OJBs Web Site: Favourite Music 2007

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My Favourite Music: January 2007

This is the page I made to list my favourite music in January 2007. 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.

I must be going through a "classical phase" at the moment because a lot of the top music was classical, especially Mozart (I listened to Tchaikovsky more in the past). My top two tracks were Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp, and Piano Concerto 24.

I got the first piece because my daughter plays flute but it is such a beautiful, relaxing piece that it has become one of my favourites.

Listen to a sample of Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp.

In complete contrast was number 3. This was No More Tears by Ozzy Osbourne! What I like in particular is the awesome guitar work on this fairly heavy piece of classic rock.

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.

Next 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!

See the lyrics for Astronomy.
See the lyrics for Veteran of the Psychic Wars.
See the lyrics for Joan Crawford.

Sixth 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.

Next was "In My Place" by Coldplay. Last year I went through a period where I listened to Coldplay a lot but I don't have quite the same enthusiasm for them any more. 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.

Eighth was another classical piece, in fact probably my favourite piece of classical music of all time, Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto Number 1. Tchaikovsky's 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!

Listen to a sample of Piano Concerto Number 1.
Listen to a sample from the 1812 Overture.

Beethoven got in ninth 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.

Listen to a sample of Beethoven's Symphony Number 9.

My list wouldn't be complete without U2. They got tenth 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.

See the lyrics for Bullet the Blue Sky.
See the lyrics for Silver and Gold.
See the lyrics for Pride.
See the lyrics for Red Hill Mining Town.
See the lyrics for All I Want Is You.

Next was 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.

See the lyrics for Old Love.

Some higlights from other tracks on my list were: Stevie Ray Vaughan with Cold Shot and Tin Pan Alley (amongst others); some Enigma; and a few Van Morrison classics. Some of my other favourite classical pieces were: Mozart's Oboe Concerto, Vivaldi's Four Seasons (of course); Rachmaninov's Sonata for Cello & Piano, and piano concerto 2 and 3; Saint-Saen's Symphony for Organ 3 Finale; and Liszt's Grande Etude de Paganini No 3 and Piano Concerto 1.

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.