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Attempting a meme
Jan. 10th, 2003 06:22 pmFor many years on BBC radio there was a program called Desert Island Discs. The premise was you were stranded on a desert island for a year with nothing but a good sound system, 10 records (CDs these days), 3 books (the Bible and a Complete Works of Shakespeare were provided), and one luxury. John Cleese wanted Michael Palin as his luxury, but it can't be another person.
Even more interesting can be Desert Island Discards. What ten books would you take every copy in existence to a desert island and leave there? Why?
In the spirit of my Amazon Browsing today my Desert Island Discs:
Resphigi: Ancient Airs and Dances (ASIN: B0000014E7)
I've never quite grasped why these pieces sounded familiar the first time I heard them. But Suite 2 especially makes me happy.
Gershwin: Works for Piano and Orchestra (ASIN: B000001K1Z)
Gershwin has been a love of mine since I was a little girl. This collection has the less well know Second Rhapsody and a string octet called Lullaby. That piece is based on an aria ('Has one of you seen Joe') from Gershwin's first opera, Blue Monday. This is gorgeous music.
Modern Jazz Quartet: Longing for the Continent (ASIN: B000001VYQ)
I grew up with my Dad's Jazz collection and fell in love with MJQ. Later I fell in love with a man who loved MJQ. This one has two tracks cut with the Jazz Group de Paris that make me smile every time.
Acoustic Alchemy: Early Alchemy (ASIN: B0000001RX)
My sister's friend talked us into seeing what was then the current version of Acoustic Alchemy at Pleasure Island in Orlando. By the end of the weekend, we owned every CD they'd put out. This one is an earlier permutation of the group and has some beautiful pieces on it. Sadly, Nick Webb, who wrote or co-wrote most of these songs, died of pancreatic cancer about 3 years ago. I haven't liked the recordings of the new version of the group at all.
Soundtrack: The Power of One (ASIN: B000002HB2)
I wish I knew more about African music. This is gorgeous and haunting and uplifting and rousing and every other gerund I can think of. Like Ancient Airs and Dances, above, this one can cause me actual happiness.
Cast Album: City of Angels (ASIN: B00000272K)
The British version has a complete version of the opening number and a different arrangement for All You Have To Do Is Wait. This one has James Naughton as the detective. I can imagine myself on that desert island singing along to this.
Various: The Glory of Gershwin (ASIN: B000001EC5)
Larry Adler met George Gershwin at an audition in New York when he was 16; they became friends. Like Toots Thieleman, Adler is a jazz harmonicist and what he does with his instrument is amazing. On this album he took a bunch of pop stars and played Gershwin with them. I think this is one of Sting's best recordings of someone else's work. Cher's It Ain't Necessarily So is the best version of the song that I've ever heard.
Manhattan Transfer: Vocalese (ASIN: B000002II2)
This cassette appeared in my in-box one day in 1985. I asked around the office, but no one had seen anyone near my desk. I've never found the person who gave it to me or whether the gift was deliberate or accidental, but I fell in love with this. When the first notes of Killer Joe started, my former cat used to go to the top of the bookshelf and dance along with it. Since my cat was usually the cat from hell, it was a really nice respite. For those who don't know, Vocalese is a technique whereby different voices take on the roles of instruments in an arrangement. This was stunning. Brasil is another favorite album of theirs, but, if I'm limiting myself to 10 albums total, Vocalese wins the place.
Janis Siegel: At Home (ASIN: B000002IKZ)
I've lost my copy of this, and it's out of print so I'll just have to live with the memory of the gorgeous songs on here. I love the song Black Coffee, and I think that hers is the best version. Yes, Peggy Lee and Ella, I still like this one best. From Vienna With Love made me cry every time I heard it. And I don't cry at music.
Flying Pickets: Lost Boys (ASIN: B000024A84)
An a capella group that has a political edge to it. The original pieces include one of my favorite love songs, So Close -- which is about rejecting a person because, much as you love them, your world views don't mesh. Remember This has some wildly scary lyrics for this day and age:
Remember This
Nothing is sacred
We live right beside the abyss
Remember This
There is no doubt
That you name is on somebody's list...
and later:
Rember This
Requiems don't quite
Make up for the loss of a life
The covers on the album are fun, too. They had a number one hit in Britain with Only You.
Chet Baker: Embraceable You (ASIN: B000005GZ5)
I debated. I like lots of male vocalists, and really, Baker is one of my favorite trumpeters far more than my favorite singer. And yet, I like more cuts from any given album of his than I do some of the better known vocalists. Maybe it's because he didn't have room for filler on his singing albums. Maybe it's because he shapes the songs for his voice the way he'd shape them for his horn. It's a lovely album using both instruments to their fullest. Come Rain or Come Shine is the piece that decided me.
The three books are easier:
The Complete Diaries of Casanova, because when else will I have time to read them?
