No man is an island...

I was challenged by Brian (my true and faithful follower...) that I should rise to an earlier challenge posted by a radio station I don't really listen to. I'm not sure of the full details of the challenge, but I believe it goes something like this: 'You are stuck on a desert island and you can have 10 songs to keep you company. What are they?' Brian did his own and you can find them here. Not to be outdone, I have thought long and hard about what to put on this list. It wasn't easy at all, though such a decision should not be really. Let's cut the crap and get to it. Here is the Witteman's Widget of Desert Island Music:



As this seems appropriate (and since Brian set the precedent...), I'll break down the why for each song in a short paragraph:

1)How Long - The Eagles: I love me some Eagles and this song encapsulates their 40+ years in the music business. The harmonies are fantastic and the blending of Glenn Fry's and Don Henley's vocals are fan-friggin'-tastic. The song itself is very infectious and it is hard not to sing along with it. While not a complex piece, it does warm the heart and keep me company like an old friend...

2)Baluchitherium - Van Halen: Ramping up from the realm of classic/southern rock is this instrumental from one of my favorite hard rock/heavy metal bands. It has a soaring lead that tells it's own story and a driving bass that never lets up. For being stranded on an island, this little piece not only play well on the ears, but drives me to do tasks such as manual labor and exercise. It makes me feel powerful and, by being empowered, this will save me from abject loneliness...

3)Limelight - Rush: This is quite possibly the most perfect rock song I have in my collection. The guitar hooks in this are incredible, Neil Pert's drumming is supra-excellent, and Getty Lee's vocals rise like a cathedral without becoming a screech. I cannot adequately profess my joy of this song enough. Were I required to put together just a top five, or even a top three, song list, this would make the cut even then...

4)Runnin' on Empty - Jackson Browne: This song is on this list for one reason and one reason alone: Hope. I cannot tell you how upbeat I get when this song comes on the radio and I want that feeling to follow me to which ever island I land on. Also, much like Baluchitherium, this song has a tendency to get me up and moving with it's driving rhythm and up tempo vocals. This song also emphasizes the fact that, even though I might be all alone and 'runnin' on empty', I can still make it through...

5)Digital Love - Daft Punk: From the realm of rock, we detour into the land of techno/electronica and find a selection from my all-time favorite techno group. This one is chosen due to it's lack of repetitive music, pop-infused sound, lovey-dovey lyrics, and a lead at the end that hints at Van Halen level of technique. It's an extremely light song compared to most on here and the pop flavor runs off of it like water. By adding a song such as this, I prolong the despair I may end up sinking into...

6)Times Like These - Foo Fighters: Another empowering song regarding solidarity, it is also one of my most favorite songs ever. It was a toss up between this one and Everlong, but won due to the overall more positive vibe I get from listening to it. The song is very powerful and is a contender for the hardest song on the list. In such a lonely island situation, when things are looking the most grim, put on this song and remind yourself that it is indeed 'times like these we learn to live again'...

7)Running from an Angel - Hootie & the Blowfish: This is a fun, almost folksy piece that bring me great amounts of enjoyment each time I hear it. It was never a radio hit, but it was a wonderful find after purchasing the album. I love to just sort of dance around like a white dude to this one and just enjoy listening to the music. Also, thankfully Hootie's range is right in mine so singing feels natural. It's a good friend to have on your island...

8)Ventura Highway - America: I have adored this song for well over two decades at this point. I cannot picture my life without this song in it. I get very vivid pictures of traveling down the road with a friend or two, casually so. There is an air of nonchalance and a laid back energy that helps mellow up the days where stress may build. Also, I find this song is a very hopeful, if strange lyric-wise, song and I listen to it when I am feeling down in the dumps to pick myself back up...

9)Faithfully - Journey: Quite possibly the greatest rock ballad of all, Faithfully gives us another song of soaring vocals and excellent guitar work as we wind the list down. The message that, no matter how far apart we may be, I will be yours faithfully is both powerful and cathartic In the dark times of isolation, when hope and drive seems all but gone, Journey's eternal song of heartfelt love can shine through. The epic level of such a mighty, mighty song cannot be overstated and I would be a fool not to bring it along to the island...

