music survey

[cellio]

Ok, three different people have asked me to fill out this survey so far, so let's see what I can do.

1. Total amount of music files on your computer?

A couple dozen random MP3s plus half a dozen full or near-full filk albums of same; about 20MB in my music-composition folder; 25MB of stuff related to Joy and Jealousy (music and dance); a few megs of assorted detritus not covered above.

I suspect the intent of the question was audio files, but that's not what it asked. :-)

2. The last cd you bought was...

I bought three CDs at the Danny Maseng concert last night: Soul on Fire, Yedid Nefesh, and, um, something Shabbat-related. The CDs are in my car, where I do not yet have internet access, and I forgot the title of the third.

3. What was the last song you listened to before reading this message?

I don't remember; it's been a while since I first saw this survey. The last song I listened to before starting to answer this was Craig Taubman's "Hashkiveinu". (This is, by the way, the melody that wedged itself in my brain last summer at HUC; at the time I had no attribution for it.)

4. Write down five songs you often listen to or mean a lot to you and why.

These things change drastically over time; my answers a month from now will be different. That said, let me see if I can find a representative sample.

"And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogle. It's been 20 years since I first heard this and it can still yank on my heart-strings. I first heard it by Clam Chowder and they do a good rendition; hearing Eric Bogle perform it in an intimate little concert in a pub in Etna was even more stunning. This song also served as a bit of an introduction to a part of history I knew (and know) precious little about: the parts of the first world war that weren't US- or Europe-centric.

(Psst. If you're checking out Eric Bogle, also look for "A Reason for It All", "As If They Knew", and "Bloody Rotten Audience", among many others.)

Most of Minus Ten and Counting. Sorry, I can't narrow it down to a single song there. This is a filk compilation of songs of space. As someone who grew up watching NASA launches and wanting to be up there (but knowing I never would), a lot of this album speaks to me. In addition, this was my introduction to Julia Ecklar, who was a fantastic singer back when she was still doing that.

"In Pace" by Josquin des Pres. I don't actually have any recordings of it, but this is one of my favorites among the choral songs I've sung. The three lines are rich and flowing, and the piece really evokes the mood it sets out to convey. This is a beautiful piece of renaissance music.

"Lo Alecha", NFTY version (author unknown to me). This is a catchy little camp song; the lyrics mean "you are not required to complete the work, but neither are you free to keep from starting it" (from Pirke Avot, part of the mishna). That sentiment speaks to me.

"Screams of the Vegetables" by the Arrogant Worms. Quirky, irreverent, and damn funny swipe at vegetarians. Ok, I'll admit that the position on this list that I reserved for humor is especially volatile; I like lots of humorous stuff and I just picked one I've laughed at recently. I could have easily named a dozen others.

5. What new music are you really excited for in the coming year so far?

I don't pay a lot of attention to what's coming out; I just wait for it to show up. :-) Closer to home, the core members of On the Mark will be having a discussion fairly soon to figure out what we're doing, and personally I'm looking forward to experimenting with possible arrangements for my synagogue's choir to consider. We'll see what develops.

Comments

[madfilkentist]

Simply because it's easier for those who might be interested to look up a song by its actual title, I'll mention that the actual title of "Screams of the Vegetables" is "Carrot Juice Is Murder." The Arrogant Worms are great.

[jducoeur]

It's fascinating to see just how influential the Clams version of "Waltzing Matilda" was -- I've seen it on a couple of lists, and it certainly *could* have been on mine. The song still tears me up a bit, many years after I first heard it.

Speaking of which: I also quite love "Carrot Juice is Murder", but *also* as the Clams cover -- I didn't hear the original until some time after picking up their version, and I have Kathy's voice now firmly associated with the tune...