Music As Life
To be immersed in music is to be immersed in life
Those of you who read my last post won’t be surprised that I am back from reassessing my fourteen years of Eclectic Pragmatist. In particular, with the knowledge that I was moving toward 500 posts, I spent some effort contemplating what I’ve written and, in particular, how my prospections had evolved over the years. Evaluating how I have grown in multiple ways over the decades is a good thing. Wisdom is a result of experience.
It’s not that everything new is always better — although much of it can be. When we grow in wisdom, complications…and there are many…in a complex world are inevitable. I recommend exploring what you might be missing right in front of you. This might seem trite, but it can sometimes offer pleasures and enjoyment long forgotten, dismissed or ignored. I’ll offer one that demonstrates why sometimes simple things enhance our days.
I have loved music since I was very young, and this has been part of my life ever since. When young we have time to engage music in ways that can dissipate as our lives become increasingly complicated. We can still find time for some concerts and listening to music. I have been fortunate enough to include music into my day-to-day life more often than not. At the same time, I’ve become more selective in what I really want to hear. I have sixty plus years of music listening to guide me, and while I still enjoy much of it, much more has proved, for me, to have become uninteresting.
These days — let’s say the last fifteen years — have given us the internet, phones/tablets and wi-fi. My go-to source — there are numerous ones — for the last dozen years is Deezer. Originating from Paris, but now around the globe, it provides me with essentially unlimited music choices for ~$11 USD per month for premium service — although a more limited “free” version is available. One could wander endlessly in terms of music possibilities, but I chose specific artists/groups who resonate with me. Right now I have 40 of these in my account, with all their albums/singles/concerts, all of which are available on any of your devices.
I’m not saying Deezer is the best choice. It simply works well for me and I have no reason to change. Also, while all of these services operate similarly, there are differences in how their services compare, and some provide higher quality music reproduction for higher premium fees. What I can say is that their services are worth the modest amounts they charge.
I do have a couple of “rules” that I apply — to myself — regarding my musical pursuits. Artists/bands exist in the thousands, and recording companies sign many of them on the assumption that many or most will not be financial successes for the recording companies or themselves. The rational is simple. Those artists/bands who attract large numbers of fans will tour extensively and sell lots of albums. The majority of the rest will be lucky to have made an album, and typically only one single or two from these will receive extensive play on music channels. The reality is that the music business consists of companies obtaining financial success from a relative modest number of those they take chances on.
The other “rule” for me is multiple high-quality albums from an artist/band over time. First albums followed by marginal ones is not appealing. I’m not saying every cut on every release has to be flawless, but true, consistent talent and skill is what sets the best from the rest. The ones I treasure have many years of work that resonates and bring me meaningful pleasure. Some have passed on for various reasons, and I miss them. Their music lives with me from day to day. The price I pay to Deezer is trivial.
I should also note that there are numerous other artists/bands I enjoy, and I do have an account with a company that streams five genres of music for which I pay $120 every two years. Each of these genres has many dozens of categories to choose from. The combination of these two providers — available anywhere at anytime — has enhanced my love for music in many ways. I stopped adding compact disks to a closet in one room years ago. In theory I have unlimited choices now, but I don’t want or need large numbers of choices beyond the ones I choose. Having “it all” is really having what I want. My wife, of course, has access to all of this. ;)
Music has never been easier to access, but to really enjoy it I suggest not using music “systems” regardless of hardware. Instead, use a phone or tablet and select an online source that offers vast numbers of artists and albums to choose from. Connect a quality over-ear, on-ear, earbud or on-ear device to your phone/tablet. Select any album you are fond of, adjust the volume to your volume choice and then listen. You will be immersed in an experience that will remind you of WHY you love your music. To be immersed in music is to be immersed in life. Cheers!
