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You’re playin’ my song

Apr 20th 2007Karen Rose
Karen RoseOn Writing!

I’m writing now … This means I’ve dug in and am in this kind of “writing explosion.”  (Which usually means I have a looming deadline!  Which, uh, I do.) 

Some people I know write with candles or incense or in a coffee shop.  I write holed up in my office, playing music.  Most of the time, I tend to listen to the music that best fits my hero. One hero liked country, nice because I’ve always been a country music fan. One hero liked Aerosmith, and now so do I.  Writing opens up whole new worlds! 

die-for-me-25-pc.jpgThus my entre into opera.  Yes, opera.  The hero in my 9/07 book DIE FOR ME  has an opera-quality voice. (I learned book-pimping from Goddess Julia, the pimp-master here on Mount Olympus.  Plus, I recently got my new cover art and wanted to show it off!)  My hero’s name is Detective Vito Ciccotelli and he is totally HOT, let me tell you. 

So when I realized my macho detective hero Vito was also an opera-style singer, I panicked.  I knew nothing about opera.  Enter my opera-singing sister-in-law, Linda, her recommendations, my Rhapsody subscription, and a few “if you like Artist X, try Artist Y’s” later… 

I discovered HIM.  Sigh.  JOSH GROBAN. groban1.jpg Sigh.  I played Josh Groban’s music while I was writing DIE FOR ME and this newest book, too.  Truly his voice is to die for.  The man has an awesome set of pipes.  Now technically he’s not a “classic opera” singer, but he does perform many opera selections and crosses over to pop and the man makes me swoon, okay?

Groban’s nice to look at too, but it’s his music that touches my heart.  It makes me stop what I’m doing and lift my face and … soar.  I know that sounds hokey, but it’s true.  Listening to his music brings out my creativity and makes me feel.  His To Where You Are brings tears to my eyes.

Other artists who have caught my heart with a song are Collin Raye’s Love Me, Jo Dee Messina’s Bring on the Rain, Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World.  And Garth Brooks’s The Dance - “Yes, my life is better left to chance.  I could have missed the pain, but I’d have had to miss the dance.” 

Who needs Philosophy?  I have my tunes…

So who plays your song?  What kind of music touches you?  How does it make you feel?

70 Comments »

70 Responses to “You’re playin’ my song”

  1. Stacy ~ on 20 Apr 2007 at 5:46 am #

    I adore music, period. Country music (Jimmy Wayne, Garth, Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, ) to rock (Nickelback, Metallica, Fallout Boys, Three Days Grace) to oldies (Dion, Elvis).

    I think hearing good music can uplift you, or inspire you, or just make you feel good. It definitely opens me up to those positive feelings, which in turn seems to attract creativity, whether it’s for writers, or chefs, or maybe even car salesmen.

    All I know is that I can’t go a day without listening to music, even if it’s for the short commute to work. It gets me ready to face the day. I love it.

  2. Sandi on 20 Apr 2007 at 7:44 am #

    I’m terrible. I can’t tell you a single song name that touches me. I just know the music! Makes it extremely hard to go to the store to buy a CD. I love this song by Green Day…no clue what the title. I asked my son, and he told me…I bought the CD, and he confiscated it. I loved the song they used to send Idol people home last year…but haven’t asked him the title as I’m afraid I’ll buy another CD to never see it again!

    Sandi

  3. SuzyQ on 20 Apr 2007 at 7:47 am #

    I’m with you Stacy. I love all kinds of music, especially if it gets my feet moving. I love to dance and I am forever grabbing my kids and dancing with them around the living room to whatever song comes on TV (even commercials) or radio. I can listen to Yanni one moment, switch to Van Halen, then to The Black Eyed Peas, and end up with Michael Buble. Love love love music!

    Karen, I also love Josh Groban. What a voice!

    One song that comes to mind that always makes me cry is the Christmas song about the little boy who wants to buy a new pair of shoes for his mother because she is going to meet Jesus. I can’t remember the name or who sings it but I get misty just thinking about it. No other song can make me feel like that.

  4. SuzyQ on 20 Apr 2007 at 7:55 am #

    Oh and my all time favorite band is Earth, Wind & Fire. Their music always makes me feel good. I had the chance to see them live last summer and Philip Bailey was excellent! I was on my feet almost the entire time.

  5. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 8:04 am #

    See - I had an ulterior motive for this blog. I’m collecting the names of groups I haven’t listened to.

