Staff Picks on SongPeddler.com. Buy Music Your Way!
Go to Home Page
 
Get Help Go to MyFavorites Go to MyCustomCDs More about the Gift of Music Go to MyAccount View Cart - Checkout
Home Page : Staff Picks
Song Downloads Custom CDs Music CDs Artists Music Categories Go to Home Page About SongPeddler Getting Started Using SongPeddler.com Sell Your Music - More Info Site Map Contact Us

  Search Music

  advanced search  
  super search
 

  Browse Music

 
  • Audience -Type of Listener
  • Energy - Intensity and Emotional Expression
  • Ensemble - Arrangement and instrumentation
  • Instrumental, Vocal, Rhythmic
  • Genre Influences - Not the main style of the song but includes any influence
  • An instrument that is included in the song
  • Language - The specific language in which a piece is sung or spoken in vocal songs only
  • Mood, Feeling evoked, State of Being, Triggers
  • The layout of a composition as divided into sections
  • Overall Style - The main style based on predominant genre and special category
  • The production and type of performance quality
  • Styles of music originating from a region in the world
  • Anything that's not a genre, mood, tempo, theme, ensemble
  • Tempo - The speed or pace of the song
  • Theme - For vocal pieces, the thematic content. What's it about?
  • Possible Use - How a song might be used when listening
  • Vocal Features - Types of vocal arrangements and male/female features
  •  

    Sponsored Links




    Visit our Related Links

    Send us your
    related link via our

    link exchange program

     

     
     

    SongPeddler Staff Picks

    We get a chance to listen to all of the songs in our digital catalog and so we'll feature our best picks as often as we can. If you find you like the choices of anyone, you can keep checking back for more picks in the coming months to help you find more great new music. As we continue to pick more and more great music, you'll always be able to find the archives of past favorites as well.

    SongPeddler Staff

    Jane Braynard Kevin Nutt
    Michael Diamond Sonal Shah
    Michelle Ellison Ruben Salcido
    Gayle Goldstone Kris Thayer
    Mary Harmon Matt Kramer
     

    Michelle's Harvest Season Favorites

    I love variety - in people, in life experiences and in music. My library of best-loved music spans the spectrum: Jazz of all types, Blues, Swing, Classic and Southern Rock, R&B, Big Band, Flamenco, Afro Cuban, New Age, Latin, Country, Americana, and music from around the globe. My tastes tend to move with the seasons. I love Autumn here in the Wine Country - the smells, the colors, the textures of the vineyards and oak covered hills. As the frenetic energy of Summer is calming, I'm in the mood for smooth instrumentals to enjoy with friends and a nice glass of Pinot Noir. Some curent favorites:
    The Redwood Sidthe (CD) - Lovely Celtic/New Age acoustic guitar which evokes the spirit of the redwoods.
    Mosaic (CD) - Smooth jazz infused with Latin and World beat instrumentation and influences.
    Stillwater Sound Collection (CD) - A melding of Jazz, New Age, and Contemporary Classical by various artists
    Michelle Ellison
    VP Marketing & Customer Satisfaction
    Astrological Sign: Gemini
    Hobbies & Interests
    : Food, wine, community service, architecture, art, design, hiking, travel, gardening, history, and current affairs.
    Musical Talents: I have a habit of making up silly songs and singing them off-key with reckless disregard for those around me.
    Favorite Instruments: Ella Fitzgerald's voice. I love the sax and electric or acoustic guitar. I'm not crazy about the harpsichord.
    Memorable Musical Moments: Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck, and Carlos Santana together in concert. Meeting Dizzy Gillespie. The first time I heard "Dark Side of the Moon." My niece Hannah's first piano recital.
     
    Michael Diamond
    Category Specialist

    Michael says "Music in the key of diversity..."

