Much Music

The latest installment in "What is Connor listening to these days," features a fresh crop of records — actually, all of these are somewhat dated and they're technically files on my hard drive, not "records" — for your enjoyment...so, uh, enjoy.


Sam Cooke: Portrait of a Legend: 1951-1964
If you've been keeping up with this experiment, perhaps you've noticed that I've yet to include anything that Connor doesn't like. Mostly, that's because I rarely play anything that elicits a negative reaction. Consider this the first, though don't expect too many more, cause this kid is easy to please. Maybe he was in a bad mood (I hope that was it) but the instant that the opening track, "Touch the Hem of his Garment," started, our little burgeoning music critic was not happy. We got through about five songs, until I decided that we'd listen to something else. Don't think I won't try to sneak this one in again later on. Maybe I'll play it really quietly in his room while he's asleep, instead of that "I won't grow up and be a crackhead" tape we already play each night.

The Cult: Electric
I have probably listened to this album at least 1,000 times since it came out in 1987 — yes, I had a bootleg version of it on casette, intentionally mislabeled so that the parentals wouldn't confiscate it — but I like it more each time I hear it. If you've ever listened to this record, you'll remember that singer Ian Astbury frequently growls throughout the tracks. Connor was already rockin' out to the music, but when he heard the growls, he apparently thought he was hearing the call of the wild...for toddlers, I guess. He growled like a maniac the entire time we had this on.



Eric B. & Rakim: Paid In Full: Expanded Edition
You might think it's strange for a 1.5-year-old to be jamming out to Eric B. & Rakim. I would say that you're strange. Call it a draw?

Alison Krauss & Union Station: Live
Okay, this one is a gimme. Any live record with audible applause, Connor is all over it. As soon as he hears clapping, he immediately stops what he's doing, looks at you with a huge smile and claps like that crazy lady who's always down front at Showtime at the Apollo, expecting you to reciprocate in kind. It doesn't hurt that the AKUS' bluegrass/country music is a pretty good match for little kids as well as adults. Kind of like Bugs Bunny...without the racism.