    Yanni, Van Halen, Martina - got ‘em all in my playlists. I’ll have to go listen to Black Eyed Peas - that has to be good, just because of the name. Kind of like Bare Naked Ladies. They say “Hah, made you look!” Green Day is another I haven’t heard. Must go listen.

    The other day I was listening to an old BTO classic and my husband opened my office door and stared at me. Not my usual fare, but I like to shake him up every now and again!

  6. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 8:10 am #

    I saw Garth Brooks in concert once. Wow - what a show. Seats were sold lottery basis and my friends and I lucked out and got like fifth row seats or something like that. I was on my feet the entire time too, screaming at the top of my lungs. I was 33 at the time - old enough to know better, but still too young to care (not Garth, I know). Anyway the next day none of us girls at work could talk because of the screaming and all the other people just shook their head at us - but wow - I still remember that show!

    And I nearly burned my thumb holding that lighter up when Garth sang The Dance. But it was worth it.

  7. Julia London on 20 Apr 2007 at 8:44 am #

    Karen, LOVE the cover and title of your new book! Excellent stuff to pimp!

    Have you heard il Divo? Its like Josh Groban times 4. And they’re all hunks.

  8. Patty L. on 20 Apr 2007 at 8:46 am #

    I love music. All of it. I listen to country and my favorite is Kenny Chesney, I love his voice. I listen to pop, and I could not name a favorite, I just usually never change the station. I listen to rock, classic rock, rap, and r & b. I just everything about music, it can put you in a good mood if you are down, or keep you down if you want it to. I can make you want to get up and dance or just sing along.

    Music to me is like reading a book, it puts you in the artist’s world for 3 minutes or 3 hours. As a writer, I love music to play in the background while write, it makes me produce more work.

  9. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 8:58 am #

    Well, Julia, I’ve heard of il Divo now!!! They’re bursting out of my speakers as I type. Thank you!

    Apparently they’ve added a fifth - and you’re right - they’re hunks. Aaahh. A hunk singing Ave Maria. That gets me. Really.

    Thanks on the cover! I’m excited about it :-)

  10. Kasey on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:03 am #

    I am a huge Garth Brooks fan. I have loved him since he first came out and I was about 10 or 12. I saw him in concert when I was in high school not long before he went into a retirement (I am still convinced he will be back in full swing someday). I listen to Garth a lot when I am writing papers for school or reading. I think he will always be my favorite. I listen to a lot of country music and some newer singers that I like to listen to are Billing Currington, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Josh Turner (he has that awesome low voice) and Carrie Underwood. For a little rock in my life I like listening to Matchbox Twenty because Rob Thomas has an incredible voice.

    Karen Rose - I am jealous. 5th Row!!! We weren’t so lucky. We were in the upper deck. At least it was a smaller arena.

  11. Kasey on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:05 am #

    Patty L. I am actually going to go see Kenny next month. I am really excited for that! Sugarland is opening for him and I really like them too. My friend hooked me up with some tickets so I have some pretty good seats.

  12. Julia London on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:08 am #

    Stacy, I’m like you — I have everything from Dean Martin to Guy Clark to Bach and Creed on the old iPod. I love the variety.

    My favorite country musician is Keith Urban

    My favorite rock is Nickelback

    My favorite alternative is Patty Griffin

    My favorite classical is Mozart. Maybe Bach.

    My favorite pop is Kelly Clarkson

    But I can’t write with it on like Patty L. I can’t write with anything on — I lose focus. I wish I could, tho!

  13. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:13 am #

    Hey, Kasey - when Garth shook, we got wet. It was soooo cool.

    Brad Paisley - another I LOVE. His “He Didn’t Have To Be” always makes me sniffle - especially the video when he’s standing at the nursery viewing window with his Dad. Sniffle… Tim and Faith - doesn’t get much better.

    And Dierks - when I was writing my fourth book, NOTHING TO FEAR, I was listening to Dierks and his “What was I thinking?” There’s a bit in the book where the hero Ethan finds the heroine’s (Dana’s) tattoo and it’s the same one as in Dierks’s song. Ethan says “What *were* you thinking?” Hah ;-) Of course he finds the tattoo just after a very hot scene. Fanning self remembering. Ethan was a hunk.

    Now back to current hero! He’s more a blues kind of guy.

  14. Kasey on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:26 am #

    So jealous….I would have loved to have seats that close to Garth.

