April Travel Playlist Feedback!

Hello all!

Back in March, we had Dave help put together a travel playlist for Kirk and myself as we took a trip back to California for Kirk's brain surgery.  On our drive back, it was wonderful to dig into some of your choices for feelgood songs that would bring some happiness and soothing to Kirk during his recovery.

To those that missed the playlist, you can listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4pujq1A8u6dFqTuTdecqut?si=cdb2ebc42c61432d

And for those of you that were able to submit your songs, we jotted down a few notes in the car as we went, and wanted to provide them to you below.  

Thank you all so much for making the trip memorable in the best of ways!

Bests,
Elizabeth

Richard B
Nina Simone - Feeling Good
E: Nina Simone is one of my fav ex of a contalto. Skating esp at the end is also one of my favorite examples of skating. And this used to be one of my favorite songs to blues dance to. Excellent choice.
K: I relate man. Thank you for acknowledging and knowing where I would be mentally. This song hit every note.

Kirby
Billy Joel - My Life
E: I love the upbeat pep of this song. And Billy Joel's melodic writing is ALWAYS enjoyable to listen to. Thank you.
K: I believe Billy Joel was telling my pain to go away so I could live my life. Thank you, Kirby, for that insiteful take.


Runa
Nightwish-Wanderlust
E: Always lovely to hear the combination of classical and metal. Especially the exciting virtuousic runs in this. Thank you!
K: Submit this to Beat Baber, please.

Jacob B
Eric Johnson - Cliffs of Dover
E: I love this for driving! What a fun version. So swingy.
K: It feels like Christmas music. In April. You don't watch Die Hard in April.  You watch it in December.  Now I gotta listen to this again in December.

Mel
Biffy Clyro - Mountains
E: I agree. The build is awesome. I especially love the vocal layer with emptiness at the end. Had some fun sneaky time signatures too. Side note, the wee one seemed to like this as well.
K: This was an upbeat song that really got my feels going strong. Thank you for sharing.

Miles
Blackbriar - Fairy of the Bog
E: This song had such Beautiful clarity, vulnerablility and expression in her voice. I also like the combination of epic and fantasy.  I am really impressed by Zora's talent, and really want to hear her on TCV sometime soon!
K: This was an impressive example of Zora's vocals.  Such a deep and entrancing song.  Thank you, Miles!

Digibirder
Max Webster - Blowing the Blues Away
E: I miss wine! :)
K: Wine, yes!

Greil
Epica - burned to a cinder
E: This music would be epic to play Diablo to. Do you think Simone would be a demon hunter?
K: I really like simones voice. I think it meshes well with the operative nature of this balad.  Good stuff. Thanks, Greil.

Phil
Modest Mouse - Float On
From E- I wasn't sure that I knew modest mouse. But I totally knew this song! And it takes me back to high school summers. Great vibe. And I don't mind that he's pitch at all bc it's so fun.
K: I mean, probably won't have a vocal analysis anytime soon, but this song brings back memories.

Robert K
Tony Bennett - I Got Lost in Her Arms
E: It is very nice to have kirk back in my arms after such a serious surgery. Thank you.
K: Where am I?

Richard
Apocalyptica - Nothing Else Matters
E: Beautiful and luscious with the string arrangement. Hard to imagine that this song is actually by Metallica (I haven't heard it yet). Wow! I really liked it.
K: I sang along in my head. This is one of my favorite Metallica songs and it made me weepy. Thank you.

Dwayne
Creed - With Arms Wide Open
E: This song made me weepy thinking about life's enjoyments that will be more available to Kirk now that his Trigeminal Neuralgia is gone.
K: I'm a daddy now!

GL Schmidt
Blind Guardian - Turn The Page
E: The wee one really likes Hansi. I like the folk metal feel of this too.
K: Hansi's great! Why not more Hansi?  I'll admit, I thought this was going to be a cover of "Turn The Page" by Bob Seger.  While I love that song, this got my blood pumping and was ever exciting!

Andy
Whitney Avalon - Holding out for Hero
E: Kirk is my hero. Love this bard core version.
K: I like the original more. Sorry, Andy.  I've got feels for the original.

Mandylion
Gamma Ray - Heaven Can Wait
E: This guy’s vibrato puts many opera singers’ vibratos to shame. I like the fun energy and message. :-)
K: This singer’s vibrato reminds me a little bit of Rob Halford. Fantastic!

Ruben
Kobra And The Lotus - Prevail
E: Wow, very fierce female vocalist with power throughout her range. Cool to know this is Tommy’s wife - thanks for the background info!
K: Fantastic to hear Kobra singing after Tommy’s interview. I like her even better than Tommy! (If he were reading this, he'd get the inside joke)

André
Place Vendome - Follow Me
E: Wha?! This is Kiske singing? I would never have guessed. It has such a fun and uplifting and almost vintage vibe. Very different from Helloween - much lighter.
K: Really good feel-good song - I like it!

Lee/Tooltang
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - (What’s So Funny ‘ Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
E: Nice to hear a deeper/warmer voice. Also amazing diction!
K: We’re going to have to go look-up the Maynard/Chris Cornell version of this now. Thank you for intriguing us!

Dave
Troldhaugen - It’s Morphine Time
E: Hahahahahahaha such a fitting title! Loved the progressions and how much the vocals made me laugh.
Dave, you’re too clever for your own good. They never gave me morphine, but this song did the trick!