use Perl

I took a look at my iTunes library the other day. I swear that I've bought more CDs in the last year (since I started converting CDs to MP3) than I have in five years, about ten of them in the last two months (when I started using iTunes).

If my buying patterns are typical, then I have absolutely no idea what RIAA is complaining about. Even great albums like Physical Graffiti, The Wall, Who's Next, Dark Side of the Moon, Fragile, and Brain Salad Surgery have a limited shelf life. (Gee, did I listen to any American bands in high school? Apparently not.)

I've been on a Jazz kick recently. Lots of Miles Davis (both classic and electric Miles). There are some other classic Jazz greats in the mix: John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus are all in heavy rotation.

Mostly what I look for in music-to-work-by is something interesting, but not overly engaging. I used to go through phases of anger rock, techno, trance and ambient, but after a while it all got too predictable and stale. The Jazz masters fit the bill: plenty to listen to when I want to immerse myself in music, but not so immersive that it becomes a distraction if I want to work.

One particularly good find recently was a collection from The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. This music is just plain fun . There's something about a big, bold, bouncing tuba line in their performances that never fails to brighten my mood. Django Reinhardt has a similar appeal, but with clarinets instead of big brass.