"That's All I Know" IS a cover, yes. But it's awesome. "Mama" is also a cover... I believe it was actually Lee solo, but ended up on a Sonic boot.

Yes, it was originally by the Neon Boys, who later became Television.

Okay so a brief follow up guys. I made the CD-R, and reworked the tracklisting taking on board your sugsestions and my own considerations. It looked something like this:
1)Plastic Sun
2)Reena
3) kool Thing
4) 100%
5)Dirty Boots
7) Jams Run Free
8)Theresa's Sound World
9) Schitzophrenia
10) Candle
11) Unmade Bed
12) Hoarfrost
13) Shadow of A Doubt
14) The Diamond Sea

Thanks for y'all's help.

It's impossisble to properly represent Sonic Youth in one mix CD, especially while making it for someone who is at best an entry level fan that would gain access best through their poppier outings.

I tried making a mix once, and it ended up being a 5-CD mix that was broken up into their chronological periods.

That said, I suggest making her two CDs. One of Sonic Youth's poppier side (but not completely misrepresenting them), and one of their more experimental side (but not anything extreme that might put her off.)

Some recommendations, with tracks in no particular order:

CD 1 (the poppier CD):

1) Teen Age Riot
2) Schizophrenia
3) Kissability
4) Mote
5) Wish Fulfillment
6) Shadow of a Doubt
7) Star Power
8) Kotton Krown
9) Jams Run Free
10) The Empty Page
11) Sunday
12) Queen Anne Chair
13) Into the Groove(y)


CD 2 (the more experimental side that surveys their career a bit more)

1) Kill Yr Idols
2) Expressway to Yr Skull
3) The Diamond Sea
4) Silver Rocket
5) Beauty Lies in the Eye
6) Wildflower Soul
7) Justice is Might
8) Inhuman
9) Brother James
10) No Queen Blues
11) Free City Rhymes
12) JC

it's fuckin' awesome song!

is the tape still in the works?

Mine isn't.