Music

I used to be a pretty closed individual when it came to music. For quite a while, I would only listen to numerous Grateful Dead recordings. One may think that this would be a difficult chore, but when you find a website called www.archive.org it becomes a lot easier. This amazing website has live recordings of numerous bands (all legal and approved by each band) for download. Between this site and my own personal discography of the Grateful Dead, I have days worth of listening without repeat (at least of albums...not songs). One day, I decided it was time to expand my musical horizons and began to search different artists. I used a lot of archive.org, but also used YouTube and NPR for a lot of direction. What I found was a lot of fun stuff to listen to. I definitely gravitate towards the folk section of music in general, and I also only listen to entire albums. Sure there are favorite songs that I have, but I don't think you get a good feel musically of an artist until you hear the entire album.

So what are some gems that I have found and really enjoy? My new "favorite" band (the Grateful Dead is always excluded in this conversation) has to be "The David Wax Museum". David Wax reminds me (at least during live performances) of the old Darktown House Band. Not always 100% on pitch, but just a delight to listen to. They have a very distinctive sound. It is an infusion of Mexican and American folk that is really a genre all to itself. If you are looking for a new band to check out, do yourself a favor and find "The David Wax Museum".

If you are looking for something mellow and just easy listening, I like "Andrew Bird". I found this guy by an episode of "Jacks Big Music Show" on Nickelodeon. He performed as Dr. Stringz and was a hoot to listen to. He is big on stringed instruments and whistling. Pretty good lyrics as well.

Those are my latest and greatest that I have been listening to. I also have listened to "Jesus Christ Superstar" quite a bit lately, but that is just a classic. Oh, and Florence + The Machine as well. I just love her voice.