Maybe you do this, too. When I find a new music artist I love, what usually follows is a long session of listening to the artist’s whole catalog, and then I download song after song, or whole albums. And nothing else gets done. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this.
Do you ever pay attention to that section on iTunes called Just For You? It’s scary how well those iTunes robots know me. Yesterday, I spotted a song, titled “Mesa, Arizona” by singer/songwriter Jeffrey Foucault. Because I happen to live in (yes) Mesa, Arizona (see? scary), I figured it was worth a listen.
And then I fell in love. This guy is so talented, so soulful. His lyrics are poetic, gritty, beautiful. And his voice? I could listen all day. (And did.) Of course, my first instinct is to share new music with friends who might like it, too. Today, while I was waiting in the car line at school, I thought, hmm, that’s not a bad idea. What if I could get a bunch of people to post playlists of their favorite music? I think it would be a fun way to share music that we might not have heard before, or to be reminded of music we might not have l in a listened to in a while.
So here’s what I’m thinking. I’ll get things started by posting a playlist (and a text list, for songs I can’t find online) of some of my favorite songs. Then, if you feel like it, do the same thing on your (it can be part of another post, if you want) and link back here within your post.
(After your post is up, be sure to come back here and add the link for that post to the Mr. Linky widget, or else we won’t know about your great taste in music. And then I’ll be sad.)
I use Playlist.com (a free service) to create playlists that I post here (on my Driving Music page, linked from the right sidebar). It’s really easy, and you can find a lot of music there. There are other sites that work the same way. But to participate, you do not need to post a music player, just a list of your favorite music. (Deb, I really hope you do this!)
Here’s my list – or a good start, anyway. If you think it’s mellow – or even too mellow (it’s February, I can’t help it) – then here’s your chance to give me something to listen to that will make me want to dance. (Even if I don’t actually get up and dance. )
Ballad of the Snow Leopard and the Tanqueray Cowboy – Lyle Lovett, performing the David Rogriguez song
North Dakota – Lyle Lovett
She’s Becoming Gold – Marc Cohn
Flyin’ – Emerson Hart
(This list may grow as I think of others.)
If you’re reading here, but don’t have a blog of your own, I hope you’ll leave your list here in the comments.
UPDATE: Deb (San Diego Momma) got us started – fantastic playlists – so go check them out. Also, she is my favorite now. You can be my favorite, too, if you do this!
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I’ll play along,but I have to head to school first, so when I get back.
Thanks for the recommendations, btw. I planned on heading by Best Buy for something new today, and now I have a list . . .
I’m SO totally doing this.
Of course, it’s 5AM at the moment, so I’ll need to come back at a more appropriate hour (5AM by the way is the perfect time to listen to Miles from the Lightning.)
I have never done what you described. It might help if I had something other than a computer and the car on/in which to list to music!
This sounds fun, but I’m not sure I’d have time, and most of what I like is old anyway–because I never listen to anything new. Well, almost never.
I am not sure how to do the list .. but I will tell you that while I am not a C&W fan I adore Lyle, James McMurtry (son of Larry), and some of Keith Urban … and then there are all the old standards …
Jennifer, this is a fabulous idea! I am Lady LameO on music. I am always inspired by you and your tastes. And I saw my husband in your post at the beginning. He loves downloading music and yes it can take hours! We’re so lucky to be able to access such a variety of music.
You probably know about Johnny Lang & MoFro? (2 separate, but really good stuff.)
Yup, I do the same thing. Then sometime later I decide that I really don’t care for 2/3 of them so I delete. But that’s the main means of a growing playlist.
i do not know what you are talking about. and melancholy music? nope, not familiar with it.
Finally! Here I am! Thanks, this was fun.
Thanks, Deb! You are now my favorite. – Jennifer
I definately go through phases of uber love for a certain artist or genre. One place I get my fill is pandora.com. it’s the internet radio that hand picks music similar to artists you list. I have become slack where downloading and uploading onto my mp3 player, largely because my computer is in bad need of major overhaul (spell, new computer needed… bad economy interfering with deciding to purchase).
by the way, is justin townes earle the son of steve? their voices sound similar. townes must be named after van zandt.
Guilty as charged, madam! My own imaginary affair with Bruce Springsteen was really starting to undo me, but he sang to me every day on the way to and from work and…well..one thing led to another…
i love keri noble, girlyman, missy higgins, and catie curtis to name a few! music speaks to my soul…love it!
Wow. 52 Faces’ playlist is awesome.
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