Embryonic Journey – Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring – Beethoven, Played by Leo Kottke, 6 and 12-string Guitars
Moonlight Sonata – Beethoven, played by Vladimir Horowitz

Blessings,

Scott Newsom

José Mendez, “Entre dos Barrios”, el flamenco de Jerez : Que no hablen de amor, Yo soy principe, El mar de cai

Thierry “Titi” Robin “Payo Michto” : “Tona del Lobo”, Los tanguillos, Mehdi, Patchîv, Que tu amor, Katchur Khan, Payo Michto, Rumba do vesou n°11

On the musical front, I simply must add the album which has long been number one on my own hit parade: “Ella and Louis Again.” This is the second collection of duets recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Recorded in 1957, it follows up their first collection from the prior year. “Ella and Louis Again” is a full on swing machine, and whether I am feeling low, or feeling joy, the beauty of their emotional vocalizations, and the piercing intensity of Louis' horn, always make me feel lucky to be alive. It is indeed music for all purposes.

A song which always touches me on a deep level, and which I always find (perhaps strangely?) uplifting, is “September Song.” There are any number of great renditions (Lou Reed has one which really rocks, but it's tough to find a place on the web to listen to it), but it's the sublime beauty of the lyric “These precious days I'll spend with you” which always seems to free my spirit and allows it to reach a place where it can see the beauty which the future can hold.

And really, as pedestrian a choice as this is, who in their heart of hearts doesn't find comfort and strength in the song “My Way?” “The record shows, I took the blows, and did it my way.” Now that's a lyric, and that's a goal. At least to me.

Thanks for the chance to share some favorites. Maybe you'll consider repeating the idea of asking your readers to contribute some of their own favorites; I think that those of us who love music, and find in it the depth of emotion and meaning which all of those who responded to your piece obviously find, are always thrilled to find more really good music to listen to. And I pray that when next you do it, it is in the context of good news regarding your ailing family member.

Hildegard Von Bingen songs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqvoB4uN1Qs

The Carter Family – Wildwood Flower
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewnfWoSQz3o

Love -7 and 7 Is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PStzQW6XVkM

Annie Lennox – Precious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0dGQJmtXaQ

Fairport Convention – Come All Ye
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV44H7IyB10

Elis Regina – Águas de Março
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRqI5R6L7ow

Woody Guthrie / Klezmatics “”Gonna Get Through This World”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71qW2TCMjq0

Peggy Lee “It's A Good Day” (that's her husband playing guitar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZnscZGpOlk

Sinead O'Connor “This is To Mother You”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQjiLSxMZIU

Willie Nelson “Stardust”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mzXUZyrYiA

Allen Ginsburg “Father Death Blues”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-pmFZJtS4E

Betty Hutton “Murder, He Says”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz7dZ9Q3K-E

Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 “Mas Que Nada”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz7dZ9Q3K-E

I have a lot more.

Eastern ….
Dhoom – Euphoria
Officially this band is put under “Hindi Rock.” I think they're too awesome to catagorize into one small label. The song is amazing. Electric guitar mixed with traditional Hindi instruments. Intense, happy and you really want to laugh and smile when you listen to this one.
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/618485/2935444
Celebration ….
Sergio Mendes- Magalenha
The video can been seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzhRr4PWD-Q
The song is celebratory to the MAX! It was released on a CD called “Basiliero” by Sergio Mendes in 1992. Mendes received a Grammy in 1993 for the album (Best World Music album).
I couldn't find the lyrics anywhere (not done correctly in any case) but it's worth it to just listen. You don't need to know Portuguese to enjoy this song. In fact this song helped me survive the worst relationship/separation I've ever experienced. Try it out, eh?

Consideration of Life in Samba ….
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Waters of March
You can find the lyrics (both English and Portuguese lyrics) along with both an audio and a video of the song being performed by Tom Jobim (both are performed in Portuguese – it's best in the original language in my opinion).
http://www.des.emory.edu/mfp/waters.html

I have more but I think I'll stop here because if I list all the songs that have helped me through my life…
I'll need my own blogspace.

Music can take our pain
and using different hues
paint it differently yet the same
while relieving the sorrow…
All with one stroke of a broad brush.

For me it can anyways.

Many good thoughts and prayers for your loved ones Doc.
Ghost

Here're some of my favorite calm pieces (lots of instrumentals from Windham Hill):

Alex de Grassi: Luther's Lullaby, Bright Sky, Bach's Prelude from Cello Suite 1

Steve Erquiaga: 23rd Psalm, Pavone

For some lighter, funnier bluesy stuff, how about some Keb Mo:

Shave Yo' Legs ( a light funny one)

or some uplifting, strengthening ones:

Let Your Light Shine

One Friend

Infinite Eyes

Stand and Be Strong

Personally I also find that I can't possibly keep from smiling when I put Dr. John on. Always reminds me of a New Orleans Jazz funeral, I guess, where you celebrate life even in death.

