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30DW2-2 - Day 16: Music



It was comedian/musician Martin Mull who said:

"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture."

But, what the heck, I'm going to give it a go.

Music is such a huge part of my life. I don't play an instrument. I just love to listen. It's been a big part of my life since I was a kid in the 50s, starting with Elvis Presley. But I remember as a grade schooler, walking home with my pals mimicking Gene Chandler singing that doo-wop classic Duke of Earl...


Then it was on to the hot-rodding and surfing songs of the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, the Rip-Chords and the like. And then, as a teenager, the British invasion of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Animals, the Kinks, the Troggs, the Zombies, the Dave Clark Five and others took over.

And that was it. I was hooked. In my mid-to-late teens I sang in several rock bands. We never went anywhere other than friends' basement parties but we had a lot of fun.

Since then I've collected tonnes of records and CDs and now I download much of my music.

What do I listen to? Rock, Pop, Folk, Country, Alternative, Americana. Pretty much anything except rap or disco. I'll even listen to a little classical and sometimes, truth be known, opera. And speaking of opera it was humorist Robert Benchley who put his finger on this genre of music when he said...

"Opera is where a guy gets stabbed in the back, and instead of dying, he sings."

Because I'm retired, I spend a lot of time at home. And a lot of that time is spent listening to music - in and of itself or as background music to whatever else I'm doing.

Sometimes I'll mix things up and other times I'll have artist days. My CD player will load 5 CDs at a time, you see. Today, I'm listening to the third day in a row of Rolling Stones music. Yeah, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.

I have enough music in the house to last me the rest of my life. And, yet, I'm always buying more. I'm a bit of a completist and I'm always adding to my collection.

Favourite artists? My top three have to be Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Eric Claption, particularly their output during the 70s.

Currently, I've been on a 10cc jag. I just bought their 40th anniversary box set Tenology and I've been reliving my love affair with them in the early 70s.

10cc were all exceptional musicians and they had a very humorous way with words. Take for example a song in which they poke fun at themselves and the music industry - The Worst Band In The World...


My taste in music is fairly eclectic, as you can tell. But oddly enough, while I love music I hate to dance. Oh I'll tap my feet and nod my head to the beat. But you'll never get me out on the dance floor. Oh, no. Much to Mrs D's disdain as she loves to dance.

I just thought I'd note that for you.

Now dance on over to We Work For Cha-cha-cha-changes where today you can get a peek at Nicky's knockers. I kid you not.

Comments

MikeWJ said…
You and I have a lot in common, NoName, Dylan is my number one, Young my number three. And music has been a huge part of my life, too. My whole family's life. Thanks for telling is a little bit about your collection.
KZ said…
It's fun hearing about a person's music collection. It's a quick shorthand insight into what a person is really all about, because music acts as sort of a common vocabulary among people of from many different walks of life. Thank you for reminding me of "Duke of Earl", Dufus. I haven't thought of that one in ages.
nonamedufus said…
We do have a lot in common, don't we? Twin sons of different mothers as they say. Who's your #2?
nonamedufus said…
If you remember Duke of Earl you're showing your age KZ.
I like a little bit of everything musically too, but unlike you, rap and disco included. I prefer "old skool" rap, but disco in large quantities: we played it at our wedding and I just can't get enough. However, l love Dylan, whom my wife hates, but she grew up with Springsteen, who has said he was inspired by Dylan, so it's all OK.
nonamedufus said…
Bryan, for me disco was a pimple on the ass of the history of music. And where is it now? But hey, music is music...I suppose.
Laughing Mom said…
It is pretty obvious to those of us who follow you how much of a music junkie you are. I liked this piece because it gave the background to your love of music.
Cheryl P. said…
I had never heard of 10cc before. I must not of been paying attention at some point. I, too like all kinds of music but disco and rap are way down the list on the list if I would list genres in the order of preference.
Linda R. said…
It's nice that you enjoy so many different styles of music. I pretty much stick to rock, pop and some country (not the slow sappy stuff), and of course, disco. Sorry, I know your opinion on that, but in the music world there is something for everyone.
Ziva said…
I always love listening to you talk about music, dufus, your love for it really shows. It's a beautiful thing. :)


Now, may I have this dance? ;)
nonamedufus said…
I'm a big fan of 10cc. Their box set is excellent.
nonamedufus said…
You're my number 1, Nicky.
Shawn Ohara said…
I always liked 10cc and Godley + Creme.
My original idea for my post was to do a write up about my first 45, LP, 8-Track, cassette, CD. I'll save it for another day.
nonamedufus said…
Yes, you're absolutely right about that Linda.
nonamedufus said…
You may absolutely have this dance, Ziva. and the next one.
mike said…
The world would a terrible place without music. Looks like we share a lot of the same tastes, Dufus.
nonamedufus said…
Yeah, that'd be cool. I'd really have to put my thinking cap on to remember all that.
nonamedufus said…
The one thing I like almost as much as listening to music is talking about it!
Nicky said…
And here I thought I was your number 1. Sigh.
nonamedufus said…
You are so right, Mike.
Nicky said…
I really like this Dufus. And thank you for telling everyone about my knockers. I appreciate it. :-)
nonamedufus said…
Knock, knock,knocking on heaven's door!
babs (beetle) said…
This post brings back a lot of memories for me. We grew up in different parts of the world, but at the same time and with the same music :)
nonamedufus said…
Oh, I can imagine. I mean they're rock royalty! A fascinating and, at times, sad history too.
Actually it's still in a lot of pop music. For example, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyx6JDQCslE I'm not saying it's right, but 258 million views.
nonamedufus said…
Oh, man, I can't get into that. Either the music or the wardrobe!
Ziva said…
You're my man, dufus.
Ziva said…
And so are you, Shawn. Or did you want to dance with NoName? ;)
Nicky said…
You are smooth, my friend. Very smooth. :-)
Shawn Ohara said…
:) I was waiting for you.
Boom Boom Larew said…
Sounds like I could be very happy listening to your play list for hours at a time!
nonamedufus said…
Next time you visit we'll give it a go.

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