    I did have 8th row seats to Brad Paisley last winter! He put on a great concert and he is so cool. He had this video thing he did with Little Jimmy Dickens that just cracked me up.

    I saw Tim and Faith last summer too (I won tickets to that one on the radio for that one). They were so awesome and it was so cool to see them perform their duets together. They are doing another tour this year and I do recommend seeing them. I am starting to sound like a concert-aholic. But they’re so fun!

    Karen, now I am going to have to go read that book! I love that Dierks song.

  15. Stacy S on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:33 am #

    I listen to mostly heavy metal. KORN would have to be my favorite. I like other stuff too. I love these 2 songs- Never Gonna Let You Go by Sergio Mendes and Tonight I Celebrate My Love by Peabo Bryson w/ Roberta Flack and 1 more Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden. Love ‘em.

  16. KMB25 on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:36 am #

    Karen, I just finished that book about a week and a half ago….I’m now having some interesting new insight!…*wink wink*

    Maybe I’m just a little jaded…and I like country music, but as I’ve been reading the responses…there are a few names that I know of personally and I have these images pop into my mind about them (as opposed to their music). For example…Faith Hill…I think of the places around town you can see her (she frequents the starbucks not far from where I live) and I think of those things instead of their music. It’s weird…I know.

    My favorite group to listen to is an Irish group–Solas. I absolutely LOVE their music. They came through Nashville about a month ago and I got a chance to meet them and network with the fiddle player a bit. It was really cool—and such a learning experience!

  17. Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:41 am #

    Like you, my books require a soundtrack. In my case, it’s Celtic. Lots of Celtic and New Age (I too have Yanni in my Itunes). When I’m not writing, I enjoy a wide variety, stretching from classical (Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, for example) to singer-songwriter (James Taylor, Carly Simon) to rock (Queen and Styx and Neil Young) to pop (Evanescence and REM) to alternative (if you can call Tori Amos alternative). Yes, music is my life. :-) One day I will count all the CDs and downloaded albums my husband and I have beween us. I think it will probably outnumber the books, and I have LOTS of those (but he has very few–he likes nonfiction).

  18. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:50 am #

    KMB - tell me Faith Hill isn’t as gorgeous up close!! No, don’t tell me. I want my mental images to stay intact. I’ll check out Solas.

    KORN - So I just looked them up and will try them, too. I was remembering though, this musician that used to be a guest taster on the Food Network’s IRON CHEF (the Japanese episodes, not the American ones). This guy’s name was Korn, too. No relation, trust me.

    But my oldest daughter is really into J-Pop. She never touches my Rhapsody because none of her stuff is on it, so no worries about her stealing my CD’s. My hubby and I share a few interests musically, but he just winces at my country collection. But I still love him anyway.

  19. KMB25 on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:51 am #

    Sabrina, are you a Solas fan? If so, they have a new album out you should check out called decade, which is more of the best of their last 10 years together kind of cd…but Win Horan (the fiddle player) and the guitar player have a new album out too, called Serenade.

    ~Kim

  20. KMB25 on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:54 am #

    Karen…well, she is pretty…but I think she doesn’t have that extra sparkle that she does on tv and in magazines…something about post-production (and different make-up..etc)..hehe.

  21. RachelG on 20 Apr 2007 at 10:20 am #

    While writing, I also listen to what my characters listen to. At the moment I am listening to Trace Atkins. Last summer Mr.G and I saw him in concert at a ski resort near our cabin. The stage was set up in the bowl in front of the lodge surrounded by mountains and pine trees. It was absolutely the most awesome concert I have been too. And I’ve been to some kick a$$ shows–everything from the Stones and Aerosmith to Garth to the Police.

    While driving though, I listen to a lot of different stuff. I’m one of those annoy drivers who sings along to the music, which drives my children nuts because I can’t carry a tune. My fave song to sing along to is Try A Little Tenderness by Otis.

  22. Erica Ridley on 20 Apr 2007 at 10:36 am #

    Awesome cover! I like music of almost every variety, and especially love concerts. Being right there always makes me feel so alive!

  23. Kasey on 20 Apr 2007 at 10:42 am #

    Kim - I never meet Faith in person but I saw her in concert and she does sparkle there. It could be all of the lights and the makeup but I thought she looked like a cute pixie on stage.

