« Los Angeles to New York City... | Main | Phoenix/Tempe Town Hall meeting tonight! »
November 10, 2006
Music Prescription for a U.S. Road Trip
My mom called me and told me that her friends are going on a road trip from California to the East Coast. She's putting together a care package for them, including one new CD for each day of driving. She wanted my advice about what CDs to buy.
The couple is retirement age and my mom doesn't really know their musical taste, so we had to pick CDs with fairly broad appeal. They'll be on historic Route 66 for some of their trip, which I tell you in case that gets your creative thought process going!
These are some of my picks.
Sheryl Crow: C'mon C'mon or Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow just screams "road trip!" to me, doesn't she to you? Both of these albums are top notch. Sheryl Crow is moodier, whereas C'mon C'mon is peppier. (fun side note: C'mon C'mon features one of our Music Analysts on percussion.)
Louis Prima: Wildest!
Turn up the volume: Louis Prima is a perfect singalong artist. This CD will put ants in the pants. Don't get a speeding ticket!
Bebel Gilberto: Bebel Gilberto
This contemporary bossa nova may be a little too subtle to hear well over the sound of the car engine, but it's so dreamy I can't resist.
Duke Ellington & Coleman Hawkins: Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins
This album is so fun! I recommend it for road trips, dinner parties, working, and commuting. It's all-purpose!
There's more! Keep reading...
Ray LaMontagne: Trouble
Ray's new album is fantastic, but I thought it might be a bit too quiet and/or melancholy for a road trip... unless melancholy is what you're craving on that particular day. For this trip, I prescribe Trouble.
Feist: Let It Die
I've braved huge crowds and long lines to see Feist perform twice in a six-month period. What can I say? I heart Leslie Feist. It appears to be a popular sentiment.
Paul Simon: Negotiations and Love Songs
A classic!
Dinah Washington: Queen, the Music of Dinah Washington
This is another album that says "road trip" to me. This CD is the first I've owned featuring Dinah Washington, and I can't wait to hear more.
As you can see I had to double my prescription to two albums per day...I just couldn't narrow down my choices!
What would you pick?
Cheers,
Lucia
Posted by Lucia at November 10, 2006 02:55 PM
Comments
Hi Lucia, wanted you to know that our travelers loved the first day's CD, which was Paul Simon's Negotiations and Love Songs. They could sing along for the first 500 miles!
For any road trip of mine, I would want Bach's Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello added to your list. It also has the advantage of having two CDs in one case -- so you can count it as only one.
I put the CDs in sealed envelopes labeled Day 1, Day 2, etc. Now I can't wait until they listen to Feist!
Love, mom
Posted by: Lucia's mom at November 10, 2006 04:01 PM
I have waited patiently for 3 days to see if my selected songs would be played. Sadly, not once did that occur. I find your site and software wanting at best and at worst a complete failure.
Posted by: anonymous at November 10, 2006 08:09 PM
I've always found Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to be good road trip music. "Greatest Hits" will cover almost all the bases in a mere--I think it's something like 18--tracks.
Good call on all your selections. Especially Paul Simon.
Posted by: Jamion at November 11, 2006 06:50 AM
Oh, if only there were some way to take Pandora on the road (again)... Oh well.
Yes - Big Generator.
The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street.
Johnny Cash, the older the better.
Posted by: Jay at November 11, 2006 08:57 AM
Here's another vote for Tom Petty. His solo album, Wildflowers, has accompanied us on several 7-12 hour road trips. His last one came out just in time for our August jaunt. We thought it was pretty funny that the title was Highway Companion. :-)
New to Pandora, but I'm loving it so far. Thanks!
Posted by: Mel at November 12, 2006 01:21 PM
I just got back from a road trip, and I listened to Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli. I could listen to them every day. They are perfect.
Posted by: Christine at November 12, 2006 03:05 PM
Lou Reed New York, Queens Greatest Hits were 2 tapes I had backpacking thru europe in 1991
Strongly recommended 4 road tripping, plus any of the RHCP later albums of course,
happy route 66ing
cheerio, craig
Posted by: craig down under at November 14, 2006 03:04 AM
Good call Garth!
