March 28, 2006

Groovy Tunes


Yesterday I was doing my daily commute, listening to my iPod Mini (mine is blue, not pink like the one at right). For some reason I had left off the shuffle function, which is the regular state for me (ScottE cringes at the thought).

So instead of shuffling around, my Mini went in alphabetical order by the artist's first name. And here's pretty much what came up over the course of a day's commute:


  • 10,000 Maniacs (Which I should file under Natalie Merchant, because who can actually name one of the other 9,999?)
  • ABBA (Because an iPod without "Dancing Queen" is a disgrace.)
  • Aimee Mann (For the moody/melancholy times.)
  • Alanis Morissette (Hey, she was extremely cool once.)
  • Alicia Keys (For my inner sistah.)
  • Amy Ray (One half of my favorite group, the Indigo Girls.)
  • The Andrews Sisters (Because I'm 85 years old.)
  • Aretha Franklin ('Nuff said.)
What struck me as I took this aural journey was that I listen to almost entirely female artists. That's not shocking - just an observation. Always have preferred them, reinforced during my Lilith Fair days. And even the male artists or groups that I listen to are still pretty gay-centric - ABBA, George Michael, Marvin Gaye...

As long as I'm sharing, here's a list of the CDs I've purchased recently. These choices may not mark me as the biggest 'mo on Earth, but I'm sure I'd be in the running:

  • Fiona Apple, Extraodinary Machine (Used to be a big fan, this is a return to her good stuff.)
  • Duncan Sheik, White Limousine (My music boyfriend, I devour every moody album he puts out.)
  • Bright Lights, Big City soundtrack (A studio recording for an upcoming off-Broadway show that I think will be awesome.)
  • Once Upon A Mattress original cast album (I admit I saw the TV version recently with Tracey Ullman and Carol Burnett, so I thought it was worth hearing the original.)
  • Anuna, Essential Anuna (I have this thing for Irish music, particularly if it's of the choral variety. This group has fit the bill for me, and a collection seemed in order.)
  • Patty Griffin, Impossible Dream (One of the best female singer/songwriters of our generation to never become a household name.)
I guess there isn't a real point to this post, other than to share what I listen to. What are your favorites? Do you ever come across something in your collection that makes you say, "Wow, I'm into THAT?"

Coming up on TV tonight, the next episode of The Amazing Race, in which we ask the question - when Eric and Jeremy land on the mat first again, which of us can groan the loudest?

3 comments:

DC Food Blog said...

True. An Ipod without Dancing Queen is an Ipod not worth having. I have both the ABBA and Sixpence None the Richer version. And Once Upon a Mattress is my favorite musical. I did lighting design for it in high school and I have the entire score memorized by heart.

ScottE. said...

I do love my iPod...yes it does have Dancin' Queen...among many other songs.

I like have the iPod on shuffle, but not a full out shuffle...I don't generally enjoy having a one minute interlude from a musical plob in between non musical songs. But hey, that's me and the way I listen.

My newest additions are John Legend, The Little Willies (recommended by TVF16S), Maria Callas, and some new Green Day that was shared with me. R&B, Honky Country, Opera and Punk...good mix!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE THE FIONA APPLE ALBUM. I love it so much I put it in all caps. I think it's her best. Actually, I don't think she has a bad one, really.

I can't stop listening to my 2 current faves, She Wants Revenge (very New Order, Joy Division, Depeche cool 80's for now) and the new Goldfrapp. Highly recommend both. And if you don't have the new Depeche album, Playing the Angel, you are missing the best opening to an album ever.

And I love Jason.