OT: Nova - "Musical Minds"/favorite music?

[weezie]

Hi all-

I just watched a show on PBS Nova about "musical minds." It included a guy who has Tourette's, another who is autistic, and a third who had been struck by lightning and only became musical afterwards. All have extraordinary musical talent.

I once babysat for a boy who was autistic, who could play anything he heard on the radio on piano, flawlessly. It made me cry, that such talent was hidden within a barely functional personality, socially speaking.

My mother was a violinist who minored in piano pedagogy, and my grandmother and great aunts taught piano and voice. My aunt attended Juilliard for voice. So, obviously, my background is steeped in music, especially classical (despite the fact that DH is a blues musician).

One of the most interesting parts of the program was when they showed an MRI of the host, Dr. Oliver Sacks, when he was listening to music he loved versus music he was so-so about. Brain patterns and their involvement were utterly different - much more active all over with the music he loved.

I grew up with Gregorian chant (sight reading Mom's music school books), memorized Gilbert & Sullivan (she played with the University of Chicago G&S players), adored Peter, Paul & Mary (they performed in the 60's at U of C), and loved country and old time jazz (Papa played trumpet and loved Dizzie Gillespie and Louis Armstrong and classic country). I had years of piano lessons, sang in the church choir, played a bit on guitar, violin, mandolin, and dulcimer (my folks also loved the old Appalachian music and Mom was fiddle player for an Irish band for a time).

So, I guess my question is, what music really moves you? I love all kinds, but will weep at Bach St. Matthew Passion, Amazing Grace, spirituals like "Sweet Chariot", Appalachian carols/hymns like "The Cherry Tree" and "My Savior Shall Supply My Need." And yet, I love Enya, Rachmaninoff's "Russian Vespers", the Mozart Requieum, the Brahms Requiem and Linda Rondstat's "Heart Like a Wheel." These are probably the less cheerful things, to put it mildly. My first ever LP purchase was Herman's Hermits, for what it's worth. And I love the Moody Blues and Loreena McKennitt as well.

My real question is - what music do you love so much that you think it would make all of your brain pathways light up?

Just curious.

love to all,

-Louise

[mykneesareback]

Hank Williams, Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam, Waylon Jennings, Bob Wills, The Louvin Brothers, The Delmore Brothers, The Carter Family, Buddy Holly, Hank Snow, Ray Price, Doug Kershaw, Hackberry Ranblers, Flaco Jiminez, The Texas Tornados, Emmylou Harris, Bill Monroe, Ricky Scaggs, Del McCury, Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, The Stanley Brothers, The Bellamy Brothers, early Elvis, Iris Dement, Wayne Hancock, Asleep At The Wheel

Polka music, bagpipe music, East Indian music, shape note singing, oh, and The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Maken, and The Chieftains. lol I guess I could go on and on. My main music is classic country, I listen to WSM online every night and on the satellite radio during the day we listen to classic and Outlaw country. Can't stand any of that "New Hot Country", just blows...

I used to play the french horn, (my hubby has a remark about that which I can't mention here though). Have a guitar, fiddle and autoharp, but haven't done a thing with them once I got married and had to deal with reality.

Do you like to dance Louise? For pleasure and fun I mean.

Oh, and how can I forget George Jones???


Doris

[Kenwyn]

I used to like country until it got all whiny. Still lke the old time county and western.
My all time favorite piece of music is Grieg's Morning. I can see the sun rising in my minds eye when I listen to it. We grew up listening to a lot of classical music cuz that was what my Dad liked. I still enjoy that, old time rock and pop. Anne Murray is my favorite singer.

I used to be a big fan of Wayne Newton when I was young. I bought all his records when they cam out. Now he's just irritating.

[vessel of prayer]

I love the prophetic flow of worship.Leonard Jones, Rick Pino, Jason Upton, Third Day, there are a few more too. Old Fashioned Southern Gospel , my favorite is The Happy Goodmans. Some of the church hymns also. My favorite there has got to be How Great Thou Art.

