Random cd

[JoitheArtist]

You ever run across a random cd that you just fall in love with? That happened to me when I was working the Media Desk at my college library (awesome job!)

One of our tasks was to re-shelve CDs when they came back through Circulation, so most of us knew the CD collection fairly well. I had a habit of popping random intriguing CDs in to listen to as I worked.

One day, I ran across this odd cd. I recognized the cover art as Norse in origin; Odin riding his eight-legged horse Sleipnir. Curious, I looked at the liner notes: it was a cd by the group Sequentia (a group devoted to bringing back lost vocal traditions), called "Edda" after the Norse/Icelandic poem cycles: the album was a recording of the group singing those poems in the bardic style, in Old Icelandic.

After a few minutes of listening, I was hooked. I couldn't even finish working, just had to put everything aside and listen. (here's one of my favorites: the best part starts around 5:25 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtT9jUdV3nI) ended up buying my own copy of the CD, and sometimes surprise my housemates by blasting it full volume and attempting to sing along.

So how about you? Have any random obscure albums that completely blew your mind?

[mrsmarit]

I had that happen with Norah Jones - Come Away With Me. Someone returned it saying it was defective put it in the CD player in electronics where I worked and was hooked. We played it constantly before Christmas that year and sold it like crazy. I swear customers would be talking, stop,listen and then ask who it was. We sold out so many times I lost count.

[Eireann]

I had that with Enya's first album (I think it was her first), Watermark.

More recently, I came across a Bryan Ferry song from 1977 ("This Is Tomorrow"), and I've been listening to it incessantly; I can't get it out of my head, and I love it!

[dalesys]

Too many too remember - durn Oldzhomers!

Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner (DNA remix)
Cheryl Wheeler - Silver Lining
Jonatha Brooke - Dog Dreams (...me and Rex took the car ...we're gonna run over all the neighborhood cats...)
Christine Lavin - Sensitive New Age Guys (...who likes to dress like Richard Simmons? ...who are hard to tell from women?)

[Bloodsoul]

Recently picked up an extended version of the Grateful Dead's first album, and at some point I'm going to hit Amazon for the Mr. Bungle catalog.

[Eric the Grey]

One day, I ran across this odd cd. I recognized the cover art as Norse in origin; Odin riding his eight-legged horse Sleipnir. Curious, I looked at the liner notes: it was a cd by the group Sequentia (a group devoted to bringing back lost vocal traditions), called "Edda" after the Norse/Icelandic poem cycles: the album was a recording of the group singing those poems in the bardic style, in Old Icelandic.

Ok, this is really cool! I may well have to pick up a copy of this disk as well (or rather, the MP3's from Amazon). I cannot understand a word, but it's cool to listen to.

As to the topic on hand, I have a lot of music that I listened to because someone sent / game me an MP3 of it or heard on a tape or CD somewhere along the way. It's how I learned about Oingo Boingo, Medieval Babes, and many many other groups I now have music for.



Eric the Grey

[JoitheArtist]

Ok, this is really cool! I may well have to pick up a copy of this disk as well (or rather, the MP3's from Amazon). I cannot understand a word, but it's cool to listen to.

As to the topic on hand, I have a lot of music that I listened to because someone sent / game me an MP3 of it or heard on a tape or CD somewhere along the way. It's how I learned about Oingo Boingo, Medieval Babes, and many many other groups I now have music for.

It's worth getting the cd: the liner notes are bi-lingual, and explain a lot about the stories.

[draggar]

This is more of a random record:
During middle school I was in a pawn shop looking at some records (CDs were invented - and I did have a player but even back then I liked records). I picked one out that said "German import" Hmm.. I was drawn to this record - the label was all black witht he exception of a prism on it with a beam of light going in one end and a rainbow going out the other. I paid $2 for it. My taste in music hasn't been the same since.


Random concert:
Later, during college a friend of mine had his GF bail out on him for a concert so he invited me. I said sure, he was a good guy and we always hung out. The opening act was band called "Heavy Metal Horns" and the main act was "Tower of Power" - both *great* acts (think a lot of jazz with some rock and roll in it).

Random CD:
Roughly the same year as the concert: At a local event (a fair or something?) I picked up a CD called "Localpalooza" - obviously a concert with a lot of local bands. A lot of rock, some reggae-rock, some blues-rock. I was impressed at how god it was. Some of the bands were "Thanks to Gravity", "Say Zusu", "Heavens Tomugatriod", and "Screaming Headless Torsos". Good bands - all from around Portsmouth, NH.

I also liked some of the cover art on Yngvie Malmsteen's albums so I picked some up, too.

[TheSHAD0W]

I picked up a CD off the side of I-40 in Kingman AZ; noticed it sitting there when I had to stop for another reason, and snagged it. It turned out to be one of the promo sampler CDs that are sent to radio stations, and had a few interesting songs on it.

Over time I noticed that nearly every song on the CD became a hit and was hyped by all the stations. My conclusion is that these CDs are where the radio stations get their marching orders from the record companies.

[draggar]

Over time I noticed that nearly every song on the CD became a hit and was hyped by all the stations. My conclusion is that these CDs are where the radio stations get their marching orders from the record companies.

You're just realizing this now? Why do you think a handful of companies own most of the radio stations in the US? Corporate big wigs make the hits and this has been going on for a long time. Some of the best music from Queen, Boston, and Pink Floyd you will NEVER hear on the radio.

This is also why college radio is a lot better - or at least was.