No, not a drinking blog.  I rarely touch the stuff.  I do, however, indulge in other mind and mood altering substances.  My drug of choice: Music.  The good stuff.  The kind with both lyrics and melody, not that Soda-Pop, teeny bopper, top 40 bullshit.  Not that techno crap that makes you wish you were driving bamboo shoots up your fingernails rather than listening to it. (I know we have some techno junkies among us who think they can change my mind on this.  I am open to listening to your stuff, but I don't think it's for me.)  I like when people put their soul into a song.  I love it when I cry my eyes out because of a perfectly paired lyric and riff.  Being a chick, I like chick music.  I love Sheryl Crow, Lori McKenna, Melissa Ethridge, Beth Hart, and Tori Amos.  I also have my men, as mentioned in the title, and without them, I have no idea how I could get through the day.

Jack Johnson: My wind-down music.  Perfect to play in the background while I help a kid with homework or play a board game with friends.  Upside Down is my son's favorite song.  Banana Pancakes is the ringtone for my hubby.  I love Jack because his stuff is mellow without being depressing.

Jim Croce: You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask off the ol' Lone Ranger, and you don't mess around with Jim.  The definition of versatility in an artist.  I am including all songs Jim Croce wrote for others in my love of his music.  Mr. Bojangles is one of my all time favorites.  Lover's Cross brought me so much comfort during my divorce.  I can't think of a Jim Croce song that doesn't evoke some powerful memory for me.

John Prine: I love him because he is cynical and funny and honest.  Listen to Dear Abby.  You'll laugh.  Listen to Souvenirs, you'll cry.  There's a Hole in Daddy's Arm is probably one of the best, though I can't listen to it too much without getting lost in it.  He is the king of bittersweet nostalgia.

John Mayer:  "Ugh,  He's a total douchebag."  I could not agree more.  But this douchebag is a lyrical and musical genius.  What little of his music that is played on the radio tends to blow goats, but he has magical songs that break your heart in beautiful ways.  Want to get insight on the last 3 years of my marriage, listen to Slow Dancing in a Burning Room.  Want to know my general philosophy on life? Listen to Heart of Life.  Want to listen to some downright good bluesy fun?  Go for some John Mayer Trio.  He is a total douche, but some of his shit is so good that I forgave him for it.

I'm Sheza and I'm curious, what are you listening to?