I'm busy whenever I get a minute importing all my music to my Ipod. Nearly 4,000 individual pieces of music and songs. Mainly classical, but lots of the great rock groups of the sixties and seventies. An astonishing 600 pieces of Irish music, Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Christy Moore, Altan, Chieftains, Sean O'Riada and on.
I'm nearly there. Loads of memories attached to much of it.
As I transferred my favourite jazz pieces I was reminded of the music coming from the lighthouse behind our summer house on a West Cork island late at night, many, many years ago, underneath the navy blue star-dotted skies. Drifting across the bay to us, the jazz sounds of Thelonius Monk and John Coltrane. So deliciously at odds with our Irishness and the lighthouse owners’ Britishness. And so completely wonderful.
I've never lost my love for Mr. Monk.
Wow, is this all your own music that you're importing? You must have one heck of a collection. And you're so completely up to date, WWW. An iPod, no less. Are you really walking around with it, listening to your music and being alone with yourself and it? Do you have it turned up loud? Inquiring minds want to know.
ReplyDeleteI visited a writers' festival in Adelaide last week, trying to take notes of some of the interesting conversations between writers and panelists you get to overhear. And suddenly thought, I must have a form of recording instrument.... and managed to pick up something with 4GB of memory for a couple of hundred dollars that's so tiny it easily fits into a pocket. I'd found heaven; even more so when I learnt it doubled as an FM radio station and MP3 player.:)
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's possible to lose one's love for Mr Monk, especially not around midnight! Bass player Victor Wooten wrote a song called "The Loneliest Monk" as a tribute to him; it includes the following lyrics:
ReplyDeleteThe loneliest monk, walks the street at night.
The loneliest monk, plays the wrong notes right.
The loneliest monk, wasn't short wasn't tall.
The loneliest monk, he wasn't lonely at all.
I've only recently discovered Mr. Monk, and he's one of the pantheon of jazz greats I actually enjoy. Some of the more screechy manic stuff - no way!
ReplyDeleteI think, too, the right atmosphere is essential to really appreciate what jazz has to offer.....it sounds so much better in a dark intimate bar, or in a scenario such as you describe so beautifully.
I am listening to Thelonius Monk right now as I type!
ReplyDeleteGood selections oh wiseone.The Chieftains have to be one of my favourites along with Tommy Makem ,also the Clancy Brothers. Jazz greats. I don't know where to start. Nice that you are enjoying the iPod
ReplyDeleteI haven't succumbed to an ipod yet, I'm not very keen on listening to music when I'm on the move. And I only have a very modest CD collection, I'm very fussy about what and who I listen to!
ReplyDeleteGSW:
ReplyDeleteYes, it's all mine, I absolutely have to have music in my life. though sometimes quiet is good too!
XO
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Ralph:
ReplyDeleteNow you need the gizmo I have which translates your voice recordings into text on the computer!
Absolutely yummy!
XO
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Stan:
ReplyDeleteOh thank you for this lovely piece, it complements my thoughts exactly!
XO
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T:
ReplyDeleteOh the atmosphere has to be just so, you are so right. Yes, he's an incredible treat for the soul, isn't he, and I'm with you on some of the lesser lights of jazz. I was amazed though at how much jazz is in my collection. I'm a swooner for Ella Fitzgerald.
XO
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GM:
ReplyDeleteAh, a woman of excellent taste. I just knew it!
XO
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GFB:
ReplyDeleteI often think to myself that our blogmates would be our best friends in the non-virtual world!
XO
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Nick:
ReplyDeleteWho said anything about being on the move? ;^)
I have my Bose dock and the Ipod in that and the music sails through the entire house.
I push "shuffle" first thing in the morning and I am treated to such a mix during the day!
I highly recommend!
XO
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WWW, I'm quite fond of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn. I love the song "Summertime" but is it jazz?
ReplyDeleteGSW:
ReplyDeleteI would say "Porgy & Bess" would be a jazz type of opera.
My sister and I have performed "Summertime" together publicly. I just loooove that song!
I also love Janis Joplin's version, so raunchy....
XO
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Alas, with the exception of the divine Ella, I have never acquired a taste for jazz. But, other than that (and the so-called "standards" - Sinatra,etc.) my iPod is jammed with every kind of music you could throw a hat at. And, with it plugged into my stereo, on shuffle like yours, "She shall have music wherever she goes ..."
ReplyDeleteTessa:
ReplyDeleteFunny - I never could get a hang for Sinatra, it's like Maria Callas' voice to my ears, irritating more like grating. I'm lucky there aren't too many like that around. LOL. I'm as eclectic as you and with my Ipod connecter for the car system, I feel I'm in a fog of the music of my life all the time!
XO
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WWW, I have to admit to liking Sinatra, or maybe having a fascination with the whole era in which he sang in America. There's something also that intrigues me about his voice, but not the persom himself. I don't care for Callas either. There are greater voices. I'm very fond of opera choruses myself and I like male voices better.
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