A Guy Called Bloke posted a series of 21 questions on his blog today about music, our likes, what it means to us, and its impact on us.
Here are my responses to the questions.
Q1] How important is music in your life?
It’s very important to me. Songs often bring back wonderful memories. Listening to music is therapeutic for me.
Q2] What is your most favorite type of music and what is your least favorite?
My favorite is classic rock. My least favorite is country & western.
Q3] Do you own a music collection or do you simply listen to whatever on whatever?
I have about 2500 songs in my iTunes collection, although I’ve given away most of my vinyl albums and CDs.
Q4] Are you a singer, a hummer, or a whistler?
None of the above.
PQ5] Show through links your five best songs?
I have far too many “best” songs to limit it to just five.
Q6] Have you ever been to an outdoor concert?
Many times.
PQ7] Do you ever go out to listen to music live? When was the last time you went to a concert/gig?
How about next weekend when I’ll be going to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at Golden Gate Park, as I do every year?
Q8] Do you sometimes feel like dancing when you hear music? Under what circumstances do you dance?
I am moved to making what to most observers appears to be spastic gyrations with my body. Whether or not those movements can be considered “dancing” is highly questionable.
Q9] When do you listen to music?
In the car, at home on the the xfinity/Comcast Music Choice channel, and in my iTunes collection on my iPhone.
Q10] If you answered yes to Questions 6 & 7 – who did you go and see?
So many. Moody Blues, Billy Joel, Jackson Browne, The Eagles, Don Henley, Peter Frampton, Elton John, CSNY, Jefferson Starship, Pat Benetar, America, Paul Simon, and many, many others. (I’m an old-timer and I’ve been going to live concerts since I was a pre-teen.)
Q11] Is there a song that makes you emotional?
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel. I tear up every time I hear it.
PQ12] Do you feel that you have a special connection with some types of music? Which types?
Classic Rock
Q13] Have you ever tried singing in a karaoke bar? What was the experience like?
Yes. It was a disaster.
Q14] Do you listen to music when writing? If so which?
Yes, as background music. I listen to classic rock…what else is there?
PQ15] Have you ever gone to see a musical? What was it, provide link please.
Yes, tons. I subscribe to the local “Broadway” theater productions. Some favorites include Les Miz, Rent, Hamilton, Mamma Mia, and a whole host of others.
Q16] Do you know the lyrics to all the songs you like?
Some yes, many no, at least not all of the lyrics.
Q17] When you are listening to music – are you listening just to the music itself or the lyrics too?
Depends. If it’s background music, like when I’m blogging, mostly the music. But if I’m paying attention to the song, both the lyrics and the music.
Q18] Do you listen to music when you go cycling/jogging or when you’re working out at the gym? [or any other physical activity]
Physical activity? What’s that? I do sometimes sing when I’m walking the dog…if nobody is without earshot.
Q19] Many operas are in French, Italian or German. If you listen to opera, do you understand the libretto (text) or are you happy to get the gist (main idea)?
I don’t listen to opera.
PQ20] Are you deleting any questions, if so which ones?
No.
Q21] Do you enjoy watching music videos? What sort of music videos do you enjoy most?
Not anymore, but I used to watch MTV and VH1 back in the day.
This, That, and the Other 
What? No jazz?
On a more serious note, starting at about age 30 people lose about 1% of muscle mass per year. That’s why old people are so weak and end up needing walkers. However, resistance exercise such as weight lifting or resistance bands help us retain and grow back some of that mass, helping us retain strength longer. I’ve been able to pull a 315 pound barbell off the floor past age 60. I’m not sure walking the dog cuts it. For your own sake as well as your wife’s (woman can lift, too and I can show you plenty of examples), you might want to reconsider your health.
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Thanks for the concern and advice. I do get more exercise than just walking the dog, but you’re right, I need do do more. A 315 pound barbell? I’m impressed!
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When I was a kid the classic rock station played Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers. Then one day the classic rock station was playing Boston and Van Halen. I knew I was getting old!