Excellent choices all, one more vote for Petty- Runnin' Down a Dream has been an all time fave road song in our family for most of a generation. Three of my decades long must have road trip albums are Neil Young's "On the Beach", The Dead's "Mars Hotel", and Frank Zappa's "Overnight Sensation". Pat Metheny's early gem, "New Chatauqua" also rates highly. You can see landscapes rolling by with your eyes closed listening to that one.
Posted by: Kevin at November 17, 2006 09:02 PM
Arlo Guthrie and Woody would fit for travels on Rt. 66
Posted by: a at November 20, 2006 06:01 PM
Hi,
Nice selection of artists. I can contribute with some songs/artists that we cannot find in Pandora YET.
Sounds to listen with a beer in the hand:
Group: Paralamas do Sucesso - Musics: Meu Erro, Loirinha Bombril, Alagados, Novidade,...
Group: Cassia Eller - Musics: ECT, Brasil,...
These ones you can find in Pandora. They are nice to listen during a trip or in the road.
Group: Marisa Monte
Group: Maria Rita
Group: Gilberto Gil
Tchau!!
Posted by: Marcos at November 23, 2006 09:14 AM
please pandora, search bajo fondo tango club, nice "electro tango"
sorry if isn't the right place
Posted by: Jr.canest at November 25, 2006 10:35 PM
Hi,
We recently did a roadtrip in Northern USA and Canada. We forgot to pack cds in our luggage so we had to buy one (tight budget ;-): we chose The best of Johnny Cash. It proved the ideal road trip music. But your selection would have worked just fine too.
P (Belgium)
Posted by: pietieter at November 28, 2006 02:05 AM
Several years ago I drove to Texas by myself -- first ever long-distance road trip. By day four I was sick of just about every CD I brought along, with the exception of Calexico. Something about their hypnotic cinematic sound kept my interest engaged... Right now, though, am listening to the Pogues a lot. Also Tom Waits. Never get tired of these on my hour-plus commutes.
Posted by: liz at November 28, 2006 02:32 PM
Great music site indeed. More road trip suggestions, English Beat, "What is Beat", Cinematic Orchestra "Motion", Bob Mould, "Work Book", St Germaine, Oingo Boingo, "Only a Lad"
Widespread Panic, "Light Fuse and Get Away"
All of these appease that driving function!!
Posted by: Richard at December 4, 2006 07:52 AM
Hi,Lucia,good call on all your selections,especially Paul Simmons and Sheryl Crow.There are few more CDs of road trips such as The Rolling Stones,Miles,Elton John's ultimate soulful love songs,The Enigma etc.This all will create an unknown sensitivity during the trip.Warm wishes and lots of cheer&affection.
raj
encoders
http://www.encoders.co.in
Posted by: raj4encoders at December 5, 2006 12:15 AM
definitivamente!
Pat Metheny for the road!
Posted by: Roberto at December 5, 2006 09:48 AM
I agree completely with Pat Metheny as a good road trip artist. I would take "First Circle", "Still Life (Talking)", or "The Road To You (Live)" on a road trip.
Grateful Dead Dick's Picks #17 (@Boston Garden) is a good one too.
So far, nobody has mentioned NRBQ. All you need is the Rhino compilation "Peek-A-Boo", a 2-CD set. A good mix of styles in their music, suiting changing landscapes during a road trip.
Posted by: Jim B. at December 20, 2006 07:34 PM
I haven't had the chance to hit the road with it yet, but I've been listening to the new kickin' Tom Waits triple CD set 'Orphans' since Xmas. Divided into Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards - how can you go wrong?
Posted by: Jennifer at January 14, 2007 05:32 PM
Hello again! I’ve been busy getting PA’s travel blog seeded with the best travel content from all seven PA region AND the wait is over. I am happy to let you all know that http://blog.visitpa.com is officially launched and ready for your viewing pleasure! Stop by to check out what our PA roadtrippers have found to do and see in PA. This fall we are focusing on roadtrips and why one to PA is a great idea! I encourage you to keep checking back because we will be posting new content every week and we have some great holiday travel tips and ideas for you! Thanks everyone, and I hope you enjoy Visit PA’s travel blog! Mandy
Posted by: Amanda McFadden at October 30, 2007 10:22 AM