Landscape and Memory by Simon Schama.
And the latest Harry Potter Book.
Luxury? A fully equipped Swiss Family Robinson Tree house.
Anyone else?
Even more interesting can be Desert Island Discards. What ten books would you take every copy in existence to a desert island and leave there? Why?
In the spirit of my Amazon Browsing today my Desert Island Discs:
Resphigi: Ancient Airs and Dances (ASIN: B0000014E7)
I've never quite grasped why these pieces sounded familiar the first time I heard them. But Suite 2 especially makes me happy.
Gershwin: Works for Piano and Orchestra (ASIN: B000001K1Z)
Gershwin has been a love of mine since I was a little girl. This collection has the less well know Second Rhapsody and a string octet called Lullaby. That piece is based on an aria ('Has one of you seen Joe') from Gershwin's first opera, Blue Monday. This is gorgeous music.
Modern Jazz Quartet: Longing for the Continent (ASIN: B000001VYQ)
I grew up with my Dad's Jazz collection and fell in love with MJQ. Later I fell in love with a man who loved MJQ. This one has two tracks cut with the Jazz Group de Paris that make me smile every time.
Acoustic Alchemy: Early Alchemy (ASIN: B0000001RX)
My sister's friend talked us into seeing what was then the current version of Acoustic Alchemy at Pleasure Island in Orlando. By the end of the weekend, we owned every CD they'd put out. This one is an earlier permutation of the group and has some beautiful pieces on it. Sadly, Nick Webb, who wrote or co-wrote most of these songs, died of pancreatic cancer about 3 years ago. I haven't liked the recordings of the new version of the group at all.
Soundtrack: The Power of One (ASIN: B000002HB2)
I wish I knew more about African music. This is gorgeous and haunting and uplifting and rousing and every other gerund I can think of. Like Ancient Airs and Dances, above, this one can cause me actual happiness.
Cast Album: City of Angels (ASIN: B00000272K)
The British version has a complete version of the opening number and a different arrangement for All You Have To Do Is Wait. This one has James Naughton as the detective. I can imagine myself on that desert island singing along to this.
Various: The Glory of Gershwin (ASIN: B000001EC5)
Larry Adler met George Gershwin at an audition in New York when he was 16; they became friends. Like Toots Thieleman, Adler is a jazz harmonicist and what he does with his instrument is amazing. On this album he took a bunch of pop stars and played Gershwin with them. I think this is one of Sting's best recordings of someone else's work. Cher's It Ain't Necessarily So is the best version of the song that I've ever heard.
Manhattan Transfer: Vocalese (ASIN: B000002II2)
This cassette appeared in my in-box one day in 1985. I asked around the office, but no one had seen anyone near my desk. I've never found the person who gave it to me or whether the gift was deliberate or accidental, but I fell in love with this. When the first notes of Killer Joe started, my former cat used to go to the top of the bookshelf and dance along with it. Since my cat was usually the cat from hell, it was a really nice respite. For those who don't know, Vocalese is a technique whereby different voices take on the roles of instruments in an arrangement. This was stunning. Brasil is another favorite album of theirs, but, if I'm limiting myself to 10 albums total, Vocalese wins the place.
Janis Siegel: At Home (ASIN: B000002IKZ)
I've lost my copy of this, and it's out of print so I'll just have to live with the memory of the gorgeous songs on here. I love the song Black Coffee, and I think that hers is the best version. Yes, Peggy Lee and Ella, I still like this one best. From Vienna With Love made me cry every time I heard it. And I don't cry at music.
Flying Pickets: Lost Boys (ASIN: B000024A84)
An a capella group that has a political edge to it. The original pieces include one of my favorite love songs, So Close -- which is about rejecting a person because, much as you love them, your world views don't mesh. Remember This has some wildly scary lyrics for this day and age:
Remember This
Nothing is sacred
We live right beside the abyss
Remember This
There is no doubt
That you name is on somebody's list...
and later:
Rember This
Requiems don't quite
Make up for the loss of a life
The covers on the album are fun, too. They had a number one hit in Britain with Only You.
Chet Baker: Embraceable You (ASIN: B000005GZ5)
I debated. I like lots of male vocalists, and really, Baker is one of my favorite trumpeters far more than my favorite singer. And yet, I like more cuts from any given album of his than I do some of the better known vocalists. Maybe it's because he didn't have room for filler on his singing albums. Maybe it's because he shapes the songs for his voice the way he'd shape them for his horn. It's a lovely album using both instruments to their fullest. Come Rain or Come Shine is the piece that decided me.
The three books are easier:
The Complete Diaries of Casanova, because when else will I have time to read them?
Landscape and Memory by Simon Schama.
And the latest Harry Potter Book.
Luxury? A fully equipped Swiss Family Robinson Tree house.
Anyone else?