I love some classical, but dont ask me to name the songs. My very favorite piece is the one from the movie Somewhere in Time. I cry when I hear it. I guess it really is a depressing song.... oh my.... lol. I really dont care for country or rock.

I do love the oldies. Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hermans Hermits...mrs brown you have a lovely daughter... lol
How some stuff sticks on the brain.
I do love some blue grass music. Is that what you are calling apalachian? Or is that different Louise?

Guess that wraps it up!!

[jezzie]

ahhh - Music

Thank you so much for not asking me to name ONE. That's like trying to pick a favorite book.

I love violins, slow sax, the blues, Celtic ... etc etc. - I'll try to narrow it down to my tops.

* Andre Rieu
* Kenny G

* Kris Kristofferson
* Willie Nelson
* John Denver

* Roger Whittaker
* Dylan

* Patsy Cline
* Anne Murray

* Kirtana

* Nana Mouskouri

* Loreena McKennitt
* Enya

* Etta James
* Dinah Washington

* Leon Redbone
* C Frogman Henry

* CCR (Credence)
* Bee Gees

* Neil Diamond
* Jerry Vale
* Dean Martin
* Nat King Cole
* Johnny Mathis

.

[vessel of prayer]

oh ya. i love neil diamond, and the celtic woman... forgot. lol and andrew reiu

[Verleen]

Louise, what a creative and talented family you grew up in. And you are so accomplished yourself.

I stopped to think about what music I like. I do like to listen to some, but I have never been a big music fan. Even as a teenager, I really wasn't into it. There were certain songs that I liked but I was never into a performer. I absolutely hated the Beetles while all my friends were raving about them.

I love the serenity of quiet, free of man-made noise. You can hear the leaves, the birds, the insects, the animals, the wind.

I do like to listen to some music occasionally depending on my mood. But only for a short while. I have never enjoyed purely instrumental music. I do listen to voice with instrumental backup. I like songs that tell a story or touch my heart. I like Barbra Streisand's, Sarah Brightman and Celine Dionne's voices, but not every song they sing. I like Jose Cura, Andrea Bocelli, and others. I liked some of the popular songs during the years, but not the singers per se. For example, there is a song by Journey that I love. I could never listen to any given album by any given singer because I would hate half the songs on it. Even Sting------I liked his 'Fields of Gold', but I think that is the only song of his I liked. And I like Mary Black's version of it better. I grew up with opera, and still like to listen to it occasionally. Then I quickly want to go back to the serenity of quiet and the sounds of nature.

I don't think many people would hear the footsteps of a chipmunk coming up to them in the yard. Or the quiet flight of a robin that lands 2 feet from you while your'e working in the garden. Or the difference in the sound of leaves rustling in the wind from different trees. Depending on the tree, the rustle is different. This is music to my ears.

[mykneesareback]

Gee, you guys brought us so many more that I really like but forgot, lol. How could I forget Creedence, and Kris??? And I used to watch the Happy Goodman's on those Gaither shows on tv.

I did pay $6.50 TWICE to see the Beatles in San Francisco, when they came two times........even my Mother went to the first concert, at the Cow Palace, and she waited in the car, lol lol. We still laugh about that. We have music on here almost all the time, because of the satellite radio music, it is so easy to just click it on, and I have a tv in the kitchen, so I can listen while doing kitchen work. I'd miss music, it helps to keep me from being depressed actually, truth be told.


It's interesting to see what "rocks our boats", isn't it??


Doris

[jezzie]

I've seen in person

1st and most important - Kris Kistofferson

Many many 50's rock and roll stars (Brooklyn Paramount & White Plains Civic Center)

The Clancy Brothers, The Chieftains (twice), Sly & the Family Stone,
Kool & the Gang, Ray Charles (at the Copa)

Lord of the Dance - but not with Michael Flately)

[vessel of prayer]

Verleen, I listen to your music when I am outside. I love it. The birds, the summer bugs, and you are right. different trees rustle differently. I love the outdoors.

Beatles: 6.50? wow.
I went to see in person, BTO when I was 16??? I think. Only concert ever.
My total favorite now tho is Praise and worship...