  24. gannon on 20 Apr 2007 at 10:45 am #

    I love all kinds of music–country, rock, alternative, pop, classical, celtic, new age, etc. I just pick the music to suit my mood. One soundtrack I love is LAST OF THE MOHICANS! When the theme song plays, I can almost see Daniel Day Lewis running through the forest! *sigh*

    I do love Josh Groban’s voice–just gives me chills! The same with Andrea Bocelli and Il Divo–hunky men, yeah! ;)

    One of the best concerts I ever went to was Luther Vandross. It was his Power of Love tour–wow! He really put on an amazing show and his voice was just as smooth as it is on CD. The women in the audience were going nuts–I loved it!

  25. anneriailin on 20 Apr 2007 at 10:59 am #

    Music is like books. You can never have too much!! I love all kinds of music. Depending on my mood, it can range from classical to heavy metal. Never really got into the heavy metal when I was younger, but my kids listen to it and I gotta tell ya, I have a new respect for AC/DC now. lol I love Celtic music too. Enya. Her voice is just wonderful. I used to work at a couple of entertainment venues and was able to see alot of the shows. Some I never would have seen if hadn’t been working at the venues. Loved Manhattan Transfer. Wow….can they sing!! and the harmony they have is unreal. I too love Garth Brooks, but Brooks&Dunn are my favorite country singers. Saw Garth Brooks ’bout 10 years ago. What an energetic show he puts on. I was tired from just watching him run around!! I could go on about music, but should really get back to work! shhhh

    –dorothy

  26. Ronlyn on 20 Apr 2007 at 11:09 am #

    I’ve got everything in my CD collection, it’s pretty amusing. Especially since my uber-organized DH alphabatized all the CDs, so Dean Martin is next to Ricky Martin. That always makes me giggle.
    Lately i’m into the gritty voiced rockers. Nickleback, Hinder…that type of vocal sound. I love it. It’s so sexy.

  27. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 11:17 am #

    Okay, I must try this Nickleback. Too many of you are listening to him! Must find out what I’m missing. Plus gritty and sexy together - it bodes well!

    I too, have a new respect for the rockers as I get older. Did you know Twisted Sister made a holiday album? Their version of the 12 days of Christmas was hysterical! I recall spandex pants, skull earrings, and cans of hair spray being on the list. Oh and a tattoo of Ozzy.

    Chuckling…

  28. Kasey on 20 Apr 2007 at 11:18 am #

    Dorothy - Have you seen Brooks & Dunn in concert? They are awesome! They have a great energy onstage. The don’t run around as much as Garth does, but they are very entertaining.

  29. Susan K on 20 Apr 2007 at 11:21 am #

    I love music!

    My favorite band: Def Leppard, Slang is my favorite song they do. I’ve seen them 3 times in concert.

    My favorite pop singer: Justin Timberlake, Sexyback happens to be one of my favorite songs although he has a whole bunch I like. I’ve seen him twice in concert. Once in Feb and once in March of this year. What can I say, he’s hot!

    My favorite country singer: Garth Brooks. Actually he’s the only country singer I really like. Two of A Kind Working on A Full House happens to be my favorite song of his. Although that tends to change.

    My favorite oldies singer: Elvis Presley. I love Elvis! I’ve been to Graceland twice. I couldn’t pick a favorite song here if I wanted to. There are just too many!

  30. SuzyQ on 20 Apr 2007 at 11:22 am #

    Karen, now I have “We’re not gonna take it . . . ” running through my head - LOL!

  31. Karen B on 20 Apr 2007 at 11:26 am #

    Eva Cassidy is one of my very favorites. Listen to Over the Rainbow on her Songbird CD. She died way too young in 1996 at the age of 33.

  32. Susan K on 20 Apr 2007 at 11:26 am #

    Stacey S. - I loved Savage Garden! And Truly Madly Deeply is such a good song.

    I haven’t seen it mentioned but I also like Contemporary Christian music. Jaci Valquez, Kutless and Casting Crowns are a few of my favorites.

  33. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 11:46 am #

    Have to tell this story - my husband is a middle school history teacher - eighth grade. He’s a really wonderful teacher, infusing arts into his lessons. (It’s a teacher-speak thing - it means he keeps it interesting.)

    Anyway, he’s doing the Declaration of Independence with his 8th graders and shows them the Twisted Sister video of “We’re not gonna take it”. The founding fathers, he tells them, had decided they weren’t gonna take it any more. CRACKED ME UP. Dee Snyder as Thomas Jefferson… Although I suspect Snyder would appreciate the comparison, seriously.

