Stuck in a Rut

The genres you've listed seem to be the main bodys for each. Have you tried venturing off the main path and exploring some of the other off-shoot flavors?

About five years ago I discovered the old Bossa Nova classics of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto and Stan Getz from the early sixties. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that people like Sarah Vaughn, Wes Montgomery, and Louis Armstrong to name a few had recorded versions of Jobim's classics too. Fun stuff.

Bossa Nova opened my eyes and helped me acquire a taste for Latin Jazz and Flamenco in particular, especially the current "Nuevo" Flamenco resurgence. My favorites are Robby Longley, Jesse Cook, Oscar Lopez, etc.

A friend of mine recently produced two CDs for a couple artists that have managed to create an awesome blend of rock, flamenco, jazz, Middle Eastern, classical, electronica. If you're interested, check the reviews for Oscuro and Magic Box here:

http://www.smother.net/reviews/modernrock.php3?ID=271

XRCD, Music Direct, Mapleshade, and CD Now have releases from many lesser known, but equally worthy artists.

It's funny, after having listened to these unknowns for an extended period now, it's the famous performers I need to rediscover.

Have fun!

I know what you mean! I've got thousands of albums and cd's and I feel like I'm playing the same stuff all the time.

I agree with the earlier response about getting bored with the same old symphonies. For classical, I'd start listening to chamber music. For instance, the string quartets of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven are a great start. Chamber music generally sounds better on a home system than symphonic works anyway. I also listen to baroque a lot (i.e., Bach, Telemann, Handel).

Good luck!

I agree with Newbee, if you're into Jazz, I can't understand
how you could be bored with all the great new music being released.
Check out www.jazzwithbobparlocha.com/stuff/cds.html. Bob's
top 25 list is full of killer stuff.

If you like jazz & rock try some on some blues. Blind Pig Records has sale going, but there's lots of other interesing
small labels.

I grew up on Floyd, Zep, Yes, CSNY...

I know this phrase gets thrown around a lot, but "you won't be disappointed" in David Gray and Jack Johnson.

By the way Ben, I pulled some Nick Drake and really like him. God call.

There are tons of great musicians who don't typically get much radio airplay. One great source for me is WXPN a non-profit station in Philadelphia. www.xpn.org is a vast wonderland of bands & albums to check out. Their "XPNessentials" is a great read, for both new stuff & what you already know.
People classify them as "singer-songwriter" whatever that means, but to me it's rock/folk/blues/a bit of jazz; the common thread is real emotion, & not much concern for commercial success. check it out...
Spencer