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(It's sort of a desert island...okay, it's Mt. Desert Island, ME. But it counts!)
As you may know, I've had a little case of vacation on the brain lately, which may in part explain tonight's topic, Desert Island Lists.
It's a little game we've all played at one point or another, a game with enough appeal to have sustained one of the longest running radio programs in the world. You may not have heard the original show on BBC Radio, but I'll bet you've heard a local DJ or two give the idea a spin, and you've probably played some version of it with friends or family.
There are lots of variations on the original, which asks people which eight pieces of music they'd want to have with them if they were stranded on a desert island. Ultimately, they are forced to choose a favorite, but I can't do that to you guys. Life is stressful enough already!
Players are also asked to pick a book to take with them (everyone automatically gets the Complete Works of Shakespeare and the religious or philosophical text of their choice, so you must pick something else in addition to the "gimme").
Finally, you get to have one luxury item, which must be inanimate and of no use to you for the purposes of escaping the desert island itself (so no requests for a boat, a helicopter, or MacGuyver to join you).
Lots of people choose pianos and hammocks, which I guess sort of makes sense. I don't know about you, but my idea of luxury runs more along the lines of a machine that would purify and chill the drinking water. Or a composting toilet.
(What? Too practical? I don't know about you, but squatting in the jungle is WAY overrated. Okay, if that's out, then a bunch of blank books and a big ol' supply of pens and pencils.)
My desert island music list is eclectic, though it does contain at least one piece of music (Beethoven's 9th Symphony) that is the single most-requested one in the show's history. Oh well. Can't always be original.
Vacationland's Desert Island List
- The Clash - London Calling
- Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 - especially Ode to Joy
- Frank Sinatra - The Capitol Years
- Elvis Costello - Trust (1994 Rykodisk reissue)
- A CD of Indonesian Gamelan music (very hypnotic and meditative)
- Various Artists - O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack
- Judy Garland - Judy at Carnegie Hall. An iconic live performance!
- Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense
Okay, okay, I know what you're thinking...technically it's supposed to be a list of individual songs (or pieces of music). You will notice that I kind of ignored that and went with albums instead. In fact, some of the selections on my list are are boxed sets, so technically, I am totally cheating...hey, it's my list, my rules: full albums and boxed sets are in!
My book choice? I am torn...for practical reasons, I should probably pick this one (never know when you're going to need to know how to escape from quicksand or survive a snakebite, after all), but my heart says this one would make me happier. It's a wonderful book that is not only intricately illustrated and thus endlessly fascinating to look at, but one that helps you tap into your own creative process. I think this is something that would come in handy if I were stuck all alone in the middle of nowhere with nothing to entertain me except for, well, me.
So, GUSsacks...what is on your own personal Desert Island list? It doesn't have to be music, it could be anything: favorite movies, favorite works of art, favorite gadgets or puzzles or objects, even your favorite snack foods -- whatever tickles your fancy. All you musicians, feel free to bring your instruments. And I think we may be able to make an exception to the "inanimate" rule and allow some pooties and woozles to hop in our suitcases, too.
And your list doesn't have to conform to the other radio show rules, either...if your list is shorter or longer, so be it. What are they gonna do, sue you? What would you not want to live without? What would sustain you if you were plucked out of your real life and deposited on a remote (and conveniently smoke-free) deserted isle? After all, you don't have to use up your luxury item on "the World's biggest carton of cigarettes" anymore!
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