Is a particular type of music or any other soundscape (stories read aloud, plays on the radio, birdsong...) important to you, and if so what is it?

For me it is music, usually somewhere in the blues, country rock and/or folk spectrum, but not classical (despite the best efforts of my parents) or jazz. The steady favourites among many others and in no particular order are the likes of the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Tom Petty (RIP), John Fogerty, Cowboy Junkies, Dave Matthews, Eric Church, Eric Bibb, Amos Lee, Alison Krauss, Emily Barker, Gretchen Peters, Margo Price and Tift Merritt all forming part of about 70gb of music on my old iPod on random/shuffle (so that I can never be sure what will come next).

Not sure what they all have in common, but it may be great guitar work and strong vocals, harking back to early Cliff Richard backed by the Shadows!

I was always too lazy to make much progress on playing any musical instrument myself, but I got as far as acting as a DJ at private parties for a few years a lifetime ago...

My favourite feel good track is probably this from Eric Bibb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds1faZB4QSc

During lockdown a number of artists performed items from home and I particularly liked this from John Fogerty backed by his children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOisjEv9zYw

Recently I was steered towards Allison Russell who released her first solo album last month: that did not really do it for me, but her back catalogue as part of Birds of Chicago does impress me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA1L_GvwiG4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvEERoYYz50

One of their recordings led me to Mark Heard (previously unknown to me) and this album https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Broken-Land-Songs-Heard/dp/B06Y5W9R87 which I was given as a Fathers Day present today https://www.nodepression.com/album-reviews/treasure-of-the-broken-land-the-songs-of-mark-heard/

My tastes in music vary greatly depending my mood. I enjoy 70's and 80's rock, (a whole slew of bands, slow, rock, hard rock) I like some country. I do not like classical or opera, it actually stresses me. I also listen to all the new artists, there is some good music still being made.

I agree with you about the importance of finding music to suit (and sometimes steer) one's mood.

I also keep my ears open for new artists, in particular checking new albums on iTunes and watching NPR Tiny Desk concerts, although I rarely listen to the radio.

However, in recent years it has often been new music by some of the older artists which has caught my attention, for instance Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Dion: I did not realise that Dion was a bluesman, only having previously known of him as a 60s artist with such (excellent) songs as Runaround Sue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ChiYhYPe-s

I can listen to good music of any kind with the exception, mostly, of country although there's good music there, too.

My parents listened to classical, and then of curse I discovered rock and then blues. Over the past few years I've found myself going back to the older big band type of singing (especially Ella Fitzgerald) and I'm even starting to like jazz, which I used to find incomprehensible.

I haven't found much in the way of new artists, but that's my prerogative as a grumpy old lady, isn't it? I can complain about how today's music isn't a patch on the music I used to listen to. Truthfully, though, most of the newer artists I hear all sound the same. They all sing exactly the same. I can't tell the voices apart.

I love the music from 1970s and am still a disco person at heart. Loved the line dancing craze when that first came out. Recently started watching the series Glee on Netflix, and enjoyed their renditions of songs from that era.

During my 20s found a 'coffee house' where I first started hearing more contemporary church music. One of the members was church choir director which I ultimately joined. Loved the lighter, kinder melodies vs the older, serious organ music. Shortly after the movie Titanic came out, the church I attended played the melody from 'My Heart Will Go On' during the meditation time just before the end of the service. A lady recognized it too and asked me why they would play a movie song in church. I told her the words could be considered a prayer.

Got into soft rock when Barry Manilow onto the scene, and went to many of his concerts. Actually paid over $200 for 15th row seat the last time he was at a local suburban arena. Not sure I'd do that again, but it was definitely worth it at the time.

When I was married, my ex was into the folk songs of Harry Chapin so I got to appreciate that music until the singer's death, after which my ex turned to country/western. I accepted/tolerated and got to appreciate some of the artists. We frequently went on road trips and took a variety of CDs with us. Since he was driving, we listened to his music in morning; by lunch I was more than ready for mine.

One singer I was enamored with when I first heard his voice is Josh Grobin. Stopped buying his CDs cause they include songs in other languages and 'sad' songs, which he once admitted he leans towards. Love his voice not what he chooses to record.

