Goodbye October, Hello November

Alan Jackson - "Drive" - It wasn’t my childhood, but I can certainly identify with the sentiment.  I find its optimistic spirit comforting. (T. Williams)

From his official bio: Alan Jackson, born October 17, 1958, in Newnan, Georgia, grew up in rural Georgia; he lived with his parents and four older sisters in a house built around his grandfather's old toolshed. Shortly after marrying his high school sweetheart, Denise, in 1979, Jackson moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career in music. After a long series of rejections, he finally landed a recording deal with Arista Records. The tremendous success of his debut album, "Here in the Real World" (1990), marked Jackson's arrival among a group of country artists including Randy Travis, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Garth Brooks, and Vince Gill that represented a new brand of traditionalism in country music and the end of the synthesized pop country trend of the 1980s. 

Lovin' Spoonful - "Rain On the Roof" - When our daughters were growing up, Naomi and I took turns putting them to bed.  We'd read stories and sing a few songs.  My choice today was one that I added to the repertoire when they were just a little past "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" age.  The Spoonful, their name coming from a blues song, were considered one of a number of groups to be "The American Beatles" - they had a slew of hits over a three-year period, all of them quite singable and radio friendly.  The delightful John Sebastian song has always been one of my favorites; it's sweet and now I sing it to our grandchildren.  (RBK)

Peder B. Helland - "Soothing Relaxation" - OK, so this is an odd one. I have discovered amazing sleep music. It runs for six to eight hours with a soothing visual accompaniment of underwater creatures. But listen to the music. It really works of you need to feel calm and sleepy!! (Sig Nystrom) 
(Editor's Note - I suppose I should have posted this last but....There are actually a number of longer digital recordings designed to help people sleep.)

Endless Field - "Unending Season" - Here’s some friends of mine that go by the name Endless Field. The two musicians behind this project, Jesse Lewis (guitar) and Ike Sturm (double bass), are among the most respected sidemen and session musicians in New York - they’re the kind of cats that appear in the background of an inexhaustible stream of notable projects from big-name artists in the jazz and improvised music scenes. Endless Field is a nature-oriented project featuring their compositions, as well as collaborations with top-tier jazz musicians such as Donny McCaslin and Ingrid Jensen. Heartbreakingly beautiful stuff, at once both intricate and infinitely accessible.  (K. Saulnier)
(Editor's Note - I saw and heard these gentlemen just yesterday (10/27) at The Russell Library in Middletown.  They played this piece and several others. In the midst of the maddening and sad news coming from Pittsburgh, PA, this music was an excellent balm at a time of need.)

Buddy Holly & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - "True Love Ways" - Daniele Dugre-Martin suggested this update of classic Holly song. Initially after he passed away at the age of 22 and in the midst of an amazing career.  Through the wonder of modern technology, we hear this version the way Holly imagined it - read the story the album by going to www.mygoldmusic.co.uk/artists/buddy-holly/new-album-true-love-ways-orchestra/.  Watch the video of the project by going to www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT3WsFCuEHg&feature=youtu.be.  \
Here's the title track:

The Beatles - "Think For Yourself" - I can listen to this song several times a day - Harrison's lyrics & voice, McCartney's fuzz bass, group harmonizing....and the great line "although your mind's opaque" !!! (Joe Gaffney)

To this day, my favorite "Fab Four" disk and the first of George Harrison's songs that really stood out. Considering the output of Lennon & McCartney, he did not get a lot of opportunities to show his composer's side.  I agree with Professor G that the harmonies are spot on - actually, The Beatles were known for their fascinating background work. This new remix (2009) really brings out the brilliant sounds with McCartney shining on both the electric bass and the 'fuzz" bass! (RBK)