Here for more exposure.....

[Pegasus69]

Now that I have your attention. I need help from my fellow jubbers. I am going in tomorrow for my cyberknife procedure. It will require 2 hours of lying still while this robotic arm rotates around me shooting my brain tumor with massive doses of radiation. Now, I must tell you that I have a history with these damn medical procedures that if they say it will take a certain amount of time, you can usually add another 1.5 - 2 times that stated length. What can I say, I am more complex than they think.

I will have a tranquilizer in my system to help becasue I will also have this tight molded plastic wire mesh that covers my whole face down to my neck which is attached to the table to keep my head from moving. Anyway, I can bring in a couple of cd's that they will pipe into the room for me while I am being treated.

I have already picked out some songs, but I am looking for some more stuff. I want music that is low key, but relative to what I am going through. Stuff that speaks of fear, tests, inspiration, strength, courage, hope and faith. I am staying away from stuff that is high energy in that it has a toe tapping, butt swinging, hip gyrating beat only because I need to stay still. So, in other words, no house or club music. Also, since I will be medicated I would prefer not to have anything that my be hallucination inducing stuff. I have mild hallucinations already from the new meds they have me on to prevent seizures in case the steriods do not control the brain swelling.

So, I need you input. I would be grateful for any suggestions that anyone may have that will put me in the euphoric state one achieves by focusing in on great music.

On a side note: Andreus, you always have some great stuff that you post from songs that have inspired you, I would be forever in your debt if you would be able to contribute to this request.

Thanks everyone.

PS. All I need is artist and title and I will go to my music service and sample it before purchase if it is not in my library already.

Thanks so much!

Steve

 

[looseliam]

First I know how these procedures can be. Eat lots of the xanax bars, or ask for some versed! I hope things go well.

My pick would be Vivaldi. If you want something that takes you through a range of emotions, the Four Seasons can't be beat (Opus 8.)

He also has a wonderful array of chamber concertos that really mellow one out.

And then there's some gregorian chant. If you're all loopy from the drugs, it might be a nice fit.

 

[GL]

I have to agree with liam, Vivaldi is a wonderful choice! I've been a fan of the "Red Priest" for years.

Might I recommend "Time Out" from the Dave Brubeck Quartet? One of the great iconic jazz pieces if you ask me.

There is also a wonderful piece from Pat Metheny Group called "The First Circle" which to me is very uplifting. For some reason it makes me think of flying as if I were a bird.

I also have one more for you... "Gotta Be" by Des'ree. It's got a wonderful message and it has a very soothing beat to it. I always feel better with myself after I listen to that one.

Either way, I'll be thinking on you Peg.

 

[pjlikesporn]

1. Arnold Schoenberg's "Verklarte Nacht" (Transfigured Night). Our music appreciation classes teach us that Schoenberg is the father of the bizarre-sounding twelve-tone music, so we often overlook his earlier work, including this lushly romantic piece.

2. Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. As a ballet, this piece is technically toe-tapping, but I think it might still be sufficiently subdued. Moreover, it certainly takes you thru a range of emotions, including fear, tragedy, and triumph. (Incidentally, if anyone has interest in this piece, the Matthew Bourne production is worth a look. Sometimes people call it the Gay Swan Lake--it's definitely hot, but in and of itself, it's a beautiful production that remains true to Tchaikovsky's piece.

3. Beethoven's Symphonies 7 or 9. They speak for themselves.

 

[Pegasus69]

Thanks for all the input so far. I am looking for less classical and more contemporary that I can relate to personally. I have a fairly good list started now, and the reason for the more contemporary is that I can focus on the vocals and the lyrics rather than the robotic arm whipping around me. I thank you also for the suggestion of versed, but I know that the ativan along with the Keppra (anti siezure med) are going to be enought that I really won't care if the robotic arm wacks me in the nuts. I get very mellow on the ativan.

 

[rotary]

Lightning crashes by LIVE.

