THE POWER OF MUSIC
I Don’t Listen to Country Music
So why is Lyle Lovett at the top of my playlist?
My music tastes lean to the pedestrian. At one time, I was among the first to listen to Los Lobos, Beck, and Joshua Redman. Today, though, no one accuses me of being on the edge of new music. I’ve accepted that.
Music just to the left of pop filled my albums, CD player, iPod, and smartphone. Now, my interest belongs to artists who blend a story, emotion, and harmony, such as Brandi Carlile, The Wailin’ Jennys, or Jenny Lewis. Florence and the Machine provides a lot of power and perspective. Late to the game again, I recently found Joy Oladokun — but only through the soundtrack to the excellent streaming series The New Look. Everything But the Girl, Guru, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, MC 900 Foot Jesus, and many others force their way onto the cue, too.
What about Country?
I’ve not been too interested in country music. Every once in a while, a cross-over country song hits my radar. I like The Chicks — who used to be country before country divorced them over their take on President Bush The Younger. I have enjoyed a song or two from Maren Morris — but now she has divorced herself from country.
