As the two followers of this blog (Guten Tag, Hans and Hi, Mom)are aware, I like yard sales and music. Put those two together and I get to slowly add music to my MP3 player at low cost. My son and I have also been scouring flea markets and thrift stores for bargains as well. I’d like to share a few of the more interesting finds I’ve come across or re-discovered.
Celtic Music – a lot of “ethnic” or culture-centric music leaves me cold. Celtic flutes, singing and women have changed that. Plus, my wife absolutely loves it. So any CDs of this genre I pick up score points with the wife, which is always a bonus.
MC5 – don’t know how to classify these guys, proto-punk, heavy metal, but listening to “Kick Out the Jams” again, makes my ears bleed. Not a bad thing under the right circumstances.
Some guy playing the pan flute – my son picked this out. I gave it a listen. He even does a version of Lionel Rithchie’s “Hello”, a song I wouldn’t listen to on a good day. The pan flute is like the accordion, listening to a few measures is enough to switch to another CD.
Sarah Brightman/Time to Say Goodbye – A classically trained voice that doesn’t come off as strident and overbearing like a lot of opera singers. The first song on this CD is the same one that Will Ferrell did in “Stepbrothers”. She does it better.
Ravel’s Bolero – For those people who say classical music is stodgy and boring. This piece is smokin’ hot.
The Ultimate Barry Manilow – Hey, it was only two bucks, but, honestly, even my wife looked at me funny when I bought this one home. Hey, I have fond memories of “Copacabana”. I serenade my cats by inserting their names for Rico’s. Moving on..
Movie Soundtracks – Many movie soundtracks have a lot of good songs, including the good ones from groups who only had one or two. Plus, they usually pass the ITunes test. The I Tunes test: A song generally costs .99 cents on I tunes. If I’m paying $2 for a CD that has four good songs, it passes the ITunes test. Some soundtracks like “The Big Chill” (oldies) or the Wedding Singer (some decent ‘80s stuff) are a couple that are worth picking up.
Big Band – The older I get the more I can appreciate music from a bygone era. Listen to Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing” or Woody Herman’s “Woodchopper’s Ball” to really appreciate the genre.
John Coltrane/Coltrane Plays the Blues – If I had to pick one Jazz album, this one just might be it.
The Grateful Dead/Skeltons from the Closet – I have never been a fan of the Grateful Dead. They have the worst harmonies ever and I just can’t see how others can be so passionate about them. That said, picking up a Greatest Hits package of an average group that passes the ITunes test is always great.
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