    Although I am most associated with New Age music through my recordings and album reviews in magazines, I have a long history of playing in bands and enjoying other genres such as rock, jazz, blues, funk, reggae, etc. So my musical choices here will reflect that diversity. I hope you enjoy them too.
    Ashes by Phyllis Addison
    Aurora Borealis by Streams
    Lunar Eclipse by Mark Pattison
    Cirrus by Colin Farish
    Always There by Safari
    Astrological Sign: Libra
    Hobbies & Interests
    : Music recording and producing, multi-media performance art, metaphysics, holistic health, nature, scenic drives.
    Musical Talents: Guitar and synthesizers
    Favorite Instruments: Electric guitar is definitely my favorite. Although I have a deep appreciation for acoustic instruments, I tend towards the electronic side of the musical spectrum. I am fascinated by synthesizers and their ability to create atmospheric textures. However, I do love flute, and percussion, and I find the sitar to be a magical, mystical instrument.
    Musical Moments: My musical "peaks" would have to be at some of the concerts I've played at over the years. Playing in a band that opened the show for Ram Dass in Boulder Colorado especially stands out. Also attending live performances by The Doors, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, Grateful Dead, Santana, Miles Davis, Weather Report, and many others are musical moments I treasure. Hearing the first Jimi Hendrix album "Are You Experienced" was also a life-changing musical event, as were some of the other classic albums of that period.
     

    Mary's music selections are expressive...

    I drive down the highway scanning different radio stations. This way I hear a variety of programming. I like most music. So what I pick will be something that expresses me, how I am feeling at the time, something that resonates within me. Syncopation, great harmony, vocal timbre, good lyrics will catch my ear. I love listening to world music, music from other cultures. One CD I have had constantly on my changer is of Native American flute and chanting and drums.

    I am choosing some reflective music yet keeping with medium energy to spice up the rainy afternoon and get my mind and body to venture into the wild.
    Tsering Tsomo by Tsering Wangmo
    I don't understand it but there is something magical going on here.
    Nothing in This Life Stays Long by Doug Jayne
    What a haunting tune. I like the full band version.
    Streams by Streams
    Relaxing...
    So Bright by Gery Tinkelenberg
    Interesting instrumentation and rhythm as well as a story that is all too familiar in the news.
    Always In Trouble by II BIG
    Good ole rock and roll and life.
    Mary Harmon
    Multimedia Manager

    Click here for past months picks...
    Astrological Sign: Taurus
    Hobbies & Interests
    : Taking pictures in macro mode, growing things year round, bicycling
    Musical Talents: I enjoy drumming. Haven't found time since I got my digital camera though.
    First sound recording: I was recorded on a record, at age 2 or less, and no one could coax me to say much of anything!
    Favorite instruments: Piano, violin
    Musical Moments: Playing traps and doing sound for my group at the same time.
    Favorite animals: My dog, of course! And any cats that stray into my grasp. Birds are cool. Otherwise, elephants and turtles.
    Ruben Salcido
    Senior Database and Systems Architect

    Ruben enjoys all kinds of music...

    I like music that has melody and interesting harmonic structures. The rhythm is also important to me. It is said that rhythm invokes melody, I feel that this is true for most of the classics in Jazz, Classical and Pop. I enjoy all kinds of music although my main interests are Latin in all of its varied styles and Jazz from the earliest recordings to the current crop of young jazz lions.