I had forgotten about Harry Chapin (who died far too young): I may add something of his to my collection.

My wife would approve of butterflybabe's preferences and identify with choice of music in the car!

I'm amused to see the general limited tolerance of country music: I enjoy country/rock but I am very choosy about the artists and there are many excellent country musicians whose work does nothing for me.

Oh, wow, Disco. Yeah.

Back in Toronto, when Disco was in full swing and the Bee Gees were on every radio station, I worked as a waitress in a disco bar to help support myself through University. Now that was a hoot. It was a massively popular bar with a huge dance floor that had a a giant turning disco ball and all the flashing coloured lights. Hilarious. Except I had to wear high heels and I kept getting the darned things caught between the slats on the outdoor deck. Very loud, very chaotic and very, very good for the tips.

Lex, I get what you're saying about the work of obviously talented artists that nonetheless doesn't appeal. For years I tried to listen to and understand groups like Peal Jam. I can recognize the artistry, and I like his voice a lot, but most of the music makes me want to tear out my eyes. A lot of modern country/pop does that to me, too, because of its high sugar content, though it must be said that I love Willie Nelson, and some of the very old classical country is quite lovely. My dad used to sing a lot of those old songs (he had a fine voice). Crossover artists like Stevie Nicks did a lot to bring me around to tolerating and even liking some country.

One thing I love about Youtube and Spotify is that they are quite good at predicting music I might like, so if Spotify takes me down an unfamiliar path I often like what I hear.

My mother and I saw Willie Nelson in concert back in the 1980s when I was living in the Napa Valley in California. Willie was there in support of some charity event that was only about three miles away from our house. He was just great in person. It was outside and we had seats almost in the front row. My mother was a fan and had the time of her life. I like some country music such as Clint Black and George Strait. I do enjoy the sense of humor that I often see in the lyrics.

I have always been a big fan of Gordon Lightfoot and have seen him in concert about four or five times. He was absolutely magnificent in person.

Ha, Gordon Lightfoot! Haven't listened to him in a very long time. Long time ago, I had a couple of his albums. I like very little country music, but I do love Willie Nelson, Clint Black and Waylon Jennings. I wish Brooks & Dunn would get back together. I heard they were going to, but never heard much after that.

I'm more of a Blues fan having seen B.B. King several times in concert, Delbert McClinton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and some of the good old blues folks like Howling Wolf and Big Mama Thornton. Then I'll slip into some Jimi Hendrix and just float away to heaven!

Wow, Drac, you got to see Stevie Ray Vaughn in concert! That must have really been something. I watch this video every so often and it just blows me away every time.

Mainly stuff from the 70s - Eagles, Dire Straits, the late great Townes van Zandt, early Emmylou Harris with the Hot Band, Chapin, Bonnie Rait, Dr Hook, Joni Mitchell, early Leonard Cohen

Blues, especially early Chicago blues.

Lots and lots of individual tracks according to my mood. Sometimes when we Touch (Dan Hill), The First Time Ever I saw your Face (Roberta Flack), Ripple (Grateful Dead) , Take it Out Back (Chuck Brodsky - the only song I know about fly-tipping!), Sand and Water (Beth Nielsen Chapman - so so so sad), Keep me in Your Heart (Warren Zevon)

OK with "pop" classical, but no jazz

Nothing after the mid-80s, I'm afraid (how sad is that?)

Strangely enough, a lot of my "likes" came from "House MD" - almost invariably they would play a great track over the closing credits and I would then have to scurry around to find out who it was

I like most music with the exception of heavy medal and rap. I like music as far back as the 40's up to the present.

I saw Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon quite often in the Chicago Blues Bars growing up as well as at the Chicago Blues Festival. We had so many artists that would play the small Chicago bars without notice. It was always a treat.

I often wonder what Stevie Ray Vaughan and his muse, Jimi Hendrix, would be doing now, musically speaking, if they had lived And Janis, too. But Janis and Jimmy were never going to make old bones.

