Today’s Songs

Hayley Westenra • Never Saw Blue (Full Length Drums Mix) (✭✭✭✭✭)

Sigur Rós • Gobbledigook (✭✭✭✭)

The Locust • I Become Overwhelmed (✭✭✭)

ABBA • Voulez Vous (✭✭✭½)

Hayley Anderson • Every Corner of My Heart (✭✭✭✭)

Mephisto Odyssey • Bump (Hot Pink Delorean Remix) (✭✭✭✭)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • Once There Was a Snowman

Heart • Who Will You Run To? (✭✭✭✭)

Heart • Magic Man (✭✭✭✭)

Heather Sullivan • Twisted (✭✭✭✭✭)

We the Kings • Check Yes Juliet (✭✭✭✭✭)

Holly Conlan • You Are Goodbye (✭✭✭½)

Freddie Jackson • You Are My Lady (✭✭✭)

Micky Dolenz • St. Judy’s Comet (✭✭✭✭)

Micky Dolenz • The Moonbeam Song (✭✭✭✭)

Les Rossignols de Poznan • Alleluia, Ave Maria

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club • Dirty Old Town (✭✭✭)

James Kibbie • BWV673 Christe, aller Welt Trost

James Vargas • Sitting Pretty (✭✭✭✭✭)

Tulsa • Rafter (✭✭✭✭)

Pink Skull • Oh, Monorail (✭✭✭✭)

Dr. Dog • The Old Days (✭✭✭½)

U-Nam • Street Life (✭✭✭✭✭)

Jazzmasters • Free as the Wind (✭✭✭✭)

Tim Bowman • High Def (✭✭✭✭)

Oli Silk • Easy Does It (✭✭✭✭)

Jaared • Jamaican Winds (✭✭✭✭)

Sekou Bunch • Smooth Sailing (✭✭✭✭)

Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents • Mama Told Me (✭✭✭✭✭)

Balkan Beat Box • Move It (Radioclit remix) (✭✭✭½)

Matmos • Polychords (✭✭✭)

The Cave Singers • Helen (✭✭✭)

Pavement • Gold Soundz (Remastered) (✭✭✭)

Jay Reatard • Always Wanting More (✭✭✭)

Dead Meadow • I'm Gone (✭✭✭½)

Jay Reatard • See/Saw (✭✭✭)

Cat Power • Metal Heart (✭✭✭)

The New Pornographers • All the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth (Live) (✭✭✭½)

Shearwater • Leviathan, Bound (✭✭✭✭)

Cat Power • The Greatest (✭✭✭✭)

Mates of State • For the Actor (✭✭✭)

Mates of State • Nature & the Wreck (✭✭✭✭)

Mates of State • Running Out (✭✭✭✭)

Mates of State • Punchlines (✭✭✭✭)

Mates of State • So Many Ways

Peter Schmalfuss • Nocturnes, Op. 9: No. 3 in B Major

Carmen Piazzini • Fantasy for Piano No. 4 in C minor, K. 475: Adagio - Allegro - Andantino - Più allegro - Tempo primo

Magnus Ludwigsson • Rocking around the Christmas Tree (✭✭✭✭✭)

Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra • Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 61: III. Rondo: Allegro

Capella Istropolitana • Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), K. 492: "Giunse alfin il momento, Deh vieni non tardar"

Kristin Chambers • You Set Me Free (✭✭✭)

The Rembrandts • New King (✭✭✭)

The London Festival Orchestra • Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob. I:104, "London": III. Menuetto - Trio: Allegretto

Juri Gagarin • Wet Dreams (✭✭✭)

DJ Bitman • My Computer Is Funk (✭✭✭✭)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • We Bow Our Heads

Amy Grant • Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song) (✭✭✭✭✭)

Poco • Rough Edges (✭✭✭)

Bamberg Symphony Orchestra & Hans Swarowsky • Symphony No. 5 in D Major, Op. 107, "Reformation": III. Andante

James Kibbie • BWV545 Praeludium et Fuga in C / Prelude and Fugue in C Major - 1. Praeludium

Gorillaz • Demon Days (Album Sampler) (✭✭✭)

Natalie Imbruglia • Torn (✭✭✭✭✭)

Ronald Brautigam • Piano Sonata No. 46 in A♭ Major, Hob. XVI:46: III. Finale. Presto

Toto • A Thousand Years (✭✭✭✭)

GuitarBeat 5

The Cranberries • Disappointment (✭✭✭½)

Aaron Rosand • Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35: II. Canzonetta: Andante

Lipps, Inc. • Funkytown (✭✭✭✭½)

The B-52s • Funplex (✭✭✭✭✭)

The B-52s • Funplex (CSS Extended Remix) (✭✭✭✭✭)

The B-52s • Funplex (Peaches Pleasure Seeker Remix) (✭✭✭½)

 

15,855 tracks to go!

