~from Ami

We belong to one of these CD clubs, and after my last order I began thinking about how odd my musical tastes are. Most music enthusiasts enjoy a genre, say, country, or all nineteen-year-old-girl-pop. Or Yanni. People who wander over to my cubicle to check out my CD's are usually appalled to find Debussy, Kelly Clarkson, and Def Leppard lined up. It makes no sense. If asked what kind of music I like, I can't even answer.

I grew up in a house full of music. My mom played piano and my dad played guitar. From Mom, I got my love for classical and Christian/gospel music. From Dad, I learned to appreciate folk and rock.

You'd think I'd be good at playing something, but I'm not. I can pick out "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and one of Bach's movements on the piano, strum "Crazy Love" on the guitar, and- if pressed- could probably still find the B-flat scale on the flute.

Anyway, here's my last four CD's purchased from BMG, along with my comments:
1. Fleetwood Mac- Rumours. I grew up with this album, all my aunts and uncles had it. "Rumours" is the background soundtrack for my life in the late seventies. The picture inside the jewel case of the band makes me sad, for what talent they wasted, for the way it all fell apart. Favorite song: Tie between "The Chain" and "Gold Dust Woman."
2. Sarah McLachlan- Afterglow. Sarah's "Fumbling Toward Ecstasy" was THE single most incredible album I've ever listened to. "Afterglow" is nice, and there's some good songs on it, but I can't find the brilliance that was in "FTE." Favorite song: "Fallen"
3. Kirk Franklin - The Nu Nation Project. Oh, my, what words can describe Kirk Franklin? He actually doesn't sing, but what he does with music is amazing. This white girl turns it up so loud on Route 66 that the rearview mirror jumps. Don't tell my son. I listen to "Nu Nation Project" in the mornings to get me going. Favorite song: "If You've Been Delivered."
4. The Last Samurai- Original Soundtrack. Loved the movie, LOVE the soundtrack. It is haunting and moving and spooky. Freaks me out if I put it on while driving through fog. Not something to listen to if you need to feel upbeat-but what beautiful music! Favorite song: "Spectres in the Fog," but let's be honest, they all kind of blend together. Except for Track 9: "Red Warrior" when all of the sudden there's an uproar of voices like an army is descending and I can just picture the heads being lopped off and I have to turn it very low in my cubicle at work.

Running off now to find my flute....