Welcome Back Music!

Yesterday I bought music for the first time from iTunes.  I admit it.  It’s not that I’m weary of the technology, but I was scared of myself.  A web page where I could buy whatever music I wanted whenever I wanted.  That was too dangerous.  Some people are addicted to drugs, others it’s alcohol.  Me – it’s music.

However, recently I have not been going to stores to look at music.  I listen to the radio and surf the web, but I haven’t been shopping and buying music.  My wallet was happy, but my ears were craving more.  I needed a fix of music.

After talking with my 22 year old sister I decided it was time to dive into iTunes.  I ran out to a local gas station and bought 2 $15 iTunes gift cards (why 2?  I couldn’t come home with one for myself and not have one for my wife! Jeesh. ) and sat myself behind my computer.  It was time to join the millions of people who have purchased music online.

4 hours later I hadn’t purchased a single song.  I had found great new music and songs I hadn’t heard in years, but I couldn’t make up my mind.  Quickly I made a move and in 5 minutes I only had $0.04 left on the gift card.  So, what did I buy?

I bought the Bob Marley album “Legend.”  I love Marley, and I owned this CD until it “disappeared” while at college.  My music library was feeling empty, and it needed to be returned.  Besides, I needed to introduce my daughter to Bob.

I also purchase:

- Kayne West’s new single, “Love Lockdown.”  It’s so simplistic in it’s groove, and yet every time we hear it both my wife and I are bouncing and singing along.  Always a good thing to have in a song.

- Evanescence’s “My Immortal,” because I love Amy’s voice.

- Israel Kamakawiwo’ole singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World.”  If you do not know Iz you must go out now and listen to him.  Iz was a Hawaiian with the most amazing tenor voice ever.  This song is nothing more than him singing with a ukulele.  I believe it was in the movie “50 First Dates.”  I know it’s been in a few commercials.  I first heard it a few years back and I have been on a mission ever since to get it.

So, what does this list tell me (or you)?  Yes, even though many people say it, I do have every eclectic taste in music.  But, if you listen to all of this music you will find a constant running through it all – great songwriting.  There is nothing better than a well written piece of music. I don’t care if it’s Bach (I will be buying Gould’s performance of the Goldberg Variations soon) or the latest from Kanye West or Led Zeppelin or Hoots and Hellmouth.

I do think that is one of the better things to come out of music moving to the internet.  Now that we can all find a new group to listen to, so musicians have to stand out.  Some are still trying gimicks (Miley Cyrus) while others are just producing great music.

So thank you Apple which created  iTunes.  I’m sorry I’m a little late to the party, but thank you for giving music back to me.  I needed it.