    I enjoy thoughtful ballads because you can hear how the composer put together all of the elements to convey emotion. I listen to music to find new phrases or interesting melodies and harmonic structures. I like to listen to new renditions of old standards. It's like hearing the song for the first time again...
    Angel Eyes by DARIA
    Number 11 in E Minor by Dr. Kris Palmer
    Tender Earth by Colin Farish
    Grace (Full Band) by Sarah Baker
    Titania's Lament by The Oregon Trio
    On My Way by Karen Drucker
    Ghacham Dho by Tsering Wangmo
    Astrological Sign: Gemini
    Hobbies & Interests
    : I like to garden, but my gardens tend to be all jungly and wild. It's more like letting the land do it's own thing with a little nudge from me. I like to hike, one of my greatest thrills was leading an expedition up Mt. Shasta with my two kids and daughter in law. We all made it to the top and had a great photo of the summit. I jog several times a week in order to maintain my stamina for the long hours of programming needed to keep SongPeddler on line and responsive. Flee when I'm singing...
    Musical Talents: I play saxophone and flute in several bands including an 18 piece big band Full Spectrum Jazz that plays contemporary big band arrangements from local and international composers. I recently finished an arrangement for that band which will probably get onto our next CD project. I also play in a Latin Jazz/ Salsa band called Safari. We recently released our first CD, I composed 2 pieces for that project.
    Favorite Instruments: Sax and Flute of course. I love to listen to a great trap drummer drive the beat. I really love to listen to the piano. Bill Evans was one of my favorites. Soprano sax can produce a very haunting sound
    Musical Moments: The first time I played music from my Suite titled "Sal Si Puedes." It was about a year after my mother had passed and I had written the first half of what later was to become the suite. The concert hall was packed with friends and jazz lovers. I could feel the spirits of my parents in the concert hall. Later, Many people commented on how good they felt about the music. It was a great thrill.

    Gayle likes music that makes her want to move...

    Gayle picks her music by what is "upbeat." The majority of the time, she likes to tap into the energy of the piece. Preferring smooth jazz and R&B, she responds to soulful grooves. Throw in some blues and funk for added measure!
    Jungle Jive by Streams
    Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be! by The Oregon Trio
    Trusting the Journey by Streams
    Point of Departure by Ian Dogole
    Steppin' Out by Paul McCandless
    Grace (Full Band) by Sarah Baker
    For those mellower moments
    Gayle Goldstone
    Executive VP & CFO
    Astrological Sign: Capricorn
    Hobbies & Interests
    : Art and Travel. (Loves numbers, sorry Jane!).
    Musical Talents: HA! Does dancing count??
    Favorite Instruments: Saxophone, Keyboards
    Musical Moments: Accomplished tap dancer in my youth....
    Favorite animals: Birds (big and exotic)
    Kevin Nutt
    Production Coordinator

    Kevin loves vocal pieces the most...

    I look for good lyrics and a personality to satisfy my tastes. To really enjoy an instrumental piece, there must be good melodies. I've always been attracted to the simple melody that continues to be built upon itself. Otherwise, I enjoy all types of music as long as it's not turned up too loud.
    Another Door by Sarah Baker
    Pangchen Metok by Tsering Wangmo
    Maple Leaf by Laura O'Neal
    Astrological Sign: Pisces
    Hobbies & Interests: Songwriting, recording, hiking, getting out.
    Musical Talents: Writing songs, singing, guitar, harmonica, some piano.
    Favorite Instruments: Voice, guitar, piano.
    Favorite Books: Crime And Punishment (Dostoyevsky), The Glass Bead Game (Hesse).

    Sonal's music picks...

    Ah! Vous Ne Voulez Pas Entendre by Dr. Kris Palmer
    It Will Carry Me by Betsy Wellings
    I'll Wait For You by Gery Tinkelenberg
    Barefoot by Laura O'Neal
    Children's Games (Double Rainbow) by DARIA
    Sonal Shah
    Webmaster

    Astrological Sign: Aries
    Hobbies & Interests
    : I have received formal training in Indian Classical Dancing. In general, I love all form of dancing. I am also fond of folk and light music of any kind. I also love various outdoor recreational activities.
    Musical Talents: I would rather keep my musical talents limited to singing in the shower.
    Favorite Instruments: Sitar (Indian String Instrument), Santoor (yet another String Instrument from Northern India), and Tabla (Percussion Instrument from India).
    Kris Thayer
    President & CEO

    Click here for past months picks...

    Kris' music picks based on mood...