[Verleen]

Sheila, I always knew I was different from my peers. I just could never hear the beat of their drum. I was reading poetry books and you know how much teens like poetry.

I did go to one live performance in my entire life, not counting little things, like a jazz brunch. I saw Elvis Presley's last performance in Binghamton, NY. My Friend, who was a major Elvis fan, came up and I went with her. My impression......it was LOUD and he sang very little. I mostly watched my friend and the other fans who were going ape over him. I couldn't understand why. I think my mouth was agape just watching the fans. I was glad when all that noise ended.

When I was a teenager, all my friends went to see Bobby Rydel in person. I thought of going, but didn't want to spend the money.

I've read your posts and it triggered memories of songs I like in years past. I did like some of CCR, Neil Diamond, Nat King Cole, John Denver, for example. I also liked the Drifters music. Some Lou Rawles songs.

We have a New Orleans jazz group here that plays at a brunch in a Saratoga hotel or use to that I liked. They were called the Red Hot Feet Warmers.

[Kenwyn]

Like Verleen I prefer the songs of nature.
As a teen I rarely listened to music. I listen to the radio only when I'm in the car, put on Christmas music at Christmas and once in a while I'll put on some mellow instrumentals to listen to. Usually I find manmade noise of any kind just plain annoying. I think working in a noisy plant for 25 years is the source of that.

[weezie]

Forgot to mention, rock & roll was not allowed in my house when my parents were home. I had a transistor radio with an earphone and listened that way, or put it on the stereo when I was babysitting for my little sister. Finally, after seeing a Leonard Bernstein TV special about them, my mother grudgingly admitted that the Beatles had musical talent (because they composed in Dorian mode among other things). Sheesh! Mom did eventually mellow a bit.

Live concerts: We lived near Ravinia, the summer home of the Chicago Symphony and I dated a French horn player in the orchestra, so I saw them many times. Also saw Judy Collins and Joan Baez there.

Here in NY I saw Doug Sahm and then PDQ Bach (a send-up of classical music) a number of times. I used to go to the Juilliard student concerts (free of charge). Have been to the Metropolitan Opera a handful of times and my first ever opera was Madame Butterfly when I was 8. Also saw Vladimir Horowitz live at one of his last concerts. Saw Eric Andersen at Mt. Holyoke college in the 70's.

The most embarrassing concert I went to was David Cassidy (of the Partridge Family) when I was a teen. Pitty-pat and swoon! I don't know which was worse - the teeny bopper girls or their mothers!

Just after I met DH in 2002 (yes he's my 2nd hubby) I went to 65 of his gigs in 7 months!!!! I think I've memorized his repertoire at this point!

By the way, the place we hang out at in Manhattan (Garage Restaurant and Cafe in Greenwich Village) has live music every night with two groups a night, so I've heard a number of really good jazz trios, etc. there. DH plays there once a month. If you're even in New York, let me know. It's a fun place.

Verleen - I love that band name!!!

[vessel of prayer]

OH I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC. any kind of it. I love Christmas time period. Like Scrooge, I try to keep Christmas in my heart year round.

[Verleen]

Kathy, you reminded me of one instrumental music that I like. Kenny G. And like you, I listen in the car to a station that plays easy listening music and oldies.

Louise, here is a link to that group I mentioned. You can see what type of music they played. In the picture, Reggie, the leader and soloist, is on the far left. Reggie's Red Hot Feetwarmers You went to 65 of his performances in 7 mos! I reckon he noticed you, huh?

[weezie]

Verleen-

they're great. Reminds me I also saw Preservation Hall Jazz Band in NYC - similar style.

As to the 65 gigs, we were dating.

[mykneesareback]

Sheila, who/what is "BTO" ??

When we used to go to those Folk festivals and the like, when living in the SF Bay Area, our favorite one was when we sat in front, and Chuck Berry came out, went up to the microphone and yelled out "Hi EVERYBODY!", and his false teeth flew out of his mouth at our feet, dh picked them up and handed them back to him, and everyone just roared with laughter, including Chuck, lol.

