"Artists are magical helpers.
Evoking symbols and motifs
that connect us to our deeper selves,
they can help us along the heroic journey
and our own lives."
-Joseph Campbell
Pathways to Bliss
Music of U
helps you
get through
whatever it is you do
I share these songs with you
to help YOU
on YOUR JOURNEY
through the UNKNOWN
if you like any of them,
if they help you smile wider
or your heart beat faster
if they open your ears
as newly discovered windows
into your heart and your imagination
then I am happy
I spent the money
on fuel
and supplies
and scared myself
over and over
and confused myself
over and over
for all of the journeys
I mean,
I was happy anyway
That's why I did it.
I have received much
so now it is time to give and share
in the hope of inspiring you
to do what you love to do
even if there are puzzle pieces
on the path that scare you
Whenever I was tired or lost or confused
people came to my rescue
in the form of live humans
and recorded artists
and authors living in books
and any other man-ifested universal clue
I share with you
the magical helpers
who helped me survive
and enjoy being alive
while journeying
around the world
TO FIND THE BEST
MUSIC OF THE SPHERES
THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY PLAYLIST
"Good art allows the audience to personalize
what they hear or see, right?"
-Neil de Grasse Tyson, celebrity physicist
interviewing GZA, gangster rapper
Speaking of which...
Warning:
Awesome language
Bad language
Fun language
Language of LIFE
Up Ahead
Right Before You
Begin Living Your Dream
Walk Out The Door
Turn the Key in the Ignition
Stick Your Thumb Out
Step on the Train/Plane/Bus
Take the First Step
In Any Endeavor
Whatever It Is
Striving For Perfection
by Raekwon feat. Ghostface
produced by RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan
(filter metaphorically to fit your own experience)
"Let's Go Get Lost Right Here in the USA"
Road Trippin'
My Car's Name/Hitchhiking/Love
Wagon Wheel
by Old Crow Medicine Show
Why You Do Everything
Finding You
Best Song From My First Summer
With a Driver's License
Over the Hills and Far Away
by Led Zeppelin
A Graduation Song
For Every New Page of the Journey
Pachelbel's Canon
by Hiromi Uehara
Arriving Anywhere
The Weight
Leaving Anywhere/
My Friend Jack/
Jack & the Beanstalk
Jumpin Jack Flash
Riding at Night
The Passenger
Riding/Walking by Moonlight
Moonlight Mile by
The Rolling Stones
Self-Explanatory
Life on the Road by The Kinks
The Amazing Journey by The Who
I am the Highway by Audioslave
If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out by Cat Stevens
Searching For Your Home
When the Day Comes
by Jim Kata
Finding Your Home
Place to Be
by Hiromi
Gifts From Your Father
Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
The Only Living Boy in New York by Simon & Garfunkel
Time by Pink Floyd
Turn the Page by Bob Seger
Voodoo Child covered by Stevie Ray Vaughan
Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
Old Man by Neil Young
Father & Son by Cat Stevens
Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere by The Who
"I risked my skin for fun.
For beauty!"
-Tom Robbins,
Still Life With Woodpecker
Gift From Your Mother
Have Love Will Travel The Black Keys
Leavin' Trunk by Taj Mahal
Fish and Whistle by John Prine
The Boy in the Bubble by Paul Simon
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes by Paul Simon
Homeless by Paul Simon
Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
For America by Jackson Browne
Black and White by Jackson Browne
Harvest by Neil Young
Free to Be You and Me by New Seekers
Gifts From Your Sister
Without by Jason Webley
Counterpart by Jason Webley
Music That Puts Everything Together by Jason Webley
Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles
With a Little Help From My Friends by The Beatles
Yellow Submarine by The Beatles
Carry On by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Heart of Gold by Neil Young
Flowers Never Bend With the Rainfall by Simon & Garfunkel
Mrs. Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel
Woodstock by Joni Mitchell
if there's any Enya on this list (and there is)
it's her fault for blaring it through the wall
"This is definitely a new experience for me.
Oh, wonderful. Try something new every day."
