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The Music Room
Ah, music! I can't imagine life without music! I've loved music since I was very young, mostly due to my father, who may not have had the best singing voice in the world, but truly loved to sing along to his favorite records, many of which became my favorites of the time, as well. I listened to Broadway shows, Tony Bennett, Patti Page, Ed Ames, Herb Alpert, Glen Miller and classical music of Chopin and Strauss. We could sing through all the music from Camelot (still my favorite musical), The Sound of Music, Music Man, My Fair Lady (the first movie I saw in a "real" theater. Thanks, Dad!), and so many more. I still can sing through those and more! And I still love Broadway, and big bands and classical and jazz and rock and ..... Mostly, I like music with words, though I certainly enjoy my share of instrumental music. I guess I just enjoy some of it all! I'll give you a sampling of some of my favorite artists and genres. As with the Library, feel free to browse among my friends here and I hope you find a few new favorites!
What I'm Currently Listening To:
Where I Live (Jonathan Cain)
Pictures:
We've been seeing a lot of live music lately. Some of the concerts we've attended have included Pat Metheny Group (many, many times), Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Spyro Gyra, Yellowjackets, Journey and Bon Jovi- quite a mix! For a look at pictures from the concerts, see our Concert Page.
Classical
There's almost too much to list here: I love Beethoven, Tchaikovsky (his Piano Concerto #1 is wonderful!), Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Gabriel Faure (the Requiem is serenely lovely), Strauss waltzes, Chopin, Vivaldi and so much more. I will admit to being more a fan of the Classical and Romantic composers than others, and not a very appreciative audience for much modern classical music. If it's much later than Richard Strauss, I may not be much of a fan.
As for performers: Yo Yo Ma, Van Cliburn (I wish he were still playing- no one can play Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff like he could), and, always, the Boston Symphony Orchestra- the best!
Jazz
Funk, fusion, old standards, new performers, swing, solos, trios, quartets, big bands... Jazz has it all! And I enjoy most of it. Again, there is almost too much to list here, mostly because the term "jazz" encompasses so many different styles and types of music. But I'll list some of my favorites, and perhaps you will find a new favorite here, too!
Pat Metheny- guitar. As both a solo player and group leader, Pat has done some wonderful music with some of the best musicians around. My favorite Group album is Still Life (Talking). My favorite tune is Last Train Home . I have to admit that I do not really like Zero Tolerance for Silence, though I do enjoy most of the rest of his music. The Group has a new CD out (released in March 2002), called Speaking of Now. They are touring with a partly-new line-up and music. We were at the shows in Northmapton, MA, Torrington, CT and Burlington, VT, and will see them again in April in Boston, MA. Obsessed? Perhaps. Groupies? Maybe. Great shows and worth the trips? Most definitely! (But I still miss Paul!)
David Sanborn- alto saxophone This is the way sax should be played! He has such depth and emotion in his playing. And I am partial to saxophone, since it is such a "vocal" instrument. My favorite albums are Hearsay, Songs from the Night Before and Another Hand. Favorite tune? Hmmm- hard to pick. Will have to think about that one.
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones- Béla is , I guess, best described as bluegrass/fusion funky banjo. Yes, I did say banjo! And if you've never heard Béla, give him a listen. The music is just fun. We just saw them in Northampton MA in March 2002. Great show! Go see them if they come your way! Favorite albums: Flight of the Cosmic Hippo, Three Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Left of Cool. Some favorite tunes: Big Country, Bonnie and Slyde, Lover's Leap, Hoedown.
Others I enjoy are Larry Carlton (guitar), Mike Metheny (flugelhorn- and Pat's brother), Lee Ritenour (guitar), Spiro Gyra, The Rippingtons, Glenn Miller, Michael Brecker (saxophone), Chick Corea, Harry Connick, Jr., Mark Isham (trumpet), Manhattan Transfer, and Paul Wertico (drums).
I do not like Kenny G!
New Age/World Music
There is a wealth of beautiful music here, too. From the serene and meditative, to the uplifting, to the energetic and dynamic, there is something for everyone and every mood. A few favorites are Geroge Winston, David Lanz, Enya, Clannad, Kitaro, Vangelis and Yanni. I also enjoy ethnic music from many different cultures: Eastern, Asian, Celtic, Latin and more.
Rock
Lots to love here! I've been a fan of rock music since, well, for a very long time! Here are some of my favorites:
Journey: Top of the list and always will be!
Def Leppard: What can I say about Def Leppard? One of the best, and always fun to listen to.
(More soon!)
Pop and More Still To Come!
I have begun to learn to play the piano. You can read about it here.
Mason and Hamlin Factory Tour 2006
We went on a tour of the Mason and Hamlin piano factory in Haverhill, MA on May 2, 2006. Some highlights and pictures are here.