T and I joined a BMG music club about a year ago. One of the reasons these clubs are so enticing (and hard to get rid of) is their persistant habit of giving you "free" CDs. While they are not truly free - you still have to pay S&H - it's nearly impossible to cancel a membership when you have the potential of low-priced web purchases. We completed our required number of full price purchases and have taken advantage of a "free" disc here and there ... but a few weeks ago we found ourselves with 11 free discs and no more obligation to buy. We went shopping.
The sheer volume of CDs that we could pick expanded my shopping habits and I found myself thinking "what would I never buy for full price - but still like to have". This then (as well as T's picks) is how the following ended up at our house.
Ultimate Alabama - 20 #1 Hits
$2.49
With songs like 'Born Country' and 'Love in the First Degree', this is a must have for road-trips. I admit though that my own personal knowledge of Alambama is limited to what I occasionally heard on the radio half-way through Illinois when country stations are the only ones capable of making across the corn fields to your vehicle. I'm enjoying all the songs I know and learning ones that T can't believe I didn't recognize.
N was disapointed that they didn't include 'Sweet Home Alabama', which she was sure was their greatest hit off all time. I was very kind when I let her know that Leonard Skynnard sang the song. I did not however, tell her that I didn't know this myself until I was in my 30's after hearing it hundreds of times at Lambert's resturant in Ozark, MO.
Behind the Music - The John Denver Collection
$2.49
N also told me that John Denver looks "creepy". After talking to her more about this, it seems that his large 70's glasses are what strikes her as odd. When she saw another recording of him from the 90's (dressed in a Hawaiian shirt without the glasses) she said he wasn't so wierd.
Creepy or not, everyone should have access to 'Annie's Song', 'Country Road', and 'Calypso' for those critical times when everything else but a Colorado Rocky Mountain High is too far away . I was disapointed though, that none of John's duets with Kermit and the other muppets made it to the VH1 collection.
Grease - The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
$2.49
Score one for the church of Scientology! Mr. Travolta (along with Ms. Newton-John) light up those 'Summer Nights' with the sounds of Rydel High's T-Birds and Pink Ladies. While I don't exactly hide the fact that I'm a sucker for musicals, this is one that I look both ways before whistling or singing.
As good as Grease is, it can never compare to Olivia's greatest movie: Zanadu. Musicals are great - but roller-skating will always hold a special place in my heart.
The Mamas and the Papas - Greatest Hits
$2.49
'California Dreamin', 'Monday Monday', and Kelly's mom from 90210 shaking a tamborine - how cool is that? I remember reading an article about how they had to change the words of the second verse of 'C-Dreamin' so it could be played on the radio. I've mentioned this before in a blog - but now that I know this ... and really paid attention to the words, this is a satisfyingly depressive song - not just another beach-bum diddy. I Dig Rock and Roll Music .... no wait, that's a Peter Paul and Mary Song about the Mama's and The Papas.
Donny Osmond - Somwhere in Time
$2.49
Ok - so now you can be sure that I didn't make all of our music selections. No comment on this one - I'll just list the tracks of all the cover songs you can hear when you go see Donny in Branson:
- Without you - I Can't Go For That - All Out of Love - Could It Be I'm Falling In Love - Don't Dream It's Over - After The Love Has Gone - Would I Lie To You - I'm Not In Love - Puppy Love - Happy Together - Don't Give Up On Us Baby - Plus the special BONUS Track: No One Has To Be Alone (from The Land Before Time IX, Journey to Big Water). If you don't know what LBT is or understand the signifigance of the "IX" in the title, you can't possibly know how scary this is to me.
The Best of Peter Paul and Mary - Ten Years Together
$2.49
This PP&M record came out in 1970 - long before they were singing children's songs (other than 'Puff'). Having listened to 'If I had a Hammer' and other tracks on an album I bought last year, I have to admit that I kinda miss the hisses and pops ... somehow it dosen't seem right to hear all the stuff in background so clearly. It's almost like I'm cheating.
Since N has studied Dr. King's March on Wachington, I thought it would be neat to connect PP&M's songs with the civil rights movement for her. After hearing 'Blowin In the Wind' she guessed that it was "about a war - right?".
..... there's 6 of 11 - more to come.
14 comments:
I listened to Donny earlier today. I won't tell you the one the kids started with when we opened the box, it's yet to come! :) We took a Sunday afternoon drive and listened to another "yet to come." I played Alabama, or at least some of it--for the kids. N is getting hooked on "I'm in a hurry!"
Golden and I sing, "You're the one that I want, ooo, ooo, ooo, honey," to each other frequently.
Was "Puff" really a kids song? :)
Also, I'm in a mood where I am not looking forward to Monday, Monday, right now.
More of a song for adults about the loss of innocence.
I had always heard that it was about smoking pot .. but after listening to it again - I can't see how that holds up since Jackie abandons Puff as he gets older. That dosen't fit with a song about how great pot is.
You should Snope it; there is a good article on it with quotes from the authors and others.
I'm not sure I'd recognize an Alabama song.
These records seem to be a lot of nostalgia for you guys. Music you grew up listening to because your parents listened to it?
I have a soft spot of P,P,& M - one of my dad's favorites.
What new music are you listening to that your kids will be nostalgic about?
I dare you to get a new album from the year 2006.
Although his music is good, John Denver is freaky looking with or without glasses. He has a snake face.
I used to love watching the Puff the Magic Dragon cartoon when it was a yearly special on TV. I wonder what happened to it?
I loved playing the "Grease" record when I was growing up. My brother has it now.
It does sound like your parents music had a big influence on you. My mom loved P,P, & Mary and the Momma's & the Poppa's.
Actually dash and I discussed this, neither of our parents listened to any of the music that we bought.
There's nothing to be ashamed about if your parents listened to that music. You are around friends and you can be honest with us.
Nope .... Dad had an old Simon and Garfunkel album (more on that in part 2) but this music came from my own listening habits of oldies radio, country radio etc.
.... well except for Donny Osmond.
I'm in no way ashamed of this music or why I like it - FYI ... most of the CD we bought in the program have been current (i.e. Wow 2006, Sara Groves, Newsboys, Third Day etc.) they just didn't seem blog-worthy.
That's right! There is nothing to be ashamed about. You've got some classics on your list.
I didn't mean that you should be ashamed of this music - i was joking about how teenagers are embarrassed (ashamed)the music their parents listen to at that point in their life. Then later they grow up and love it.
I can't wait to read part 2. FYI, all music is blogworthy - don't hold back.
I must point out that I can't believe someone else snoped me. I completely forgot that "Puff" was on Snopes.
Some fun as well as scary choices. It would be fun to do a shopping trip for $2.49 I always sorta liked that music. I've been a fan of "oldies" since before it was. PP & M, Mamas & Papas, Simon & Garfunkel. I love singing along.
I'll confess. I haven't bought a cd this year.
I like the idea of choosing CDs that you would not pay full price for. I have a list of them and its a sheer delight to pick one up. Most of mine seem to be mustache rockers from the 70s. And I guess my parents were big Eagles fans...
I sometimes find those cd's that I wouldn't pay full price for at the library. You can check them out and then rip it to iTunes.
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