The World of Bohemedude

My "Survivor" Soundtrack

There's a game I like to play with friends which I sometimes find very enlightening. As a total music buff myself, I find that you can tell a lot about someone by the type of music they listen to. Whenever I talk with my friends Megan, Kristine, and Amy, whom I don't see as often as I would like, I almost always ask them two questions: What are you reading? AND What are you listening to these days? I've often been turned onto new bands or books I would never have picked up otherwise.

But, I digress... Back to the game. I call it "Survivor" soundtrack. I pose the following question: You know that you are going to be sent to a deserted island for at least 9 months, and you won't see another soul while you're there. You are allowed to take any 7 CD's from your current collection with you (sorry no iPods). What do you choose to take?

Here are my picks...

1) Tapestry by Carole King-- Carole King is a master songwriter and musician. I never get tired of listening to this recording. I discovered it when I was a music major in college, decades after its release in 1971. The songs are timeless classics, many of which have been covered by other artists. I immediately fell in love with Carole King's voice, her piano playing, and her ability to write amazing songs. Tracks include You've Got a Friend, So Far Away,  and I Feel the Earth Move.

2) Joshua Tree by U2-- U2 had been around for years when Joshua Tree came out in 1987, the year I graduated from high school. I think this album was a turning point for me, and it really began to broaden my musical tastes, making them a bit more sophisticated. Several years later, I traveled to Denver to see U2's Pop tour at Mile High Stadium. Tracks include With or Without You, Where the Streets Have No Name, and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.

3) Lead Me On by Amy Grant-- Amy Grant is at the very top of my list of guilty pleasures. I've been a fan since the 80's, and I've witnessed the growth of Ms. Grant from a young lady singing soft Christian rock to a beautifully sophisticated woman writing really great songs. This album proves that Amy Grant can write lyrics that are meaningul and melodies that are captivating. I have always appreciated Amy's no-nonsense attitude and her honesty. Tracks include: Lead Me On, Faithless Heart, and If These Walls Could Speak.

4) Afterglow by Sarah McLachlan--Released in 2003, Afterglow is typical Sarah McLachlan. The voice is soothing and comfortable. As a writer, I always get caught up in the lyrics like "cast me gently into morning for the night has been unkind." The melodies become almost meditative at times. This is music for my soul. Tracks include Fallen, The Answer, World on Fire, and Push.

5) Listen to My Heart by Nancy Lamott--Nancy Lamott passed away in 1995 leaving a huge void in the musical world. Sadly, many people have not experienced Nancy Lamott's music. These people have no idea what they are missing. Ms. Lamott's voice was flawless, truly one of the best voices I have ever heard. She sang with an artistic purity that truly tugged at the heart. I remember the first time I heard one of her recordings. I was literally speechless, moved to tears by this voice. Tracks include: It Feels LIke Home, We Can Be Kind, I Got the Sun in the Morning, and the Secret O'Life.

6) Rent the Original Broadway Cast-- Based on Puccini's opera La Boheme, Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize winning musical is truly a masterpiece. Rent is the story of young artists living in New York City. It's a story of friendship, radical acceptance of others, and what it truly means to love. I purchased the CD's before I ever had the chance to see the show. In 1999, I traveled to New York to see the show on Broadway. I saw a traveling production of the show the following year in Rapid City, South Dakota. I had just "come out," so the show had a new meaning for me. I relive that experience everytime I listen to the recordings. Tracks include: Seasons of Love, One Song Glory, Cover You, and Another Day.

7) Immaculate Collection by Madonna--Released in 1990, The Immaculate Collection was Madonna's first greatest hits compilaton. Madonna is undeniably a musical icon with an uncanny ability to remain fresh in a career that has spanned at least two decades. Like Madonna, this recording is larger than life. I've often wondered what makes a collection a "greatest hits" compilation. I've seen some such recordings that left me confused, including tracks that I cannot recall ever hearing at all. I'm not sure what the criteria for "hit song" might be in such cases. The Immaculate Collection is a rare exception to those other greatest hits recordings. In fact, as I write this "Holiday" is playing on the radio. Each track on the Immaculate Collection is a bona fide hit. Tracks include: Like a Virgin, Material Girl, Vogue, and Borderline.

There you have it. My "Survivor Soundtrack." Now, I do realize that if you asked me the same question tomorrow, I might have an entirely different list of recordings. That's the beauty of the world of musical abundance in which we live. Too much great music, too little time!