Songs for the Day

Steve Miller Band • Abracadabra (✭✭✭✭½)

The Mills • Abran fuego (✭✭✭✭½)

Steamroller • Absence (✭✭✭✭½)

Jewel • Absence of Fear (✭✭✭✭½)

They Might Be Giants • Absolutely Bill’s Mood (✭✭✭✭)

Kelis • Acapella (✭✭✭)

Counting Crows • Accidentally in Love (✭✭✭✭✭)

Ex-Voto • Accidents Never Happen (✭✭✭½)

Power Music • According to You (✭✭✭✭)

Lita Ford • Aces & Eights (✭✭✭)

Crash Test Dummies • Aching to Sneeze (✭✭✭½)

Mark Morgan • Acolytes of the New God (✭✭✭✭)

Sigur Rós • Gobbledigook (✭✭✭✭)

The Locust • I Become Overwhelmed (✭✭✭)

Chicago • I Believe (✭✭✭✭)

Cloning Einstein • I Believe (✭✭✭✭✭)

Micah Stampley • I Believe (✭✭)

Tears For Fears • I Believe (✭✭✭)

The Studio Sound Ensemble • I Believe I Can Fly (✭✭)

The Darkness • I Believe in a Thing Called Love (✭✭✭✭½)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Believe in Being Honest

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Believe in Being Honest (Instrumental)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Believe in Christ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Believe in Christ (Instrumental)

Orem Institute of Religion Choir • I Feel My Savior's Love

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Feel My Savior’s Love

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Feel My Savior’s Love (Instrumental)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Have a Family Tree

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Have a Family Tree (Instrumental)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Have Two Ears

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Have Two Ears (Instrumental)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Have Two Little Hands

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Have Two Little Hands (Instrumental)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Have Work Enough to Do

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Have Work Enough to Do (Instrumental)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Instrumental)

Pasadena • I Held You Pretty Good (✭✭✭)

Bill & Gloria Gaither • I Hold a Clear Title to a Mansion (✭✭½)

Olivia Newton-John • I Honestly Love You (✭✭✭)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • I Hope They Call Me on a Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • There Is a Green Hill Far Away (Instrumental)

The Housemartins • There Is Always Something There to Remind Me (✭✭✭½)

Head of Skulls! • There Is No Clean Fun (✭✭½)

Escolania de Montserrat • There Is No Rose (✭✭✭✭)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today

The “Mormon” Tabernacle Choir • There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today (✭✭✭✭✭)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today (Instrumental)

Sixpence None the Richer • There She Goes (✭✭✭✭✭)

Sixpence None the Richer • Silent Night (✭✭✭✭✭)

Wonder Kids • A-Goong Went the Little Green Frog

Mike Post • The A-Team (✭✭✭✭)

Ray Wylie Hubbard • A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is no C) (✭✭✭)

Ladyfinger (ne) • A.D.D. (✭✭✭)

Laethora • A.S.K.E. (✭½)

Sonu Nigam • Aaja Soniye (from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi) (✭✭✭✭½)

Kronos Quartet • Aba Kee Tayk Hamaree (It Is My Turn, Oh Lord) (✭✭✭)

Sheryl Crow • I Shall Believe (✭✭✭✭)

Sheryl Crow & Sting • Always on Your Side (✭✭✭✭✭)

Crowded House • Archer’s Arrows (✭✭✭✭)

Songs for the Day

Paula Abdul • Coldhearted (Quivering 12″) (✭✭✭½)

Love Derwinger and Roland Pöntinen • Concerto in A♭ Major for Two Pianos and Orchestra: III. Allegro vivace

Lenny Kravitz • My Love (✭✭✭½)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • The Tenth Article of Faith

Pepe Ahlqvist & The Rolling Tumbleweed • Big Pig Beta (✭✭✭✭)

Narvalo • Aven Aven (✭✭✭✭)

Blind Pilot • Go On, Say It (✭✭✭½)

