essays & effluvia: Music for Lovers

Monday, February 14, 2005

Music for Lovers

A couple of music compilations for Valentines Day:

1) iTunes Music Store has an interesting collection of Romantic tunes

2) About.com's ~~Music~~ Honeymoon/Romantic Getaway Guide selected the "Top 10 Sexy Music CDs"

"If you desire to hear more sounds in the bedroom than those of your own beating hearts and breathy sighs (or the neighbors fighting), these sexy and romantic CDs can set the mood for seduction and orchestrate your lovemaking."

Um, sure. I have to take issue with a few of her selections. Tina Turner? Sorry, thanks for playing. And while I love both the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, I cannot think that most women would appreciate them as a romantic soundtrack.

As opposed to let's say Barry White or Marvin Gaye. Any woman that doesn't appreciate them during intimate moments, you don't want to sleep with anyway . . .

1) Moondance by Van Morrison

"It's a marvelous night for a moondance," croons the lyrical Irish poet -- and you'll find yourselves in agreement after listening to this.

2) The Ultimate Collection by Barry White

When velvet-voiced White starts singing "You're the First, the Last, My Everything," hearts begin to melt. And when the Ultimate Seducer segues into "I'll Do for You Anything You Want Me To" and "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More," the feelings are irresistible.

3) Music To Shag By

Containing the mumbled French "Je t'aime...Moi Non Plus" (you may not know what Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg are moaning, but their sexy meaning is clear) along with more than a dozen sure-fire hits, this Austin Powers-inspired collection is groovy, baby.

4) Midnight Love and the Sexual Healing Sessions by Marvin Gaye

Is "Sexual Healing" is your theme song? This CD has four versions of it, including the original vocal, an instrumental, and an alternate vocal mix.

5) Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding

When the Memphis man sings "Try a Little Tenderness," there's just no arguing with that logic. This boxed set contains his entire oeuvre.

6) Crossroads by Eric Clapton

What woman hasn't felt more beautiful after hearing the guitar master sing "Wonderful Tonight?" This boxed CDs set also contains the hypnotic "Layla," "Wanna Make Love to You" and "After Midnight."

7) Forty Licks by the Rolling Stones

Disc 2, from "Start Me Up" to "Miss You" to "Beast of Burden" and "Angie" to "Fool to Cry" and the new "Keys to Your Love" delivers some powerful emotional messages from the world's greatest rock and roll band.

8) Romanza by Andrea Bocelli

If your taste leans toward opera, let your spirits soar with this passionate Italian. The appeal of "Con Te Partiro" is universal.

9) Love Songs by Etta James

The first incredible bars of "At Last" are guaranteed to start a fire. And later when James sings, "I want a Sunday kind of love, a love that will last past Saturday night," you'll be inspired to start a long-lasting relationship with this Chess Records diva.

10) Simply the Best by Tina Turner

If this classic Turner CD, containing the operatic "River Deep Mountain High," the earnest "It Takes Two," the heartfelt "I Don't Want to Lose You" and the forthright "Better Be Good to Me," isn't already part of your collection, it deserves to be.