If you're like me, you love to listen to music! Luckily, the library offers a large and diverse collection that you can choose from, whether in CD or emusic form. Here's what I've been listening to this month.
"Labor of Love" - Fruition (Labor of Love)
I have always been around folk music in some fashion in my adult life. However, it wasn't until 2019 that I was introduced to the folk/bluegrass band Fruition while at a festival. Specifically on this album, it seemed that many of the songs I enjoyed right away, such as soft spoken "The Meaning" or "Above the Line." My personal favorite however is the titular "Labor of Love," which is just a fun, upbeat song about being there for other people. If you like folk music, I can't say enough good things about this band.
"Mars, the Bringer of War" - Gustav Holst (The Planets)
Growing up, I played violin, piano, cornet, and finally French horn through grade school. As such, I absolutely love classic music! The Planets is Gustav Holst's most famous composition, and all of the arrangements are great. However, "Mars, the Bringer of War" is, in my opinion, his best. It is a foreboding track that only gets louder and louder, ramping up the arrival of Mars. If you are just getting into classical and want something different than the traditional Beethoven or Bach, you can do no wrong listening to this.
"Build Me Up Buttercup" - The Foundations (Build Me Up Buttercup: the Best of the Foundations)
As we have established in my blog, I am a huge fan of Motown. Some may know this song as one of the classics of that genre, whereas others may have discovered this hit song through the movie "here's Something About Mary. The thing I love about this song is it almost instantly goads you into singing along, many times with others around you. I know I belt it out every time, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Build Me up Buttercup: the Best of the Foundations
"Your Song" - Elton John (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)
I am a sucker for musicians that perform on the piano. Growing up, as my parents would listen to "oldies" radio stations, Elton John would inevitably come up in some fashion. Whether such essential hits like "Rocket Man," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," or "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" came across the airwaves, I always thoroughly enjoyed the music. I was finally able to see Sir Elton back on his initial "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" farewell tour a couple years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised that the years had not stopped the energy nor the musical quality of his performance. I could have chosen any of his hits on this album, but I chose "Your Song" because it was his first hit. The thing I love about his music is that it is timeless, and all age ranges can enjoy his music. I hope you will enjoy this album as much as I do.
"Humble" - Kendrick Lamar (Damn.)
In 2017, accomplished rapper Kendrick Lamar published his next hit album, Damn. As some artists do, he put out a music video of a song prior to the release of the album to drum up interest. The music video to "Humble" was an instant hit (go see it if you haven't!), and from the beginning the beat made your head bob along. "DNA" is another one off his record that I thoroughly enjoyed as well. Kendrick has a great way with his lyrics, and if you were a fan of his previous To Pimp a Butterfly album, you will definitely enjoy this one as well.