-Harold & Maude
Catching Up on Your Favorite Band
By Listening to Their Newest Album
For the First Time
As You Cruise Through Their Home State
With the Windows Rolled Down
and the Speakers on Full Blast
Lonely Boy
by The Black Keys
Identifying and Feeling
Way Older Than You Should
Works Well When You're Exhausted
Most of the Time
(Bootleg Volume 8: Tell Tale Signs)
by Bob Dylan
Best Song to Come on Unexpectedly
and
Convince You To Get
Out of Your Tent
and
Into Your Car
During the Worst Thunderstorm
in NE Minnesota History/
Reminds You of Previous American Journey
Come in from the Cold by Joni Mitchell
(photo from previous 2010 winter journey in the south)
Stuck in Your Head
Making You Feel Sad
as You Re-Pack Your Car
To Officially Go West
Even Though You Only Heard It
Once Before
The Day Before
Perth
by Bon Iver
Driving Into a Thunderstorm
an hour after you finish packing
around 10 pm
an hour into
an all-night drive
with some hail
seen in the distance...
approach...
engulfed...
embraced...
emerge...
alive & safe
Disposition by Tool
Ten-Day Interval by Tortoise
Raindrop Prelude by Frederic Chopin
Nightbook by Ludovico Einaudi
Auto Rock by Mogwai
Ballad of a Thin Man by Bob Dylan
Like a Rolling Stone (live Bootleg Series 4) by Bob Dylan/The Band
Little Cream Soda by The White Stripes
D'evils* by Jay-Z
Rods and Cones by Blue Man Group
Storm by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Magic Hours by Explosions in the Sky
3 AM
Driving Through the North Dakota
Prairie/Desert
The Man in the Long Black Coat by Bob Dylan
One More Cup of Coffee by Bob Dylan
On Call by Kings of Leon
Feeling Adrenaline
You Look Ahead to the Future
Born Slippy (Nuxx)
Books are Maps
An Animated Description of Mr. Maps
Entering the Wilderness...
usually it's best to enter the wilderness
to the sounds of the wilderness.
Also good for driving just about anywhere,
especially on really windy mountain roads
Il buono, il cattivo, il brutto
(The Good, the Bad and the Ugly)
Any Time
You Find
Beauty
The Ecstasy of Gold
covered by San Francisco Orchestra
Works Well Out West
Pretty Little Ditty by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Jericho by Kelly Joe Phelps
Midnight Rambler by The Rolling Stones
Dead Flowers by The Rolling Stones
On the Road Again by Willie Nelson
Tombstone Blues by Bob Dylan
Rock and Roll by The Velvet Underground
I've Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash
Wagon Wheel covered by Against Me!
Under a Starry
Desert Sky
Paris, Texas by Ry Cooder
Houston in Two Seconds by Ry Cooder
Brothers by Ry Cooder
Nothing Out There by Ry Cooder
No Safety Zone by Ry Cooder
On the Couch by Ry Cooder
Dark Was the Night by Ry Cooder
Dark Was the Night by Robert Johnson
River Theme by Bob Dylan
Cantina Theme by Bob Dylan
Planet Caravan by Black Sabbath
Bron-Yr-Aur by Led Zeppelin
Lithium Stiffs by Tortoise
I'm Not Worried At All by Moby
Inside by Moby
I by Aphex Twin
Feel Good Lost Reprise by Broken Social Scene
Hotel by Broken Social Scene
Place to Be by Hiromi
Haze by Hiromi
Softly as in an Early Morning Sunrise by Hiromi
Time Difference by Hiromi
Opening Door-Tuning-Prologue by Hiromi
Time Travel by Hiromi
Brain by Hiromi
Second Brain by Kaki King
the exhbition by Kaki King
night after sidewalk by Kaki King
Goby by Kaki King
(the last two minutes of) Stem/Long Stem by DJ Shadow
Midnight in a Perfect World by DJ Shadow
What Does Your Soul Look Like Pt. 3 (Live) by DJ Shadow
All Neon Like by Bjork
Run by Air
Talisman by Air
Ce Matin La by Air
Green Tea Farm by Hiromi
Grand Pappy du Plenty by Red Hot Chili Peppers
To some degree,
we might say that
personality characteristics
are associated with
or predictive of
the kind of
music that people like
But to a large
degree
it is determined more or less by chance factors:
where you went to
school
who you hung out with
what music they happened to be listening to
-This is Your Brain on Music
by Daniel J. Levitin
Memories
Junior High School
The Distance by Cake
Nitro (Youth Energy) by Offspring
Smash by Offspring
Basketball Jones by Cheech & Chong & George Harrison
About a Girl (MTV Unplugged) by Nirvana
Tonight, Tonight by Smashing Pumpkins
Muzzle by Smashing Pumpkins
