Vacation Music Memories

13Aug11

This post is inspired by AV Club’s recent AVQ&A. Basically, the questions is this, “What music made for the soundtrack to your guys’ family vacation?”

Going on long driving trips has always been a staple in my family. Growing up in Southern California, there would be car trips to San Francisco, the Mojave Desert and Sequoia National Park. Even when we traveled outside of California, one could also count on a fair amount of driving to be done.

Before I was old enough to really form my own music taste and before I had a cassette player (old school ya’ll) or even a CD player, I was subjected to whatever CDs my parents had rotating in the car. It was a wide variety and interestingly enough it has helped shaped my music taste today. In fact, many of the albums that they played in the car when I was younger, I listen to now. So without further ado, here are the albums that blasted from our mini-van on our family vacations:

1. Doc Watson – Doc Watson on Stage (with Merle Watson)

A favorite of my Dad, and a must for our car trips, Doc Watson’s finger-picking and renditions of old Americana songs were ingrained into my brain at a very early age. Looking back, his music provided the perfect soundtrack for driving around California.

2. João Gilberto – O Mito

This next one, is also because of my Dad. He use to travel to Brazil a lot for business and would bring back CDs. Growing up, the music of Jobim, Gilberto and Stan Getz filled the house and car. This album in particular, was always packed for any car trip.

3. Patsy Cline – 12 Greatest Hits

I don’t know which parent was responsible for this one, but it was always in the car. I have a fond memory of listening to this at night while driving to the Grand Canyon. Patsy Cline is now one of my favorite singers and I’m so glad my parents had this in the car.

4. Bruce Springsteen – Greatest Hits / The River

I couldn’t pick one Springsteen album, because I remember both being played fairly often. My mom is a big Springsteen fan, so naturally his music could be heard from our car. And because of this, I am now Springsteen fan too. Thanks Mom!

5. Various Artists – Paris After Dark

I especially remember this one because me and my brothers would pretend to sing a-long in French. It seems like an odd album to play on a trip, but I can’t imagine my childhood without it. Neither of my parents speak French and I don’t either, but I’ve always wanted to learn in hopes that one day I could actually understand these wonderful songs.