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When I was a kid, the station I listened to played top 40 (this was back in the early 60s, so Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers were on the play list). Then one day it switched to country & western and I was pissed. Maybe that’s why I’m not a fan of C&W.
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That had to suck! And there weren’t that many radio stations to go around like today.
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True. It was an AM station. Back then, most FM stations were classical or talk. And satellite radio? Fuhgeddaboudit!
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So you dislike country… Hmmm…
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It’s not so much that I dislike it as much as it is that I don’t particularly like it.
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I hate opera. I wish I’d gone to more concerts. I always meant to go. Now, all the people whose concerts I wanted to see are older than me.
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True. And they look old, too. Sometimes it’s better to close your eyes and listen. Otherwise, what you’re hearing and what you’re seeing don’t match.
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I was going to say I don’t like country… but I do rarely like western (think K. D. Lang) and bluegrass. I have a question. Are Punch Brothers going to be at the live music gig next weekend? I saw them recently [and saw Chris Thile with Edgar Meyer previously] and will see them again early next year. Have been thrilled with musicals most of my life (the better ones, some are kinda lame); I’ve been to more than most people (but not tons). I’ve been to musicals and concerts (from classical, big band, and patriotic to classic rock) both outside and inside (but, again, not a lot); jazz and blues in bars and restaurants. I’m fine with the gist of opera (live or recorded). I suppose my favorite categories of music are prog rock and alternative. (Sometimes, though, it can be Handel, Bach, or religious contemporary music — but I’ve not gone to see contemporary religious… except by accident once as they opened for someone else… oh it was Need to Breathe opening for John Mayer, outdoors which was surprisingly dreamy.) Mostly, I like any style but have favorites within the genre. What I really can’t stand is that screamy stuff, don’t know what it’s called — it’s not even screaming — probably German industrial.
I hum, sing, and whistle, but not loudly (usually) and not through the whole song. But I was in choirs in grade-school.
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I don’t see Punch Brothers on the HSB schedule but Chris Thile will be performing.
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He’s the center draw of Punch Brothers.
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What is amazing about the group is how perfect they are together.
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Hey Fandango, many thanks for taking part – that is indeed the beauty of music – it brings back memories and take us back into our years 🙂
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Reblogged this on A Guy Called Bloke and K9 Doodlepip! and commented:
Fandango and a bit of …..
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My pleasure. I enjoy music, so I enjoyed responding to your questions.
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Hey my friend – l am glad 🙂
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Here is one nice video. I like Al Di Meola.
Paco de Lucía & Al Di Meola – Mediterranean Sundance
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Do you look anything like Joe Cocker when you are doing your spastic gyrations?
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Worse!
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Well if we’re listing the concerts we’ve attended (some of us are a bit ‘old’ I suppose..not me mind! 😉 ) here’s my short list: REO Speedwagon, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Frampton, Journey, Neil Diamond (x3), ZZ Top, Styx, Boston (x2), Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Harry Belafonte (with a friend who simply loved his music), Mannheim Steamroller (x2)… I’m sure there are others I’m forgetting, but geez. “In the day” (and my day is roughly the same as your day) you could go to these without fearing for your life (my brother took one of his boys to see Styx and Foreigner and there was a shooting there. You could AFFORD the ticket and it was fun (even if one came out a bit stoned from all the ‘clove cigarette’ smoke ). Now I would dread it…not near physically fit enough for one thing and my patience? Short fuse. I hate crowds too. I do not regret one moment of those concerts I was fortunate enough to see though. Good times!
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Les Paul with Steve Howe
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Quite an impressive concert list, took me a minute to decipher CSNY but I got it. I would be lost without some kind of music in my life! My most recent “find” is Two Cellos… they shred some rock on their cellos.
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I’ll have to look into Two Cellos. I don’t think I’ve ever heard them.
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They do a great cover of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck.
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Music is one of the most mind-boggling aspects of human existence. The effect it has on the brain and the body still is not fully comprehended and cannot be adequately explained by the most prolific scientists.
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Music is one of life’s true pleasures.
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