I can remember quite vividly when I first experienced The Hobbit and how that outpouring of creative genius changed my life. Musically I’ve long been one who enjoys the more impactful types of music out there: Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Jethro Tull, Rush, etc. However I also enjoy classical and other genres of music. I listen to music nearly all day every day while I code and design.
Back in college while dressing for some formal dance or some other thing one of my friends put a CD in his stereo and I had never heard anything like it before. It was an odd choice to play in front of a bunch of college kids about to go out and try to find liquor by the cheapest means necessary, but it really struck a chord deep inside of me. I asked to borrow the CD on the spot. It was his mother’s so I had to return it. It was Andreas Vollenweider’s masterpiece The White Winds.
There is something so perfect with this disc. It’s an old work by now, having been released in 1984. Give it a listen in Spotify or iTunes or buy it in a local bargain bin somewhere. I find it perfect music for debugging and designing.
Some of the vocals are almost grating but I wouldn’t change any of it for anything. There is a vibe that runs through this thing and it resonates with a perfect tempo.
It may get you to listen to some of Andreas’ other work which I think you might enjoy. Forget the more recent albums – he’s used up about all of his creative candle.
I would highly suggest you venture and try Dancing With The Lion, Book of Roses, Behind the Gardens: Behind the Wall: Under the Tree, and Caverna Magica – probably in that order.
Now back to some Megadeth.