For years I’ve drooled over a pair of noise-cancelling headphones made famous by late-night infomercials and full-page fancy magazine ads. Time and a colleague’s sincere and colorful recommendation led me to finally part with the cash — and this past weekend they escorted me through train and plane, illuminating bits of my favorite voyaging music, high and low, in frequency, fidelity, and Art.

I feel really guilty about cancelling out the world’s ambient and serendipitous noise, which I think is a beautiful part of the travelling experience. But sometimes, when a lot of miles are being covered on a regular basis, it’s nice to cool down the ambiance and retreat to a more controlled audiotexture… That said, I always take off my headphones when passing a street performer, out of curiosity and reverence…

A few snips and bippets of my ears this weekend > >

I was introduced to the Rachmaninov Vespers last year, unknowingly, via my occasional Sunday morning alto sub folder at Trinity Wall Street (thanks to Steven Fox).  It is gorgeous, rich, dark, Russian a cappella.

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These next two artists I’m seating next to each other.  I think they could have a cool conversation, with little (ok, maybe some) introduction needed.  Both I love, very dearly.  In order: Paul Lansky’s “Chatter of Pins” and Tune-Yards’ (Merrill Garbus) “Little Tiger”.

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Another pairing — and several more good dinner conversations.  Robert Mealy and Isabel Faust.  Gesualdo and Bach.  Renaissance band (King’s Noyse) and solo violin (Faust).  Galliard and Loure.

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Tags: king's noyse, merrill garbus, paul lansky, robert mealy, steven fox, tune-yards

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