    The 8th graders think my hubby rocks and they were amazed that good music came out of the 80’s.

    DIE FOR ME’s hero is the opera-singing detective, but the heroine is Sophie Johannsen, a former archeologist who now works in a history museum. Through the book she gives these tours, dressed up like historical characters. I’ve dedicated it to my hubby, citing his use of Hair Bands of the 80’s as a teaching tool.

  34. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 11:48 am #

    The other rocker that cracks me up is Alice Cooper on those hotel ads. Jumping rope with the little girls…”My name is Alice. I live in a palace.”

    Gotta love it!

  35. Suzanne Enoch on 20 Apr 2007 at 12:27 pm #

    When I’m writing historicals, I listen only to either classical music or movie scores. Nothing with lyrics, or it pulls me write out of the moment.

    For the contemporaries I tend to listen to the score from “XXX” or the hard rock station on cable. I don’t have an Ipod or whatever those other things are you guys are talking about. I tend to spoil myself visually rather than auditorally (sp?). Tons of DVDs and hi-tech playing and viewing gadgets.

    And okay, I’ll admit that I’ve been a John Denver fan since I was knee high to a guitar, and I still like listening to his stuff.

  36. cookeemama on 20 Apr 2007 at 12:39 pm #

    Karen, the next time you want inspiration for a *ahem* love scene, try Ty Herndon’s “Steam”. Oh my. I get all sweaty just thinking about it. And the video was something else.

    Whew! Is it hot in here or is it just me?

  37. Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Apr 2007 at 1:24 pm #

    Kim, I have all of Solas’ albums, which is why I’m not buying the best of album–I probably already have all the songs. *G*

    I considered the Serenade album (Mick McAuley’s voice gives me shivers–”The House Carpenter” from his solo album is a huge favorite), but a quick listen of the samples of the cuts didn’t thrill me, so I’m still waffling. I have so much of the more traditional stuff that I tend to go for either fabulous voices singing the ballads (Connie Dover, Karan Casey, a bunch of others), or unusual takes on the Celtic. I adore Loreena McKennitt (yes, I know that she and Connie are Canadian), I really like Ashley MacIsaac when he’s not being too traditional, and I love groups like Peatbog Faeries and Keltik Electrik. I already have tons of Capercaillie, Deanta, Arcady, etc., so I’m not buying any more in that vein. But since I like kind of punchy New Age (Enigma, for example), I also like sort of unusual Celtic mixes. And anything with bagpipes. Love the bagpipes.

  38. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 1:26 pm #

    Suzanne - I love Denver, too, and have for years. I’m smiling at a memory, though- once I was in Japan on business and our host had this fancy dinner in a traditional restaurant. After the meal, they brought out the karaoke machine and the host went first, which translates to “You will do this too.” So I and my colleagues were searching for a song we all knew. I was (as usual) the only female in the group. This was an international gathering and my colleagues were Welsh, German, Italian, Venezuelan, and Japanese. The only song we could find that we all knew was John Denver’s “Country Roads.”

    Hearing that mix of voices and accents singing “West Virginia, Mountain Mama” makes me laugh every time I remember.

  39. Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Apr 2007 at 1:32 pm #

    anneriailin, I love Enya, Clannad, and Maire Brennan (have most of their albums), but I can’t write to them. Not sure why. And for some reason, I really dig writing to a strange little New Age group called Sacred Spirits, who does Native American chants over synthesiser music. I wish they had more than one album. I just love writing to them. Which is weird, since I’m writing about Regency England. Go figure.

    Oh, and Kim, I adore all three albums by the Poor Clares, a Celtic band based in New Orleans. They haven’t had an album out in several years, though, which I find terribly distressing. :-(

  40. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 1:32 pm #

    Now, cookiemama, Ty Herndon is a name I’ve not heard in a long time. I was a huge fan of his and can’t recall why I took a hiatus. That mistake will not continue! But I couldn’t find the STEAM video online. When I come out of the deadline hole, I’ll curl up for some CMT.

    One of the hottest videos I recall is one of Shania Twain’s - when the guy is in the bathtub. Oh my oh my oh my. Never mind Shania, I wanted more of the guy with those incredible washboard abs.

