I was looking for a particular kind of music. The head being fuzzy and the legs a little shaky, instead of wandering around the shelves, it seemed more self-caring to let the fingers do the walking. So opening up the ever useful Vinyl Connection database, I engaged the ‘find’ function and typed in ‘music’. Surely my needs would be met by the brain inside the computer, currently more functional than the organic one.
Magic Christian Music by Badfinger. I could use some Flu-go-away magic, but happily pass on the other bit.
Music From Big Pink. Great though The Band are, the only thing big and pink is my nose.
Music Has The Right To Children. That’s what Boards of Canada claim, and who are we to argue Loretta?
Don’t Stop The Music urge the Brecker Brothers. But I haven’t even started yet!
Another Music in a Different Kitchen. The Buzzcocks are inside a house, and that’s a good start. But a bit to energetic for my needs.
Music For Prepared Piano. The only thing I want prepared is a cup of lemon and honey tea. Sorry Mr Cage.
Inma Juju Dance Music, The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Tuiryasangitanando. Too crook to dance, Coloured Stone. Far from ecstatic, Ms Coltrane.
Music Forever and Beyond. A five disc set spanning Chick Corea’s career. Trouble is, when you’re unwell, there is only the snivelling ‘now’. Forever seems a bit much really.
According to The Creation, Our Music is Red – With Purple Flashes. So are my eyeballs.
Piano Music III. Ah, now we’re talking. Debussy. Gentle, dreamy, delicate. Make a mental note of this one.
As the CD changer in the family room holds several discs, if I push on, I can line up a couple of hours worth of reclining.
Discreet Music is an early Eno ambient exploration, a 1975 album that leads towards Music For Airports (1978). Both are suitable for convalescence but I’m not that ill. Something with a bit of melodic interest would probably not send the mercury too high, so we’ll just skip over Eno’s several other music applications (for Films, for Installations).
Field Music are an interesting 21st century band. Musically inventive, but neither driving nor especially rock ’n’ roll. Clever structures and unusual melodies. Worth an attentive listen, if I can manage it. Their first album (2005) is added to the list.
There being a dearth of sun in these parts, Groβschnitt’s Solar Music Live is reasonably attractive. A sprawling spacerock/krautrock work, this is a favourite of many prog fans: dramatic and at times bombastic. Perhaps not today.
Handel’s Water Music is a lovely suite, but I can’t be bothered choosing which version to play.
Oh, now here is something. A mesmerising collaboration between Brian Eno and trumpeter Jon Hassell, Fourth World Vol.1 – Possible Musics is an album I love and one where the listener can either lie back and let it wash over them or tune in for the enticing and exotic textures. I love this one to bits and never get bored, partly because Hassell’s treated horn almost never sounds like a trumpet.
Hooray for LPs that include the CD!
Actually, that might just do for now. Wonder how the program would work if I put the player on random?
A Couch List
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Debussy - Piano Works III [2008]
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Field Music - Tones of Town [2005]
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Eno / Hassell - Fourth World Vol.1 - Possible Musics [1980]
Now, where’s the remote? Where’s the blanket?
vinylconnection.com.au 
Tones of Town is definitely my favourite Field Music albums. They can be difficult sometimes but this album I definitely connected with.
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Agreed. They are albums that need a little time and decoding, but offer rewards!
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Get well soon!
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It’s a man-cold Chris. Could take weeks. 🤧
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When you load up the dc changer, are you on shuffle or linear playing. When I had a changer, I decided I didn’t like shuffle because I appreciate the effort bands put into their albums to tell a story and create flow. If I want a variety of bands, well, I need to make a mix tape (CD).
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Did the shuffle thing yesterday – it can give a new perspective on the tracks. But normally, I’m with you; I like the album to unfold the way the artist planned it.
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What?! You didn’t have “Music” by Madonna? Well, blow me over with a feather. 😉 I wasn’t aware of this Eno album, so I’m grateful for your highlighting it. It sounds fascinating. – Marty
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Sadly, there is a Madonna shaped void in the VC collection, Marty. 🙂
The collaboration with Hassell is very interesting and unusual. Worth checking out to discover if it’s your cup of tea!
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Don’t diss the material girl.
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Not having ever heard a Madonna album, I’m scarcely going to diss her!
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If I had a man cold,
I sleep in in the morning,
I reach for the remote,
And hit play…
But I’m a lazy bone and it would only be the radio. But not being afflicted, I reckon my play list might include Oscar P’s Night Train, Mel Torme’s London mood and, if I had any, perhaps some languid Bob Dylan.
Milk it and don’t get well toooo soon.
Thanks
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Night Train is a goody. Oddly*, I found myself listening to McCartney’s latest. Something of a curate’s egg but the good bits are enjoyable.
* Not really odd. Preparing a review for Discrepancy.
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I can’t vouch for the Field Music or the Eno/Hassell, but Debussy should create a fine recuperative soundscape. Bad head colds can be miserable; hope you’re back to Buzzcocks level energy soon.
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Thank you JDB. Hope you are still enjoying some fine weather.
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If the ‘find’ feature were used here for ‘music’ – the tragically hip’s ‘music at work’ would likely be among the first search results.
I found myself thinking yesterday about what your #1 artist (in terms of quantity of records) is – perhaps Eno?
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Following our last interchange on this puzzle, Geoff, I actually did a recount. Tangerine Dream actually tie with King Crimson for third place. In terms of your latest musing, If Eno’s collaborations and production efforts were included, he would doubtless be at #1. But the tricky part here is that we are not in the field of rock music, though not ‘classical’ either…
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Are you suggesting it’s possible that we may still have Miles to go before arriving at an answer?
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👏👏👏👏👏
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All my music is “couch’ music. That’s my new listening position. Horizontal.Curious on a couple of these.
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Curious and horizontal sounds like a good formula CB! 😉
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Sounds like a rattlesnake does’t it.
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😅
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