It was only a few years ago that I realized that a few songs on Led Zeppelin's first album are actually Willie Dixon songs, and they didn't credit him (they are known for this; they seem to treat the lawsuits as the cost of doing business). Anyway, I have a "best of" album of Willie Dixon music and it is wonderful blues.

I envy anyone who saw Willie Dixon and SRV live. Muddy Waters played in Toronto sometimes back in the early 70's so I saw him a couple of times at the blues bars on Yonge Street.

Growing up, though, my absolute favourite band was The Rolling Stones. Those 70's albums are still among the very best rock albums of all time.

It's funny because I am not really a blues fan but seeing them play live and especially in tiny venues was always a very enjoyable evening.

I saw Led Zeppelin twice in concert in Chicago and then saw Robert Plant in concert a couple years ago. He was still outstanding. He was my heartthrob! I had 3rd row seats the first time I saw him which I believe was his first tour. I was in heaven!

I would have been in heaven in Chicago! I think I wore out my Led Zeppelin albums! I didn't know that about some of their music being Willie DIxon songs. I am also a huge fan of him. Then jump ahead to today and I'm really digging Jon Batiste! Leading up to Juneteenth, this one was being played a lot.

Freedom by Jon Batiste

Marian, thanks for reminding me about Gordon Lightfoot.

I've put about five of his songs on my main Spotify playlist. Still love Early Morning Rain.


Willie Dixon's "You Shook Me" and "I Can't Quit You" were actually credited on Led Zep's first album, so I was wrong about that controversy, but there have been quite a few with LZ. I like to listen to Willie's version first, and then Led Zeppelin's version next. Zeppelin was very true to the music, and even with a different sound they do the songs justice.

Willie Dixon also wrote "Spoonful," which has been covered by many bands, including Howlin' Wolf and Cream. Jack Bruce's rough howl sounds particularly good on that song. All three versions pop up on my list.

Me too! He has so many good ones.

Some music I once loved has fallen off my list, though.

Ii was a huge Genesis fan back in the day, the Prog Rock version with Peter Gabriel. Now a lot of it sounds sounds like silly pretentious nonsense, though I still love Selling England by the Pound. The later Genesis produced some great pop tunes, though.

Early Pink Floyd, the Syd Barret years, I find equally irritating now. Every now and again John tries to listen to one of the albums and we never seem to get past the first couple of tunes.

That Jon Batiste is quite something, especially when he seems to have been more of a serious pianist! I couldn't open the Facebook link posted by Draclvr, but I found this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YHVC1DcHmo

Going back to the live blues artists theme I have fond memories from my late teens of a small venue in Salisbury where we used to see the original Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green (a very hard act to beat) and John Mayall with various different lead guitarists including Eric Clapton. I love some of the Chicago Blues and have some of the recorded output from Alligator Records.

My wife was a great Genesis and especially Phil Collins fan: we were planning on going to see their Last Domino tour in Dublin but were derailed by covid-19...

I echo the praise for Gordon Lightfoot, but my favourite more recent folk performer is Emily Barker especially with the Red Clay Halo, probably closely followed by Gretchen Peters.

Thank you, Lex! That will make sure everyone who wants can check that one out.

I have many old cassette tapes of Steve Winwood and Traffic. The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys still gives me goosebumps and plays in my head sometimes!

Another great memory for my playlist.


And hey, that Jon Batiste song is a real get-up-and-dance number, isn't it?

The other interesting artist involved in Traffic was Dave Mason, but probably not all that well known as a solo artist although he wrote some great songs including this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4mcRpWAyRM which reminded me of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aazChqk4U-c and this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L82II1lNjo

On a slightly different note, I am amused to see that Urban Worrier sees himself as having switched off after the mid 80s as I think I recall him as being keen on the Trans-Atlantic sessions which only started in 1995...as well as mentioning this sublime 1997 song from Beth Nielsen Chapman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHf7DtRa5TY

And for something more current, how about Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izZG8jHssXA

That's a beautiful song, Lex. Thanks for the link.

You are more than welcome hagatha - I hope that some of my other links and artist suggestions may also find favour (youtube is such a fantastic resource)