Long Time Reader - First Time Initiator

After replying to several other forums today while listening to some cool tunes, I thought I'd give originating a new topic a whirl. I've been reading and replying to forums for just over 2 years; so, I thought why not try one of my own?

It is off-topic, perhaps very way off topic. How many of you listen to music while either playing your games or replying to forum posts? I do this most of the time, as music helps set a mood. In today's case, the music tends to be laid-back 70's pop: ELO, Wings, Manfred Mann, Elton John, Moody Blues . . . just helps me chill.

Now, I have to confess, music is a big part of my life. I ran a successful mobile DJ business for 8 years and was in radio broadcasting for another 10 years, or so. At one point I owned well over 1,000 LPs and still own in the area of 1,200 CDs (no, I don't download).

So, music - how does it fit into your life, and more to the point, into your online chess experience? Is it a big part, small part, no part? We used to say, "Music is the soundtrack of your life." Is that still true in this digital age? When you look back on your life, what will that soundtrack sound like?

[Edit: After posting this, I received an achievement for posting this. Bonus!]

it would start with dexys midnight runners then ska most of the way until i end up listening to jim reeves 

Nice, sounds like a good mix. Thank you for sharing.

I get lost in YouTube...50's, 60's and 70's music...rock and country and country gospel.

You tube has some really great music videos of re-mixed songs or different cuts of familiar songs. I found two just today, Rocket Man by Elton John (a new video) and Rod Stewart's Maggie Mae with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. (I have to believe he lip-synched the song, as he doesn't appear to have a mic and vocals are normally recorded separately.)

Several months ago I came across a great cover of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" played to Led Zeppelin's 3 surviving members. The drummer in the video is actual John Bonham's son, Jason. THIS IS A REALLY POWERFUL VERSION OF THE SONG. Really!! If you like the song I strongly urge you to check it out.

There is also a GREAT live version of "Lucky Man" I also found a few months ago. The end goes a bit long, but the beginning is haunting . . .

I won't post the songs here; however, I will post the links if you wish to check them out. (Highly recommended.)

Stairway to Heaven Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFxOaDeJmXk

Rocket Man Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk

Maggie Mae Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4kqsI-_73Q

Lucky Man Live:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ9VYqustNA

Thank you for the "finds."  Maggie Mae is excellent.  I enjoyed that.

You are most welcome. What did you think of Stairway to Heaven? Or did you have a chance to look at it? The original members seemed to really appreciate it.

And, thank you for sharing.

Stairway to Heaven was great.  Excellent musicians.

let me introduce you to one of my favourite vocalists , i hope he is familiar to you though as everyone should hear this bloke sing ,,,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF3IktTk_pQ

Thank you.  Can't say I remember him at all.  

Yes, I'm familiar with Jimmy Cliff; however, not this song. Great song, though, "Many rivers to cross  . . . But I can't seem to find my way over." I think we've all been there at some point.

"Many rivers to cross and it's only my will that keeps me alive." Great inspirational message.

Jimmy Cliff may be best remembered for his cover of, I Can See Clearly Now" (featured in the movie Cool Runnings, originally recorded by Johnny Nash in 1972).

Jimmy also did a cover of Cat Stevens' "Wild World." And if you like reggae, be sure to check out Jimmy's, Reggae Nights.

Oh yes.  I absolutely remember "I can See Clearly Now.  By the way, Cool Runnings was a pretty good movie...very inspiring.

Yes, it was. "Based on a true story." Always wonder how close they really get it and what is added for "literary license". I think they stayed pretty close to the facts on this one. My mom lived in Calgary during those olympics. Exciting times . . .

We will never know...but we can still be inspired.  That's a cool memory for your Mom.

The only dexys song the bunny knows

I’m a musician, so my problem is, there’s no such thing as ‘background music’! If there’s music going on I find it very hard to concentrate on anything else, especially chess. Even on TV I often find I’m paying more attention to the soundtrack than to the action.
I play double-bass (classical and jazz), keyboard, flugelhorn, ocarina(!) and I sing in a couple of a-capella close harmony groups. I also compose and arrange music, and most days I have a project on the go. Now I’m retired from ‘real work’ I find I’m busier than ever!
I recently got a new phone and I’ve added a couple of albums to my playlist, so I guess those would be my ‘go-to’ tracks when I’m out and about with time on my hands. Some of the stuff I most enjoy is a little bit 'out-there'.
Here’s a taster -
Gotan Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S98-BIpzZuk
Basquiat Strings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y2qSZkF8Ao

I'm familiar (slightly) with the Gotan Project tango; it was used in the movie "Can We dance", both as the opening scene and also for a scene between Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez, below. Lots of great music in that film. I highly recommend the soundtrack, if you enjoy this type of music (the movie was really good, too). And, I love Latin flavoured music . . .

Not as familiar with the second piece, very quiet, very relaxing.

My second track is by Wayne Shorter, one of the most original voices in late 20th century jazz. Here's his original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpVx1KujaRY

Jazz is one form of music I never grew to fully appreciate. While there are some jazz songs I like, and artists, for the most part it was a form that never resonated with me.

This piece would be an example of that. It feels too dark, too sombre. The song is well structured, but it's just not for me, at least not in my current mood. I can understand why others would like this and that's why so many different forms of music are popular.

Now, perhaps if it were 3:30 in the morning and I was sipping on a Manhattan this song would have more appeal. Thank you for sharing and exposing me to another talented artist.