Day 304 - Sometimes it's all about the music



One of my good friends sent me a blog baton. I didn't know these existed. It consists of 5 music/song related questions...

Before I begin with answering the questions, let me give you a bit of background on possibly why my "playlist" will span 4 decades...

1. I have a brother and sister, 9 years and 7 years my senior. Growing up with them and their 45's and LP's I was exposed to music from the 60's and early 70's. Songs from this era are pure - you can understand (and hear) the words. The music was not yet cluttered with a lot of electronic equipment back then.

I was in the band in jr. high and high school. I started off on the clarinet and quickly switched to the saxophone as not to damage my image upon entering high school. I played alto, tenor and baritone sax. God I loved the baritone. It was huge. When I hit the low notes you could feel the earth move. Ok, sorry for the digression. Playing the instruments opened up more genres for me. Basically any music with lots of brass is fair game. Being in the band and having a mom that played the piano (she played the piano before I was born but we had a piano in the house) opened up more genres...movie themes, Broadway, classical, etc. I do listen to a lot of current stuff but it may take more time before theses songs make it into my Hall of Fame.
1. What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
I have 6,700 on my iPod - about 27 gig in size. I have another 60 gig waiting for me from colleagues on external hard drives. We don't swap files we swap hard drives. When I find the time, I will find a home for the 60 gig of tunes.
2. The last CD you bought is:
This is hard to say. I believe it was the Soundtrack to Forest Gump. I love the chronology of the songs through his journey.
3. What is the song you last listened to before reading this message?
"The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace from 1974. I can't believe I have an mp3 of this one. Totally 70's.
4. Write down 5 songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you.
5. Who are you going to pass this stick to? (3 persons) and why?
I am going to combine 4 and 5 into a new question because #4, 5 songs aren't enough and #5 I always kill chain letter type things. Not that I am not a team player but I have always been uneasy about sending unsolicited things to friends. The new question will be:
What would your Celebrity Playlist be? (Please note:1. If you asked me tomorrow the list would probably be different. 2. I like songs based on how they sound to me. The songs meaning or lyrics are usually secondary to me. It's the instrumentals and melodies that drag me in and keep me coming back for more. Yes - how shallow I am. 3. The List is in no particular order.) I can listen to theses songs over and over again and and never get tired of listening to them. These songs pop-up in multiple playlists on the iPod and is still very incomplete. Here are a few from my cluttered mind. I even threw in some liner notes...
What's Going On & Mercy, Mercy, Me - Marvin Gaye - Songs that capture a decade - powerful stuff, great songs
Don' Stop Believin' - Journey - Great Band many other great songs - this is just one of them
Taken it to the Streets - The Doobie Brothers. One of many great songs by this band
Let's Live for Today - The Grass Roots - I would have had to much fun in the 60's - Thank god I was only 5 in '69
Eve of Destruction - Barry McGuire - Powerful piece of history in a song - captures an era
Come Sail Away - Styx - A true classic - doesn't need an explanantion
Where the Streets have No Name - U2 - ditto!
Into The Mystic - Van Morrison - great sax - mellow- great for driving
MacArthur Park - Intrumental (live) version by Maynard Ferguson - This guy can play trumpet. The bari- sax solo also does it for me.
Chase the Clouds Away (with lyrics) - Chuck Mangione - I love this piece - I was lucky to find a version with lyrics. The Live at the Hollywood Bowl Album is one of my favorites,
More than a Feeling - Boston - Grea
Sun Goddess - Earth, Wind and Fire
Reasons (Live Version) - Earth, Wind and Fire - Can't get enough of this. Sax and Philip Bailey's voice can't be beat
The Blue Danube - Yohann Strauss - 2001:A Space Odyssey turned me on to this classical piece
Rhapsody in Blue - Gershwin - Part of this was the theme to an old United Airlines ad campaign - who would have known I would be playing the actors in real life
Claire De Lune - Debussy - amazing what just a piano can do, convey
Baba O'Riley - the Who - a classic
Roll Me Away - Bob Seger - I don't ride a motorcyle but I get what he is trying to convey - great tune
Why Georgia (Live version off of Any Given Thursday)- John Mayer - A kid with a voice and a guitar. That's it, plain and simple. He doesn't need much else. The live version has a great intro.
Somebody Saved My Life Tonight - Elton John - One of many great songs from this icon.
You're My Best Friend - Queen - Again, just one of many great song from this group.

Posted: Sat - January 29, 2005 at 04:23 AM            

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