TEXT View source
# 2025-07-16 - OCC Retro Media, What's Playing?
> The trouble with too many people is that they think that
> "outmoded" means the same thing as "useless". They think of a
> rifle as a deadly weapon and a crossbow as a quaint toy. They
> don't stop to think that a stone axe can kill a man just as dead
> as an H-bomb can. An axe is as efficient now as it ever was.
Last year i picked on an ONN ONB14AV202 Compact Disc (CD) player
from a free pile in my neighborhood. It is in good condition and
has no problems. It uses two AA batteries, includes an FM tuner,
and has a micro-USB port. Thanks to the port, i can use my old
phone charger to power the player and/or charge its batteries.
Nice free pile find!
The Human Society thrift store sells CD's two for a dollar.
Recently i picked up a stack of New Age music CDs there, plus a
couple more at another free pile. I won't mention the stinkers.
Below are some of the more notable finds.
## Book of Roses by Andreas Vollenweirder, 1991
I remember noticing the distinctive cover on this album when it was
a new release and i was a kid. I was tempted to spend my
hard-earned dollars, but i chose to save my money. Now nearly
35 years later i bought the CD for $0.50. Score! Listening to the
CD, i would describe it as an ecclectic blend of neoclassical,
world music, and some rock. It sounds as though it has some depth
and replay value.
TEXT Book of Roses
## Deep Breakfast by Ray Lynch, 1983
I have sentimental attachment to this album. In the early 1990's i
befriended an older woman who was involved in scouts. She
volunteered to transport scouts on various camping trips. I liked
the music she played in her car stereo so much that she gave me a
few home copied tapes. This introduced me to Deep Breakfast and
No Blue Thing by Ray Lynch. At some point i digitized my tapes.
I was happy to find this CD in the thrift store. Now i can replace
my wobbly recordings with clear CD rips.
Deep Breakfast is a new age album with poppy keyboard & sythesizer
sounds. The opening song title "Celestial Soda Pop" ought to give
an idea of how serious the music is. By the way, in my opinion
Ray Lynch's album "Nothing Above My Shoulders But The Evening" is a
neoclassical masterpiece. I recommend it.
TEXT Deep Breakfast
## Spiritual Rhythms by Tomas Walker, 2006
Relaxing southwest vibe.
## Cross Currents by Richard Souther, 1989
I have listened to a lot of music published by Narada. To my ear
this sounds like fairly generic late 80's world fusion. Easy
listening, saxophones, drum machines, etc. This is the kind of
music i would listen to while playing interactive fiction.
TEXT Cross Currents
## A Sense of Place by Eric Tingstad, 1995
Twice i listened to Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel play live music.
Once in a theater in Corvallis, and again in an outdoor setting in
Lake Oswego. The music is generally lighthearted and upbeat.
A Sense of Place focuses on soft guitar music. I would call it
easy listening. Quotes from the CD jacket.
> For me the guitar is primarily a tool used to build my
> compositions. I consider myself a composer who happens to play
> guitar. ... I feel there are many similarities between the
> composition of music and the principles of design; both
> incorporate many elements to create an atmosphere that gives us a
> sense of security and repose.
TEXT Eric Tingstad
## Tree of Life by Lila Downs, 2000
This album has Spanish track names the music has a Latin vibe. By
far my favorite is track 9, Luna. I love the slow drums, which to
my ear sound Native American.
TEXT Lila Downs
* * *
Today i read a sci-fi story that i saw recommended somewhere, i
forget where. The story wasn't bad, but the subject is colonization
and the author sympathizes with the colonizers. Kind of painful to
read.
DIR Condition of Survival by Barry P. Miller
tags: occ2025
# Tags
DIR occ2025