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Now, listening can fall into several catergories: to relax you, to give you more energy, to cheer you up, and to "sympathize" with you. Some CDs fit in multiple categories, so I will describe them in the first one, and merely list them in any that follow. Here are my suggestions: Relaxing music Norah Jones: Come Away with Me - Norah Jones has the most amazing voice, soft and smoky with so much soul. This album in particular is especially relaxing and dreamy. Once I played this on my computer speakers at work, and I had several people stop by my desk and just sigh and stay nearby for a while listening to the music and commenting how soothing it was, particularly on a rough day. Chris Norman: The Man with the Wooden Flute and Highlands by Chris Norman with Camerata Bariloche - these CDs are full of traditional Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Quebecois, and American folk music. There are lullabies, reels, jigs, and much more. The sound of the more mellow wooden flute (as compared to the silver flute) is very soothing. In the second CD, there are also several newer compositions in the same folk style that are wonderful. Paula Robison: Brasilierinho - This is Latin American music performed by a very famous flutist and her very talented band. This music is in a different spirit than the previous CD, but I call it relaxing because the feel of the music helps you forget all your problems and be completely at ease. Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony - You may have heard this in the concert hall or while watching the Disney movie Fantasia, but this work is very calming. The descriptions Beethoven provides of the images in each movement are very true to the personality of the music. This is the perfect music to immerse yourself in. (Sorry for that grammar lapse...) Beethoven's Piano Sonata "Pathetique" - You may have heard this piece before Karl Haas's prgram on public radio or heard the tune in the Billy Joel song "Midnight Blue," but this piece has a gorgeous melody and a very soothing quality. I would highly recommend it for its melodic sensitivities alone, not to mention its other strengths. Chanticleer: Where the Sun Will Never Go Down - This group is so great. On this CD they sing some traditional gospel and spiritual pieces, and the harmony is incredible. GREAT STUFF!!! The Sleepless in Seattle Soundtrack - Fun stuff... I especially love "As Time Goes By", "A Kiss to Build a Dream On", "Stardust", "Stand By Your Man", and "When I Fall In Love". Everything in this CD is awesome, though... Olde English Madrigals and Folk Songs at Ely Cathedral by John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers - I really love the Cambridge singers, and as someone who loves madrigals, a carry-over from my A Capella Chamber Choir days, these are lots of fun and have wonderful harmonies, and the Cambridge Singers achieve a wonderful blend. Debussy's Piano Music - Well, I like all his music, but I think his piano music just is so beautiful, and his preludes and other pieces are paint such wonderful pictures. Energy-Producing Music Elton John: Greatest Hits and Peachtree Road - Sir Elton John has music that really fits in all of these categories, but what really stands out to me are his get up and move songs: "The B**** is Back" (this is a family site ;-), "I'm Still Standing," "Philadelphia Freedom," "They Call Her the Cat," etc. I went to a concert recently, and you just couldn't help getting up on your feet and dancing with the music. The Beach Boys: Sounds of Summer - Summer fun all packaged up in a great CD collection. When my siblings and I found out we were moving to California years ago, we immediately started listening to Beach Boys music, thinking it would prepare us. ;-) Paula Robison: Brasilierinho - see Relaxing Music The Monkees: Greatest Hits - Some people think "I'm a Believer" belongs to the movie Shrek, but I certainly know better, as do tons of people out there. The Monkees music is so carefree and fun, not all of it totally energy-producing, but some of their best hits are. Swing Kids Soundtrack - Swing music is such peppy music, and this soundtrack is a really great collection of it. With its upbeat tempo and musical qualities, this music is lively enough to make you want to get up and dance with it. The Who's Tommy Soundtrack - This musical is a rock opera based on a group of songs by The Who. They are lively and fun and great to sing along with. Rent - This musical has many up-tempo, fun, rock-like songs with unforgettable lyrics. From hearing this you'll want to have a Rent dance party. Depeche Mode 101 - This collection of some of Depeche Modes best songs up til the early '90s is tons of fun. The music is great, the beat is awesome, and you definitely want to sing along the more you listen. