It doesn’t matter how many times I hear Bill Withers sing “Ain’t No Sunshine,” I can always hear it again (and again). Same for “When a Man Loves a Woman” sung by Percy Sledge and especially Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” Yes, there’s a common theme here—love, or more precisely, the yearning for love when it’s not there—but it’s the touching emotion in these songs that always grabs me. It’s also why I always pause to hear or seek out George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun” when I need a little warming uplift—or, honestly, almost any Beatles song.
These days I’ve been listening to more music created on distant shores, especially the rich beauty of Ali Farka Touré, one of the world’s greatest guitarists from Mali in western Africa. You can listen to three gorgeous notes in the opening of “Goya Kur” from his album “The Source” and know it can only be him. This is music that makes me smile. And most days, when I need time for reflection and to bring down my blood pressure, I’m playing “Weightless” by Marconi Union, electronic ambient music created by two guys from Manchester UK in collaboration with sound therapists. Neuroscientists have found that it produces a greater state of relaxation than any other song tested, resulting in a 65 percent reduction in listeners’ overall anxiety. For anyone tapped into our nation’s struggles these days, this is a powerful antidote. (And so, by the way, is Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.”)
Now it’s your turn. What music moves you? I’m excited to hear what grabs your attention and for everyone reading this to discover music we’ve never heard—or songs we haven’t paused to savor.
You named some of my favorites as well. John Coltrain is also a relaxing alternative. Believe it or not there is even a better version of Ain’t No Sunshine by Shawn James (more bluesy). Also Chris Stapleton’s anything, especially Tennessee Whiskey and Broken Halos. I also love When A Man Loves A-Woman. For slow and romantic classic Luther Vandross and Sade and In Credo or Cantoma are always great. There are so many now that I am thinking about it. We LIVE music in this house, all kinds work for us and we constantly find new artists through our kids and grandkids. Great thoughtful question.
Any Beatles music really - my childhood and teen years; any Motown and yes Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Tom Petty, Bruce, CSN, Stones….aging myself but what the heck?
These days, Nina Simone’s music satisfies many of my emotional yearnings. My feelings about the disastrous GOP are neatly summed up in “Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter.” And of course “Mississippi Goddamn” applies to Florida, Texas, Alabama (also referenced in the song), etc. Finally Backlash Blues gives me perverse hope
Just heard this song, written and performed live last night by Mark Erelli, at the Lori McKenna concert... Timely and moving https://youtu.be/Tvzzx-sMbMQ
R&B; Stevie Wonder, Marvin, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke; jazz (wrote about it for 15 years): Herbie, McCoy, Miles, Gary Bartz, Mulgrew Miller, Bill Evans, George Cables. Prince; Frank Sinatra; Joan Armatrading, Nina Simone; Aretha. MORE! Music is a healing force.
Monteverdi, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler etc...but notably Sibelius (anything but esp violin concerto, 5th symphony, 7th symphony) and Ralph Vaughan Williams (anything but esp The Lark Ascending, The Sea Symphony - which uses text from your Walt Whitman). Cheers - from the country that gave you The Beatles.
Two genres of music because of the emotion they convey— opera and Broadway/West End tunes. For pure listening pleasure I also like jazz. Puccini’s arias are so full of passion and emotion. Sondheim, Bernstein, Porter, Lloyd Webber et al. Brubeck, Errol Gardiner, Gillespie, Ellington my father introduced me to those greats of jazz.
When I need to wind down or I guess the better phrasing would be to settle down from all the chaos going on, I turn to several of my favorite artists. Neil Diamond, John Mellencamp, sometimes Bryan Adams. Then if I really need to zone out, I listen to Yanni and other New Age music. I’m weird that way.
The latest album by The Killers, Pressure Machine.
It’s the first time in years I’ve listened to an album in its entirety and immediately had to play it again. It’s a major departure from their usual sound, and a haunting exploration of the singer’s hometown, a small town ravaged by the opioid epidemic. It’s achingly human, and feels timeless.
Thank you, Steven, for your thoughts about the importance of music and what you love. The songs you mention are a few of my favorites too. I can’t imagine having to go through life without music - the way a great piece somehow expresses all that we experience, body and soul. I sometimes think of what might be hardest - losing the ability to see, or to hear. So many songs and pieces come to mind. George Harrison’s “Isn’t it a Pity”, Richie Havens’ “Follow”, Henryk Gorecki: Symphony No. 3, Opus 36 “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs”, (David Zinman, Dawn Upshaw and the London Sinfonietta, 1992); so many Van Morrison songs - “Madam George” and “Sweet Thing” (1968 album, “Astral Weeks”), and “Someone Like You” - Kate and Anna McGarrigle, “Talk to Me of Mendocino”, Lou Reed, “Walk on the Wild Side” (and many others of his), Leonard Cohen - too many to choose! - “Famous Blue Raincoat” and his cover of the French resistance song, “The Partisan”. The Pretenders, “Revolution” from live album, “The Isle of View”… I find it difficult to stop. Well, I’ve left out music that makes me purely joyous but these are a few that strike a deep chord. Thank you!
