Most of the time my car radio is tuned to NPR. During my short commute during weekdays, I like to catch Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Otherwise, I listen to very little traditional radio these days. The obnoxious DJs on most stations are a major turnoff, and there are only so many times I can handle hearing the same stuff over and over again.
My music collection has become quite immense. I’ll often do work around the house while listening to Malian Blues, Qawwali, American Blues, Afro-Cuban, Indian fusion, and Salsa. Occasionally a Classical or Baroque disk might make its way in. Otherwise, it all depends on the mood, and what seems interesting based on other research that I am doing. (For example, when I first wrote this, my listening included 1930-1940s show tunes and popular music as research for a theatre project.)
As far as individual artists go, Bjork, Tom Waits, Cat Stevens, Peter Gabriel and Beck are often on the CD player when I want to be inspired. Bands like Jethro Tull, Steel Eye Span, Genesis and Pink Floyd still creep into my listening from time to time, but they are more likely to be replaced by modern equivalents or a broader range of music that breaks outside of the Classic Rock idiom.
Via an iPod, my bedtime ritual usually includes numerous ney and oud collections by Turkish artists, my favorite of which is Erkan Ogur. The music is soothing and reflective, and best appreciated when the rest of the world has quieted down.
When I’m not up late recording or writing my own music, I typically work on my web site while listening to podcasts from NPR Religion, Songlines Music Magazine or National Geographic World Music Explorer.
Collecting music used to be a matter of having albums by a few favorite artists, or perhaps collecting songs to learn for performance. These days, the tremendous accessibility of rare recordings from all over the world via new CD releases and the web has completely changed how I listen to and appreciate music. It has become a hobby of its own, and something that gets more interesting year after year.
I’ve found the best way to appreciate music is to listen at least four times:
In the background, not even paying attention
In the car
On a good system at home, paying attention.
Through headphones.
Of course, with so much music, it is rarely possible to do that with every recording. This approach is probably not advisable for a recording you do not like after the first listen, but I have found that things can really grow on you if you give them a chance. Often times, our state of mind on a given day, or environmental factors can also impact our reaction to a recording, so a second or third listen may turn out to be what is needed to make you aware of a truly enjoyable artist/album.