Crazy – Willie Nelson
Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful Life – Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Shower the People – James Taylor
Georgia on my Mind – Ray Charles
Down to the River to Pray – Allison Krauss

Happy:
Meglio Stasera – Michael Buble'
Still the One – Orleans
Sing – The Carpenters

Lift:

Cup of Life – Ricky Martin
Jump, Jive and Wail – Brian Seltzer Orchestra
Ain't no Mountain High Enough – Diana Ross
I feel the Earth Move – Carole King

Wrap a voice around you:
Anything Michael Buble', Luther Vandross, Carpenters, Allison Krauss, Bonnie Raitt

http://www.folkways.si.edu/searchresults.aspx?s…

Smithsonian Folkways keeps all albums ever released in print both in download format and as Made-To-Order CDs, so you should be able to get a new copy if needed directly…

Uplifting and strengthening: Overture to Wagner's Tannhauser (Pilgrim's Chorus)

Uplifting music:
One song that makes me dance, smile, laugh and feel good all over…
“Spiritual High (State of Independence)” by Moodswings & Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders).
On the CD the song is quite a bit longer and in the middle of it, they have Martin Luther King giving his famous speech, “I have a dream.” with the music in the background.
If you can find the Moodswings CD though, it's an awesome experience.

For now though, here's an url (this has part two of the song and it's quite amazing even though shortened a bit):
(It's the first song on the list – Spiritual High – State of Independence part two):
http://www.rhapsody.com/moodswings

With a prayer of love for you and yours,
Ghosty

PS I have several more I'd post but we just had a storm move in and my pups are getting hysterical. I'll come back in the morning and post the other songs I was thinking of.

The lyrics:
Spiritual High (State of Independence)

(lyrics Anderson/music Vangelis)

Sounds like a signal from you
Bring me to meet your sound
And I will bring you to my heart

Love like a signal you call
Touching my body my soul
Bring to me, you to meet me here

Home be the temple of your heart
Home be the body of your love
Just like Holy water to my lips
Yes I do know how I survive
Yes I do know why I'm alive
To love and be with you
Day by day by day by day

Time, time again, it is said
We will hear, we will see
See it all-in his wisdom-hear
His truth will abound the land
This truth will abound the land
This State of independence shall be
This State of independence shall be

(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)

Love like a signal you call
Touching my body my soul
Bring to me, you to meet me here
Home be the temple of your heart
Home be the body of your love
Just like Holy water to my lips
Hey

Yes I do know how I survive
Yes I do know why I'm alive
To love and be with you
Day by day by day by day

Time, time again, it is said
We will hear, we will see
See it all-in his wisdom-hear
His truth will abound the land
This truth will abound the land
This State of independence shall be
This State of independence shall be

(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)

This State of independence shall be

His truth will abound the land

(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)
(Hey, hey Yayah yaya oh)

Uplifting: Non Nobis Domine off the Henry V soundtrack by Patrick Doyle

Al Jarreau always gives me a lift: Mornin'.

Calming, encouraging: Anything by one of my favorite bands — Iona: A Million Stars

Right now I've been trying to remind myself of the beauty in life and am digging on Sara Groves off her album, Add to the Beauty. The song is: Why It Matters.

Best to you and yours.

Agree with you about Pachebel Cannon. I listen to a number of different arrangements, but have one by Robert Gass and a choir with background vocal of
Alleluia that brings it to a place of praise, gratitude and thanksgiving that i find uplifting.

Often listen to Taize music. Two English lyric ones; Sing to God, and Joy on Earth. Both have the Master vocal with the call and response that establishes a deeper relationship within the music,i believe.

Aslo find Noirin Ni Riain and the Monks of Glenstal Abbey, Vox de Nube, The Darkest Midnight, and The Virgin's Lamet—- these touch something deep and high at the same time. Her voice is etheral and when i listen remember what Giuseppe Mazzini said, “Music is the harmonious voice of creation; an echo of the invisible world.”

I listen to lots of sacred music from around the world. Really like the Sikh music such as Snatam Kaur she has an earthy classically trained voice that expresses an authenticity of soul that captivates me. Prem, Shanti, Grace, and Ananda are all good. Also love the beauty of devotional music of Deva Premal and many of the devotional singers of India which express an emotion that seems to wash the soul of the dust. Love listening to music of the world for there is the reminder we ar all in this together.

Then for invigorating and remembering that within we have what is needed to jump off cliffs or leap gulleys there is the guaranteed to charge—Cherokee stomp dance music. A must listen in a space big enough to dance, Dr. E.

Leonard Cohen has a Cd called Ten New Songs. This CD came out after him taking a leave from his music and spending seven years in a Zen Monastery in the kitchen peeling tables. Ther is a Leonard quote about that experience: ” Roshi—I never really understood what he said, but every now and then i find myself barking with the dog or bending with the irises.”

Also must confess i have always found folk music to touch and soothe the soul in those times when one needs to remember that we are carried by something greater. I listen to every Cd by Kirtana, she sings contemporary sacred songs that celebrate divine love and the life of and strenght of the soul within all of us. Her lyrics are very poetic and when the soul needs comfort and the strength to sustain i go to Kirtana.

Will close with a Richard Nixon quote about music; ” If you want to make beautiful music, you must play the black and white notes together.”

Dr. E will continue to hold you and your family in heart and prayer for comfort and healing. May you each be blessed.