Like most people, I love music. Over the years, I've managed to create an eclectic collection of music - CD's, books and various experiences from concerts to TV shows and movies. Music nostalgia for me is where I was, and what I was doing, when I first heard a particular piece of music.

If you don't mind this humble indulgence, I'd like to share some tracks with you that I have encountered over the years.

To start off with, I want to introduce Sin-City by the Flying Burrito Brothers.

The song: Sin City - The Flying Burrito Brothers

I was lucky enough to come across this track on a compilation of LA Rock Classics. It’s a gem that got me interested in alt.country.

The players: The original 1969 lineup of the Flying Burrito Brothers consisted of Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman, Chris Ethridge and Sneaky Pete Kleinow. This was the combination that released 'The Gilded Palace of Sin' - which sadly wasn't a commercial success. According to Wikipedia, the RIAA hasn't certified it as 'gold'¹.

Where to buy: Amazon.com or

The song: Cry Me A River - Dexter Gordon

There are many versions of this Jazz standard. My record collection has four - by Julie London, Barbara Streisand, Julie London and Dexter Gordon.

Julie London's version is good, Barbara's is a bit melodramatic, and Acker's is cheesy (it has a vibraphone!). Dexter's version from "Dexter Blows it Hot and Cool" is my favorite, mainly because of its simplicity.

I first heard this as part of an Ace Records² compilation CD that I got in 1994. After many years of searching (every time I walked into a CD store) I was thrilled to find a copy last month.

I sincerely hope this track moves you as much as it moves me.

The players: This 1955 album features a quintet comprising of Carl Perkins (piano), Leroy Vinnegar (bass), Chuck Thompson (drums), Jim Robinson (trumpet).

Where to buy: Amazon.com or

The song: Love's Theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra

I was browsing through my collection of music I came across this. Initially, I thought this was the title track for the TV Show "Love Boat". Research on the theme song revealed that Jack Jones and later Dionne Warwick performed it.

My first impressions on this still stands. I can see my self on board with Captain Stubing, Doc, Gopher, Isaac, Julie and the rest of the crew, a colourful cocktail in one hand and shuffleboard tang on the other.

The track I have listed below is by the Love Unlimited Orchestra's album "Rhapsody in Blue (1974)". It is one of the few purely instrumental tracks to reach #1 on the American Billboard top 100.

I wonder if there has been a plagiarism court case over this.

The players: Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra

Where to buy: Amazon.com or

References

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gilded_Palace_of_Sin
2. http://www.acerecords.co.uk/