Music Collection Organized!

It took a couple of days, but it's finished. The music collection has been organized. (Technically, I still have a bunch of crap to go through on my work machine). I only have two songs that I haven't fully put in place. Frank Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon does not have an album classification yet. This was by design. I may end up deleting it because I have 4 Sinatra CD's still to load that contain versions of the song that I enjoy better. The one that is my gremlin is an apparent Bruce Springsteen cover of Brown Eyed Girl. It is definitely of the "bootleg" nature, and it sounds more like Little Stevie then The Boss.

I enjoy the Van Morrison original with the Jimmy Buffett cover as my number #2. I don't know if I need to hold on to the E Street flavor. We shall see.

I had an interesing conversation yesterday with a good buddy of mine about the big players in the digital music market. We talked about Music Match, MSN, iTunes, and Napster. We talked about wma's, aac's, mp3's, who's using what.

I can't see why this medium will not be the future of music. This is in no way a novel statement. I plan to have more on this in the week to come. For tonight, I've eaten up all my blogging time. Bugger...

Pains Of Disorganization

Re-organizing a music collection sucks.

I'm in the process of migrating my music library to iTunes with a final destination of my iPod. Most of my music files have artist information. Not many of them have album information; which is the level I'm wanting.

The migration hasn't been horrible. It's actually been a fun research project for those songs I haven't known the albums for. Then, you have those files that are just a cluster. Everybody's got them. I wasn't sure I would be a fan of having files like, "Unknown Artist/Johnny Cash-Whiskey River.mp3", on my iPod. They really don't tell you anything. Is it Johnny Cash covering Willie Nelson? Is it Willie Nelson singing Whiskey River with a wrong label? Is in Johnny Cash singing Cocaine Blues?

Ah, the debacherous days of peer-to-peer file sharing networks. I'm just hoping I don't get addicted to the Music Store within iTunes.

I Am Here...

just thought it would cool to say I did a post, albeit mini, from a remote location.

What better place then my favorite coffeeshop.

Destination: A Stone's Throw From St. Croix

I know that everyone has had those weeks/months that have just sucked. Work has taken control of my life lately and won't stop kicking me in the arse.

I've been meaning to get up to the hill country for some solace, but that probably won't happen until next month. And, unfortunately, I'm not so sure the recharge from the mountains would be enough. I think a move to the Caribbean is in order.

Would it be so hard? Would I have the balls to do it? Sounds easy enough; Sheri, Destin and I pack up and head south. Have a life kinda like Kenny Chesney describes in his song Island Boy:

He left Maine 'cause he needed a change,
And he was desperate to rearange priorities,
And he thought the sea,
Would be the best place to be.

So he saved his money, sold his car,
And with his eye set on a southern star,
He got the courage to follow his heart,
He set out for a brand new start.

He's an island boy,
Now he's an island boy
Livin his life where stress is the enemy
Now he's an island boy,
A stone's throw from St. Croix,
He's finaly found his piece of serenity.

Now he tends bar, at the Old Mango,
And he see's tourists come and go,
With their pressed pants and camera case,
Too much sunburn on their face.

Now he watches the snow on CNN,
With all of his dope smokin friends,
Just look at the Hell they must be in
He swears he won't go back again.

'Cause, He's an island boy,
Now he's an island boy.
Livin his life where stress is the enemy
Now he's an island boy,
A stone's throw from St. Croix,
He's finaly found his piece of serenity.

You know the love of his life has always been Emily,
She loves the man she sees...

In her island boy,
Now he's an island boy
Livin his life where stress is the enemy
Now he's an island boy,
A stone's throw from St. Croix,
He's finally found his piece of serenity.

Island boy.

A stone's throw from St. Croix.

Island boy, island boy, island boy...

It's more predictable to wuss out, isn't it? Oh well, it's fun to think about at least...

My Top 5 Whiskeys

Okay, it's time for me to get back to the roots of this site. I will be listing my "Top 5 Whiskeys". By "Whiskey" I mean it without prejudice; Bourbon, Irish, Scotch, Tennessee. All of which have a place in my top 5.

Starting with number 5...

5. Balvenie Doublewood 12 Year
To my palate the Doublewood is a very unique Scotch. It's not as "peaty" as a traditional Scotch. I really like the combination of flavors it picks up from both of the oaks.

4. Bushmills Original
A classic. I have had their 16 year and it's excellent, but I have to give props to the original recipe. If you've been in business for almost 4 centuries, I think you are doing something right. All Irish Whiskeys are triple distilled, giving them a very smooth flavor. It's almost a refreshing flavor to me.

3. Booker's
Booker's is named after the late Booker Noe, Master Distiller at Jim Beam. It is the highest grade Bourbon out of the Beam stock. It is bottled at a natural proof between 121 and 127; straight from the barrel. I know it sounds a little harsh, but it's incredibly smooth. (Ask Ten Fingers 6 Strings about his first experience with this lovely amber) In my opinion, this is the best bottle Bourbon County has to offer.

2. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel
Kentuckians back their Bourbons. Tennesseans have to back their Whiskey. If you haven't experienced this liquid gold out of Lynchburg, finish reading this post and go get a bottle. You won't regret it.

1. A.H. Hirsch
I've raved about this bourbon before. I can honestly say it is the best spirit that has touched my lips. If you are a whiskey drinker, there is NO EXCUSE to not have a bottle. It is the blue print for all Bourbons.