# ask the guy who wants to help you listen to better music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 10, 2004, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240 "2004-08-10T18:52:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/221 "2004-08-25T06:18:36Z")
One more thing…if you’re looking for something a little more old school, then go back to the great jazz pianists of the early to mid 1900s: Bill Evans McCoy Tyner Keith Jarrett Oscar Peterson Bud Powell Thelonius Monk A couple more contemporary ones: Brad Mehldau may fit your bill. Very heavily influenced by Bill Evans, he came along in that wave of early 90s jazz players, but I’ve a feeling you might actually like him. Plus one off-the-wall suggestion: The Bad Plus. It’s a jazz trio (piano, drums, upright bass) who play pop and rock classics. WAIT WAIT WAIT! Before you think this is some kitschy schtick, I assure you, it’s not. They perform very nuanced and very heartfelt renditions of songs such as “Heart of Glass” and “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Really, they play these tunes with a true jazz soul without losing the spirit of the original. It’s hard to sell in words, but it really is incredible. Try the album _These are the Vistas_. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/222 "2004-08-25T06:45:54Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > One more thing…if you’re looking for something a little more old school, then go back to the great jazz pianists of the early to mid 1900s: > > Bill Evans > McCoy Tyner > Keith Jarrett > Oscar Peterson > Bud Powell > Thelonius Monk > > A couple more contemporary ones: > Brad Mehldau may fit your bill. Very heavily influenced by Bill Evans, he came along in that wave of early 90s jazz players, but I’ve a feeling you might actually like him. > > Plus one off-the-wall suggestion: > The Bad Plus. It’s a jazz trio (piano, drums, upright bass) who play pop and rock classics. WAIT WAIT WAIT! Before you think this is some kitschy schtick, I assure you, it’s not. They perform very nuanced and very heartfelt renditions of songs such as “Heart of Glass” and “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Really, they play these tunes with a true jazz soul without losing the spirit of the original. It’s hard to sell in words, but it really is incredible. Try the album _These are the Vistas_. Bravo. I salute you and will have the Jag detailed for you by my humble man servant. (Not that you actually GET the Jag, but I will have it nice and shiny.) Keith Jarrett’s chops are undeniable. I’m just waiting for an electronics genius to invent a device that can completely eradicate all signs of Jarrett’s maddening humming, singing, yelling, and other idiotic vocal tics from those certifiable works of art. I’m a Philistine, what can I say? Bill Evans? Maybe the early years, although his chords were often complex and I’m looking for simply beauty. Theloneous Monk’s discordant boppish riffs aren’t what I’m looking for; he reminds me of quantum mechanics and I ain’t Einstein. McCoy Tyner, perhaps. Must research more. Obviously, **Freejooky** has been rendered speechless by my interrogatory. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mithril](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mithril/32/3517_2.png) [@Mithril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithril)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/223 "2004-08-25T12:43:20Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > Sounds like you’re looking for more prog metal–which is good, cause I know fuck-all about prog rock. Still, you owe it to yourself to check out Radiohead’s _OK Computer_ if you haven’t heard it. Check out Porcupine Tree’s _In Absentia_, Katatonia’s _Viva Emptiness_, Ayreon’s _The Human Equation_, Evergrey’s _Recreation Day_, Opeth’s _Damnation_, Pain Of Salvation’s _The Perfect Element_, and Orphaned Land’s _Mabool_. > [@pulykamell](#): > > Try Mars Volta and Coheed & Cambria for starters. Thanks! You’re right about the prog metal, **ultrafilter**. I guess that’s what I thought modern prog rock would be. I’ll try to find some legal downloads tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/224 "2004-10-12T13:27:36Z")
