Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Music to Soothe the Soul

I thought I would do a completely random post in an attempt to take my mind off of the intense heat and wildfires ravaging Puglia right now. Some time ago there was a meme going around asking what 7 songs could you not live without, or something like that. I can't remember. My picks may seem rather arbitrary but nonetheless I like these songs and they all have a certain mood that goes along with them, so here they are in no particular order.

1. All Right – Toad the Wet Sprocket
I love Toad the Wet Sprocket and the albums Fear and Dulcinea are the best to me. This particular song is from “In Light Syrup” and it’s just so smooth and builds up as it goes. Then at the end when he sings “And these ladders, rising endlessly, leading, no where I can see…” It makes you ponder the future.

2. These are the Days – 10,000 Maniacs (unplugged version)
When you get that feeling that everything today is screwed up.

3. Sunrise – Nora Jones
A great song for relaxing on a rainy Sunday morning while reading the paper with a good caffe...Rain, what's that?

4. Minutes to Memories – John Cougar Mellencamp
There is something about this song that can bring me to the edge of tears (but I’m a man so I don’t cry). This is just a great song about a father giving advice to his son. Even if it is as simple as, “Suck it up and tough it out, be the best you can.” Maybe it’s a midwestern thing…

5. Graceland – Paul Simon
Paul Simon himself says that this is one of his best songs, which is high praise and it’s a great driving song.

6. Mambo Swing – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
I know I can’t dance but if I could it would be crazy, wild, throwin the girl around, swing.

7. Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia) – Us3.
Something a little different. Give me more, of that funky horn!

Whatta think? Has the sun fried my brain?
P.S. The photo was taken by Kent. Repeat photo by Kent (although I wouldn't have got the lamppost in the way, but I still love it)

5 comments:

Elizabeth Abbot said...

I love your song selection.
We listened to Sunrise by nora jones everyday on a catamaran trip in the Greek islands a few years ago and I the two come together for me still.
Great foto of lazy hot summer days. We were just in the Aeolian island of Salina this past week and the same men would line up on the "muretto" by the port every day. It was actually a great spot, with shade and breeze always passing through.

I follow your blog, finally a man on his own in Italy. Why is it there are so many more women on Italian adventures?

Anonymous said...

Can't believe there's no James Taylor! The amount of time I've spent listening to his albums, I could have walked the Earth 3 times.

avery said...

I love that photo too! Very touching.
Jeez, i haven't listened to 10,000 maniacs or paul simon in ages! I think this calls for a little trip down memory lane....

Jeff Gromen said...

Elizabeth,
Thanks and I don't know why it seems like most of the expat bloggers are women. I do know that these Italian men are stealing some of the best American women and that ain't right!

Brian,
James Taylor. That reminds of high school senior night or whatever it was and a friend of mine did "Fire and Rain". We didn't know he could sing, so we were left in awe.

Avery,
I was worried that the songs came from too much of the same "era". With my parents influence I could have gone way back. To Fats Domino or Johnny Cash.
I forgot Johnny Cash.

Jeff

avery said...

Hey Jeff, forgot to mention you won a schmooze award. I posted about it here: http://averyinrome.blogspot.com/2007/07/im-schmoozer.html
Congrats!!! You schmoozer you.