As you know, I've always liked art rock, like Genesis, Yes, King Krimson and Gentle Giant. I remember that you and I share those groups as favorites. But I'll bet you're just like me in that you've heard everything each of them has done about a zillion times. It's still great, but I've just heard it so many times.

Now days, I find myself listening to a lot of "good times" music. It isn't as technical, but it's upbeat and fun. Things like 50's music, especially stuff that has cars and girls and hanging out on Saturday night as the themes.

In the late 90's, there was a period where I really liked a lot of what was popular then. The Wallflowers, Sarah McLachlin, Verve Pipe, Alanis Morissette, Matchbox 20, Our Lady Peace and Tool. You have to hear Tool's version of No Quarter. Oasis was good except I think they had a bit much to drinbk and twisted the knobs a bit much in the editing room so everything sounds distorted. Even Metallica and Nine Inch Nails sort of grew on me after a while. I didn't think much of' em at first, but they grew on me.

That's sort of a random list of stuff I liked in that period. Here's another artist I really like, probably you've already checked 'em out but maybe not. Did you ever hear Oingo Boingo? That's Danny Elfman's band, and he is the person responsible for so many of the movie soundtracks in the last decade. His soundtracks have a specific "sound," as does Oingo Boingo. Boingo is kind of jazz/rock meets big band, lots of horns. Elfman's soundtracks include Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and dozens of others. His specialty seems to be surreal action movies and his soundtracks fit them, having a sort of surreal orchestral quality.

Lately, I've been introduced to some new sounds from people bringing them to listen to my speakers. Of course, Diana Krall is one that a lot of people play. Frank Sinatra is a favorite, and so is Dean Martin. Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole's daughter, is nice too. There's a bunch in that category that really sound nice and relaxing, perfect for a dinner party. I've even found myself beginning to listen to some of this alone. A couple that Akhilesh introduced me to are the Silk Road Project and Yo Yo Ma. He does some very interesting music. Check it out.

There's some catchy Stray Cat's tunes on the 50's themes of fast cars, fast girls and sloe gin. And of course the fun surf songs you mentioned. Some of my favorites are "409", "Little Deuce Coupe", "Fun, Fun, Fun", "Hot Rod Lincoln", "Rock this Town", "Sexy and 17", "Stray Cat Strut", "Look at that Cadillac" and "Built for Speed". That selection makes a fun cruising tape or CD.

Wayne

I made two replies, just for fun. Last one was on the car tunes and this one on the thing you brought up about audiophiles and their musical tastes.

I've noticed what you described too, but not only do I see it in others but also in myself. Some people have more music source material than I do, and some less. Same with audio equipment. I have exactly as much of both as I could afford.

I've found myself occasionally listening to the equipment rather than the music. Sometimes I select material specifically to listen for nuances in the equipment or to demonstrate something to someone else. This is usually when I have something new and I am sort of testing it out. In those moments, I am doing critical listening with emphasis on the equipment.

This is mostly true of new loudspeaker designs but also when I purchase new amps or other equipment. There are usually a few weeks or maybe a couple months when I am working on something or evaluating it. During that time, I am hypercritical and sensitive to its performance. I listen to familiar material that tends to show me weaknesses in certain areas. And at these times, I am totally listening to the machine. The source material is the baseline and the equipment is the subject.

Most times, it's the other way around. When I have a system completed, I sort of compartmentalize it and don't ever look back at it technically. After I am satisfied with a design or a piece of equipment, I rarely listen to it the same way again. From then on, I listen to the subject material and don't even notice the equipment. I cease to analyze it or listen for strengths and weaknesses. I have already analyzed the system and am confident in its performance. I am comfortable that I can reach full power and put it through its paces without a failure. I can expect it to sound right. So after I have completed a design, I can forget it and sit back and enjoy it. The equipment becomes the baseline and the source material becomes the subject. This is when I am able to really enjoy the sound.

Wayne

The are plenty of classical and opera primers, so I'll leave that alone, but a few other starter suggestions:

Indian -- Anthology of World Music: North Indian Classical Music; Anything by Ali Akbar Khan

Pakistan -- Anything by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Old Time Country/Folk/Blues -- Anthology of American Folk Music (the Harry Smith edition); The Bristol Sessions; Times Ain't Like They Used to Be [start with Volume II]

Happy listening!

Blind Willie Johnson, there's someone who has walked the walk!

Try Mosaic Records They do a great job.

I can't help you on the Reggae side. I enjoy it, but it's never really grabbed me by the throat, and I'm stuck at the "greatest hits" level ("The Harder They Come", Bob Marley and the like).

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