10)Aqueous Transmission - Incubus: A late, almost dark horse, entry to the list is this very odd little piece, but one I cherish. I have fallen asleep many nights listening to this story song with a smile on my face. It is a dreamy, flowing song that stays mellow like a calm river and soothes the nerves on even the most troublesome days. It's affect on me is almost zen-like in nature. I can allow myself to be taken by this song and lose myself in the lyrics, the music, and the mood. The pieces just all fit together beautifully...

So there she be, friends and neighbors. Not what you might choose for certain, but we all go into the 'desert island' situation for different vantage points. I took it from more of a 'I will eventually dive deeper into lonely despair and need the company of up tempo numbers to pull me out of it' standpoint. I treat these songs like I would companions and have chosen them according to qualities I would look for in people. Makes sense? Not completely, but I bought it. What would YOU have picked?
New Widget
http://grooveshark.com/playlist/My+Widget/43128285

From Ithaca with Love...

Well, faithful reader, my time in Ithaca draws to a close. In a scant few days, I shall embark back to the loving arms of Maryland, leaving the cool New York climate behind me. I can say, without a doubt, that I will shed a tear for this era of life gone by. I view it as the last vestige of my 'childhood', if you will, ending. Why, you may ask? Let's look at the facts:
-I am in an extremely adult relationship (fiance > girlfriend)...
-I have fewer and fewer 'in-school' friends (Jon's still one of the best, but his number is few and far between)...
-Now, I have a 'family' to support (hi, Tara) and be supported by...
-Thoughts of a career are welcome now (any ol' job vs. satisfying work)...
-And so on...

To those who know me, it's not as frightening as I have imagined it in years gone by. I've grown very comfortable with the person I have become, despite how others see me (no one in particular, so none of that speculation jibber-jabber). I'm still the lovable, eccentric, random dude I always have been, but in many ways, I've matured. They say rock bottom is a college education, and while I may not have ever hit bedrock, I've come close enough to worry. After all this, and all the things I've learned, I am ready to be THIS adult...

So, enough of this self-indulgent bull, let's get on with the TRUE meat and potatoes of this post (for all of you who suffered through all that). We have ourselves yet another musical post. Here's a list of songs I've learned of, loved, and acquired in the year and a half in Ithaca. Even with its wide variety of artists and style, this list still more than adequately represents my unique, eclectic musical taste. And, without further ado, I give thee:

The Witteman's Ithaca Mix CD (and you can take that to the bank)...
WARNING: SOME VIDEOS MAY VARY FROM THE ACTUAL RECORDING. VIEWER DISCRETION IS SCORNED...

1. The Eagles - How Long
(Proving that old guys can still have chops...)
2. Bruce Springsteen - Girls in Their Summer Clothes
(Same as above, but The Boss never went away...)
3. Foo Fighters - Long Road to Ruin
(Please, please, PLEASE give us some more music!...)
4. Bruce Springsteen - Radio Nowhere
(Still The Boss and still rocks the house...)
5. Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction
(It's good to see rappers have a sense of humor...)
6. Mylo - In My Arms
(Repetitive, but on the whole, very catchy...)
7. .38 Special - Caught Up in You
(CLASSIC ROCK, FOREVER!!!...)
8. Linus Loves feat. Sam Obernik - Stand Back
(Now HERE'S a remix that is respectful and unique, all at once...)
9. Rick Springfield - What's Victoria's Secret
(Refer to my review in a much, MUCH earlier post...)
10. Paul McCartney - Ever Present Past
(See old guy comment...)
11. Mariah Carey - We Belong Together
(My only true musical sin...)
12. Jimmy Eat World - Electable (Give It Up) (It's the first song...)
(These guys are proving they have to moxie to stick around...)
13. Dragonforce - Heroes of Our Time
(Journey meets Slayer meets Nintendo...)
14. Daft Punk - Human After All (Justice Remix)
(Man, my favorite techno band and one of my favorite remix groups...)
15. Van Halen - Baluchitherium (It's the best I could do. I'll play my copy when next we meet...)
(Truly an epic instrumental rock piece...)

If you know me, then none of this should come as a surprise. If you don't, now you know a little more about this guy (and knowing is half the battle...). This list is not ranked top to bottom or first found to last found. Rather, this list is assembled as I would burn them onto a cd for listening enjoyment. By clicking on the links and listening, you can find out for yourself how this would all play out. If I got it off by a little, tell me. What would you do?...