When he found out he was to be an uncle for the first time, he decided that he would buy his nephew one CD a month until he is barmitzvahed, 144 total. 12 to be given on his birthday each year. Kind of a way to share something so important in his own life with his nephew, even though they live across country from one another (and now across seas.) As the first birthday of our niece approaches, I asked him what the first 12 albums were, and how it's been going (His nephew is now about 4, I think.)
"It's working great. He asked me for an Elvis Costello T shirt and lately has been singing London Calling non stop. His kid sister, who is two, won't sing her ABCs- she'll only sing "no action" when someone asks her to sing a song, so it's rubbing off nicely. I hope I'm not ruining his life and turning him into some fucked up musical snob (like me)."
I am still not sure it would work for us. It seems like the kind of thing that needs a lot of support from the actual parent. Plus, while not as music obsessed as me and Ben, our brother does have pretty good taste, and for the most part knows what's what about good music. So, maybe it would be redundant? or stepping on toes?
Chuck Berry/Best of _ Elvis Costello/My Aim is True _ Harvest/Neil Young
The Clash/London Calling _ The Ramones/Rocket to Russia _ Beatles/Revolver
Kinks/Something Else by _ The Who/Who's Next _ Smokey Robinson/Best of
Bob Dylan/The Freewheelin' _ The Rolling Stones/Beggars Banquet _ Buddy Holly/Gold
*when pressed, he insits it is because he cannot stand Ron Howard. Oddly enough, I discovered the following when his two best friends were in town. (The three of them make up some sord of man friend tri pod.) I asked each one individually, while at dinner, if they liked Arrested Development. One said, "It's alright, my wife loves it. But, Ron Howard kind of bugs me." The next? "Isn't that that show with Ron Howard? Nah." I kid you not, each claimed they had never discussed Ron Howard with the other. They were even suprised to learn the others had the same reaction. And not one of them could tell me exaclty why they hated Ron Howard so much. Now that is a special bond.
I totally just sent this to G. We love this idea.
ReplyDeleteThat is one awesome idea! Ron Howard kind of rubs me the wrong way too, but I still LOVE A.D. How can you not? eerr wait I think you answered that already....
ReplyDeleteCLASSIC albums! Um, can Bruce be my uncle and send me albums? Thanks, Uncle Bruce!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. I may give it to myself too this year!
ReplyDeleteHoly amazing. And holy amazing taste thus far. I've been trying to do nearly the same thing for my brother each year for Christmas since he was 18 years old; but this is purely a selfish notion and a desire to brainwash him, as I am really quite tired of listening to his Garth Brooks in the car to visit our Grandma.
ReplyDeleteGod, how can you not like Arrested Development?!?!?!
this is a pretty genius idea. i think you + ben should do this for some lucky child. you would be SO GOOD at this.
ReplyDeleteaw, elvis's debut for the kid's debut! i needed this as a kid; my parents had, like, three records and two cassettes, and they didn't play any of 'em. i was in high school by the time i figured out there was an electric version of "layla."
ReplyDeletemy little sister and dad had a variation on this: they'd each buy an album for the other, listen to the one they received a minimum of three times, and then convene and discuss. as this happened when my sister was in high school, i think dad dealt with some serious blink 182 - but then again, he probably retaliated with trisha yearwood. all's fair in family and music.
radradradradrad. jamie, will you do parts 2-4? I might need to fill in the missing albums in my collection.
ReplyDeleteexcept the neil young. I'm skipping neil young. eeeew.
Wow. What an insanely awesome idea. I could see doing this with books as well.
ReplyDeleteAm linking for my blog!