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
