Dave's Play List

After my post yesterday and my mention of Wendy Matthews, I received a couple of requests, people curious about the music that I like. I'm always shy of this because I don't have a very 'top 10' approach to music. I tend to like songs with a strong lyric, often not about 'love' or 'romance' but with a message that somehow speaks to me. I decided to go ahead and share some with you. This first Susan Ashton song came to my notice after a fellow with a disability was castrated by a doctor at the request of his mother ... in fear he may become sexual. This song prompted me to sit and think about the 'line I will not cross' ... this theme became a keynote speech that I did many years ago for BCACL.



I met Justin Hines when he came to do a concert at the end of a self advocate concert. His new CD had come out that day but he stayed and signed every autograph for every self advocate that was there. Then, he donated all the money from the sale of the CDS to the self advocate group. He has an amazing voice, writes incredible music and puts on a wonderful concert. This guy's disability may simply be public prejudice ... he deserves to be one of Canada's best known singers. I personally, love this song, I love the timber in his voice as he sings. I'm a fan.



This song's power just washed over me. I don't know what she's saying but man, she's saying it to me. I hear what I need to hear in this song, I never want to know the real words. Her power as a singer, her very presence inspires me.



The Colour of Roses, what a song! Beth Nielsen Chapman is one of our favourites and her music became much changed after her husband died of cancer. She writes lyrics that stun me ... and gravity throws all these rules in our way ... this woman is a poet. I found this version by accident, the recording we have of it does not have the choir and is quite spare ... but this one is lovely too.



Wendy Matthews, song, 'the day you went away' broke my heart. We had lost so many people to AIDS and it seemed all was loss. I like the song way more than the video - the images in my head to this music do not match what she's done here, but then, that's why I listen to music and make videos in my head.



Mary Black became really, really, big in our lives during the time I faced the flesh eating disease all those years ago. This song in particular was one that I listened to over and over again. 'for those who dare to leave the path of others' ... that line spoke, it seemed, directly to me. We went to see her in Toronto and it was one of the finest concerts I have ever attended.




Rufus Wainwright, got to love this guy, when Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk came out I was still a smoker, was just about to be diagnosed with diabetes ... talk about a theme song for my life at the moment. There is something about his humour and his manner that just makes me love the 'tweak' he gives this song.



I actually enjoyed being asked to go public with some of my music choices. When I was young and listening to Dionne Warwick while everyone else listened to the Beatles ... I was shy of my choices in music. But now, who cares, I hope you find one song here or one singer that touches you like they've moved me.

OK, I challenge you to do the same ... give us a link or tell us a song ... go ahead be brave, tell us your 'real' favourites.