I enjoy movie soundtracks, Beatles when I’m feeling up, oldies and a smattering of country. When I fly: soundtracks. Prince of Tides, Tombstone, Legends of the Fall…so many.
Wow, your taste is really in line with mine. Great choices! “What’s Going On” is irresistible & important & relevant & stops me in my tracks every damn time. Bill Withers’ whole album,“Menagerie,” is so romantic and endearing.Add Stevie & Smokey.It’s so hard to make choices because I leave out the universe of what I also love.I will add Leon Russell,& Joni & Bonnie & Laura Nyro & Tim Buckley & son,Jeff-both doomed. CSN &Y together & alone. I love Rhiannon Giddens & Richard Thompson & Chris Thile.The Great American Songbook is very important to me,with Ella & Sarah & Nina & Frank & Mel & Sammy Davis Jr singing Porter/Gershwin/Mercer.Then there are Bill Evans, & Jobim & Cesario Evora & Caetano Veloso & Miles & Ahmad Jamal & Roy Buchanan, so many. Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry. Camila Cabala. The New Basement tapes with all of those great artists reworking Dylan. I can’t leave out Bach & Beethoven & Ravel & Dvorak & Falla & Orff & Spanish guitar. I will stop as there is no end.
The Beatles were the soundtrack of my childhood. I was 11 when they first came to NY. George Harrison on his own and Traveling Wilburys. Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Marvin Gaye, Willie Nelson. To this day, Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders I’ll Stand by You still brings tears to my eyes. Rimsky-Korsakof’s Russian Easter Overture, Gustav Holst’s The Planets, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Brahms 4th Symphony, Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack to The Legend of 1900. Erik Satie. I could go on and on. Music is life.
Here are 3 of my favorites, guarantee you have never heard of them (thanks to spotify for uncovering these!) : spotify:track:05aqp6tRn5YaQjXxJ5PGCA ("Ach, bleib mit deine Gnade" as interpreted by Till Brönner and Dieter Ilg; spotify:track:3dy8tSNmqEcC51xKblOu5I ("Winter, improvisation based on Vivaldi's Violin Concerto," artist Gabriela Montero; and this one whose title I think is Romance d'Amor: spotify:track:2gBJhw5EWxlFWZPjtlwRq5, played by Xuefei Yang on guitar. I have often listened to this Yang one several times in a row!!
You named some of my favorites as well. John Coltrain is also a relaxing alternative. Believe it or not there is even a better version of Ain’t No Sunshine by Shawn James (more bluesy). Also Chris Stapleton’s anything, especially Tennessee Whiskey and Broken Halos. I also love When A Man Loves A-Woman. For slow and romantic classic Luther Vandross and Sade and In Credo or Cantoma are always great. There are so many now that I am thinking about it. We LIVE music in this house, all kinds work for us and we constantly find new artists through our kids and grandkids. Great thoughtful question.
Any Beatles music really - my childhood and teen years; any Motown and yes Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Tom Petty, Bruce, CSN, Stones….aging myself but what the heck?
These days, Nina Simone’s music satisfies many of my emotional yearnings. My feelings about the disastrous GOP are neatly summed up in “Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter.” And of course “Mississippi Goddamn” applies to Florida, Texas, Alabama (also referenced in the song), etc. Finally Backlash Blues gives me perverse hope
Europa (Earth’s Cry, Heaven’s Smile) by Carlos Santana.
Just heard this song, written and performed live last night by Mark Erelli, at the Lori McKenna concert... Timely and moving https://youtu.be/Tvzzx-sMbMQ
R&B; Stevie Wonder, Marvin, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke; jazz (wrote about it for 15 years): Herbie, McCoy, Miles, Gary Bartz, Mulgrew Miller, Bill Evans, George Cables. Prince; Frank Sinatra; Joan Armatrading, Nina Simone; Aretha. MORE! Music is a healing force.
I agree with all your favorites, and would add Mali Ba and many others from Habib Koite, also from Mali.
Monteverdi, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler etc...but notably Sibelius (anything but esp violin concerto, 5th symphony, 7th symphony) and Ralph Vaughan Williams (anything but esp The Lark Ascending, The Sea Symphony - which uses text from your Walt Whitman). Cheers - from the country that gave you The Beatles.
Two genres of music because of the emotion they convey— opera and Broadway/West End tunes. For pure listening pleasure I also like jazz. Puccini’s arias are so full of passion and emotion. Sondheim, Bernstein, Porter, Lloyd Webber et al. Brubeck, Errol Gardiner, Gillespie, Ellington my father introduced me to those greats of jazz.
American artists: Doors & Pearl Jam. Overseas: Rolling Stones and Bob Marley-s crew, including Peter Tosh
Vivaldi Four Season is my go to! I always hear something new in it.
