Music played an especially important role in my life throughout this past year, given the unusal amount of time I spent at home. I'm happy to have the opportunity to share some of my favorites with you. This list is totally subjective, of course, and I hope that you find something here that you enjoy. There are many more musical artists I could have highlighted (Hum, Lomelda, Jay Som, just to name a few), but the following songs were an integral part of my 2020.

“Loner” - Dehd

In some cases, the definitive version of a song is the cover version. Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” is inarguably the definitive version, despite the fact that it’s a Bob Dylan cover. Some artists, notably Nina Simone, possess an uncanny ability to make every song they performed feel like an original. There is also the equally rare gift of incorporating a known song into an original composition, and making something completely new.

Join us at the Randall Oaks Library on Saturday, March 24, 1 to 2 p.m., for a fun sea-themed craft! All craft materials will be provided. Ages 5 to 8.

Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson passed away in February 2018. He was 48 years old.

Looking for new music? Continuing our Best of 2017 series, Jason Katsion highlights his favorite music of the year. For reading recommendations, check out our recent Best of 2017: Fiction Picks and our forthcoming Best of 2017: Non-Fiction Picks and Best of 2017: Children's Books.

“No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would have supposed her born to be an heroine.”
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

“By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks!”
-- William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 1

John Ashbery, arguably the dominant voice in American poetry for the last half-century, passed away on September 3, 2017. He was 90 years old. News of his passing brought to mind these closing words from his 1977 poem “Blue Sonata”:

Repurpose one of your old t-shirts into a book bag. No sewing required. Ages 9-12. Join us at the Ranall Oaks Library, Saturday, September 2, 1-2 p.m. You may register for this program on our event page.

‘My Essential Music’ is a new feature on the FRVPLD blog, continuing our prior exploration of staff favorites, 'My Essential Books.' We'll talk up our favorite music in the hope that you may give these artists a chance, or at least appreciate our passion for the music that has made us who we are.

“String Quartet No. 3: Mishima/Closing” – Philip Glass, performed by Kronos Quartet