Music and sailing...another question just for fun...

[lostsailor101]

So here is the question, What type music or artist(s) do you listen to while sailing or just chilling out while at anchor ?

I like all types of music, blues, bluegrass, rock and roll, reggae, singer songwriter, I am not a fan of rap or super heavy metal , I've even been know to throw on a few classical power hits, but  it's hard for me to pick just one type, a lot of what I listen to depends on the mood I am in.  I realize some of you do not care to listen to any music at all while sailing, but for those of us that do....what type music, or artist becomes your personal sound track while out on the water for a good days sail or a nice mellow evening at anchor watching the sun go down?

Lostsailors sound track for a good days sail.

I like to start the day with a little Jimmy Buffett it helps put the crew and myself in the mood while rigging and during the motor out. After hoisting the sail I might throw on some Jack Johnson keeping the atmosphere light. Once the afternoon breeze picks up that's when the power classics come on, it is amazing how exhilarating  the sailing becomes while listening to Wagners, Ride of Valkyire. When the sailing is done and the day settles down and  I'm swinging from the hook,  I listen to the soothing voice and great guitar melodies of Mishka. (I prefer his first 3 recordings, better than his last release.)  If you enjoy the vibe of island music I highly suggest taking a listen.  He spent most of his early life on a boat in the Caribbean, sailing from island to island with his seafaring parents and older sisters. His music is beautiful, inspirational and sends out a positive message.

I'd like to hear from some of my fellow Com-Pac friends, What music makes up their personal sound track while out on the water for a good day of sailing.

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul."

[romei]

I prefer reggae and any type of spanish, mariachi or any other tropical music while on the boat, but when that gets old I usually go for blues and classic rock.

Great question.

   

[brackish]

So here is the question, What type music or artist(s) do you listen to while sailing or just chilling out while at anchor ?

Now that's a tough one.  It is so variable by season, time of day, location, mood, etc....so just a few of many.

Early Buffet is great for the warm up, as mentioned.  Not knocked out by most of the later stuff, although he has one of the best live shows out there.  Went to school with him at Southern although we were not Buds.  I think I've held up better, but I'm pretty sure he's had more fun.

For a light air broad reach in calm seas, cooler weather, Vivaldi's four seasons works for me.

In Florida and particularly the Carribean, when the boat is anchored late afternoon and the rum comes out, nothing can complement a jug of Pusser's Pain Killers, or Miss Emily's Green Turtle Cay Goombay Smash like some Island steel pan band music.  But you have to make sure the cabin trunk and foredeck are well supported because with that libation, when Hot,Hot, Hot comes on, the women will have to dance.  They simply cannot help themselves, ain't it great.

In the evening, after supper, with a Cognac, I like some of the softer selections by the Handsome Family, particularly some of "Singing Bones".  Additionally, Willie Nelson's "Stardust" album works here fairly well.

There are time's when inexplicably, the only thing I want to hear is Stevie Ray Vaughan

I could go on....but won't

[Salty19]

The wife and I like Trop Rock.  You know the kind of music you can sip fruity rum drinks to while lounging on the white sand.

Bands include:

Boat Drunks
Jerry Diaz and Hanna's Reef
Latitide
Thongs in the key of life (a mix w/ three volumes)
Eric Stone (who actually sails in the caribbean)
Don Middlebrook and Living Soul
Peter Mayer (he is Buffet's guitarist--I'm not a big fan but a lot of folks like him)
Jack Johnson
Junkanoo Brothers

I've seen all of these bands play, some several times...Boat Drunks and Eric Stone are my favorites but "thongs" CD's (3 of them) are really good too.

Mainstream stuff that's good
Zack Brown Band (very popular these days)

Of course a little Bob Marley is a requirement on the MP3 player as well

[Bob23]

   I don't listen to music while sailing. The sound of the wind and water are fine for me and just getting away from any form of hi-tech is soothing. I carry a Grundig shortwave/AM/FM radio on the boat and am attempting to use my backstay as a improv shortwave antenna. Radio Japan (via Canada) is usually fun but we have a great classical station nearby. WBGO, from Newark, NJ is a great jazz station and with 750,000 watts, can be heard in the South of NJ. But there is nothing quite like searching the shortwave bands for something unexpected. 
   NO MP3, Ipod, CD players on "Koinonia"...I guess I'm a bit of a techno-weenie. During the summer it is etertaining to listen to ch. 16 on the VHF and hear of all the boats aground, sailors cursing at powerboaters and vise versa.
   If I were carrying music, Dave Brubeck, Pink Floyd, Phil Keaggy, Jimmy of course, Johnny Cash, and last but certainly not least- Bruce Cockburn would all be welcomed aboard. That list is not exhaustive
   While sailing, I prefer to spend my time thinking and talking to my Father. While at anchor, reading works great while not eating, imbibing a bit or napping. Yeah, I'm a pretty boring guy!
Bob23

[edbuchanan]

Hi Bob,

Wow, your post is just about exactly what I was thinking about writing.  I also do not listen to music while underway.  My listening is usually classical on shortwave, or if conditions allow, classical on the AM broadcast band.  FM classical reception can be rougher than shortwave on some places on the bay.  If our boat had a high FM antenna it would probably not be a problem.  When we are docked near a beach I like to get Caribbean/Latin music to listen to on the beach on SW.

I like the faraway quality of shortwave music, makes me feel like I'm in the middle of the Atlantic.  Sometimes I give my 10 year old child the "other" ear-bud so he can listen at bedtime.

Ernie (Molly, 23/II 1984)

[Caboose]

Marcel Marceau has the best music for adding to the enjoyment of sailing. In fact most of you own some of his work without even knowing it. His use of music is spellbounding, almost God-like in a way.   

[newt]

Classical does it for me. Usually something light, like Williams on the guitar, while I enjoy the sunset and the zephr...

[Bob23]

John Williams?
Bob23

[lostsailor101]

Thanks all for the replies.

[Billy]

Great Thread!!! But I must say, being a former power boat owner......nothing better than listening to the waves and the wind!!!!

Plus my boat doesn't have a radio. Everytime I go to West Marine they have that marine stereo & speakers for $99 that catches my eye. But there are so many other upgrades I would rather have.

There are times when I think some music would be nice, but I prefer to hear "the sounds of nature". If & when I break down and by a stereo, I will definitely refer back to this thread!