Blind Pilot • Go On, Say It (✭✭✭½)

Blink 182 • All the Small Things (✭✭✭✭)

Cathy Dennis • Falling

Aretha Franklin • Angels We Have Heard on High (✭✭✭✭)

Fresh Body Shop • Can't Get Enough (✭✭✭✭)

Bryan Adams • Cuts Like a Knife

Mainz Chamber Orchestra • Symphony No. 29 in A Major, K. 201: II. Andante

Boom Crash Opera • Forever

Ron Davis Trio • Popeye (✭✭✭✭✭)

The B-52’s • Roam (Extended Remix) (✭✭✭✭)

Winger • Baptized by Fire (✭✭✭)

Frida Hyvonen • Enemy Within (✭✭✭✭✭)

Throw Me the Statue • Lolita (✭✭✭½)

The War on Drugs • Taking the Farm (✭✭✭)

Sen Dog • Fumble (✭✭)

Near the Parenthesis • Not Here, Not Tonight (✭✭✭✭)

Countdown Kids • Lullaby and Goodnight (✭✭✭½)

Magnifier • Down the Hall (✭✭✭½)

Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra • Symphony No. 59 in A Major, Hob. I:59, "Fire": IV. Allegro assai

Sheena Easton • Strut (✭✭✭½)

Alerth Bedasse & Chin’s Calypso Sextet • Guzoo Doctor (✭✭✭)

The Cranberries • What’s on My Mind (✭✭✭½)

Jewel • What’s Simple Is True (✭✭✭½)

They Might Be Giants • What’s That Blue Thing Doing Here? (✭✭✭✭)

The Wilsons • Good About You (✭✭✭✭✭)

Sixpence None the Richer • The Lines of My Earth (✭✭✭✭)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • O Home Beloved

Mannheim Steamroller • Above the Northern Lights (✭✭✭✭)

An Interesting Resolution

It’s been noted by many authors that a surprising number of Latter-day Saints don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions. It’s not that we think ourselves above improvement; in fact, quite the opposite: we’re so constantly trying to improve ourselves, attempting to become more like our Savior, that making a New Year’s resolution is actually kind of redundant. So with that in mind, yesterday I came up with a New Year’s resolution that is completely unrelated to bettering myself per se, yet something that I can actually work towards with some semblance of completion.

So, on to the task: in my iTunes library, I have a smart playlist with every track that iTunes has no record of me listening to. Obviously, I’ve actually listened to a lot of them: many are ripped from CDs that had been played at least once, often more than once, before I added them to iTunes. However, having never listened to them in iTunes, they have no play count, no volume adjustment, no equalizer preset, no ✭ rating, or any combination of the above. Thus, my goal: by the end of 2012, I will have listened to and appropriately tagged every track in my library.

So, in case anyone cares, I’ll be sharing what tracks iTunes has served up, each day. Sometimes it’ll be random, sometimes not, but it should be an interesting look into what I have on my iServer. :-)

