Dec

16

New Reads New Tunes

Filed Under Books and Music | Leave a Comment

For several months I have been accumulated books and cd’s on my wish list. Last week I acted on impulse and ordered several items on the list. My current read list isn’t being read and I have wanted to listen to some unfamiliar music, so that drove me to place the order. I find myself strangely energized by the arrival today of the new media. The shipment included:

The Limits of Power by Andrew J. Bacevich

The Dark Side by Jane Mayer

Allison Moorer – Mocking Bird

Julieta Venegas – Aqui

Maria Rita – Segundo

Tift Merrit – Another Country

Shelby Lynne – Just a Little Lovin’

Melody Gardot – Worrisome Heart

After only four tracks, I am completely enthralled with the Julieta Venegas disc. My habit is to put a disc in the player and listen to five or ten seconds of each song to get a feel for the disc. I do this with each new disc before settling on one play in its entirety. This is pretty much how I decide to buy records when I have the opportunity to listen to samples. But recently I have come up with a new way to buy new music.

I search Amazon for a disc by and artist that I like particularly well and the review the recommendations listed for that feature. I pick one that catches my eye, select it and then review the recommendations for that artist. I repeat this process up to two or three times. Sometimes I listen to samples if they are available, but just as often I don’t. I have used this method several times now and am very pleased with the results. I’m discovering new artists and also expanding my musical awareness and I have yet to buy a single thing that I have disliked.

I was showing a co-worker some of the new selections and he told me that we were able to redeem performance award points for books and music through Amazon. This encouraged me to be a little bolder with my experimentation and within a few minutes I had depleted my points and have another 23 discs coming. Most of the artists are people I have never heard of. I’m quite excited.