Music for "Tough Times"

These days it is mostly Bach......and Ricky Lee Jones.

When I'm down I seem to draw comfort from tragic or melancholy music. Some of the music of Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich,and Billie Holiday fill the bill then.

When I'm already in a great mood, some of the music of Beethoven, Mozart, Saint-Saens, or Ravel can help me celebrate, as can some rock, klezmer, tango, or Latin jazz.

Someone mentioned "Melissa" by the Allman Brothers. I like this song but I always become very sad and almost tearful, for a few minutes, whenever I hear it. "I Want You Back" by the Jackson Five has the opposite effect. Whatever mood I am in, hearing this song will make me fell like I've just had a double espresso and a shot of tequila, at least for the few minutes that it's playing.

Nilsson Schmilsson by Harry Nilsson.

Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Nina Simone. They can really express their suffering, and misery loves company.