Friday, 7 January 2011

David Sylvian featuring Stina Nordenstam & Nine Horses • Wonderful World (✭✭✭✭)
Tame Impala • Desire Be Desire Go
Tristeza • Newbury (✭✭✭✭)
Nightmares on Wax • Passion (✭✭✭½)
The Tallest Man on Earth • Like the Wheel (✭✭✭)
Paul Simon • Getting Ready for Christmas Day (✭✭✭½)
Paula Abdul • Rush, Rush (✭✭✭✭)
John Wesley Harding • Where the Bodies Are (✭✭✭½)
John Wesley Harding • Millionaire’s Dream (✭✭✭✭)
John Wesley Harding • Come Gather ’Round
Talbot Tagora • Ichthus Hop (✭✭✭)
Pretty & Nice • Hideaway Tokyo (✭✭✭)
Jackpot • Far Far Away (✭✭✭✭)
Mar√≠a Estela Monti • Se fue (✭✭✭✭)
Raw Youth • Tame Yourself (✭✭✭✭)
Exene Cervenka • Do What I Have to Do (✭✭✭½)
Belinda Carlisle • Bless the Beasts and the Children (✭✭✭✭✭)
Fetchin’ Bones • Slaves (✭✭✭)
Goose Bumps • Asleep Too Long (✭✭✭✭½)
Indigo Girls & Michael Stipe • I’ll Give You My Skin (✭✭✭)
Howard Jones • Don’t Be Part of It (✭✭✭½)
k.d. lang • Damned Old Dog (✭✭✭)
Nina Hagen & Lene Lovich • Don’t Kill the Animals (✭✭)
Jane Wiedlin • Fur (✭✭✭)
Puffin’ Billy (Theme from “Captain Kangaroo”)
Good Old Days (Theme from “The Little Rascals”)
Meet the Flintstones (✭✭✭)
Gracie Lantz & Kay Kyser’s Swing Band • The Woody Woodpecker Show
Bugs Bunny Overture (This Is It) (✭✭✭)
Slow Dazzle • Now or Never or Later
The Sly Caps • The Boring Life (✭✭✭✭)
The Sly Caps • Don & Sue (✭✭✭✭½)
Apollo Smile • Thunderbox [1991] (✭✭✭✭½)
Apollo Smile • Thunderbox [1990] (✭✭✭✭✭)
Name Taken • The Safety of Routine (✭✭✭✭)
Mark Morgan • Follower's Credo
Belinda Carlisle • Fool for Love (✭✭✭✭✭)
Belinda Carlisle • Nobody Owns Me (✭✭✭✭✭)
Belinda Carlisle • California (✭✭✭½)
Belinda Carlisle • We Can Change (✭✭✭½)
Belinda Carlisle • Live Your Life Be Free (✭✭✭✭½)
Belinda Carlisle • Where Love Hides (✭✭✭✭)
Belinda Carlisle • I Feel Free (✭✭✭✭)
Belinda Carlisle • Gotta Get to You (✭✭✭½)
Belinda Carlisle • I Plead Insanity (✭✭✭✭)

The Squeaky Wheel

A few weeks ago, my parents came for a visit. As it happened, just before leaving, my father accidentally deleted five songs he had recently downloaded from iTunes, and contacted technical support to see if he could download them again.

Now, in my experience, this is a fairly simple endeavor. Long-time readers may even remember that I blogged about it, a while back, when a few of my own tracks went missing. Unfortunately, my father, who has probably the worst luck on the planet, was not so lucky. By the time my parents arrived at their hotel, en route to our house, a support tech had contacted him and re-enabled every track he’d ever purchased from iTunes.

Let me re-emphasize this: he needed five tracks replaced, and they supplied his account with something to the effect of 981 tracks, 976 of which were already on his hard drive. What’s more, they were queued up in chronological order, so he had to download all 981, to get to the last five. In a hotel room. Over hotel WiFi. He left his MacBook on all night, downloading like crazy, and still didn’t get through half of them. (He downloaded the rest, once he got to our house.)

Now, I don’t understand exactly what happened from there, because my father’s infamous bad luck obviously struck again. One of the beautiful things about iTunes is that it’s extremely easy to display duplicates in any given list; you just go the File menu and select Display Duplicates. Since he and my mother were leaving to visit my aunt and uncle in South Carolina, only days after visiting us, Dad displayed duplicates, sorted by date (descending), and deleted the dupes that had been downloaded during their Indiana trip. Unfortunately, by the time they were on the road, he realized that he had done something wrong: every track in his library displayed a broken link.

He contacted iTunes customer support again, presumably by replying to the last email. Rather than attempt to troubleshoot with him, the same woman responded rather tersely that it was not Apple’s responsibility to provide him with a backup solution. Nevertheless, she re-enabled every track again!!! Suffice to say: Dad was not happy.

Well, to make a long story even longer, he eventually contacted me for help and together, we figured out that the reason all this happened was because his iTunes Media Folder location was mis-set. Furthermore, since he had re-downloaded everything twice, he had three copies of just about everything, on his hard drive. After hours of merging folders and Consolidating Files in iTunes, he had everything back, just the way it was.

Well, after all this, Dad was understandably unhappy with the tech in question. As such, he replied to the support tech and let her know what had happened, basically telling her what he thought of her service (or lack thereof). Not surprisingly, she responded with an olive branch: a one-song credit at the iTunes Store. Suffice to say: Dad remained unpleased.

So finally, at my suggestion, he called up Apple and asked to speak to Customer Relations. After explaining his problem to a representative there, the rep gave him a choice of several items in the $100-$150 range, for his trouble. Long story short: my father is now the proud new owner of an iomega external 1TB hard drive. (Yeah, that’s a lot for that, but whatever.) ;-)

So, quite roundabout, but when it came right down to it, Apple customer service comes through again—which is why I continue to love them.