1. “The Story of My Life” from the musical Wonderful Town, featured on the CD, Leonard Bernstein’s New York, sung by Richard Muenz. This relatively unknown song from this relatively unknown musical by a relatively unkown baritone isn’t particularly relevant to my life other than it seems the perfect start to an examination of my life by looking at my IPod.

2. The 14th audio ‘chapter’ of Brokeback Mountain (the conversation in the motel room) read by Campbell Scott. This is the part of the original story by Annie Proulx where Jack suggests that Ennis leave his wife and family and go away with him to start a ranch. Ennis demurs citing his family responsibilities and his desire not to die. Besides the fact that it is a powerful part of a powerful story, it also seems to comment at least in part on why I didn’t really come out until I was 30….fear and the sense of “the supposed to’s” of life being in the way.

3. “Where in the World” from The Secret Garden, Original Broadway Cast Album, sung by Mandy Patinkin. Hmmm, two showtunes in the first three. I suppose that says something about the music I have chosen to put on my IPod. The fact that this is a bit less obscure, sung by a much more famous person doesn’t change the fact that I’m a big showtune guy. I love songs that tell stories…I love stories…I love hearing them, singing them, writing them. This song comes just before Mary Lenox’ uncle/Colin Craven’s dad (Patinkin) decides to go home—to stop running from the past and from his pain. That’s a good song for anyone to hear.

4. “The Theme to 77 Sunset Strip” from Television’s Greatest Hits, Volume 1. I’ve never seen this television show, and why, you may ask do I have TV show themes on my IPod. Well, because I copied the CD onto my computer to send another theme to a friend by email a while back. I love TV music but I love helping friends even more.

5 “People” (Instrumental) from Michael Feinstein Sings the Jule Stein Songbook
Is there a gayer song from a gayer CD than this? I love Michael Feinstein. He’s a decent singer, a devoted preserver of American Music…and he’s the musical executor of the Gershwin estate. I also hear he might be a jerk, but he’s still a hero for his work in preserving Cabaret music in New York (at his club/restaurant Feinstein’s) and around the world. And he plays a mean piano. He’s appearing in a couple of weeks with Linda Eder in Chicago. I saw them perform together in Atlanta in 2000.

6. “A Very Private Person” by the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus from Gay Century Songbook. This is an original song that was made a part of the anniversary CD for this esteemed chorus. It’s all about the men who used participating in Gay Men’s Choruses to find community and, in some cases, to come out. It’s a wonderful tribute to these special institutions that have made beautiful music and millions of beautiful friendships across the globe. Did I mention I’ve just become a board member of the chorus I sing with here in Chicago?

7. “If Ever” from Dreamland Express, by John Denver. This is the only John Denver CD I own and it’s very old. It was, I thought, a beautiful album, mostly covers of great jazz and blues songs. His career was fading and he wanted to show he could do more than what he was known for….and he did it. Even though the album wasn’t that much of a commercial success, I hope it helped him see that he could do more than others expected of him. That’s a great thing whenever it happens…at least it has been for me.

8. “When I Grow Too Old To Dream/The Night is Young” from Phillip Officer Sings Oscar Hammerstein. Phillip Officer is virtually unknown outside of New York City. He is a tall, thin, not all that attractive, crooning tenor who is a master craftsman as a Cabaret singer. If you see him before you hear him, you only notice the acne scars. If you’ve heard him before you see him, eventually you’ll see those scars too, but what you will notice first are his eyes…eyes with which he sings as much as his voice. He’s a genius. Oh, and he’s gay….I think. And the first time I saw him live, I was with AuntieCG...and it was a very special night.

9. “Season of Hype” (parody of Seasons of Love) from Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back. I’ve always loved parody—I don’t think any of us should take ourselves too seriously, The team that has produced two decades of Forbidden Broadway parodies inadvertently created a commentary on 21st century culture with this pretension-popping homage to the excitement that greeted the premier of “Rent.” One line: “Forget about love; it’s a Season of Hype.” How true…in every corner of our lives.

10. “Magnificat,” the first movement of “Magnificat” by John Rutter, sung by the choir of Progressive Downtown Church in Atlanta. I’ve sung this piece with Progressive Church in Houston, and many of my friends are singing on THIS recording. This composition, decidedly Anglo-Catholic in its structure and theology, competes with the Requiem as Rutter’s greatest work. Rutter is one of the reasons that I became a Presbyterian…not too many Southern Baptists sing his work. It’s fitting that a religious piece would show up in this list, for the connection between music and faith for me is inseparable. There’s a reason much of scripture is written so it can be sung. Most of those times I’ve felt closest to God have involved music.

So there they are…And all but the last can be purchased online somewhere if you want to listen along.