I recently had to buy a jazz album on CD because it was the only way to listen to it. I heard it on the radio and contacted the artist who sent it me in the mail. I know this is already sounding like a fascinating story but hear me out.
The only way for me to listen to the CD is in the car. So the first time I put it on I thought it was kind of average. But the thing cost almost $40 to get after shipping was said and done, so I thought it would be a disappointment to listen to it just once and then write it off.
So I kept listening to it. Not an insane number of times because I don’t really have anywhere to go in the car. But even on the second listen, I started hearing things that I hadn’t noticed before. I began to understand the flow of certain songs. And since it’s a jazz record, the music is fairly live, so you can get a feel for the fact that the music is breathing, even though the recording always plays back the same way.
And then I remembered how when I was in high school we really only listened to CDs. And you had your favourite CDs, which meant you knew those albums inside out. And all this comes down to the idea of mastery, which is funny to say that someone can be a master at listening to a record (or watching a movie), but that’s precisely what happens when you experience it many times over.
Streaming services are enjoyable for their endless flood of media, but I think it’s nice to remember that it is possible for us to really understand great works, and I think that was a gift that this $40 CD gave me, regardless of how good or bad it is.
Do you still listen to CDs? Or even have a way to?
Melting Sunset
This piece is in line with how someone would feel when the warm weather emerges and going for a walk becomes pleasant again. I once read that people often think that moving to a warm climate will solve all their problems, but fairly quickly the warm weather becomes the standard and they find other things to become upset about.
But that’s not the case if you live in the north, the warmer weather never really gets old. You just want to savour it. So I think this piece kind of speaks to that.
Another thing about this piece is it intentionally has no melody. You can either create one in your head or just relish in the mood that’s been made for you. Melodies can be overrated.
Four Track Snack Pack
Weird and sometimes funky music, soothing the inhabitants of a world spinning in outer space.
Don’t You Know - Jan Hammer Group
Old Organs - Tangents
Monique’s Mood - Teeth Agency
Fearless - Jon Hassell
Or listen on YouTube.
Happy spring everyone, enjoy a circle of bread to celebrate.
Elliott “Buttergate” Fienberg
But there _is_ a melody :) or am I trying to listen too focused again? :) My last attempt to use a CD/DVD ended up with a failsafe triggered on the power supply unit on my PC, probably because the drive died some time ago. I have to find a drive someday because there are so many nice things I have on a CD only, even if all of them are now well forgotten, and even if they're available at most streaming services.