The Soundtrack of My Life (Number Two)

        I've already done one of these on my June 30th post, but due to requests I decided it would be fun to share in the experience with more of you.  If you like, you can check out my original soundtrack.  This current list might be thought of as "More Songs Inspired by My Life".    Once again I would like to give credit to Country Girl for giving me the inspiration for this post.

      As I did with my first soundtrack, this one goes chronologically from my birth until the present and beyond.   The songs represent stages of the history of the eras I was living through as well as things that were influencing my life at the various times of my life.  So here it is--

The Soundtrack of My Life (Number 2)(Click on song titles to hear them)

1.   Lady of Spain -- This is an oft recorded standard that goes back to 1931.  The song was frequently used by circus and novelty acts in the 1950s.   My father used this song in his juggling act so it was a song I heard often.  My parents had a 78 rpm record version of this that had wonderful orchestration and was sung by a male vocalist who was apparently part of a quartet.  I frequently listened to this record when I was a child and it was a big influence on my musical taste.  The version that I have presented here is not the version I grew up with--I'd really like to know who did the version of my childhood and get a copy on CD if it is available.

2.  Rock Around the Clock--I was born  at the beginning of the rock and roll era, thus this style of music is an integral part of who I am.  My parents used to take me to the movies on a regular basis.  I still remember this music by Bill Haley and the Comets as the credits began to roll for the teen rebellion film Blackboard Jungle, a radical film for its time, but mild by today's standards.

3.  I'm Looking Through You -- Rock music became an influence upon me over the following decade, but it really took hold with the Beatles Rubber Soul album.  I can still recall sitting with my parents' old stereo record player in the recreation room of my family's home in Crown Point, Indiana as I meticulously listened to this song and copied down the words.  The Beatles were a major musical influence in my life.

4. Walk On the Water-- The psychedelic era of the late 60s and early 70s was a time of listening to music and going to concerts that strongly impacted what I continued to enjoy in music even to this day. This song from Creedence Clearwater Revival's first album had a strange mysteriously dark quality that appealed to me.


5. Jessica --This Allman Brothers instrumental was part of the feel good times of the early 70s. The Allmans were everywhere and they had a strong influence over so many of the artists I was listening to at that time. In my early twenties it seemed like every day was time for a party and this was the kind of music that helped us get in that party spirit.

6. In a Persian Market-- In 1975 I became stage manager for The Ken Griffin Magic Show. This was a major turning point in my life as I became involved in a show business career on my own (without my parents). This piece of music by Albert Ketelbey has long been a popular song for circuses and magic and vaudeville shows. Ken Griffin used it for his levitation routine. Another version of this song appears on my first soundtrack.

7. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic--Disco couldn't help but touch my life in the late 70s, but I was more interested in the punk new wave scene. The Police was a favorite group of mine. This song especially captured my attention because of the reference to magic and the fact that I was involved in shows that were related to magic. The early 80s were an especially magical time for me.

8. At the Feet of the Moon--By the mid-80s I had become very enamored of the Canadian music scene and Canada in general. This song is by the Canadian group Parachute Club. The song captures an excitement that seemed to fit my road show life of that time.

9. The River Is Rising -- As the 1990s approached, my life on the road was coming to an end as I felt a requirement to settle down with my growing family. In addition to the added responsibility of raising kids, I was feeling new financial pressures and a change in the dynamics of my marital relationship. Contemporary Christian music had become a big part of what I was listening to at that time. This song by Greg X. Volz seems to reflect that transitional period I was entering.

10. Como Te Extraño Mi Amor --The 90s were tough for me. I had moved to Los Angeles--far away from family and friends. Not too long after I had gotten there, my wife of ten years left me and my daughters. After a few years I met my present wife, who is Ecuadorean, and at the same time had started developing a taste for Rock En Espanol, which is rock music in Spanish. I have always enjoyed Latino sounds. It goes all the way back to that first song, "Lady of Spain". This song by Cafe Tacuba was a popular song on the radio when I began dating the woman who is now my wife.

11. Dream Like Mine -- Bruce Cockburn has been a favorite artist since the mid 80s. One of his songs would have to be in my soundtrack. This song seems appropriate.

12. Concerto Grosso In D Minor HWV328 - Mov. 4---My life soundtrack would not be complete without a piece of classical music. Many would do. This piece by George Fredrick Handel is exuberant and seems an apt ending to my soundtrack.


This is my soundtrack. How does the movie sound? Don't forget to visit the others on the Linky list. And there's still time to add your own soundtrack if you haven't done so already. Have fun at the movies.

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