I have a confession: listening to the zippy little tunes in the **Shrek** soundtrack, the sounds of **Rufus Wainrights** voice has captured me. What of his should I start out with? Can you recommend any other singer in the similar vein? Since you are in the music knowledge biz, and I am too lazy to google, what ever happened to **The Proclaimers**. I just love their only album, which I forget the title and have owned since it was released in the UK (light years before the US Release) and have since (cough) misplaced it. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/225 "2004-10-12T15:58:53Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > **Accordian Music.** > > I have a couple Sharon Shannon (who is wonderful) and Bridgetown by Johnny Connolly. I need some new stash. Check out [Josephine Marsh](http://tradcentral.com/jmarsh/). She’s a very funky box-player from County Clare. Fans of Sharon Shannon should definetely have a listen. Johnny Connolly’s father, also called Johnny Connolly, is a great melodeon player. The most famous Irish box players is probably Joe Burke and he recorded plenty. From Cork we have Jackie Daly. He recording some lovely albums solo, in duet with fiddler players and with the bands Patrick Street, De Dannan and Buttons and Bows. Anything he’s on is worth buying. Less famous, but one of my own personal faves is the very fiery Andrew MacNamara or any of the recordings of the band The Lahawns which he plays in. Other good ones are Charlie Piggott, Tony MacMahon and the probably the Godfather of Irish accordion: Joe Cooley. If you are are having trouble finding any of the these, [this shop](http://www.custysmusic.com/mall/CustysTraditionalMusicShop/index2.htm) does mail order. The lads in there will probably also be very glad to help you out if you know what kind of thing you like, but don’t know who makes it. As am I. If you have any more questions regarding Irish accordeons, give me shout as I can talk about them forever. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/226 "2004-10-12T16:06:58Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Okay, here goes. > > I picked up Sevara Nazarkhan’s _Yol Bolsin_ a few months ago and have really enjoyed it. Now I’d like to find some more in the same vein, which I would describe as “vaguely melancholy Mideast/Central-Asian pop.” That’s a great album and a very difficult question. I’m mainly replying in symphathy as I have faced the exact same problem. Very hard. Did you try the Yungchen Lamo on the same [label](http://realworldrecords.com/) as Sevara ? I found her a bit to cerebral, but worth a try. I think the same guy who did the “bleepy” stuff on Yor Yor worked with this singer as well. Otherwise the later albums of [Yat-kha](http://www.yat-kha.com/index.php) from Tuvan, South Siberia feature a female vocalist. They are a lot more rocky than Sevara Nazarkhan, but are very good band and the best match I can find for you. If you find anything, will you let me know. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/227 "2004-10-12T16:13:45Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > If you like ethnic Eastern European music, but want something a little more peppy, you can always try Serb brass music. Good places to start are [Boban Markovic](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE47B16DF49AD7E20CE81324DDDBC53FF08D74FF3801F34454792B63E45911E63EA72C4BABFD0B67DAB78AFE02CA45A0B9FC2E456FDD6623C2DED93&uid=MIDMR0408102001&sql=11:fu548qt9bt94~T2), [Goran Bregovic](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll), and the soundtracks from the movies “Underground” and “Black Cat, White Cat” (which also feature these two bands.) Markovic is fairly straightforward Serbian wedding band music, while Bregovic is a bit more untraditional in his approach. But Bregovic is far more musically interesting, in my opinion. Good stuff. I will check some of your recommendations out also, but wanted to throw in Saban Bajramovic as a fabulous Serbian gypsy singer. He has recorded an album with [Mostar Sevdah Reunion](http://www.mostarsevdahreunion.com/) who are also a cracking band in their own right. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/228 "2004-10-12T22:21:08Z")
I like… • Squirrel Nut Zippers • Southern Culture on the Skids • Pink Martini • Cracker • Tom Waits • Beck • Cowboy Junkies • Michelle Shocked • Ursula 1000 • Randy Newman • Elvis Costello • Mark Knopfler who else should I listen to? ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/229 "2004-10-13T10:18:55Z")
Hmmm. I willingly admit to: [ul] [li]Air Supply[/li][li]Chicago ('60s and '70s, but one should never, ever forget the '80s)[/li][li]Bad Company (yes, even their “Holy Water” years)[/li][li]Bootsy Collins[/li][li]Diana Krall[/li][li]Queen[/li][li]The Darkness[/li][li]Gil Shaham[/li][li]Def Leppard[/li][li]They Might Be Giants[/li][li]Michael McDonald[/li][li]Earth, Wind & Fire[/li][li]Bee Gees[/li][li]Neil Diamond[/li][li]Parliment[/li][li]Barry Manilow[/li][li]One Hit Wonders from the '80s[/li][li]Doobie Brothers[/li][li]Shooting Star[/li][li]Loggins and Messina[/li][li]Ohio Players[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/230 "2004-10-13T12:05:48Z")