Lately, I have been listening to - and watching on YouTube - 2Cellos, fabulous Croatian musicians. Thanks for the tips.
When I need to wind down or I guess the better phrasing would be to settle down from all the chaos going on, I turn to several of my favorite artists. Neil Diamond, John Mellencamp, sometimes Bryan Adams. Then if I really need to zone out, I listen to Yanni and other New Age music. I’m weird that way.
The latest album by The Killers, Pressure Machine.
It’s the first time in years I’ve listened to an album in its entirety and immediately had to play it again. It’s a major departure from their usual sound, and a haunting exploration of the singer’s hometown, a small town ravaged by the opioid epidemic. It’s achingly human, and feels timeless.
Thank you, Steven, for your thoughts about the importance of music and what you love. The songs you mention are a few of my favorites too. I can’t imagine having to go through life without music - the way a great piece somehow expresses all that we experience, body and soul. I sometimes think of what might be hardest - losing the ability to see, or to hear. So many songs and pieces come to mind. George Harrison’s “Isn’t it a Pity”, Richie Havens’ “Follow”, Henryk Gorecki: Symphony No. 3, Opus 36 “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs”, (David Zinman, Dawn Upshaw and the London Sinfonietta, 1992); so many Van Morrison songs - “Madam George” and “Sweet Thing” (1968 album, “Astral Weeks”), and “Someone Like You” - Kate and Anna McGarrigle, “Talk to Me of Mendocino”, Lou Reed, “Walk on the Wild Side” (and many others of his), Leonard Cohen - too many to choose! - “Famous Blue Raincoat” and his cover of the French resistance song, “The Partisan”. The Pretenders, “Revolution” from live album, “The Isle of View”… I find it difficult to stop. Well, I’ve left out music that makes me purely joyous but these are a few that strike a deep chord. Thank you!
Anything by Trevor Hall. His music is a healing balm for my soul right now. Do yourself a favor and listen to ‘Where’s the Love”
I enjoy movie soundtracks, Beatles when I’m feeling up, oldies and a smattering of country. When I fly: soundtracks. Prince of Tides, Tombstone, Legends of the Fall…so many.
Wondering while listening to the Brandenburg Concerto if Bach would have loved Prince as much as I do.
Wow, your taste is really in line with mine. Great choices! “What’s Going On” is irresistible & important & relevant & stops me in my tracks every damn time. Bill Withers’ whole album,“Menagerie,” is so romantic and endearing.Add Stevie & Smokey.It’s so hard to make choices because I leave out the universe of what I also love.I will add Leon Russell,& Joni & Bonnie & Laura Nyro & Tim Buckley & son,Jeff-both doomed. CSN &Y together & alone. I love Rhiannon Giddens & Richard Thompson & Chris Thile.The Great American Songbook is very important to me,with Ella & Sarah & Nina & Frank & Mel & Sammy Davis Jr singing Porter/Gershwin/Mercer.Then there are Bill Evans, & Jobim & Cesario Evora & Caetano Veloso & Miles & Ahmad Jamal & Roy Buchanan, so many. Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry. Camila Cabala. The New Basement tapes with all of those great artists reworking Dylan. I can’t leave out Bach & Beethoven & Ravel & Dvorak & Falla & Orff & Spanish guitar. I will stop as there is no end.
Classical Music is my thing: for happy mood booster, Beethoven #7. For epic hope, the end of Mahler Symphony #2, last movement.
I love the oldies, but also new artists and music. A friend turned me on to this artist this week…who dropped his new album on Spotify. This is the title song: https://open.spotify.com/track/3Eabh6tji315ptr28Y2QzC?si=tM4j_tFqSReNc3aJ6bs_mA&dl_branch=1
The Beatles were the soundtrack of my childhood. I was 11 when they first came to NY. George Harrison on his own and Traveling Wilburys. Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Marvin Gaye, Willie Nelson. To this day, Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders I’ll Stand by You still brings tears to my eyes. Rimsky-Korsakof’s Russian Easter Overture, Gustav Holst’s The Planets, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Brahms 4th Symphony, Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack to The Legend of 1900. Erik Satie. I could go on and on. Music is life.
Here are 3 of my favorites, guarantee you have never heard of them (thanks to spotify for uncovering these!) : spotify:track:05aqp6tRn5YaQjXxJ5PGCA ("Ach, bleib mit deine Gnade" as interpreted by Till Brönner and Dieter Ilg; spotify:track:3dy8tSNmqEcC51xKblOu5I ("Winter, improvisation based on Vivaldi's Violin Concerto," artist Gabriela Montero; and this one whose title I think is Romance d'Amor: spotify:track:2gBJhw5EWxlFWZPjtlwRq5, played by Xuefei Yang on guitar. I have often listened to this Yang one several times in a row!!
Nothing will ever surpass Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, for me.