Sunday, November 21, 2004

The Sound of Music

I bought one of those CD albums a couple of weeks ago to organize my vast collection of CDs and hopefully make a little room for other things on my shelves, like books maybe. Going through my music collection made me see just how eclectic my taste in music is. I have just about every genre represented. It got me to thinking about how much I love art in general. All kinds of it. I think because it speaks to my soul. But, I think if I had to pick just one expression of art, music would top the list every time. Why? Because it's the keeper of my memories. So many songs, or artists, are linked to different people and times in my life. An example would be the "Sound of Music" CD. I was so glad that they kept the artwork for it true to the original album because that's what I remember pouring over every word and picture of as a child.

I can't help but think of my grandfather when I look at it. I remember sitting in front of his record player while listening to the songs and listening to him tell stories about my grandmother's favorite song being "Adelweiss." Then all the other memories of my grandfather come flowing back. I don't have as many memories of him when my grandmother was alive but after she died it was all him. We moved up to Pennsylvania then to be close to him so he wouldn't feel so alone. He would walk to our apartment every evening for dinner. He always had to have something sweet to eat after dinner, even if it was only a piece of toast with jelly. His silly jokes about what's for desert - desert the table. Him playing tricks on us. Like jumping out and scaring us. So, one night I decided to hide downstairs in the deserted store. He would walk through it to get to the stairwell to our apartment instead of coming around back. I hid there in the dark and jumped out at him. Boy, did he chew me out and made me feel guilty that I could have given him a heart attack. My mom laughed and said it served him right because he had often done stuff like that to them as kids.

Chris and I would take turns staying with him at night so he wouldn't feel so lonely and we could catch the school bus at his house. We would take turns each week walking the mile back to his house after dinner. My favorite part was staying on the weekends. He would ask me what I wanted for breakfast and I would ask for his homemade hashbrowns with cream chipped beef on top. He would shred the potatoes the night before and leave them soaking in water. And, he would make the gravy from scratch, no Stouffer's frozen concoction for him. It's nice to remember the earlier times. As I got older, him and I didn't quite see eye to eye on a lot of things in this world. It created a great chasm between us that was never really bridged before his death. But, I did love him and have all these wonderful memories to look back on thanks to a simple act of picking up a CD to store away.

I have about two hundered songs loaded onto my computer. I don't listen to them all that much but when Scalzi did his "Your Random Mix" entry, I thought I'd give it a try. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to post it until now. But, I figure it's an appropriate time. It might even give you a glimpse of how eclectic my collection of music really is. So here goes:

1.      You Don’t Know My Name by Alicia Keyes
2.      Woke Up This Morning by Nickelback
3.      I Know How to Love You Well by Tim McGraw
4.      Like Humans Do by David Byrne
5.      Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again by Original Cast of Phantom of the Opera
6.      Buenos Aires by Madonna
7.      Cantico by Andrea Bocelli
8.      Untitled Hidden Track from Away From the Sun by 3 Doors Down
9.      Scenes From An Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel
10.   Anything Right by Christian of Blindside & P.O.D.

And for the next ten:

1.   Always and Forever by Luther Vandross
2.   Blue Eyes by Elton John
3.  
I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying by Sting
4.  
Obsession by Trish Monaco
5.  
High Flying (Adored) by Antonio Banderas
6.  
Breaking the Habit by Linkin Park
7.  
Dilemma – Kelly Rowland by Nelly
8.   Under a Blanket of Blue by Ella Fitzgerald
9.  
Maria, Maria by Santana
10. 
Night and Day by The Temptations

Nothing too embarrassing.  So, I think, anyhow.  And, Trish even made it on the lists which is pretty amazing since I only have five of her songs on here out of the two hundred plus other songs that I have loaded.

This was pretty cool and it gave me a chance to update my Media Player info. I had downloaded my music from CDs that I own and didn't  ever put a title to the songs so it was a hit or miss when I would listen to a song. But, I did something with the Media  Player  that made it search online for the album info and now all of the tracks are titled.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Music is the lifeline to the soul. I'm glad it brought back memories that were pleasant. Music always does that to me too. Hugs Lanny

Anonymous said...

I love your music, and I love your memories of The Sound of Music and your grandfather.  I connect it with my parents and my childhood when we saw it in the theater when it first came out.  Back then you dressed up to go see a movie, and I remember just being absolutely enthralled.  Dad and I watched that movie together countless times, and even when his dementia was near its worst, it still made him happy and triggered memories.

Anonymous said...

Excellent! I have most of these songs (where did you get Trish's music? lol)...you have good taste! :-)

Anonymous said...

I have often wondered, if someone asked me which sense I would rather lose, would it be sight or hearing.  I'd have to say sight...I can picture things pretty vividly in my mind's eye.  But I love music, and just SOUNDS so much, I think I would die if I had to live in silence.  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

Certain music can trigger a veritable flow of memories.  This was a beautiful tribute to your Grandfather ...  a memory  so vivid and well-written that he virtually lives again!  Very well done!

Anonymous said...

I loved the way you called music the keeper of the memories. That's so true. I don't know what I'd do without music. Thanks for sharing your grandfather memory.
I have five thousand songs on my desktop. I can't even believe it sometimes. Doubt if I can hear any of them twice for a while. : )
Angela

Anonymous said...

very cool robbie :)
I have very eclectic tastes as well. So, your soundtrak sounds just a like a soundtrack I would have playing somewhere. :)

and I loved reading your story on your grandpa, I have a lot of memories of my grandfather, but nothing as extensive as yours.  We would see our grandparents just occasionally here and there, and every holiday of course.  But, still....great memories.
thanks for sharing yours.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for visiting my journal and making so many interesting comments.  I visit yours often!  It's one of the more interesting ones I've found.  Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Sweet and treasured memories, thanks for sharing them :) Its amazing how music can make you remember something, its very valuable.
Love your music list!

Gretchen
http://livinginsavannah.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

LOL  I have the Sound of Music soundtrack too, but it's from the Broadway production.  Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel.  It's what I grew up listening to and, as much as I love the movie, it's Mary Martin's voice that I remember.

Funny how that is.

~~ jennifer

Anonymous said...

my  name  is  myeash  pilton  my   birthday  was  a  dumb   party.it  would   of  been   better   it  singer  was  there.  i  love  all  the  singers  they  are  so  pretty.

and  thats  why  i  like  them.

Anonymous said...

my  name  is  myeash  pilton  my   birthday  was  a  dumb   party.it  would   of  been   better   it  singer  was  there.  i  love  all  the  singers  they  are  so  pretty.

and  thats  why  i  like  them.

Anonymous said...

my  name  is  myeash  pilton  my   birthday  was  a  dumb   party.it  would   of  been   better   it  singer  was  there.  i  love  all  the  singers  they  are  so  pretty.

and  thats  why  i  like  them.