Where to start? As a long-time musician and listener to music, I have a ridiculous amount of music in my head and recorded collection. But to tap into a few highlights, the following represents some favorites:
"Mediterranean Sundance/Rio Ancho"--from Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin, and Paco de Lucia's Friday Night in San Francisco album. This piece was played live by DiMeola and de Lucia, and, for guitarists, it represents the epitome of power, control, sensitivity, speed, and many other positive attributes. Make sure, though, to have sustained concentration without distractions when listening, because the piece runs over 11 minutes. It's clear, however, which guitarist is playing, because DiMeola plays an acoustic steel string with a flat pick and de Lucia plays a nylon flamenco guitar with his fingernails. There are videos of the piece in various incarnations, but no video exists of this particular version--which is the absolute best!
"Side One"--from The Allman Brothers' Live at the Fillmore East album. If you like the blues, this side of the album will greatly please you. Duane Allman was still alive, as was Berry Oakley, and the band was at the height of its powers.
"25 Or 6 To 4"--the original from the band Chicago (which can be found in many places). The piece is driving and contains one of the most iconic, incredible guitar performances, by Terry Kath, on a popular song.
"Shining Star"--from The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire album (The original can be found many places, and you've probably heard it.) This group had many great songs, with powerful harmonies and danceable beats, so it's hard to pick only one, but "Shining Star" is incredibly positive.
"You Were Meant For Me"--from Michael Franks' Dragonfly Summer album. Franks wrote and sang so many gorgeous songs (I'm a huge fan), from jazzy to poppy in a long career. And this song isn't even on my favorite of his albums (Abandoned Garden, an homage to Antonio Carlos Jobim). But who used Peggy Lee when she was 73? Michael Franks did.
"Got To Tell You"--from Indigenous's Things We Do album. This Native American band contained great players, and the piece channels Stevie Ray Vaughn smartly. (By the way, Vaughn had so many amazing performances that I couldn't pick just one.) If you haven't heard this song, be ready to be blown away.
"Agua De Beber"--from Al Jarreau's Glow album. Jarreau takes a Jobim piece and makes it his own, with incredible vocalization. This singer was one of a kind. In fact, one of the songs on the album, "Hold on Me," only contains his singing voice and sound effects from his voice. He was a gift to the world.
"I Love Being Here With You"--from Diana Krall's Live in Paris album. This piece kicks off the album, which contains a masterful group of songs, played by absolutely killer musicians. I could have chosen any of the other songs for the list; the album is that good. She has been a star for a long time now, and, as a Canadian, she was greatly influenced by Oscar Peterson (my favorite jazz pianist of all time). And the best Peterson album is "Exclusively for My Friends," a double album that I had to get on cd, because I was wearing out the vinyl over the years.
"The Sweetest Taboo"--from The Best of Sade. Sade had many hits over the years, but this song has always been one of my favorites of hers. Nobody ever sounded quite like her.
I could spend the next week talking about my favorite music, so understand that this little list just scratches the surface of possibilities. There are so many great pieces by James Taylor, Joni Mitchell,
Crosby, Stills & Nash, Steely Dan, Strunz and Farah, Grover Washington, Fourplay, Led Zeppelin. . . .
I have long listened to your Daily Delivery podcast and enjoy reading other aspects of your personality in The Friscalating Dusklight.
I define myself as a musichead. I have a huge vinyl/CD collection and have been writing a music-focused blog since the fall of 2011.
Yet I am paralyzed by the question: “What kind of music do you listen to?” My snarky comeback is “I listen to good music.” But that is just an evasive move.
I like your approach to curating a 10-song playlist with a short commentary on each track. After listening to your playlist, I have a good sense of your taste.
I will use this Substack post as an inspiration to do a similar exercise on my music blog https://catchgroove.com/. Once posted, I will post a link to the blog in the comments. My Substack is politics-focused.
Whoa, Enon! I used to deejay for the University of Iowa’s KRUI radio station when I was a student there. That gig was a goldmine for discovering bands like Enon. Songs from High Society, Believo, and Hocus Pocus were regularly in my on-air rotation. Hearing “Come Into” immediately transports me back to Iowa City. (For what it’s worth, the frontman put out a post-Enon record under the name Vertical Scratchers. It’s solid.)