There used to be a "Circle Star Theatre" in San Carlos in those days where they had concerts and musicals, and prices weren't bad, plus the place didn't hold too many people so every seat was good. Those days are gone for good, but we saw lots of country singers there, broadway shows, Liberace, stuff like that. It was moving up here that messed that up, nothing comes up here, except a few people at our Fairgrounds, but that was in the past too, because they have no money to pay anyone of worth.

I listen to Nature, but don't have enough time to go out into it to listen, most of my time is spent indoors, and we play music with a beat to keep us awake and on our toes, lol lol. It's the age I guess. The older songs remind us of when we were young and used to go dancing every weekend. Old Father Time keeps reaching out to us though.


D

[vessel of prayer]

BTO: Bachman turner overdrive....you aint seen nuttin yet...bbaabbby u aint seen nuttin yet...

[vessel of prayer]

YouTube - Bachman Turner Overdrive - You Ain't Seen Nothing...

they also did TAKIN CARE OF BUSINESS...

[vessel of prayer]

THE WORDS STINK BUT I GIVE IT A TEN FOR DANCING TO. LOL LOL LOL

[jezzie]

lol. Sheila

A few of the fifties stars I've seen:

Bill Haley and the Comets, Paul Anka, Frankie Lyman and the Teenagers, Chuck Berry
Bo Diddley, Eisley Brothers

[mykneesareback]

Jezzie, was that before Bill Haley became so hot and Rock & Roll more or less began, or after when crowds were following him?? Well, crowds for those days I mean?? Did he still have a string bass player then?? I wish I would have been able to see Buddy Holly and the Crickets too, darn it all.

You are lucky to have lived where you did back then.

Sheila, is that the group that does those whole series of Christmas music that is played all over the place every year?


D

[weezie]

Has anyone heard of a group called 'Chanticleer'? They do acapella stuff and their Christmas music is wonderful.

I also love Christmas music - many more oddball albums I'll describe in future.

-Louise

[mykneesareback]

I've seen that group on a local tv morning show during the holidays Louise, they come every year, or at least the past few years they showed up, before Christmas. They sang, and advertised their live shows that they were selling tickets for in Sacramento.


D

[jezzie]

Doris: it was after he made a hit of Rock Around the Clock.

[Kenwyn]

I have seen Anne Murray in concert twice, the Irish Rovers and River Dance.
If I ahd lived closer I would have gone to see RiverDance every night that they were in Duluth.
Verleen, I really like Kenny G too. Around the time my Dad died Kenny G had a new album out. There was one song on it that I had heard on the radio that made me think of Mom and Dad. I didn't know the title until later -- Forever Love....

[Su11]

I just saw that show and LOVED it. I'm a real Oliver Sacks groupie, if there is such a beastie!

What a wonderful background you had as a child! My mother and her mother were both very talented musically, but about the only thing I could do well was sing. I was too shy to do much with it in my youth, but it was something I worked on most of my life and loved. I will even 'compose' at times in my sleep. I can just see how my frontal brain must be firing during those dreams!

I can remember listening to a particular Chopin recording in the store one day with tears running down my face. I'm not normally that 'gone' over recordings, but sometimes I will get hooked on a particular piece, much like a teen with their favorite album and play it absolutely to death.

And my family speaks to each other in Gilbert and Sullivan!

[SuSUN]

Louise, Herman from Herman's Hermits lived just a few streets away from me, just outside of Manchester, England.

I did enjoy all the wonderful music from the 50', 60's & 70's. Frank of course, ole blue eyes, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bee Gees, Beachboys, Sonny & Cher, on and on... so many good songs and good memories to go with them.

DH's mother loved classical music and had several LPs of Mario Lanza. DH packed them when we left England 33 years ago. We still have them in the basement. LOL!

Good topic Louise!

[Verleen]

Susan, oh my, Mario Lanza. My father loved him and actually saw him perform informally in his father's bar/restaurant in Philadelphia I think it was. I have some CDs of him.