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - This is one of the most fun musicals ever!! The songs are very singable and unforgettable, and each song is in a different style. The lyrics are funny, and the tunes are catchy and upbeat. Crazy for You - Boy, do I love Gershwin!! This musical is full of great tunes and fun stuff. Although many of you may have never seen this musical, many of you will be familiar with the songs "Someone to Watch Over Me", "Embraceable You", "I Got Rhythm", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", and "But Not For Me", along with countless other great songs. State Fair (Broadway Cast) - This musical was originally a movie, but was made into a B'way show with additional Rodgers and Hammerstein songs and a little rearranging. The songs are just so darn peppy that you want to dance along with the CD... The My Best Friend's Wedding Soundtrack - I LOVE to sing along with this CD, and "I Say a Little Prayer", "Wishing and Hoping", and "Tell Him" are just so perky, not to mention all the other great songs. The Ally McBeal Soundtrack - This is the CD of music from one of my favorite old TV show. I love it because it can be perky and pensive and whatever, and it also reminds of me of the different episodes. Heart and Soul: New Songs from Ally McBeal - This CD is at least as good as the first one, and I love the music Vonda Shepard writes. There's a great duet on this CD with Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls that Vonda wrote herself ("Baby, Don't You Break My Heart Slow"), as well as many other great songs. Barenaked Ladies: Stunt and Gordon - I love this group, and their upbeat music, quirky lyrics, and terrific vocal and instrumental stylings make these CDs fun to listen to.
Music to Cheer You Up The Beatles: Abbey Road - Of course, this was their last album, but there is some great music on there. George Harrison had my faves, though, and nothing cheers me up more after a tough day than "Here Comes the Sun." Norah Jones: Feels Like Home - Norah Jones can be both relaxing (see above) and fun, and when you combine the two, I certainly think that helps to cheer a person up. This album, with its folk, soul, country-type mix, shows all of that off. My personal fave is the duet with Dolly Parton on "Creepin' In". It's so much fun, and Dolly and Norah go better together than I ever imagined! Elton John: Greatest Hits and Peachtree Road - See Energy-Producing Music The Beach Boys: Sounds of Summer - See Energy-Producing Music Chris Norman: The Man with the Wooden Flute - see Relaxing Music Paula Robison: Brasilierinho - see Relaxing Music Swing Kids Soundtrack - see Energy-Producing Music Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - see Energy-Producing Music The Sound of Music - this musical classic has definite charms to help even the most down-on-themselves person. Plus, Julie Andrews is a favorite in the "perky" department. Harry Connick, Jr.: We Are in Love - Harry Connick, Jr. is one of my favorite singers, so naturally he should go here. This CD is a particularly cheery one because he sings some great songs about love, the ups and downs, but generally the ups. Crazy for You - see Energy-Producing Music Morrissey: Vauxhall and I - This music is what my friend Marc Smollin calls "calm Depeche Mode." He has a similar style and rhythmic feel, with a more laid-back quality and more lyrical lines and singing style. Great stuff... Thanks for introducing me to it, Marc! A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - I was in my high school production of this musical, and it is SO funny!! the lyrics are very perky and upbeat and so are the melodies. Very good stuff... Beauty and the Beast: the Broadway Musical - This musical is tremendous, and there are some awesome new songs. Some are hilarious and others are very moving. Either way, the musical us a definite "feel good" one... State Fair (Broadway Cast) - see Energy-Producing Music Rent - see Energy-Producing Music The My Best Friend's Wedding Soundtrack - see Energy-Producing Music The Ally McBeal Soundtrack - see Energy-Producing Music Singin' in the Rain Soundtrack - Well, better yet, you should see the movie, but in any case, no movie makes you feel better or more light-hearted than this one, and a lot of it is in the music. And of course, who can feel down when listing to the title song "Singin' in the Rain" sung by the late great Gene Kelly?!?!
"Sympathetic" Music Harry Connick, Jr.: Blue Light, Red Light - I think that this is one of Harry's more mellow recordings. It seems kind of bluesy in personality, so naturally it belongs in this category. Tracy Chapman: New Beginnings - I think Tracy Chapman's music definitely belongs here because of a lot of the mood behind her songs. This is also a pretty mellow CD. The My Best Friend's Wedding Soundtrack - see Energy-Producing Music
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