    I love most any type of music, but I'm very particular about what I listen to based on my mood. I also don't like to mix instrumental with vocal in my own compiling. You'll find that I'll feature lots of songs with vocal harmonies, which I adore. I'll also pick songs with fun grooves, funky beats and punchin' horn sections. When I need a little relaxation, I'll tend to choose music on the slow, non-rhythmic side that's airy and open sounding.
    .
    Na Tonga by Jeff Jones
    Makes me feel like it's time to party and chill out.
    Cabo Mexico by Murray Orrick and friends
    Reminds me of Jimmy Buffet. Take a vacation already!
    Waiting for the Sun by Lorin Rowan
    Light and easy piece.
    Annie D. by Murray Orrick and friends
    Funky and lots of fun. Makes me bounce my head to the beat.
    your good isn't good enough by Kelly McGuire
    Fun horn section and a little bit of funk.
    New Mama Samba by Murray Orrick
    Definitely a summertime "in the mode" piece.
    Un Gros Erreur by Robin Flower & Libby McLaren with Nancy Vogl
    I don't understand French but this is a fun piece.
    Astrological Sign: Aquarius
    Hobbies & Interests
    : Metaphysics, Gadgets, Music, Computers, Bicycling, Video, 3D animations, and Playing cards.
    Musical Talents: Keyboard, guitar, vocals, and a little percussion here and there.
    First Sound Recording: "How Much is that Doggie in the Window" - 78 RPM
    Favorite Instruments: Piano, acoustic guitar, native american flute, the ney (persian flute), and all types of saxophones.
    Favorite Animals: Cats and Horses

    Matt has a Paradoxical Take on music...

    After 25 years working in the Los Angeles music scene,
    Matt has a paradoxical take on music. On one hand, he's somewhat jaded and finicky about what music he prefers to hear (or suggest to others). On the other hand, there is so much music in the world, after sifting and sorting, there is a lot of music that makes it into his 400 slot CD changer. Expect a lot more music to show up in his staff picks.
    Music Speaks Louder Than Words by Gravity
    We Can Make a Difference by Harold Payne
    Pass It On by Harold Payne
    One Step by Harold Payne
    Power of Positive Music by Gravity
    Three Little Maids From School Are We by The Lamplighters
    I Wish You Well by Betsy Wellings
    Matt Kramer
    Music Promotion Consultant
    Astrological Sign: Cancer
    Hobbies & Interests
    : Acting, Mediation. Writing
    Musical Talents: Songwriter, plays Guitar
    First Sound Recording: When I was ten years old I bought Nelson Riddle's arrangement of Route 66?
    Jane Braynard
    Wordsmith

    Jane and her cats like mellow instrumentals and sing along tunes...

    As a type A/B, I like music that's fast, slow, and in between and that reflects humor, irony, reflection, and social conscience. My music picks are all over the place and vary in beat, lyrics, mood, and theme.

    My furry assistants, cats Suede and Tribble, like to relax to classical and jazz, whereas I lean toward folk, rock, R&B, and anything that makes me laugh. Since I'm oddly positive and cynical, a wide variety of tunes appeals, and I'm usually willing to give something a listen to see if it grows on me. In the car, I like sing-along music (with the windows up, of course, so that other motorists can drive in peace), and I love liner notes with lyrics so that I don't accidentally sing something really dumb...
    Our Cats by Robin Flower and Libby McLaren
    3-Day Weekend by Mark McLay and the Dustdevils
    I Lost The Right To Sing The Blues by Karen Drucker
    Cool Wind Blows by Mark McLay and the Dustdevils
    Antananarivo by Robin Flower and Libby McLaren
    Another Street by Terra Nova
    Astrological Sign: Sagittarius
    Hobbies & Interests
    : Gardening, traveling, movies, reading, eating, laughing, cleaning and organizing (hates numbers)
    Musical Talents: Undiscovered; spiders in the shower typically flee when I'm singing...
    Favorite Instruments: Voice, Guitar, Piano, Sax, Violin, Flute
    Musical Moments: First and Last Organ Recital (Age 8; hideous pink dress)
    Favorite Animals: Cats, Dogs, Horses, Fish, Mice, Rats, Raccoons, Squirrels...anything but Possums and Potato Bugs
     

    Free DHTML scripts
    provided by
    Dynamic Drive