Recently, I got the idea to start a music appreciation night at our house. I thought it would be kind of cool to expand everyone musical knowledge as well as appreciation. The first session is planned for early November and, I was curious if anyone else has done something similar.
For my first selection, I plan on spinning Ella and Louis. These two greats, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, got together in 1956 to collaborate on this album with some incredible musicians: Ray Brown on bass, Herb Ellis on guitar, Oscar Peterson on piano, and Buddy Rich on drums. I think this should be a good selection and help kick-off the tone for future sessions. I can’t wait to see what everyone else chooses.
Below are the ground rules and the musical categories. Any comments, on how to improve upon the format would be appreciated.
Ground Rules: Music must come on vinyl, SACD, or XRCD. Album title, artist, site found on, and a brief description of selection must be given to me at least 10 days before appreciation night to allow time for delivery. Lastly, music must be meaningful to you or was pivotal to the industry and influenced others. Be prepared to discuss your selection.
This night is about critical listening (not talking) and learning about music. Before each album is played, the individual that selected it will describe the album, what makes it special, and why they selected it. After each album is played, we will discuss it and individually discuss what they found moving about it and whether they concur that it was an important work. Note taking during listening is encouraged.
Goal: To increase the household’s musical awareness and to have these become a standard that is enjoyed by all.
For my first selection, I plan on spinning Ella and Louis. These two greats, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, got together in 1956 to collaborate on this album with some incredible musicians: Ray Brown on bass, Herb Ellis on guitar, Oscar Peterson on piano, and Buddy Rich on drums. I think this should be a good selection and help kick-off the tone for future sessions. I can’t wait to see what everyone else chooses.
Below are the ground rules and the musical categories. Any comments, on how to improve upon the format would be appreciated.
Ground Rules: Music must come on vinyl, SACD, or XRCD. Album title, artist, site found on, and a brief description of selection must be given to me at least 10 days before appreciation night to allow time for delivery. Lastly, music must be meaningful to you or was pivotal to the industry and influenced others. Be prepared to discuss your selection.
This night is about critical listening (not talking) and learning about music. Before each album is played, the individual that selected it will describe the album, what makes it special, and why they selected it. After each album is played, we will discuss it and individually discuss what they found moving about it and whether they concur that it was an important work. Note taking during listening is encouraged.
Goal: To increase the household’s musical awareness and to have these become a standard that is enjoyed by all.
- First Night: Dead Artists
- Second Night: Birthplace Artists (Ashley = Georgia, Evelyn = Germany, Dennis = California)
- Third Night: Contemporary Artists
- Fourth Night: The Classics (Mozart, Brahms, Chamber Music etc.)
- Fifth Night: Female Vocalists
- Sixth Night: Latin Artists
- Seventh Night: Crooners
- Eighth Night: British Invasion
- Ninth Night: Motown
- Tenth Night: Soundtracks
- Eleventh Night: Male Vocalists
- Twelfth Night: Listener’s Choice
Second, I want to make sure, as much as possible, that we're using audiophile-grade recordings so that a bad recording to spoil the experience.
