The 39 Trips

I often acquire new music through means that should probably not be discussed openly (and I do have my reasoning for engaging in such activities, if anyone is interested in clarifications). But what I can't help but discuss is the giddiness that overtakes me when I have new music to listen to. The more new music, the more giddy.
Recently a site at which I am a member held a special event that I took advantage of (the keyword is "freeleech", for anyone in the know). The bottom line is I came away with a fantastic new addition to my hard drive: 39 new albums, each a treasure begging to be unlocked.

In no particular order,

Lyle Lovett - Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett - Pontiac
Lyle Lovett - Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
Lyle Lovett - The Road to Ensenada
múm - Finally We Are No One
Bill Frisell - History, Mystery
Max Roach & Anthony Braxton - One in Two, Two in One
Sparklehorse - Good Morning Spider
Tortoise & Bonnie "Prince" Billy - The Brave and the Bold
Jim O'Rourke - Eureka
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
Punch Brothers - Punch
Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Robin Williamson - Skirting the River Road
The Boredoms - Chocolate Synthesizer
The Pixies - Doolittle
Tony Williams - Emergency!
The Ladybug Transistor - The Ablemarle Sound
Non-Prophets - Hope
Nico Muhly - Speaks Volumes
Morton Feldman - Morton Feldman
Iannis Xenakis - Orchestral Works, Vol. 1
Arnold Schöenberg - Piano Music
Joan of Arc - Boo! Human
Ketil Bjørnstad & Terje Rypdal - Life in Leipzig
Meredith Monk - Impermanence
M83 - Saturdays=Youth
Strategy - Future Rock
Anticon - Music for the Advancement of Hip-Hop
Massacre - Killing Time
Bonnie "Prince" Billy - I See a Darkness
Merzbow - 1930
No Age - Nouns
Spring Heel Jack - Songs and Themes
Marilyn Mazur - Elixir
Bennie Maupin - The Jewel in the Lotus
Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette - My Foolish Heart: Live at Montreux
David Torn - Cloud About Mercury

Now, some reflections.
1. I'm trying to get caught up on some recent releases. I'm also hoping to write more about what strikes me from these.
2. Many of these are jazz, avant-garde and modern classical albums from the utterly superb ECM label. ECM is a German label founded in the early 70's by Manfred Eicher, who acts as the producer on nearly every release. Through the years they have given birth to some of the most significant new music, by some of the top artists, instrumentalists and composers (see my previous post on Keith Jarrett). In addition each album is given the greatest care and attention possible, from choice and placement of mics down to the packaging and artwork. It's a safe bet that any given CD bearing the name is worth a listen.
3. I am interested in variety in music, possibly to a fault. As I was choosing these albums, I would often feel that a certain genre, sound, time or place was over-represented, and would look for music of a radically different ilk. The breadth of my listening is a point of pride, most certainly to a fault.
4. Lyle Lovett is awesome, so get over it.

I could write all day about this stuff, but I can't. I will, however, try to get some more blogs in very soon, as I'm behind on my concert schedule and I will be leaving for Bonnaroo in less than a week. Good day to you all.