#1 - Respighi's "The Pines of Rome" and "The Fountains of Rome"

Conducted by Antal Dorati, recorded 1953. Music premiered in 1924.

Category: Classical - Tone Poem

This was the first record I pulled to test the stereo, and it's a great one! The Pines of Rome starts pretty light, and slowly builds to an epic crescendo and deep, thunderous bass. I don't love the beginning, but I sure do love the final section, "Pines of the Appian Way"; that final build is epic.

I have a soft spot for this piece because we played it in high school band. Or rather, we attempted, and had a lot of fun doing so. It's always grabbed my imagination, conjuring images of Roman legions marching through the hills in all of their grandeur. The music swells as Rome rises and conquers vast territories to become an empire.

As a history enthusiast, my view of Imperialism is much less romantic now than that of my teenage self, but the music still takes me there just the same.

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#73 Tyrannosaurus Rex - Unicorn

Blue Thumb Records, 1969 Psychedelic Acoustic Folk This album is very important to me. Those who know me, know I am fond of T Rex, but this pre T recording is extra special. I first remember hearing it in grade 8, and I fell in love with it entirely. It resonated with me a on strangley personal level, considering how far out the lyrics are. Warlord of the Royal Crocodiles was my jam. My friends were forced to listen to poorly dubbed cassettes every weekend, because that was the easiest way to copy and share music on the North Mountain in 1998. I had always listened to my dad's record (from whence came the cassette) and didn't have my own copy when I moved out, so I was very excited when I found it at Taz---the old spot on, what was it, Grafton? Two locations ago. It was like finding treasure, though I spose that's always what second-hand vinyl shopping feels like to me. Maybe it was more like finding the Arkenstone. I remember being super excited, and Bob telli...

#92 Dave Brubeck ft. Gerry Mulligan, Paul Desmond, Alan Dawson, Jack Six - We're All Together Again for the First Time

Atlantic, 1973 Jazz, Bop I wish I could remember how I came by this one. I was absolutely delighted to find it in my collection, if a little unsettled that I could forget such an acquisition. This is a solid offering, if a little frenetic. I have to be in the right mood, but then I am enthralled.

#11 The Joe Pass Trio - Live at Donte's

Pablo Live, 1981 Category: Jazz This is a great record. It's chill enough to be good listening for dinner or hangouts, but also very mentally engaging and stimulation for more intensive listening. Joe Pass has elements of Django Reinhardt, but also a style all his own. Listening to him improvise is a genuine pleasure. I picked this record up at the ReFound shop on Thistle Street, and was very excited to find it. I used to have a burned cd of some solo recordings of his, and that was great, but hearing him with the trio is a real treat. You can tell he is really exploring and having fun. No regrets on this purchase!

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