Introduction:
I don’t have the ability to listen to music and work at the same time; and I don’t often listen to music in the car (either podcast, or just, road noise, as a form of meditation). If I have free time in the evening, and nothing to read, I might pull up some music on YouTube, which may or may not include the fifteen titles below, presented in no particular order. So if you’ve ever wondered what type of music to which I listen, here’s a look inside my quirky head.
Dave Grusin: the Firm
Dave Grusin is an American composer, and has composed many movie scores, including the soundtrack to The Firm (1993), based on the book by John Grisham. I’ve read the book; the movie has an all-star cast; the soundtrack’s only instrument is piano. During the infamous Mud River chase scene, the piano’s sound board is used as a percussion instrument. If you travel to Memphis, be sure to order a fried egg sandwich from the Front Street Deli.
Aimee Mann: Wise Up
Aimee Mann is an American singer-songwriter; Wise Up is incorporated into the the film, Magnolia (1999), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson; the song’s lyrics could be a Zen koan.
No, it’s not going to stop
‘Til you wise up
No, it’s not going to stop
So just, give up
4 Non Blondes: What’s up
If I’m having a “rough” day, and if I have time to distract myself, this song often puts a smile on my face; with 1.3-billion hits on YouTube, it’s likely that I’m not alone. Lead singer, Linda Perry, has an amazing vocal range.
Jeff Buckley: Alleluia
Jeff Buckley, an American singer-songwriter, recorded this song in 1993; song didn’t become popular, appearing in film and television, until Buckley’s accidental death in 1997.
The song was written by Leonard Cohen, Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist; Cohen spent more than five years writing and re-writing the song’s lyrics. Cohen also lived as a Zen priest at Mount Baldy Zen Center, outside Los Angeles, for more than five years.
Pink Floyd: Division Bell
I was introduced to Pink Floyd in high school, and listened to some of its more popular albums, including: Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall, and the Final Cut. One of my favorite albums is the Division Bell (1994), an album that I purchased at Tower Records, on Decatur Street, in New Orleans, when I was in the Marine Corps.
When I lived in Ottawa, Canada, I would often listen to Pink Floyd during the 500-mile drive to Connecticut, when visiting family for the holidays; in hindsight, probably not the best idea. Track ten, Lost for Words, is one of my favorite tracks from the album.
So I open my door to my enemies
And I ask could we wipe the slate clean
But they tell me to please go fuck myself
You know you just can’t win
Johnny Marr: Please, please, please let me get what I want
Johnny Marr, English musician, singer, and songwriter, performed with The Smiths, although, this song is typically performed with Morrissey on vocals; Marr’s performance is soulful.
The song was used in the soundtrack to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), during the iconic scene at The Art Institute of Chicago; the movie director, John Hughes, comments that this was a self-indulgent scene, given his fondness for the art, when he grew up in Chicago.
The song’s lyrics could be another Zen koan.
So for once in my life
Let me get what I want
Lord knows, it would be the first time
Lord knows, it would be the first time
Coldplay: the Scientist
Chris Martin is an English singer-songwriter and musician, and lead vocalist, pianist, and rhythm guitarist of Coldplay. In the link below, Martin is visiting a local radio station, and without any back-up, or recording technology, delivers an incredible performance.
Sara Bareilles: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
I grew up listening to Elton John; my older brother, Doug, would often play his records in the house. Sara Bareilles is an American singer-songwriter, and her performance of Elton John’s, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, is likely better than the original, and praised by Elton John.
Animals: House of the Rising Sun
The Animals was an English rhythm-and-blues and rock band from the early 1960’s; with Eric Burdon on vocals, and Alan Price on keyboard, the song literally, “burns the house down.”
Dark Rooms: I get Overwhelmed
Daniel Hart is an American musician and composer, and a classically trained violinist. After composing the music for the movie, Pete’s Dragon (2016), director, David Lowery, asked Hart to compose the music for Ghost Story (2017), which includes this track. The movie is unique, and tends to generate a binary response, either a person likes the movie, or does not.
Johnny Cash: Hurt
I remember my Dad listening to Johnny Cash records at home, when I was a child. At the time, it wasn’t music that I would listen to. Hurt was originally written and performed by Trent Reznor, of Nine Inch Nails. Cash had a history of making covers, but it was Cash’s long-time producer, Rick Rubin, who suggested that Cash make a cover of Hurt. The cover was released to wide acclaim; Reznor, praised Cash, and said, “it’s not my song anymore.”
Asaf Avidan: Reckoning Song
Asaf Avidan is an Israeli singer-songwriter, and was part of the group, Asaf Avidan & the Mojos. I first stumbled upon this song after watching a travel blog video on YouTube. Some listeners admit surprise, after learning that the singer is not an “old woman.”
Denez Prigent & Lisa Gerrard: Gortoz a ran (I await)
The film Black Hawk Down (2001) was directed by Ridley Scott, based on the book of the same name, by Mark Bowden (1999). Bowden was a staff writer in Philadelphia, and the story first appeared in the newspaper. It’s a difficult movie to watch, when you know how it ends.
Sade: Pearls
Sade is a Nigerian-born, British singer; I was introduced to Sade’s music by my twin brother, Brett; I listened to this album frequently in graduate school.
Delerium & Sarah McLachlan: Silence
Delerium, is a Canadian electronic music group; Sarah McLachlan is a Canadian born singer; the song features Gregorian chant (Gloria in Excelsis Deo), and sometimes, is referred to as “trance” music. I first heard the song, watching Warren Miller’s film, Cold Fusion (2001); Miller used to produce eclectic skiing movies before his retirement and subsequent death.
garthmonroe 