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For LISTENING, I usually prefer things that I can sing along with. This is gonna show my age, but one of my favorite singer/songwriters is Billy Joel.

However, for relaxation and comfort, I usually listen to New Age (instrumental), like Merlin's Magic, Dan Gibson or Llewellyn, instrumental jazz and classical music (too many favourites to name them all, but I love Chopin, Debussy, Vaughan Williams, Holst, Rimsky-Korsakov, Haydn and Beethoven). And, while I like listening to opera and singing, when I am reading, I do not like to listen to any type of vocal music, as I find that somewhat distracting (especially, if the vocals are in one language and I'm reading in another).
I like almost anything: classical, irish/celtic, folk, pop, country, rock. No rap or jazz. My daughter keeps finding new music to listen to, so I have been expanding into J-pop (Japanese pop music).

Abigail wrote: "I too have pretty eclectic tastes, Jeannette! My biggest loves are classical, and world/folk music. I listen to a lot of Irish/Celtic music myself! Who are some of your favorites? I love The Bothy ..."
I am so limited in my selections by name, but will check into yours! I went to see "The Boys of the Lough" a couple years back, and really enjoyed their style. I also liked all of the music in the film "The Boys and Girls of County Claire." Have you seen it? I would love to get some of that music, too.
I also like bluegrass, which counts as folk, I suppose.
I am so limited in my selections by name, but will check into yours! I went to see "The Boys of the Lough" a couple years back, and really enjoyed their style. I also liked all of the music in the film "The Boys and Girls of County Claire." Have you seen it? I would love to get some of that music, too.
I also like bluegrass, which counts as folk, I suppose.




I generally find that most of the music I listen to nowadays falls into the category of "comfort music" as I'd call it. I mainly seem to want music that soothes me and makes me feel good. When I was younger, in angsty and angry moods I might want some angry rock music, but nowadays if I try that I find it tears my nerves apart and makes everything worse - I'll much rather put on some Hayley or Josh or one of my favourite calmer musical songs on repeat. A lot of classical music is also very soothing, I especially love Schubert (piano music or Lieder) for that purpose.
I definitely don't listen to music while I'm reading, and unlike some writers I usually can't listen to it when I'm writing either. It distracts me and directs my thoughts too much. The only exception is that I will sometimes put on music to be able to read on noisy public transport - some suitably calm songs block out the surrounding noise without distracting my reading too much, but I still don't like to do it often. Music is for me its own artform that I want to enjoy, not just background. On the other hand, I find that listening to classical music while I work (or search for work, as is my life nowadays) helps me to concentrate - it captures those parts of my brain which would otherwise fly off to fancies and daydreams and keeps the rest of my brain able to focus on the task at hand.

I don't listen to much Top 30 stuff, but I don't snub it either. I don't like dance music that all sounds exactly the same - so the 90's dance craze / comeback (a la Lady GaGa) makes we want to stab sharp objects into my ears. I like dancing, don't get me wrong, I just can't stand that synth beat they all use.
I lean towards indie, light-alt rock, folk type of 'stuff'.
Some of my favorites are Leonard Cohen (always first on the list), Tori Amos, Bjork (when I'm in the mood for her), Sinead O'Connor, Brad Paisley, Nelly Furtado, Sarah Harmer, Cat Stevens, Serena Ryder, Tragically Hip, Sugarland ... list goes on and on.





Yeah, that soundtrack was wonderful, another of my favourites (though I could not say I like it better than the film, as it is one of my favourites) is Ang Lee's adaptation of Sense and Sensibility (the one starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslett, Hugh Grant and (drooling) Alan Rickman).

My music is pretty eclectic, but I'm not a big fan of Lady GaGa. I do love the above-mentioned soundtracks, too. There are a few lovely songs from Atonement and I Capture the Castle in a similar style. I am a big believer in iTunes!

I've had a crush on Alan Rickman for years, he's just amazing and very sexy.


I've got to both read the novel and see the movie.


Me too, but my to-read shelf is gigantic. I should reorganise it a bit.

Fiona wrote: "Alan Rickman yummy - I love him in truly Madly Deeply.
Oh I loved the I Capture the Castle film (and book) never really checked out the soundtrack... hmm. It's by the same bloke as who did Atoneme..."
Dario Marianelli: I Capture the Castle, Atonement and P&P (2005). Now I know why I enjoy all three soundtracks!
Oh I loved the I Capture the Castle film (and book) never really checked out the soundtrack... hmm. It's by the same bloke as who did Atoneme..."
Dario Marianelli: I Capture the Castle, Atonement and P&P (2005). Now I know why I enjoy all three soundtracks!
What is it about Alan Rickman? He isn't exactly young, but he is definitely swoon-worthy! I don't know how I will handle Harry Potter 7, part 2!!

You're not kidding!

And, I have not even finished adding all of the books that I have read. I agree with Lisa, Goodreads can be dangerous for bibliophiles.


I'm wondering that as well. I just think he has some kind of magnetism and charisma (you know I used to think that I was weird to like him so much as an actor when all around me people were drooling over actors like Brad Pitt etc., but I realise now, that I'm not alone).

I agree, Fiona & Gundula! Rickman & Depp *sigh*
The book, ICtC, is better than the film, but the film is a pretty good adaptation. I enjoy them both.
The book, ICtC, is better than the film, but the film is a pretty good adaptation. I enjoy them both.

Yeah, boring like a mannequin without character and personality (you can add a few others to that list, Leonardo di Caprio for example and even Matt Dillon, I just don't go for the standard American Hollywood "hearthrob"). And, Alan Rickman and Johnny Depp do not just ooze personality, they are also amazing actors (You're right about Rickman's voice, I melt whenever I hear it).
Fiona wrote: "It's depressing that isn't it. I don't really go for the "Hollywood" heart throbs.
Do like Hugh Jackman though... and Eric Bana but they're Australian!"
Have you watched Hugh Jackman in Oklahoma? Superb!
Do like Hugh Jackman though... and Eric Bana but they're Australian!"
Have you watched Hugh Jackman in Oklahoma? Superb!
Have any of the Alan Rickman fans watched The Barchester Chronicles? This is one of my all-time favorites.

Non-American movies more often have aesthetics that I like, so it's probably a Hollywood problem I have, but I'm still more of a theatre person. But I enjoy BBC period dramas. :-)
And just because this is the music thread and I happen to have this open in another window, here's what I've been using as comfort music a lot lately:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwd3sM...
Gyuri Mihálka (one of my favourite Hungarian musical actors) performing You Raise Me Up in a concert. I also love Josh Groban's version of this song very much, but I love Gyuri's voice even better. Though the live video can't really do full justice to how his voice is live, but it's still something.
Jamie wrote: "Yes, Hugh Jackman was fantastic in Oklahoma! I like him alot."
He's got a great voice! :)
He's got a great voice! :)


So, what kind of music do you all love? Do any of you play an instrument, sing etc? Do you have comfort music like you have comfort books?