Pandora, me, and Bobby McGee

[Marsha Lynn]

I'm trying to train Pandora to play my particular mix of music. I think I may have confused it. I probably shouldn't admit to anyone that today I heard Willie Nelson sing "Me and Bobby McGee". (I think that's the first time I've heard that recording.) Really, Pandora? That's what we have come to?

Anyway, hearing that song took me back to my teen years, reading an article in Campus Life magazine about the dangers of secular music. I'm pretty sure it was the line about freedom being "another word for nothing left to lose" that the article zeroed in on more than those nights "holding Bobby's body next to mine".

I got to thinking about it today, though. Didn't Paul say sort of the same thing? "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin."

Once we give up life itself, what else is there to lose? There's a certain freedom in that thought.

Still, I'm not sure I can put a spiritual spin on trading "all of my tomorrows for a single yesterday." I suppose I should tell Pandora to lay off that secular stuff so I won't be unduly influenced by it.

I have discovered a couple of new artists during the Pandora training process. I suppose it was New Age pianist David Lanz together with CCM artist Chris Rice that gave me David Nevue. Good stuff there.

I have noticed Pandora doesn't like the train wrecks my usual music shuffle gives me. It throws in a commercial before switching from David Nevue to TobyMac.

I'm not sure how many versions of "Come Thou Fount" I have heard from Pandora. Apparently, it's a hymn that has been deemed to have enduring value.

[Marissa Lynn Coblentz]

I've had problems training Pandora to only play songs with meaningful lyrics. Apparently, that distinction is too abstract for its algorithm.

My favorite station is my Paul Simon station. It plays such happy music!

[Benjamin Burch]

I would suggest Spotify. It contains practically ever track imaginable, and you have 100% control.

Since I got Spotify, the only thing I use Pandora for is one station: Missa Pro Defunctis: Kyrie Eleison Radio.

It is Liturgical and devotional a capella chants. It is so relaxing and worshipful.

[Dan Henderson]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Genome_Project

If you are wondering about why a particular track is being played, its listed in the information section of the song being played.

[Joanne Vergin]

I would suggest Spotify. It contains practically ever track imaginable, and you have 100% control.

Since I got Spotify, the only thing I use Pandora for is one station: Missa Pro Defunctis: Kyrie Eleison Radio.

It is Liturgical and devotional a capella chants. It is so relaxing and worshipful.

Because of your recomendation, I am going to give Pandora one more shot.

[Marsha Lynn]

I've had problems training Pandora to only play songs with meaningful lyrics. Apparently, that distinction is too abstract for its algorithm.

My favorite station is my Paul Simon station. It plays such happy music!

You want happy music? Listen to this and then imagine a higher-quality version of it. Pandora just played it for me.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERNdH-0OcXc

(Pardon me while I go dance.)

[Rich Schmidt]

I would suggest Spotify. It contains practically ever track imaginable, and you have 100% control.

Since I got Spotify, the only thing I use Pandora for is one station: Missa Pro Defunctis: Kyrie Eleison Radio.

It is Liturgical and devotional a capella chants. It is so relaxing and worshipful.

Unfortunately, you have to pay for Spotify in order to use it on a mobile device. Once I discovered that, I quit bothering with it.