OJBs Web Site: Favourite Music 2003

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My Favourite Music: November 2003

This is the page I made to list my favourite music in November 2003. Its a bit different from my current list on my main music page, but there are a lot of similarities too.

What is my favourite music? Its hard to say without reference to my music library so I showed the 10 most played tracks in my iTunes music library and here's what I got.

In number one place was "In My Place" by Coldplay. I don't know whether Coldplay will stand the test of time but at the moment I play their stuff quite a lot. Their music is quite distinctive and has interesting melodic flow. I don't know about the vocals some times though! Other Coldplay tracks high on my list were Clocks, Warning Sign, Beautiful World, and Trouble.

Second was "The Crossing " by Johnny Clegg. Protest music about South Africa may seem a bit unnecessary now that the aparthied regime has been ousted, but I still find Clegg's work good from a musical point of view. Other Johnny Clegg tracks quite high on my list were Third World Child and Asimbonanga.

The first classical track, in third place, was Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp. I got this piece because my daughter plays flute but it is such a beautiful, relaxing piece that it has become one of my favourites.

Coming in fourth was one of my all-time favourite rock tracks: "Private Investigations" by Dire Straits. This is a wonderful piece of alternative style rock. Its subtle but powerful, and the lyrics suit Mark Knopfler's style (his vocals aren't always the best). I also have the live version in my collection, but the studio version is my favourite.

Fifth was another classical piece, in fact probably my favourite piece of classical music of all time, Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto Number 1. I like piano concertos, and this is well ahead as my favourite. Tchaikovsky is also my favourite composer. His music is so lyrical and elegant but also has plenty of variation. There are so many excellent themes in this and the dynamics between the piano and orchestra in this recording are brilliant. Other classic examples of Tchaikovsky's music on my list were Romeo and Juliet and even the 1812 Overture!

Beethoven got in sixth with the famous Symphony Number 9. Everyone knows the theme "Ode to Joy" from this symphony but the other themes are also wonderful. The rest of the symphony needs a bit of persistence and concentration to appreciate but after a while it becomes obvious this is an adventurous passionate piece of classical that will always be one of my favourites.

My list wouldn't be complete without U2. They got seventh place with "Bullet the Blue Sky". This is such a raw, almost nasty, piece of rock protest music which is still relevant because it protests against the USA in general, and especially their corrupt involvement in foreign politics. I have a lot of other U2 music in my top list as well, especially Silver and Gold, Pride, Red Hill Mining Town, and All I Want is You.

In eighth place was "Astronomy" by Blue Oyster Cult. These guys were supposed to be the intellectual's heavy metal band from the 70s. I don't know whether they really should be classified as heavy metal, or particularly intellectual, but they have some great lyrics and tunes in their music. Also high on my list from BOC are: Don't Fear the Reaper, Sinful Love, Burning for You, Sole Survivor, Veteran of Psychic Wars, and Joan Crawford - gotta love those lyrics!

In ninth was another Eric Clapton's, "Old Love". Clapton's "Unplugged" album is a favourite with so many people, you can play it to anyone and they'll like it. I like the guitar and especially the piano solo on this track. The vocals are also delivered nicely.

Some higlights from other tracks on my list were: Stevie Ray Vaughan with Cold Shot and Tin Pan Alley (amongst others); Crowded House; Moby's We Are All Made of Stars, Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad, South Side and Natural Blues; some Enigma; and a few Van Morrison classics. Some of my other favourite classical pieces were: Mozart's Oboe Concerto, Eiene Kleine Nachtmusik, and Piano Concerto 4; Vivaldi's Four Seasons (of course); Rachmaninov's Sonata for Cello & Piano; Saint-Saen's Symphony for Organ 3 Finale; and Liszt's Grande Etude de Paganini No 3 and Piano Concerto 1.

See the lyrics for We Are All Made of Stars.

OK, so you can see that I have rather varied taste (the word "eclectic" is a bit over-used, but appropriate). If you would like to agree or disagree on anything I have said just send me an email at OJB@mac.com.