  41. KMB25 on 20 Apr 2007 at 2:26 pm #

    Sabrina,
    I’ve heard of the Peatbog Faeries and some of the others, but I’ll have to check out the Poor Clares. When I’ve played at Grandfather Mtn. Highland Games, there have been more than a few bands with bagpipes…but I’m blanking on the names of the bands.

    I’ve recently played a gig with Irish piper Tommy Martin, and he gave me some great ‘traditional’ albums to look for (besides his, of course…he’s a fabulous player!)…he suggested: Kitty Lie Over; Grey Larson and Andre Morchond (sp?)–The Orange Tree as well as a few others. I’m still trying to build my Irish collection…though I like some of the more Irish rock stuff that’s out too. You might want to check out a band called Daybreak (if you haven’t already)…they have more “plaidgrass’ roots, but the music’s pretty cool.

    ~Kim

  42. gannon on 20 Apr 2007 at 3:14 pm #

    Kim and Sabrina, here are some more Celtic bands–I think some have played at the Highland Games.

    Seven Nations, The Glengarry Bhouys, Albannach, The Kildares, Mac Tallamore (sp), and Gaelic Storm.

    In case you can’t tell, I love Celtic music, especially the bagpipes, Sabrina! Of course, if they are being played by a handsome, braw Scotsman, all the better. ;)

  43. catslady on 20 Apr 2007 at 3:35 pm #

    I’m repeating what others have said but Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli and Garth Brooks are my 3 favorites.

  44. catslady on 20 Apr 2007 at 3:36 pm #

    Oh yes and the Celtic Woman - a group of women, are great too.

  45. Judy f on 20 Apr 2007 at 4:00 pm #

    I love music. Have to have it esp at work. I love that Nickelback song I think its called Rock Star. I don’t normally listen to that type of music but when it comes on in the car i am singing along.

    I love the cd by T K Tenstale (sp) she sings, Suddenly I see. and a song called Cherry Tree. Its a great CD.

    I listen to a mix of music from the bee Gees to Billie Joel and some rock in there too.

    Keith Urban’s Cds are great.

    My favorite concert was my first Billie Joel concert. We were 8 rows back on the floor and he only had the one record out. It was at christmas time and we were all singing christmas songs.

  46. Stacy S on 20 Apr 2007 at 4:01 pm #

    Any song by Lenny Kravitz is good. The song Again is great. Plus he’s very hot..

  47. Ann in IL on 20 Apr 2007 at 5:30 pm #

    I am a huge fan of Andre Rieu. He plays mostly classical - his orchestra is the Johann Strauss orchestra. He is amazing. I ‘ve been listeneing to him exclusively for over three years. He’s REAL easy on the eyes , too:)

  48. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 5:53 pm #

    Catslady - I’m with you!

    Going back to my whole quasi-opera blog theme - Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, and my gosh - Welsh wonder CHARLOTTE CHURCH! How could I have left her out? Truly the voice of an angel!

    That’s how I found Josh Groban, actually - through Charlotte Church. In DIE FOR ME, the hero sings a lullaby to his nephews and it’s from the opera Hansel and Gretel. My SIL Linda recommended the lullaby from Hansel and Gretel, and my Rhapsody search led me to Charlotte Church, because she sings it on her Voice of An Angel album. I listened to all of her albums and then I heard THE PRAYER - Church’s duet with Groban. It’s the one they sang at the Salt Lake City Olympics closing ceremonies.

    After that, I couldn’t get enough of Groban or Church. I wish they’d do more duets! Now, Bocelli and Celine Dion also do The Prayer, but I have to say although theirs is good, the Church/Groban one is my favorite!

  49. Karen Rose on 20 Apr 2007 at 6:02 pm #

    Judy F - I’m green with envy - you heard Billy Joel when he had only one album out. That was before Piano Man! I have a playlist for my Joel favorites. It’s labelled “Billy Joel - Classic and Grouchy”. LOL. You know the songs I mean. My Life and Only The Good Die Young.

    I listen to that playlist at least once a week!

    Thanks to all the folks who recommended the Celtic music. I have Enya and McKenna, and would like to try some more.

