I am a BIG music person. Its always playing when I am home, in the car, exercising, at work, when hanging out with friends, etc. Its no surprise to me that I have quite the collection of lullabye music for the bean. I am thinking he will have the same appreciation for music. (His father is a 'rock' kind of guy. Plus he played the trumpet and piano for several years)
This morning, while taking a 'break' from reorganizing the closets - a task that I dread - I put together a playlist for the bean. I cant wait for him to hear it.
For Baby.
La valse d'Amélie (Version piano) - Yann Tiersen
Trouble Sleeping - Corinne Bailey Rae
All the Money I had is Gone - The Deep Dark Woods
Fireflies - Faith Hill
Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson
Hallelujah (feat. Charlie Sexton) - Justin Timberlake
Let It Be Me - Ray LaMontagne
Comptine d'un autre été, l'après-midi - Yann Tiersen
Blessed be - Allison Krauss
Lullabye - Billy Joel
Song for a Winter's Night - Sarah McLachlan
Heart Of Glass - Nouvelle Vague
The Long Day is Over - Norah Jones
Beautiful Boy - Ben Harper
Flake - Jack Johnson
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
Water Song - Colin Hay
Butterfly Waltz - Baby Piano
You are My Sunshine (Pt. 1) - Elizabeth Mitchell
Night Mantra - Renee + Jeremy
Amazing Grace - Randy Travis
Everything'll be Alright (Will's Lullaby) - Joshua Radin
The Heart of the Matter - India.Arie
Someone Like You - Van Morrison
Its Friday night, 14 days before Christmas. I decided I needed to freshen up my holiday music mix. While Deck the Halls is on the tube, with hot tea in hand and sitting by christmas tree light only, I surfed iTunes for an eclectic mix of holiday songs.
I found I continually went to the classics, especially performed by those greats who defined a whole genre of music. Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and many others. Below is my iTunes mix. Enjoy!
2009 Holiday
The Christmas Song, Diana Krall
Silent Night, Andrea Bocelli
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Ella Fitzgerald
I Cant Wait for Christmas, Mindi Abair
A Marshmallow World, Dean Martin
Mistletoe, Colbie Caillat
Carol of the Bells, The Bird and The Bee
Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Harry Connick, Jr
My Favorite Things, Tony Bennett
Ive Got My Love to Keep Warn, Frank Sinatra
Baby, Its Cold Outside, Dean Martin
Caroling, Caroling, Nat King Cole
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Frank Sinatra
White Christmas (1947 version), Bing Crosby
The Little Drummer Boy, Harry Simeone Chorale
Mele Kalikimaka, Bing Crosby + Andrews Sisters
Joy to the World, Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Let There Be Peace on Earth, The Boys Choir of Harlem
Winter Wonderland, Louis Armstrong
Its Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas, Bing Crosby
The Christmas Waltz, Frank Sinatra
Jingle Bells, Harry Connick, Jr
Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!, Dean Martin
Another free constructive thing to do, a way to spend your time. Outdoor concert.
The village of Plainfield had an outdoor concert tonight at their bandshell behind the town hall. It was an all woman jazz band. The forty-five minutes we, Laura, Sara + I, were there listening, they played a handful of songs from artists I didnt know and artists I do know.
Though they were not the greatest band I've seen, and the majority of the audience carries an AARP card, it was nice to break up the 'come-home-from-work-eat-dinner-watch-tv-surf-the-'net' routine. And a little fresh air, even though it was thick as early morning fog with mosquitos, cant hurt the mind, the mood and the spirit.
I Google'd 'free music concerts in naperville' and found the The Naperville Municipal Band. I forgot they play at the bandshell in downtown Naperville. Their last concert for the summer weekday series is August 13th. I think I just might have to go to this!
There is also the Naperville Carillon bell tower Tuesday Night summer performance schedule. Again, free. How fun would that be, listening to music with a friend, sitting on a blanket enjoying some snacks ... anyone game?
And here I am, reading up on social media in call center jobs to reduce attrition rates and to increase customer satisfaction. I am seeing the benefit, but do you think my employer will?
Especially when we are doing something fun. Remember this post? The one where I mentioned I was asked to be the responsible adult? Well that event I had to be said responsible adult was last night. My 17 year old niece, her friend and I went to see the Plain White T's. Awesome time! Whoa, totally not expected.
This event was at the Metro in Chicago, a place that is usually a punk, punk alternative, alternative music venue. So I was a bit surprised they hosted an all ages show. The staff at the Metro are usually dark, gothic and like their tattoos. I cant imagine what they were thinking when they opened their doors to tweens, teens and any one else under the age of 21. I have do give them credit, they seemed okay with it.
It was a great show from the 'parents' section. I met another cool aunt there with her 16 year old niece. Like this other cool aunt, I sat back while the young ones stood close to the stage. She, Nancy, and I both agreed that we thought we were going to be the oldest people there...much to our surprise there were older. And they were hanging with us in the 'parents' section. I like the 'parents' section, there is room, it doesnt seem to be as loud and there is always an open spot at the bar. ;o) (was wondering when you people were going to catch on...said parents section was the bar! Of course there would be room at the bar at an all ages show!)
And the Plain White T's do put on an awesome live show. They sound great live, and they interact with the kids. I can put this concert in the top ten I've been to.
I am very thankful Sara asked me to do this with/for her. I am glad I was there for her. This will be a memory she has forever. This is a memory I will have forever. Thank you Sara!
I have owned an iPod now for 7 years, roughly. And for 7 years, every day I browse thru my iTunes account looking for a tune or two to add to my iPod that will capture my mood, keep me motivated as I listen to it. I rarely go anywhere without my iPod. Its like a staple in my purse, almost as important as my wallet.
Today I took my niece Megan out shopping for her birthday. We sat outside for a bit to enjoy the nice weather, and she plugged in her iPod. Good for her, I thought to myself. And as I browsed thru her playlists, I can see how we differ in music tastes. She is new school punk (who think they can be old school punk, but old school punk only happened once. 1980's once.), and I am (as of late) texas country. I found a couple of iMixes on iTunes that are matching my current music flavor. Here's a sampling:
Somebody's Trying to Steal My Heart by Kyle Park
Feels Like Rain by No Justice
You Had Me At My Best by Wade Bowen
More Than Local by The Benjy Davis Project
Chokin' On Air by The Britt Lloyd Band
Country Girl by The Scott Wiggins Band
Jumping Bean by nelo
3AM by Texas Renegade
Peace Love and Hard Liquor by Jamie Richards
Yesterday Road by The Great Divide
Last Last Time by Bleu Edmondson
Walkin' On The Moon by Mike McClure
Feel Alright by The Bois d'Arcs
Into You by Spur 503
Fastest Way to Texas by Roger Creager
Texas Moon by Stoney LaRue
Long Way to Mexico by Cory Morrow
Donnelly Drive by Kyle Bennett Band
Dixie Boy Special by The Lost Trailers
Home to Texas by Ryan James
Usually I am at Starbucks one or two times a week. Sometimes three, depending on what is happening, where I am going, etc. Over the last few weeks, I've been collecting the iTunes Pick of the Week cards.
Last night I logged into iTunes and listened to the sampling of music I will get for free if I choose to download them. I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised with the selection. I thought these picks would be crazy alternative thrashing music, but they werent. So I went ahead and downloaded them. I will have them playing tonight while I bake.
