Author Topic: Gobsmacked! Music that stops you in your tracks...  (Read 3522 times)

Offline S Clark

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Gobsmacked! Music that stops you in your tracks...
« on: June 05, 2024, 05:19:40 PM »
Somewhere back in the decades of listening there are songs that stopped your conversation, set down your glass, interrupted a conversation... because the all you could do was stop and listen.
 
I was in San Francisco in an upscale knick knack store when John Barry's "Out of Africa" came over the speakers.  I stood transfixed to the spot.  The swelling of that beautiful theme just got me.   I was in my early thirties and my wife and I had taken a get away trip (first time to leave a toddler with grand dad).

Almost two decades later, we were in a bookstore in Northampton, Mass taking our then adultling daughter on a college tour.  We were visiting Smith College, and most of their textbooks were sold downtown.  On a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls an eerie voice sang a haunting version of a song I knew well, and I stood frozen.  I'd never heard of Eva Cassidy, and her version of "Woodstock" just reached into me and took my breath.   

I ran across a pristine copy of "Out of Africa" today, and although I have the cd and the movie, I couldn't resist taking the vinyl home.  When the house is quiet tonight, I'll put it on and go back in time thirtyseven years.

All this to ask, when were you gobsmacked by music, where, and by what??
« Last Edit: June 05, 2024, 05:21:31 PM by S Clark »
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Offline GDHAL

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Re: Gobsmacked! Music that stops you in your tracks...
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2024, 05:44:35 PM »
Many times. I only listen to live recordings which is important to note, because often times a particular version just strikes that chord (no pun intended) in me.

Examples (and I have so many) are Richard Thompson -From Galway to Graceland 3/27/1994, and Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris - Rose of Cimarron -1999-09-10.
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Offline P.I.

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Re: Gobsmacked! Music that stops you in your tracks...
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2024, 05:51:54 PM »
Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt in my grandparents living room when I was 12... 1960.  78rpm through my grandpa's system. 
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Offline HAL

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Re: Gobsmacked! Music that stops you in your tracks...
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2024, 06:41:13 PM »
Mason Williams performing Classical Gas on the Smothers Brothers program in the '60's. 

The combination of solo guitar and orchestra was fascinating.

Now have a copy of the songs on that album signed by Mason Williams along with the LP and CD's.

Offline Nick B

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Re: Gobsmacked! Music that stops you in your tracks...
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2024, 06:54:46 PM »
I can't recall one song in particular that stands out in that manner. I do recall my dad's one piece Grundig console with a radio and record player that I loved listening to when I was very young.

In using Roon, I have compiled many playlists and one of them is simply titled "beautiful", which are songs that I find stunning in their beautiful melodies.
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Offline S Clark

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Re: Gobsmacked! Music that stops you in your tracks...
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2024, 08:29:01 PM »
Mason Williams performing Classical Gas on the Smothers Brothers program in the '60's. 

The combination of solo guitar and orchestra was fascinating.

Now have a copy of the songs on that album signed by Mason Williams along with the LP and CD's.

I have a memory of driving away from high school and hearing "Classical Gas" on the car radio... probably the first time I'd heard it... so different from anything else I'd ever heard.   
I also remember listening to "The Hill Where the Lord Hides" in the car, driving with my brother in the wee hours in far West Texas going to a lake on the Rio Grande fishing.   That driving beat with the blackness slipping by at 80+ mph.
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Offline steve

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Re: Gobsmacked! Music that stops you in your tracks...
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2024, 09:59:39 AM »
It has happened numerous times, but just recently I experienced it.

Decades ago I was given an LP of the Moody Blues that sounded terrible. I have not listened to them since,
but remembered Nights in White Satin. The other day I happened upon a reaction to Nights in White Satin
at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Not perfect but still amazing spatial wise. Unfortunately, Deezer does not
have that particular selection.

cheers

steve
« Last Edit: June 07, 2024, 10:04:50 AM by steve »
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