Lately I've been given--or acquired on my own--some really fine music.

Tim Ries, "Stones World" Rolling Stones Project

Sarah Brightman, "Symphony"

Slumdog Millionaire (reminding me of my time in India with a dash of rap thrown in)

Pat Metheny Group, "Speaking of Now" (what do you call it? Jazz Folk?)

Chemical Brothers (thanks, KW)

Calexico, "Carried to Dust"

Aimee Mann, "Lost in Space"

These are now in place next to Bach's Brandenburg Concerti, Beethoven, Mozart, et. al. The stuff I was raised on, in my childhood home morning, noon and night. I was forbidden to listen to rock 'n roll, much less purchase a recording of it.

Once on my own, the first nonclassical album I ever bought was Joan Baez, "Farewell Angelina" followed by "Hair" and "Yellow Submarine" and many others. I am minded of Chuck's gift of The Pipes and Drums of Innes Tartan. And emjay's gifting me with several albums of Lorena McKinnnett, cajun, Carmina Burana, Arturo Sandoval--her tastes are catholic, indeed. And my days filled with lovely sounds.

Looking back over the decades, it's been a lovely and memorable journey of eclectic musicalities.