  50. Suzanne Enoch on 20 Apr 2007 at 6:08 pm #

    Ooh, Sabrina, I love Loreena McKinnitt, too. “The Book of Secrets” album just has songs with some of the best lyrics, ever. Even if she took “The Highwayman” from someone else’s poem. *g*

  51. foreverdelayed on 20 Apr 2007 at 6:46 pm #

    The Barenaked Ladies always touch me with their music. Sometimes it is the humor that touches me, sometimes it is the beauty. The have some of the most touching lyrics. Songs like “What a good boy”, “Brian Wilson”, and “War on Drugs” Have the ability to move me to tears. Songs like “One Week”, “Postcards”, “Be my Yoko Ono” and “Enid” always make me smile. If you ever get a chance to see them live, do it. They are so much fun to watch.

  52. Judy on 20 Apr 2007 at 7:32 pm #

    Classical music makes my heart flutter and makes me believe that if Heaven had music in the background, it must be Classical music. I had to take a Music Appreciation class back a couple of semesters, I was a goner. The one that touches my heart the most is Moonlight Sonata from Beethoven and Requiem by Mozart, they are both so achingly tender and full of remorse and, I believe unrequietted love, what’s not to love :sigh:

    And I’m definitely in my rock stage. Love rock. At the moment I can’t get enough of Fall Out Boy’s newest CD “Infinity On High” to me they have truly went above and beyond. The lead singer truly lets his talent soar on the vocals and the bassist lyrics are wit incarnate. I recommend this CD for at least one thorough listening, you will not be disappointed (but them I’m what you call obsessed with this band, not only am I going to their concert this summer, I can’t help but pimp them on any one who will listen)

  53. anneriailin on 20 Apr 2007 at 7:34 pm #

    Kasey, I’ve seen Brooks&Dunn many times in concert. Was in the 3rd row for one of them! I love their concerts!! I even have one of their cardboard promotion thingys (technical term) sitting in my house. LOL

    Someone mentioned Seven Nations. I’ve seen them and they are wonderful. I also saw a show of all young fiddle players called ‘Barrage’. They were awesome and had such energy. They even danced while playing. They’re out of Canada, I believe.

    –dorothy

  54. KMB25 on 20 Apr 2007 at 7:37 pm #

    Gannon—I know those seven nations boys…good music…they party pretty hard too…hehe. Struby (the bass player) is something of a player…along with those Albannach boys! I’ve played at Grandfather mtn with the Kildares and Mac Talla Mor band…they’re some good people–and the music is awesome! I’ve kept in touch with the fiddle player from Kildares…turns out we know a lot of the same people!

    I haven’t yet checked out the Glengarry boys, but I’ve heard stories about their fiddle player (heehee) and word on the street is Gaelic storm is looking yet again for another fiddle player…though I wouldn’t mind filling that position myself!

    ~Kim

    ps…just heard that we’re pretty much confirmed for Grandfather mtn. in July–hope to see some of you there!!

  55. dbrown3400 on 20 Apr 2007 at 7:40 pm #

    Karen, the cover art is great. Can’t wait for the book. I like most music except for hip hop and bluegrass. I have four programs that download because some seem to find tracks that others don’t. I create huge playlists by artists that I can start when I get home from work so I don’t have to keep changing. I get hooked on an artist sometimes days at a time. Current favorites are Eric Clapton (w/Cream, Yardbirds, etc.), the Carpenters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Michael Crawford, Elvis . . .

    The song of the moment is Gethsemane from Jesus Christ, Superstar as sung by Michael Crawford.

    Many of you named artists I want to try and others reminded me of ones I’ve forgotten. My all-time favorite concert was Elvis at the beginning of his come back tour.

    foreverdelayed - Barenaked Ladies do a great God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen with Sarah McLachlan that gives new dimension to the holidays.

    Donna

  56. foreverdelayed on 20 Apr 2007 at 7:55 pm #

    dbrown3400- I love that version. In fact I love their whole holiday album!

  57. KMB25 on 20 Apr 2007 at 8:20 pm #

    Judy, you should check out Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Dvorak’s Cello concerto, as well as his 4th and 8th Symphonies. I grew up in Classical music and those are some of my favorites.

    ~Kim

  58. Kasey on 20 Apr 2007 at 8:50 pm #

    Dorothy - that is awesome. I was almost as close. I was in the 5th row. I got the tickets through work because they sponsor the venue they were playing in. I would definately see Brooks and Dunn agian. It was awesome.

  59. Brandy on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:18 pm #

    I love most all music, country is not my favorite, but I will listen to a few. I adore Irish music and bagpipes call to me. Josh Groban is wonderful, his voice is fantastic. I also listen to hard rock, soft rock, and classical. Opera is wonderful, but I prefer the lighter ones, like Gilbert and Sullivans Mikado.

