There is a distinct difference between listening to music you like and music you love. I realize that sounds like I am stating the bleeding obvious, but sometimes I am finding myself spending more time listening to music I am a little bit interested in rather than listening to music I absolutely love. This is partly because I am always searching through music sites and cheap cd shops such as Vinnies and Salvos. Where every now and then I find a gem. But I end up picking up a dozen or more misses rather than hits before I do find a gem. It is worth it for the gem but then I want to know and hear everything about these gems and so that sets me off on a journey of discovery.

 A couple of examples recently: Vaya Con Dios and Mick Karn. I discovered Vaya Con Dios in a Vinnies shop recently. I had never heard of them but the songs and musicians sounded vaguely interesting even though initially from the liner notes I wasn't even sure if they were an instrumental or singing band. As it turns out they are the number one Belgium group of all time and they are fronted by this fabulous singer Dani Klein. If you like Imelda May or Lannie Lane then you would love Dani Klein. She is fabulous. What a voice! Initially I thought I was listening to some fabulous obscure South American group till I read the liner notes thoroughly and then followed up on their history. She has everything in  her voice: power, subtlety, sexiness, aggressiveness, nuances and the ability to tell a fully developed story. The album is amazing and I hope to get all their albums plus the other albums Dani has made with a group called Purple Prose. If you see an album with her name attached, grab it!

Now to Mick Karn. I should have known exactly who he is, but I confess it was just a matter of thinking the cd looked interesting. As soon as I put it on I knew I had something special. The same with Vaya Con Dios. I find often great cds announce themselves from the first note. Something like reading a great book. Often the first sentence will hook you. Such as the first line of Voss by Patrick White: "There's a man to see you, Miss. Said Rosa. And stood breathing". You put Dark Side Of The Moon or OK Computer on and from the first note you know you are in for an amazing journey. This Mick Karn was a collectors edition collection, but as soon as I started playing it I knew it was something special. Then the penny dropped. Of course, the bass player from Japan and Rain Tree Crow. I've loved David Sylvian's work for years and loved the individual musicians within Japan, without really following up on them. Suddenly this whole world is opened up to me. Great bass from Mick, great guitar from Richard Barbieri and great drums from Steve Jensen. Suddenly I realize the significance of an obscure album I picked up years ago called Dali's Car. Mick Karn and Pete Murphy. Porcupine Tree with Barbieri. And innumerable offerings from various combinations of the splintered band members. Yes, one cd can be the key to unlock a treasure trove!