The primary way I build my digital music collection is by maintaining a playlist called, “The Rotation.” On this list, I load albums of artists I’m interested in hearing; mostly new-to-me artists or albums. Because I need some organizational principle to conduct this survey, I go by the alphabetical listing of the artist. I typically move from earlier records to later records, although there are exceptions. If I’m excited to hear a new album by a favorite artist I’ll add it in an apparent random placement to hear it sooner than later. From this list I’ll select tracks to add to my collection. It’s rare that I DNF a record, and uncommon for me to not select a single track from it. I’ve been doing this for a while and am currently on my 9th trip around the alphabet. Below are the albums heard in a given session and what thoughts, if any, I have about them. These are mostly first impressions, so don’t expect in-depth analysis.
Asterisks (*) after the album title indicate that it is a new-to-me record.
Sarah McLachlan: MIRRORBALL (1999)*
I’m a solid LIKE with Sarah. Some great songs. Most of the rest I’m pretty indifferent to, though. FUMBLING TOWARDS ECSTASY is a mainstay for me. I didn’t remember that this was a live record when I put it on the list. If I had, I wouldn’t have added it. But here it is. I can’t be too bad, and I may even like it.
Meh, it’s a generic live record nothing to claim from it.
Collected Tracks
- N/A
Sarah Vaughan: SARAH VAUGHAN SINGS (1965)*
Sarah Vaughan’s status as one of the great jazz singers has never set well with me. I mean, she doesn’t suck. She’s just never hit me in the cockles like I feel she should with her reputation. I can hear you. You’re screaming, “But she had perfect pitch!” Yeah, so? Technical talent is not the same as passion. And she doesn’t fill me with any passion.
For something released in 1965, the recording quality has a definite 1940s feel to it. I’m guessing this was a compilation, rather than new recordings at the time.
Collected Tracks
- Nature Boy
Saskwatch: NOSE DIVE (2014)*
The fact that Saskwatch isn’t more famous is a freaking crime!
Also, I learned JUST NOW that they broke up in 2019!?!? I just discovered they existed last year!
This is almost as bad as when I learned, last year, that Sharon Jones had died in 2016. I actually cried, then.
Collected Tracks
- Give Me a Reason
- You Don’t Have to Wait
- Born to Break Your Heart
- Keep Me in Mind
- Hands
- A Love Divine
- Tomorrow’s Promises
Scoundrels: SCOUNDRELS (2011)*
A band I know nothing about, but their track “Sexy Weekend” has been in the collection for a few years now. They’re British. This is their Wikipedia page.
Collected Tracks
- Just Can’t See It Through
- Outta Town Blues
- All on My Own
- Mary Joe
Shakey Graves: CAN’T WAKE UP (2018)*
I’ve loved Shakey’s “Dearly Departed” for some time, now. Still getting to know him.
Collected Tracks
- Kids These Days
- Climb on the Cross
- Mansion Door
- Aibophobia
MusicHead 
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