Music

I've been told by people whose musical tastes I respect that some of the music I like is truly awful, but it still seems to find its way into the CD player with some regularity. With that buildup in mind, here are a few CDs I like to keep around.

Bruce CockburnBig Circumstance
Humans
Dart to the Heart
Joy Will Find a Way
Stealing Fire
Inner City Front
all the rest
Absolutely amazing. I don't know what I can say without sounding like I'm exaggerating, but he combines some of the best guitar I've ever heard with lyrics that can stand on their own as poetry or philosophy.
Gail SwansonLiving in a MovieWe discovered Gail by accident, while eating dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise in Lahaina on Maui. She doesn't come to the mainland nearly often enough, but that's all the more reason to return to the islands.
The EaglesHotel CaliforniaThe only album I've ever owned in eight-track, vinyl, and CD formats, it's certainly had more play than any other.
Stevie Ray VaughanCouldn't Stand the WeatherProbably my all-time favorite R&B album. Certainly my favorite R&B artist.
Van MorrisonNo Guru, No Method, No TeacherVan's voice, a large dose of soprano sax, and powerful lyrics. Wow.
NirvanaNevermindThe one CD that can pull me out of any bad mood, if only by convincing that others in this world are worse off than I am.
The BeatlesSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club BandI don't have nearly enough Beatles in my collection, but I loved this album, and I like it even better as a CD.
The Blues BrothersMovie SoundtrackWith performances by James Brown, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, John Belushi, and Dan Aykroyd (not to mention the sax of Lou Marini), this soundtrack is a not-too-serious review of some incredible talents.
Tuff TurfMovie SoundtrackA blend of alternative, R&B, and classic rock from a somewhat forgettable James Spader movie.
Billy JoelAn Innocent ManI have a serious weakness for four-part harmonies and saxophone.