Buffalo Gal

I have found the place to indulge my every idiosyncracy. Early in the morning and late at night can find me alone, glued to the computer screen until I'm barely able to move my mouse.
As my mighty iPod is fast approaching 4,000 songs with mixes for every occasion, I visit iTunes daily.
Like the corner store of my childhood, the good stuff is all out front to entice you in. Just like Mrs. Camillo, they offer samples knowing that if you like it you won't settle for just that little taste. iTunes even throws in the podcasts for free, just a reason to stop by and a little extra in the bag for the trip home.
And just like the "accounts" kept in pencil on a box of cards by the register, check out is very simple. One click to buy,instantly yours... the receipt arrives in your email box a few days later... reminding you that you did indeed buy albums by Ray Davies, Rosemary Clooney, B.B. King and Keb Mo in the last week.
One would think that only years of therapy could uncover the source of my "unique" musical tastes. But iTunes has reduced me to an algorithm.
When it first started suggesting selections, I scoffed. This is one person who NEVER takes the Book of the Month pick. I'm my own person. An individual. An independent thinker. Some of the initial suggestions we so absurd they were laughable - Christina Aguilera and me? I don't think so!
But the more it got to know me the closer it came. I didn't know John Pizzarelli had recorded with Rosemary Clooney. Previewing "The Boy from Impanema" with Diana Krall joining them was a quick click sale.
But the Susan Tedeschi thing started getting on my nerves. It seems that every time I loaded one of my CDs into the program, her name came up as a suggestion for me. Either her brother worked for iTunes or she was the Kevin Bacon of the music world - one degree removed from everyone.
So insistent was the Wizard of i that I refused to sample. I would not click. I could not be bullied.
It must have been an accident when I finally clicked on one of her reviews- a cavalier comparison to Bonnie Raitt. Sacrilege indeed to someone who owns Bonnie's entire catalogue. But there was an intriguing mention of the Hammond B-3 "punch" behind her.. and I am sucker for a B-3... so I clicked through to sample, one song, then another, then another... damn she's good.
But I'm showing restraint. I only bought one of her albums so far. The others will have to wait for payday.
And thus falls the myth of my individual taste. It's not about me any more, it's all about i.

Copyright 2006 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2006-03-25 7:09 AM iBrother is watching I have found the place to indulge my every idiosyncracy. Early in the morning and late at night can find me alone, glued to the computer screen until I'm barely able to move my mouse. As my mighty iPod is fast approaching 4,000 songs with mixes for every occasion, I visit iTunes daily. Like the corner store of my childhood, the good stuff is all out front to entice you in. Just like Mrs. Camillo, they offer samples knowing that if you like it you won't settle for just that little taste. iTunes even throws in the podcasts for free, just a reason to stop by and a little extra in the bag for the trip home. And just like the "accounts" kept in pencil on a box of cards by the register, check out is very simple. One click to buy,instantly yours... the receipt arrives in your email box a few days later... reminding you that you did indeed buy albums by Ray Davies, Rosemary Clooney, B.B. King and Keb Mo in the last week. One would think that only years of therapy could uncover the source of my "unique" musical tastes. But iTunes has reduced me to an algorithm. When it first started suggesting selections, I scoffed. This is one person who NEVER takes the Book of the Month pick. I'm my own person. An individual. An independent thinker. Some of the initial suggestions we so absurd they were laughable - Christina Aguilera and me? I don't think so! But the more it got to know me the closer it came. I didn't know John Pizzarelli had recorded with Rosemary Clooney. Previewing "The Boy from Impanema" with Diana Krall joining them was a quick click sale. But the Susan Tedeschi thing started getting on my nerves. It seems that every time I loaded one of my CDs into the program, her name came up as a suggestion for me. Either her brother worked for iTunes or she was the Kevin Bacon of the music world - one degree removed from everyone. So insistent was the Wizard of i that I refused to sample. I would not click. I could not be bullied. It must have been an accident when I finally clicked on one of her reviews- a cavalier comparison to Bonnie Raitt. Sacrilege indeed to someone who owns Bonnie's entire catalogue. But there was an intriguing mention of the Hammond B-3 "punch" behind her.. and I am sucker for a B-3... so I clicked through to sample, one song, then another, then another... damn she's good. But I'm showing restraint. I only bought one of her albums so far. The others will have to wait for payday. And thus falls the myth of my individual taste. It's not about me any more, it's all about i. Copyright 2006 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top