Bug Music

Tuesday slipped quietly in much like the Monday that proceeded it, dark and still cold, though with a bit more cloud.  It is 32º F (0º C) now and the forecast calls for a balmy 44º today, then staying above freezing tonight.  Maybe our hill will finally thaw.  It hasn't changed since the first snow and ice layer was laid down several days ago, still a sheet of unbroken ice.

Today's soundtrack was mostly slower paced and, I would say, contemplative.  David Ford was wistful, Hornsby can make even a slower (for him) tune sound energetic with his keyboard work, and Bollani was calm and pastoral with his piano work.  Don Byron was the exception, with a silly bit of cartoon nostalgia music from his fun album, Bug Music. 

The New York Times review of the album said, in part, "Don Byron likes to use jazz reperatory to nudge compsers from the fringes into public consideration. His music often arrives in the form of an argument, and on 'Bug Music', he argues for the reputation of the swing band leaders John Kirby and Raymond Scott as underappreciated rebels and genre colliders with a distinct link to Duke Ellington."  Fun stuff.

The last tune, by Sigur Rós, is a wonderfully melodic and rhythmic, as well as downright beautiful.  It is one of those tunes I can rewind (I guess we say replay these). Soft, yet soaring, it is one of my favorites.  A nice way to end the morning commute.

The full playlist:

 - David Ford: Train

 - Bruce Hornsby: Solar

 - Don Byron: Wondering Where

 - Stefano Bollani: Antonia

 - Sigur Rós: Olsen Olsen