answers (Destiny)

by Kermit , Raleigh, NC, Wednesday, March 30, 2016, 22:38 (2972 days ago) @ MartyTheElder

I'm not on reddit so ...

It's May 1st, 1969. What is Marty the Younger's favorite album and why?

Ok, I actually had to check on dates so this might not line up with May 1 but these were all released in 1969:

Chicago Transit Authority (April 28 1969)
Blood Sweat and Tears (1968)
Crosby Still and Nash (1st album)
King Crimson - Court of the Crimson King (blew my mind)
The Yes Album
Moody Blues - To Our Children's Children's Children
Led Zeppelin II
Beatles - Abbey Road (although I didn't get into this until 1973)

So yes, 1969 was a good year.

All great ones. My intent wasn't necessarily to limit you to that year, but I think our attachment to music during our teens is particularly profound, and I was curious about your favorites. My equivalent answer from 1978 (but I didn't discover all of them that year):

London Town - Paul McCartney (vastly underrated!)
52nd Street - Billy Joel
Time Passages - Al Stewart
Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon
The Last Waltz - The Band
40 Greatest Hits - Hank Williams (a cheat)
Pure Pop for Now People - Nick Lowe
Wavelength - Van Morrison
Outlandos d'Amour - The Police

What live musical performance that you've attended has stuck in your mind and why?

I saw Van Cliburn perform at Wheaton College when I was 10 or 11. I decided NOT to quit piano. Such an amazing pianist.

I bet that was something and obviously impactful. Seeing Marvin Gaye on his last tour stands out for me. What a performer. Also U2 on their first US stop of the War tour. The latter was probably like seeing the Who in 1965.

When you were first learning to compose, what composer most inspired you and why?

Gentle Giant's Kerry Minnear, and Igor Stravinsky. When I switched my degree from Piano to Composition, these were the two I was listening to the most.

Became a Stravinsky fan while taking a music appreciation class in college. I've never really gotten into the 70s progressive rock genre too much (unless you count Roxy Music, and I don't think anyone would). I'll investigate Gentle Giant. Thanks for answering my questions! (And apologies for littering the forum with my own answers.)

So should I do an AMA here too, or is that inappropriate?

I'm just lowly forum-dweller, but I can't imagine anyone would mind. You done interviews here before.

(Btw, TheFirstDreamer.com could still use some more love. I'm looking at you Cody.)

Cody, get outta that tree!