  60. Sabrina Jeffries on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:20 pm #

    Y’all are giving me great ideas! Actually, I’d wanted to check out the Barenaked Ladies Christmas album. I buy all those Very Special Christmas albums, and I’ve gotten some great Christmas songs off of them–Natalie Merchant’s “Children Go Where I Send Thee” is one of my favorites, along with Sting’s “Three Ships.”

    Speaking of Sting, I really like The Long Black Veil, an album by the Chieftains where they team up with big rock stars on Celtic songs. Mick Jagger does the title song fabulously, and Sting sings, “Mo Ghile Mear.” It’s cool.

    Kim, I have a couple of MacTalla albums, but from what I can tell, Gaelic Storm is a bit more traditional than I’m looking for right now.

    I think the Poor Clares are now defunct, sadly enough. I listen to their 3 albums and the one by their lead singer, Betsy McGovern, a lot.

    And the Grandfather Mtn. Highland Games exactly coincide with RWA this year, so I’ll have to miss them. Wahh!!

  61. julia london on 20 Apr 2007 at 9:24 pm #

    Sabrina and Suzanne — have you heard Loreena’s new album? Can’t remember the title, but the cover is beautiful and I think it is her best ever. Beautiful

  62. KMB25 on 20 Apr 2007 at 11:12 pm #

    I have the Chieftan’s Long Black Veil album and it’s definitely a winner!

    Eeeek…you have to miss the games??? Well, I suppose since it’s for a good reason, and big important Romance writers kind of have to be there…..I suppose we’ll survive. Will Mt. Olympus be deserted during this time too?? Although, I guess that won’t worry me, as there’s no internet access for me while I’m in NC that weekend anyways. Nevermind…carry on…..*G*

    ~Kim

  63. Brandy on 21 Apr 2007 at 12:25 am #

    The Games? Someone else is going to the Grandfather Mountain Games!! Yippeeeeee!

  64. KMB25 on 21 Apr 2007 at 12:35 am #

    Brandy, I’m the fiddle player for one of the bands….we’re still waiting on definite confirmation, but so far it looks like I’ll be there. Definitely come by and say hello :) I play with the Blair Band…I think I heard we’re playing in the grove with Albannach this year!!

    ~Kim

  65. Brandy on 21 Apr 2007 at 12:43 am #

    KMB25, I look forward to hearing y’all! I love the music at the games. Hubs goes for the food! *g*

    Why didn’t anyone mention Benny Goodman? I adore Sing, Sing , Sing performed by him!!

  66. gannon on 21 Apr 2007 at 1:39 am #

    Kim,

    That’s great that it looks like you’ll be at The Games this year–and in the grove with Albannach no less. Yeah! We’ll definitely see you there. We should be all moved in our house by then. At least I hope so, since we are having guests stay for the Games.;)

    Brandy, do you go to the Games every year and do you live in NC? We are moving to Valle Crucis–just down the road from Grandfather Mountain.

  67. Sabrina Jeffries on 21 Apr 2007 at 10:11 am #

    Julia, I pre-ordered the new McKennitt! That’s how much a fan I am. So, yes, I have it and love it.

    Ooh, next year, if RWA doesn’t conflict (it shouldn’t, since this year it’s two weeks earlier than usual), we should have a Goddess Get-Together at the Grandfather Mtn. Highland Games (that ALMOST alliterates :-) )!

    Oh, and Mt. Olympus is never closed. Thank God for wireless internet access!

  68. KMB25 on 21 Apr 2007 at 11:49 am #

    Brandy, I love the food at the Games too…so much I probably gain 10 lbs in a weekend!

    I’m glad to hear that Mt. Olympus won’t be closed, and wireless internes is awesome!!

    ~Kim

  69. Brandy on 21 Apr 2007 at 7:04 pm #

    Gannon: I live in SC, about 2.5 hours away. We don’t go to the games every year. I wish we did. But, this year we chose between the Gatlinburg games and Grandfather Mt. and decided to go to the Grandfather Mt. games.

    KMB25: I got my hubs hooked on cornish pasties, which are usually prevelant at the games. *g* I just can’t wait to see everything!

  70. Calila1988 on 22 Apr 2007 at 4:43 am #

    not sure if anyone is still reading these or notbut i just found the perfect song to listen to if you are writing love scene
    its called

    Seduces Me by celine dion

    Jess