Take Me Down by Smashing Pumpkins
Where Boys Fear to Tread by Smashing Pumpkins
Thirty-Three by Smashing Pumpkins
Today by Smashing Pumpkins
1979 by Smashing Pumpkins
Beautiful by Smashing Pumpkins
Strong Enough (acoustic) by Sheryl Crow
Building a Mystery by Sarah MacLachlan
Seeking
Finding
New Journey
New Treasure
Better Things by The Kinks
This Time Tomorrow by The Kinks
Strangers by The Kinks
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Hey Jude by The Beatles
Dry the Rain by Beta Band
111 Arthur Avenue by Mark Mothersbaugh
Hey Jude by Ysaye Quartet
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1 by The Flaming Lips
The Wizard Turns On by The Flaming Lips
Approaching Mons Pavonis by Balloon by The Flaming Lips
The W.A.N.D. by The Flaming Lips
Yeah Yeah Yeah Song by The Flaming Lips
Johny B. Goode by Chuck Berry
Free by Phish
Free by Cat Power
Freely by Devendra Banhart
My Dearest Friend by Devendra Banhart
Dilla Says Go by J Dilla
Last Donut of the Night by J Dilla
Around the World by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Soul to Squeeze by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Just Couldn't Tie Me Down by The Black Keys
All Hands Against His Own by The Black Keys
Girl is on My Mind by The Black Keys
Leavin' Trunk covered by The Black Keys
Countdown by The Black Keys
Them Eyes by The Black Keys
Meet Me in the City covered by The Black Keys
Stuck Between Stations by The Hold Steady
Little Honda by Yo La Tengo
Deeper Into Movies by Yo La Tengo
New York City by They Might Be Giants
The Road by Tenacious D
Tribute by Tenacious D
Trucker's Atlas by Modest Mouse
Set You Free by The Black Keys
Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
I've Got a Feeling by The Beatles
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) by Jimi Hendrix
I'm Not There by Sonic Youth (cover of Bob Dylan)
Neighborhood #2 by The Arcade Fire
Headlights Look Like Diamonds by The Arcade Fire
No Cars Go by The Arcade Fire
Kung-Fu World Champion by Hiromi
Coming Home
Yet Again
New Journeys
Always Begin
Return of the Kung-Fu World Champion by Hiromi
Joy by Hiromi
Summer Rain by Hiromi
Desert on the Moon by Hiromi
Love and Laughter by Hiromi
Forever Young by Bob Dylan
Rainy Night House by Joni Mitchell
Hummingbird by Wilco
I Shall Not Be Moved by Mississippi John Hurt
Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin
City Boy by Keb Mo
House in California by Keb Mo
Yes! I am a Long Way From Home by Mogwai
On the Way Home by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
Tiny Dancer by Elton John
In My Life by The Beatles
Two of Us by The Beatles
Dig a Pony by The Beatles
About a Girl cover by Cibo Matto
Three Little Birds by Bob Marley
No Woman, No Cry [Live] by Bob Marley
Mr. Carter by Lil Wayne
Good Times Roll Pt. 2 by RJD2
Mr. November by The National
I Need More Love by Robert Randolph
Going in the Right Direction by Robert Randolph
Steamed Little Juicy Bun by Kaki King
Kewpie Station by Kaki King
Playing With Pink Noise by Kaki King
I'm Bound to Pack it Up by The White Stripes
You're Pretty Good Looking (For a Girl) by The White Stripes
Ball & Biscuit by The White Stripes
Funky Ride by Outkast
Long Time by The Roots
Weak Become Heroes by The Streets
Buck Up
It's Always On
On the Strength by Wu-Tang Killah Bees
Kong by Bonobo
Building Steam With a Grain of Salt by DJ Shadow
Memory Lane by Nas
America: Fuck Yeah! by South Park
Coming Into Los Angeles by Arlo Guthrie
Main Title Theme (Billy) by Bob Dylan
Billy 1 by Bob Dylan
Billy 4 by Bob Dylan
Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan
Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again by Bob Dylan
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues covered by Ramblin' Jack Elliott
One Too Many Mornings (live) by Bob Dylan with The Band
Paths of Victory by Bob Dylan
Race to the Prize by The Flaming Lips
Turn the Page by The Streets
Just Press Play
Venice Queen by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Parallel Universe by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Minor Thing by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Warm Tape by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Golden Age by TV on the Radio
