Double Dog Dare

The queen of alliteration dares you to try this:

Go to the library, (or the music store if you're so funded and inclined;) and pick a shelf. Grab half-a-dozen random items. Take them home and listen. Criticize, analyze, etc..

Wasn't that fun? I bet you found something new that you like!

That was the basis for my "Ear Candy" list, below.

I nabbed one random c.d., then proceeded to an area that wasn't being restocked, so I wouldn't be in the way, and just pulled whatever struck, yeah, a chord. Everything from one shelf; no cheating.

Nothing I had heard, (at least all the way,) before. Like, who hasn't heard "Ode to Billy Joe" 5,000 times? But I had never heard ANYTHING else by Bobbie Gentry! That was an easily corrected mistake; all I had to do was lift it from the shelf for some free inspiration. (If anyone wants to tell me I can sing like that, it'd be very cool...)

Steve Earle may be lyrically a little depressing, but his music belies a ridiculously infectious sense of hopeful playfulness. I didn't know this until Monday! What a day.

Never heard of Elizabeth Cotten. Well, now you have, too; and this Smithsonian Folkways recording is a heartfelt breeze of simplicity. Makes me wanna learn some alt-tunings.

And then, I wonder, in each case, who is responsible for these recordings being available? Who requested or ordered them? Who borrowed and gave them back? Thanks, everyone!

I needed a vacation, and this one is so pleasant.

A double-dog-dare for the dog days of summer!

Love,
Robin

P.S. It also appears that, as previously unbeknownst to me, every one of the artists I've listened to so far from my selection, are songwriters! A heavenly wink, I think!