Specific question from me: Couple years ago, the Blind Boys of Alabama put out an album, [_Spirit of the Century_](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000059MEM/qid=1097668323/sr=8-4/ref=pd_csp_4/104-5851584-2529539?v=glance&s=music&n=507846), that got a little airplay on non-gospel airwaves. I heard a cut, bought the album, and it totally blew me away. I loved the vocal harmonies, the stripped-down production, the bluesy feel of the album, the non-traditional arrangements, and the song selection (two Tom Waits songs!). But… I know practically nothing about gospel in general. So if I liked _Spirit of the Century_, what other gospel albums would I like? For reference, I also like things such as Robert Johnson, Son House, Blind Lemon Jefferson, a lot of the traditional Alan Lomax recordings, Hank Williams Sr, Jimmie Rodgers, Johnny Cash (especially very early and very late), early Elvis, Carl Perkins, the Yardbirds, Tom Waits, The White Stripes, the Gories, and a lot of other stuff that’s less pertinent (I think) to the question above. ---
**Author:** ![Hot\_Buttered\_Toast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b38774/32.png) [@Hot\_Buttered\_Toast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hot_Buttered_Toast)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/231 "2004-10-13T18:16:06Z")
Oh, I listened to 69 Love Songs and loved it, thanks **Freejooky**. Can someone recommend me a few bands/singers based on this list? I’d really appreciate it. I’d list my playlist, but that’d be terribly obnoxious, so here are the most relevant. Thanks. - A Perfect Circle - Dismemberment Plan - Franz Ferdinand - Manic Street Preachers - New Pornographers - Nick Cave - Nightwish - Radiohead - The Clash - The Postal Service - Tom Waits ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/232 "2004-10-13T18:23:02Z")
> [@Hot Buttered Toast](#): > > Oh, I listened to 69 Love Songs and loved it, thanks **Freejooky**. > > Can someone recommend me a few bands/singers based on this list? I’d really appreciate it. I’d list my playlist, but that’d be terribly obnoxious, so here are the most relevant. Thanks. > > - A Perfect Circle > - Dismemberment Plan > - Franz Ferdinand > - Manic Street Preachers > - New Pornographers > - Nick Cave > - Nightwish > - Radiohead > - The Clash > - The Postal Service > - Tom Waits For APC, check out Tool. For Nightwish, check out Lacuna Coil, the Gathering, After Forever, Epica, and Evanescence. For Radiohead, check out Porcupine Tree and Anathema. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/233 "2004-10-13T19:32:46Z")
Ok, I’ll play. Some of my favorite bands are: - Self - The Pixies - Elastica - They Might Be Giants (prefer the later, more fleshed-out stuff) - The Strokes - Spacehog - Beck (but not folk Beck, robot Beck) - Ash Some other pluses: bands with keyboards, bands with female or mixed-sex vocals, strong basslines, non-mumbly vocals. Absolutely no whining. Recommend away! I have an Xmas Amazon wish list to fill. I really want to listen to some newer stuff. I don’t really listen to any “new” bands except for the Strokes and a few random singles. I heard half of an album by this band called Clinic that I really liked; I think they’re new. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/234 "2004-10-13T20:12:41Z")
> [@Hot Buttered Toast](#): > > - A Perfect Circle > - Dismemberment Plan > **- Franz Ferdinand** > - Manic Street Preachers > - New Pornographers > - Nick Cave > - Nightwish > - Radiohead > - The Clash > - The Postal Service > - Tom Waits Have you checked out The Killers? I bought _Hot Fuss_ and, save for three tracks, I kind of like it. ---
**Author:** ![singersargent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/edb3f5/32.png) [@singersargent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singersargent)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/235 "2004-10-13T20:39:40Z")
Should I be ashamed that I like Aaron Neville’s voice? (Regardless, I’ll keep on liking his music, but just wanted to get the verdict from a music expert.) The Grand Tour is my favorite album. If I like Green Day I’ll like? What school of pop is Fountains of Wayne in? Recs based them as well, please… ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/236 "2004-10-15T02:03:34Z")
:::bump:::: I sent an email to freejooky. Hopefully he sees it soon and comes in here. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240/237 "2005-01-27T20:27:00Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Do you know [Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4791FDE48A47F20D4823E53C0BA60F900FE4BF59A1321435992B63E4591037DAD4CFF9981B9E577B166ADFF2EA0160DD9CAEF5CF9D5764C40&searchlink=GONZALO%7CRUBALCABA&uid=SUB040408250201&samples=1&sql=11:difyxqy5ld0e~T2) work per chance? Try either _The Blessing_ or _Inner Voyage_. The music is absolutely sophisticated, not cheesy in the least. Gonzalo Rubalcaba is an amazing Afro-Cuban jazz pianist with the best chops of any piano player I’ve ever heard. Maybe you’re looking for something a little more straightforward, but people will bow to your awesome taste when they hear any of his records. Since resurrection isn’t forbidden, let me resurrect this thread to say Thanks, **pulykamell**. I’ve been listening to these two albums pretty regularly for the last few months, and enjoying them quite a bit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-wants-to-help-you-listen-to-better-music/259240.md?page=11)