Where to start? As a long-time musician and listener to music, I have a ridiculous amount of music in my head and recorded collection. But to tap into a few highlights, the following represents some favorites:
"Mediterranean Sundance/Rio Ancho"--from Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin, and Paco de Lucia's Friday Night in San Francisco album. This piece was played live by DiMeola and de Lucia, and, for guitarists, it represents the epitome of power, control, sensitivity, speed, and many other positive attributes. Make sure, though, to have sustained concentration without distractions when listening, because the piece runs over 11 minutes. It's clear, however, which guitarist is playing, because DiMeola plays an acoustic steel string with a flat pick and de Lucia plays a nylon flamenco guitar with his fingernails. There are videos of the piece in various incarnations, but no video exists of this particular version--which is the absolute best!
"Side One"--from The Allman Brothers' Live at the Fillmore East album. If you like the blues, this side of the album will greatly please you. Duane Allman was still alive, as was Berry Oakley, and the band was at the height of its powers.
"25 Or 6 To 4"--the original from the band Chicago (which can be found in many places). The piece is driving and contains one of the most iconic, incredible guitar performances, by Terry Kath, on a popular song.
"Shining Star"--from The Essential Earth, Wind & Fire album (The original can be found many places, and you've probably heard it.) This group had many great songs, with powerful harmonies and danceable beats, so it's hard to pick only one, but "Shining Star" is incredibly positive.
"You Were Meant For Me"--from Michael Franks' Dragonfly Summer album. Franks wrote and sang so many gorgeous songs (I'm a huge fan), from jazzy to poppy in a long career. And this song isn't even on my favorite of his albums (Abandoned Garden, an homage to Antonio Carlos Jobim). But who used Peggy Lee when she was 73? Michael Franks did.
"Got To Tell You"--from Indigenous's Things We Do album. This Native American band contained great players, and the piece channels Stevie Ray Vaughn smartly. (By the way, Vaughn had so many amazing performances that I couldn't pick just one.) If you haven't heard this song, be ready to be blown away.
"Agua De Beber"--from Al Jarreau's Glow album. Jarreau takes a Jobim piece and makes it his own, with incredible vocalization. This singer was one of a kind. In fact, one of the songs on the album, "Hold on Me," only contains his singing voice and sound effects from his voice. He was a gift to the world.
"I Love Being Here With You"--from Diana Krall's Live in Paris album. This piece kicks off the album, which contains a masterful group of songs, played by absolutely killer musicians. I could have chosen any of the other songs for the list; the album is that good. She has been a star for a long time now, and, as a Canadian, she was greatly influenced by Oscar Peterson (my favorite jazz pianist of all time). And the best Peterson album is "Exclusively for My Friends," a double album that I had to get on cd, because I was wearing out the vinyl over the years.
"The Sweetest Taboo"--from The Best of Sade. Sade had many hits over the years, but this song has always been one of my favorites of hers. Nobody ever sounded quite like her.
I could spend the next week talking about my favorite music, so understand that this little list just scratches the surface of possibilities. There are so many great pieces by James Taylor, Joni Mitchell,
Crosby, Stills & Nash, Steely Dan, Strunz and Farah, Grover Washington, Fourplay, Led Zeppelin. . . .
I have long listened to your Daily Delivery podcast and enjoy reading other aspects of your personality in The Friscalating Dusklight.
I define myself as a musichead. I have a huge vinyl/CD collection and have been writing a music-focused blog since the fall of 2011.
Yet I am paralyzed by the question: “What kind of music do you listen to?” My snarky comeback is “I listen to good music.” But that is just an evasive move.
I like your approach to curating a 10-song playlist with a short commentary on each track. After listening to your playlist, I have a good sense of your taste.
I will use this Substack post as an inspiration to do a similar exercise on my music blog https://catchgroove.com/. Once posted, I will post a link to the blog in the comments. My Substack is politics-focused.
Love this! Thanks for sharing, Jim, and I look forward to circling back and checking out your tastes
Here you go: https://catchgroove.com/2025/05/27/what-kind-of-music-do-you-listen-to/
Whoa, Enon! I used to deejay for the University of Iowa’s KRUI radio station when I was a student there. That gig was a goldmine for discovering bands like Enon. Songs from High Society, Believo, and Hocus Pocus were regularly in my on-air rotation. Hearing “Come Into” immediately transports me back to Iowa City. (For what it’s worth, the frontman put out a post-Enon record under the name Vertical Scratchers. It’s solid.)
Thanks for sharing your playlist.
Awesome; thanks, Michael! ! For anyone who is interested in listening via Apple Music, here is Michael’s playlist. https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/michael-rand-made-us-a-playlist/pl.u-ZPJ2lCpvqKZ