Music while cooking? Surely I’m not the only one.

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In the back of every kitchen is not only a pantry and stove of some kind, but there simply must be at least a radio.
I have an old Crosley table radio to keep me company. That’s good for those early Saturday morning news updates. But it only goes so far, being an AM radio and all. 5 years ago I ran in a second pair of speakers to the kitchen so I could be in my own world without bothering others. Good idea eh? You bet.
What’s on the turntable today? Country Joe & the Fish – Electric Music for the Mind and Body. Next? Donovan, Sunshine Superman. This will bring us in to dinner with Band of Gypsys and will center us nicely for the week to come.

Peace brothers and sisters and may your sausage always be juicy.
Biggles

17 thoughts on “Music while cooking? Surely I’m not the only one.”

  1. Herr Biggles:
    I must commend you most highly on your choice of accompaniment. Old McDonald and his Fish will surely help the creative cooking juices flow. And Donovan……..Makes me want to fly Translove Airways right on down there and see what’s for dinner. Now you just need to put on Jerry and the boys and throw a handful of mushrooms into the pot. I’m down! B.C.

  3. Biggles — When CDs were really a new thing I saw the kitchen of a famous writer on a home tour in Mill Valley. The room was lovely and big and not overblown but what impressed me most was a shelf of CDs that stretched over the prep counter. It was the first experience with that after years of radio, old turntables, cassettes. I love NPR for working around the kitchen, but music helps the food of love.

  4. By the way, that Sunday morning breakfast is almost too much to deal with. Wish I had been there!

  5. Hey Kudzu,
    I remember when CDs came out. I bought a few, but they never drew me in. So, today I have probably 5 to my name. I can fill my pickup with records though, easy.
    I’ve also got a 10 gallon fish tank on my counter with 2 exceptionally large, yet hungry gold fish in there. They help me cook and stuff like that there.
    Biggles

  6. Biggles!
    Hey. You. Get offa my generation.
    (Ooh. That doesn’t rhyme with cloud.)
    I had dinner once with the chefs from Foreign Cinema at their home. They were playing “old” music after we ate. Procul Harem. I was singing along… John said “How cool, you know the words!”
    Erm. Yas, I do.
    xxx

  7. Biggles — Ever been to Village Music in Mill Valley? Unbelievable. A real record store, with an owner who deserves a “national treasure” award.

  8. Moosic while cookin’. Funny, I usually go with ol’ timey jazz, either big band or the old trios, or old blues like Memphis Slim and the like. Not sure why. Makes the flow better. I’ve got my collection of Soundgarden, too, that I frighten the neighbors with, but it just doesn’t work for me when I’m slingin’ my pans.

  9. I always listen (and sing) to Joni Mitchell when I’m cooking–California is one of my fave songs. And Loretta Lynne, and the Beatles. For eating, it’s usually Ann Peebles, Ruth Brown or Edith Piaf. Dessert? The kinks.
    Thanks for the great e-mail. Just had it forwarded to my real account, so I’ll send you another one soon.

  10. Dr. Biggles,
    I have a feeling it will come as no surprise to you to learn that Seven Ann McDonald was my best friend until I was 6. When we told strangers what our names were they said, “Ohhh, what are your real names little girls?”
    Seven and I often got on stage, drunk to sing the final song. We were the fishettes.
    Thank you for bringing me back.

  11. Hey Amanda,
    Yeah! Joni’s great. And am a HUGE fan of Edith. A co-worker found about 5 of her 45 records from probably 40 years ago in the recycle bin somewhere. They’re in great condition, fun to listen to.
    Do you do any Carly Simon?
    Biggles

  13. “May your sausage always be juicy” – WONDERFUL quote! You should put that line on your holiday cards or something. I am in the oldies but goodies category, for sure, when it comes to stuff-to-listen-to-while-cooking. I prefer music from the 1950s to the 1990s (“Dinosaur Rock” dominates at times: Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, etc.), but occasionally something else will make the list. NPR/KQED 88.5 is another good option, when I’m feeling more intellectual-like.

  14. RE: Carly–only on stage after a glass of wine….and in the shower–not to cook with.

  16. gotta have Neil Diamond’s live album while making sunday breakfast. Pancakes flip higher and bacon sizzles better in tune with cracklin rose.

  17. Hey Patty,
    OoOoo, that does sound nice. Was going to mention one of my Sunday albums, but the name escapes me at the moment. If I can remember, will post later, hey.
    Biggles