought "bring that friend of yours" was his dirty thoughts about Cordy; but it works for Buffy/Faith in "Bad Girls." does it ever!

6. I totally imagine rogue demon Wes playing "take this job" etc over and over on the jukebox in some bar where he's hiding in the corner with his chafey leather pants; and mumbling "what I should have said. . .what I should have said. . ."

11. Thinking about Wes's self-focusedness. . .I was just musing today on how well Alexis manages to sell that "I never get any love" bit -- when he gets about as much onscreen action as the rest of the AI crew COMBINED. In fact, with the possible exception of Fred & Gunn, he probably DOES get more action than any of them.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I think there is an unspoken law in LJ that every 10th post between us must contain the doppleganger. And looking at your post? There's why. HP/EB hybrid? Best. Idea. Ever.

Isn't that "bring that friend of yours" a jammin' little tune for a goofy band that broke up after a year? She's FINE!

I think Paganini's Variation is the most perfect, melodramtic, overkill, yet shamefully wonderful song for Cordy and Wes. That was one of the funniest kisses ever onscreen.

I love my dead rogue demon hunter. *sniff*

[lettered.livejournal.com]

I love all these playlists! You rock my socks! This one is so cool for so many reasons: Disc one: #1 love the father parallels. I loved reading your explanation. #2 I was thinking about little boy Wes, in the big halls of the Watcher's Council, where's it's all big and scary and grown-up, and he wants to be a big man and belong there--but also feels trapped and really down at the bottom just wants to get out. And then goes crazy. *nods* #8 made me crack up because even if Orff is a hack, he gets me every. damn. time. Sue can testify; she saw my three copies of Carmina Burana in my car. Anyway, I still find it moving and scary and all Excalibur, and the thought of it playing in the background while Wes adjusts his chafing pants has me rotf. So fucking cool!

Disc 2: #2--for managing to bring Judas into it. Even if he is a sock-puppeteer? #3 because that truly is an awesome Requium. #12 omg Frou Frou! I saw Imogen Heap in concert a month or so ago. Have you heard I, Megaphone? It was her first cd, and while I like the later stuff it's more electronic and less raw than the first one, and the first one always reminds me of BtVS (specifically Buffy/Spike) and I think from what I see of your musical tastes you might enjoy it. I'll have to send you back a copy.