A Taste:

Cat Stevens, Elvis, Nas

“I’m moving around a lot musically,” laughs Quentin Tarantino as he shuffles through Amoeba Music—Hollywood’s most famous record store.

Tarantino shifts and bends genres better than anyone—not just on screen either. His soundtracks perfectly bridge the gap between artists and styles that may seem a mile apart. For his chop-em-up action epic Kill Bill, he enlisted RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan for original compositions, while Pulp Fiction paired Dick Dale and Ricky Nelson on the same CD. Tarantino has created some seemingly strange but utterly memorable cinematic musical moments, and Inglourious Basterds is no exception at all.

Deploying David Bowie’s “Cat People (Putting Out the Fire)” on the soundtrack for his WWII masterpiece Basterds is the perfect example of Tarantino’s talent for always giving viewers and listeners something delightfully surprising and ultimately unforgettable.

So what does he listen to?

Of course, Tarantino’s playlist is enigmatic to say the least.

While walking around Amoeba, Tarantino shared his current playlist with ARTISTdirect.com for this exclusive feature. Check it out below, pick up the Inglourious Basterds soundtrack now and catch the film in theaters Friday August 21st!

Quentin Tarantino’s Playlist:

1. Cat Stevens — Harold and Maude

Right now, I just got the Cat Stevens’ Harold and Maude soundtrack which had never been made before. I just came out recently, and I find myself listening to that a lot.

2. Nas — “Hate Me Now”

In particularly, I like Nas’s “Hate Me Now.”

3. Elvis

4. Soundtrack — Inglourious Basterds

—Rick Florino
08.20.09

A Taste:

U2, Cat Stevens, Janis Ian

Rachael Yamagata can croon about lost love with the best of ‘em. Her dark and painful folk songs come to vibrant life over the course of Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart. It’s slow, somber and sultry—just how you’d expect a sonic sliver of heartbreak to be.

Nevertheless, Rachael’s musical taste is quite eclectic. She opened up her iTunes and gave us an exclusive look inside.

Check out what Rachael’s spinning below, catch her on tour when she comes to your town this spring and don’t forget to listen to Elephants.

Rachael Yamagata’s Playlist:

1. Jenny Lewis — Acid Tongue

“I’m all over the place. The most recent record that I got was Jenny Lewis’ Acid Tongue. I absolutely love that record.”

2. My Morning Jacket — Evil Urges

3. Janis Ian

“She’s from the ’70s. She did the first performance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live. I saw this special on her. Her song “At Seventeen” just blows me away.”

4. U2

5. Cat Stevens

6. Elton John

7. Rocky — Soundtrack

“I listen to the Rocky Soundtrack when I go to the gym. It’s very inspiring. I would note that as a good one when you’re working out [Laughs].”

8. MGMT

9. Calexico

—Rick Florino
03.10.09