It's an emotional song about a woman dying, but at the same time, another woman is giving birth.

The meaning is open to personal interpretation, but I think it's about new life, new hope. Hopefully you like it.

There are acoustic versions of the song that are amazing to listen to.

 

[antdak]

May suggest some New Age music, all tho they don't have much for lyrics, but some do have some volcals. I'd recomend Andreas Vollenwieder. He plays an elecrtic harp, very nice stuff, Under the Garden, Behind the Wall, was a popular cd for him. My other recommendation would be Cirque du Soleil soundtracks, Drallion or Varaki, might be carful of these tho, they can get a nice beat going. Hope your test is a success, Steve, best of luck to you!!

 

[UrbanBOYS]

What about something from B-Tribe or even Deep Forest ... somewhat trancy but not too dancy and most of the songs have lyrics you can focus on ...

 

[Andreus]

hmm..

try Annie Lennox's Medusa and Diva CDs. There are some fast moving pieces on each CD though, perhaps two on each, but they arent dance music by any stretch. Both CDs reflect her more serious side.

Diva is a collection of her own thoughts, and Medusa is a collection of her favorite songs rerecorded, like...

1. No More 'I Love You's' 2. Take Me To The River 3. A Whiter Shade Of Pale 4. Don't Let It Bring You Down 5. Train In Vain 6. I Can't Get Next To You 7. Downtown Lights 8. Thin Line Between Love And Hate 9. Waiting In Vain 10. Something So Right


there is also a wonderful group out there called Walela. Two of the Coolidge sisters are in the group.

they are a native american group and they have both a new approach to the old matrerial as well as an old approach to the new stuff.

click here for a look at the cover of the CD at amazon.

they have a combination of native american lyrics and Cherokee lyrics set to native american instruments. They have redone the song, Amazing grace in Cherokee and it is incredible.

other than that, i can only srongly urge you to consider Billie Holiday... She has the means to emote in a way that few other artists can, and she brings you along for the ride. She may not be the biggest voice out there, but she can touch you in a very quiet and moving way.

last I would suggest a CD by Oleta Adams Called the very best of Oleta Adams. She is a standard Piano player and the one top ten hit she had was...

Get Here If You Can

You can reach me by railway, you can reach me by trailway
You can reach me on an airplane, you can reach me with your mind
You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man
I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can

You can reach me by sailboat, climb a tree and swing rope to rope
Take a sled and slide down slow, into these arms of mine
You can jump on a speedy colt, cross the border in a blaze of hope
I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can

There are hills and mountains between us
Always something to get over
If I had my way, then surely you would be closer
I need you closer

(interlude, then repeat bridge)

You can windsurf into my life, take me up on a carpet ride
You can make it in a big balloon, but you better make it soon
You can reach me by caravan, cross the desert like an Arab man
I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can

I don't care, I dont care, I need you right here right now

I need you right here, right now, right by my side (yeah,yeah, yeah, yeah)

I don't care how you get here, just- get here if you can

this is standard fare for her. She seems to focus on love and spirituality and since her tallent equally is the piano, the music is never overpowering.

Hope this helps !!!

 

[randyreese]

The above suggestions are more than enough - I just want to say, Steve, my thoughts are with you. Take care and hurry back.

 

[buzzj]

... or ask for some versed!...

I normally try to avoid mood altering chemicals... but in a situation like this, versed is a gift from God!

 

[justsimon]

You might like these albums:

Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Ros

The Boatman's Call by Nick Cave

 

[dolphwasser]

This won't help you Steve because of the timing, but I have a 4-CD set of nature sounds. Rain storms, seagulls at the beach, that sort of thing. I listen to them when I need to relax and think I'm in a happier place. Also, Celtic music soothes me when I'm edgy.

I'm sure you have a good selection to take with you already. Good Luck with your procedure!

 

[ryankeith]

We will be thinking of you Steve and wish you all the best.