The music between us

I've come to respect my son Zach's choice of music.  Of course, I don't hear all of what he hears.  I really don't want to, and I know he doesn't want me to.  But occasionally we share stuff that we think the other would like. 

So I was pretty excited when Zach gave me two CDs this Christmas -- one by Meniskus, a Colorado group that Zach heard during a trip last year with friends to the Mile Hi Music Fest in Denver.  (Dave Matthews, among others, was one of the headliners.)  You normally hear about "meniscus" when you injure your knee.  Go figure. These Meniskus guys weren't a pain. They were great: They even posed with Zach's group. (Zach has the red cap.) 

The other?  Sufjan Stevens, who has received some notoriety for vowing to compose a collection of songs based on each of the 50 states.  He's knocked out Michigan and Illinois so far -- both states dear to my heart. I'll write of him in my next post. 

First, Meniskus. Some of you know that what drives my fresh awareness of music is the time I give to exercise. Though I love the water -- I still swim a couple-to-three times a week -- Cindy and I also stop by the gym. And there, I ride the elliptical machine for about an hour to the beat of whatever pours from my Ipod. It's almost the only time I find I can listen ... just listen. 

(I wrote about this already on my biz-related blog, Pickledish ... in hopes of getting quilters inspired around Celtic music.)

I'm sure someone out there has put together the ultimate workout song mix. But everyone's tastes are different. This Meniskus collection, in its album "Foreign Beyond," is right up there with Gaelic Storm in my book.   

First, the group is, well, just impressive. It's only a trio, which is incredible once you hear the sounds. Eric Ostburg handles vocals and a violin; Bryan Bardusco is on guitar and percussion; and ex-high school quarterback Chris Wright masters the drums, keyboard and background vocals.  

The album starts soft, somewhat slow, reaches some peaks and valleys, like a run through the hills, then finishes with "Neverending," a long but rich instrumental showcasing Bardusco's guitar talents. Perfect for winding down. 

Listen in:

The beginning: Foreign Beyond.

In between, when you start picking up the pace: 

• Letters (video ... the chorus is stirring, the video's ending a sad surprise.)
  
• Brigade
  

The end (and wind-down): Neverending 

It's great stuff. I see they're playing in a couple of weeks in Keystone. We should catch a plane ... 

Thanks, Zach. 

Next: Sufjan Stevens, and tunes of Chicago.