Dr. Dog has, once again, written a
kick-ass post on music. Though I can't describe music as well as he can, I thought y'all might be interested in what MM and I listened to on our odyssey to visit my mom and step-father at their country house:
1.
Free to Be You and Me. While supremely corny and a product of its time (1972), this was a favorite of mine as a kid and is now a favorite of MM's. The songs are interspersed with funny stories and, though each and every one has a
MESSAGE, the message does not detract from the fun. MM's favorites on this album are the first Dudley Pippen story, Helping, Housework, and It's Alright to Cry. We always skip Girl Land.2.
Really Rosie. Another favorite of mine. Carol King sings Maurice Sendak. Brilliant. MM's favorite is Chicken Soup With Rice. He won't let me play past Avenue P, 'cause that half the album (the old "B" side) is scary.
3.
Dog Train. Several bands, including Blues Traveler sing Sandra Boynton. The title track is a keeper as is I Need a Nap (Weird Al and Kate Winslet), Sneakers, Wave Bye-Bye, Pots & Pans, and Brocolli. We skip all the Cow Planets and, unfortunately, Dragon Fire and the Allison Kraus song.
4-6.
Beethovan's Wig,
Beethovan's Wig 2, and
Beethovan's Wig 3. MM and I love these. We sing along. We Sing Verdi Very Loud, we ask each other to Please Don't Play Your Violin at Night.
MM now recognizes these pieces of classical music everywhere. At Panera, during commercials, at dinner parties. He impressed a room full of grownups singing Vivaldi a few weeks ago.
7. (groan) Aladdin. On the plus side, we hadn't listened to it in a long, long time and we only listened to it once.
8.
No! by They Might Be Giants. MM likes this less than I do. But we're both fond of Bed Bed Bed and In the Middle, In the Middle, In the Middle.
What I like best about all but (groan) Aladdin is that, for the most part, I enjoy these albums as much as MM does. There's no Hokey Pokey or Apples and Bananas on any of these guys. They're good singers singing good music with (often) very, very silly words.
MM was an excellent traveler, btw, and very helpful - looking out for signs for exits and food and not whining at all.
Bonus conversation!
MM: (on seeing a car with no lights on in the rain) "Hey! You! Headlights!" (I wonder where he got that from....oh! Me!)