The Golden Age by Beck
Round the Bend by Beck
Where It's At by Beck
Traveling Song by The Avett Brothers
Nothing Short of Thankful by The Avett Brothers
Salvation Song by The Avett Brothers
Midnight Rider by The Allman Brothers Band
Fear Not of Men by Mos Def
City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie
Baby We'll Be Fine by The National
Gimme Danger by The Stooges
Wherever I May Roam by Metallica
East to the West by Michael Franti
Ramble On by Led Zeppelin
Milestones by Miles Davis
Are You Real? by Art Blakey
So What by Miles Davis
Monk's Dream by Thelonious Monk
Lonely Woman by Ornette Coleman
Caravan by Ella Fitzgerald
Caravan by Hiromi
Solitude by Billie Holiday
When You're Smiling
The Whole World Smiles With You by Ella Fitzgerald
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Better Git It In Your Soul by Charles Mingus
Blue Train by John Coltrane
Moment's Notice by John Coltrane
Autumn Leaves by John Coltrane & Miles Davis
Mr. P.C. by John Coltrane
Giant Steps by John Coltrane
Acknowledgment by John Coltrane
My Favorite Things covered by Hiromi
Get Happy by Brad Mehldau
You covered by Christopher O'Riley
No Quarter by Led Zeppelin
Good Times, Bad Times by Led Zeppelin
Revolution by The Beatles
The Road and the Sky by Jackson Browne
Caravan by Van Morrison with The Band
On the Road by String Cheese Incident
Road Home by String Cheese Incident
Going On by Gnarls Barkley
Turn Into Something by Animal Collective
Universal Traveler by Air
Le Voyage de Penelope by Air
Talisman by Air
She's Leaving the Bank by Ry Cooder
Diamonds on My Windshield by Tom Waits
Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard by Paul Simon
Friend of the Devil by The Grateful Dead
Box of Rain by The Grateful Dead
Ripple by The Grateful Dead
Truckin by The Grateful Dead
Rock and Roll by The Velvet Underground
Sweet Jane by The Velvet Underground
Take It As It Comes by The Doors
Break on Through (to the other side) by The Doors
Riders on the Storm by The Doors
Graceland by Paul Simon
Anywhere Is by Enya
On My Way Home by Enya
Only If... by Enya
Book of Days by Enya
Shepherd Moons by Enya
Memory of Trees by Enya
The Celts by Enya
America by Simon & Garfunkel
Run Like an Antelope by Phish
You Enjoy Myself by Phish
The Divided Sky by Phish
Crazyhorse Mongoose by Galactic
My Mind is Hazy by Galactic
By the Way by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Celebrate Your Youth by Keller Williams
Crooked by Keller Williams
Above the Thunder by Keller Williams
Feeling Good by Nina Simone
I Feel Good by James Brown
The Boss by James Brown
Thank You Fallettin' Me Be Mice Elf Agin by Sly & The Family Stone
Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone
Mothership Connection by George Clinton & Parliament
Watching the Wheels (acoustic) by John Lennon
Ooh La La by Faces
There There by Radiohead
Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying by Belle & Sebastian
Fountain of Sorrow by Jackson Browne
Farther On by Jackson Browne
Big Day Coming by Yo La Tengo
Innerlight by Zion I
Silly Puddy by Zion I
One by Zion I
Let It Flow by Zion I
Daylight by Aesop Rock
Can't Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Engine Driver by The Decemberists
Me Against the World by Tupac Shakur*
Liquid Swords by GZA
Survival of the Fittest by Mobb Deep*
One More Road to Cross by DMX*
ATLiens by Outkast
Fake Empire by The National
Rise by Doves
Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog
Woodstock by Crosby, Stills, Nash &Young
Gravity Rides Everything by Modest Mouse
The World at Large by Modest Mouse
Float On by Modest Mouse
The World at Large cover by Iron Horse
Float On by Iron Horse
Gravity Rides Everything cover by Iron Horse
If Dogs Run Free by Bob Dylan
New Morning by Bob Dylan
The Laws Have Changed by The New Pornographers
Drifter in the Dark by Ween
Tried and True by Ween
Exactly Where I'm At by Ween
I Feel It All by Feist
Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz
Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz
Make You Feel Better by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Beethoven's 5th Symphony by somebody
Beethoven's 6th Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven
Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme) by Frank Stallone
California Waiting by Kings of Leon
The Runner by Kings of Leon
Genius by Kings of Leon
The Bucket by Kings of Leon
Charmer by Kings of Leon
46 & 2 by Tool
Parabol by Tool
Parabola by Tool
Lateralus by Tool
Cranley's Gonna Make It by Broken Social Scene
Feel Good Lost by Broken Social Scene
Sparkplug Minuet by Mark Mothersbaugh
Country Road by James Taylor
Sweet Baby James by James Taylor
Whatever It is by Ben Lee
The World is Yours by Nas
One Love by Nas
It Ain't Hard to Tell by Nas
It's Your World by Common
Go by Common
Can't Knock the Hustle by Jay-Z
Dead Presidents II by Jay-Z
Can I Live? by Jay-Z
Feelin It by Jay-Z
Ode to Joy by Beethoven
Pure Imagination by Willy Wonka
I've Got a Golden Ticket by Willy Wonka
Toward the Finish
Stay Positive by The Hold Steady
I Fought Piranhas by The White Stripes
I Shall Not Walk Alone by Ben Harper*
There Will Be a Light by Ben Harper
Pressing On covered by John Doe*
Carry That Weight by The Beatles
When It Begins by Broken Social Scene
Reaching the Golden Gate Bridge
Victoria
by The Kinks
I Used to Actively Dislike
But Now I Love
Don't Stop Believing by Journey
More Than a Feeling by Boston
Carry on Wayward Son by Kansas
Yellow by Coldplay
God Put a Smile Upon Your Face by Coldplay
Year of the Dragon
Dragon Heart Theme
from that movie
the one with the dragon
and the heart
Dragons are the free spirits of the zodiac
Conformity is a dragon's curse
The Dragon is the only mythical creature in the zodiac
Highest Quality
Meaning of Life
Right?
Anything Goes!
Learn it!
Love it!
*even D'evils
I actively dislike the middle verse,
and want to point out that although
I enjoy lots of quality gangster rap music
amongst the wide swath of all music offered by the world
especially because they're the most stylistic, creative and versatile wordsmiths
and talk a lot about mental and physical toughness needed to survive
and discipline and bravery and risking it all for your dreams
and keeping your cool in tight situations
and still having an interest in words and intellect and poetry
and expressive flows and rhymes and rhythms and times
but like anything else in life, such as a cheesy pop song,
you can't personalize everything from their experience
and at some point accept that you're just hearing another story
and that whether or not you like it, you'll learn something from it
and use what you don't like to somehow avoid it and instead better experience
besides, all things are metaphors
so if you can't relate
then your imagination isn't working hard enough
just like in a few of those overly specific inspirational songs
like Pressing On and I Shall Not Walk Alone
I am happy to be free of any system
which too narrowly defines my world
but I always love a great tune and a positive metaphor
Best Song to Have Your Friends
Chris & Jared Do a Silly Dance to
After You Get Back From
The Very Sad Event
/
Been Listening to on Road Trips
Since Age 3
Thanks to My Mother and Sister's
Obsession
With the Album
Graceland
You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon
California Highway 1
Up the Pacific Coast
Journey Succeeds
California by Phantom Planet
California One by The Decemberists
We are the Champions by Queen
Alive by Pearl Jam
Celebration Day by Led Zeppelin
Dancing Days by Led Zeppelin
Superman Theme
James Bond Theme
Indiana Jones Theme
Star Wars Theme
Road Trippin' by Red Hot Chili Peppers
When the Day Comes by Jim Kata
Place of Dreams by Jim Kata
Everything In Its Right Place covered by Christopher O'Riley
All You Need is Love by The Beatles
Place to Be by Hiromi Uehara
Best Album
You Could Discover
Right Before Your Final Move
Into Your Place to Be
MOVE
by Hiromi
I listen to it every day
If it had existed before my road trip
all of its songs would somehow be scattered
throughout that list above
Even though I am
in one place right now
LIFE IS STILL A JOURNEY
and albums like MOVE
help me feel it even more
Left Corner Artwork:
Gift of Days
by Stephen Alcorn
One of the best artists I know
