The iPod of recovery

November 14, 2007 7:49 AM

My cousin, a 30-something mother of two, is having surgery in four weeks to remove a brain tumor. Prognosis, unknown. The only thing she has asked for is some music appropriate for pre-surgery, post-surgery and/or physical therapy. Most of my ideas are pretty morbid. Suggestions? Any genre will do ...
posted by Jaie to grab bag (25 comments total)

I'm not sure that there's any music that is particularly appropriate, apart from music that she likes. Find out what kind of music she likes, then buy her a bunch of artists in those genres that she hasn't heard before.
posted by Dasein at 7:57 AM on November 14, 2007

Das Wohltemperierte Clavier

...Bach solo piano, pleasingly complicated fugues and such. There's a Gould recording that's nice. The complexity of the pieces might be useful for focusing ones' attention during long stretches of boredom, but at the same time it's light piano work that a person could place into the background if your attention should be elsewhere.
posted by aramaic at 7:59 AM on November 14, 2007

Without having any idea what musical tastes she has, If I was in her situation, I'd be craving Björk's Medúlla album.

It's her "choral" album, using (almost) exclusively sounds made with the human voice, tinkered with electronically. It's dark, echoey and sonorous, very personal and rapturous, and very tied into themes surrounding her relationship with her body as an human and as an expecting mother. With headphones on, it's an immersive experience.

Also, I'd suggest Vespertine, which is similarly intimate and rapturous, with a more crystalline, otherworldly sound.
posted by hermitosis at 8:01 AM on November 14, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

I would recommend that pre-surgery she should find a good pre-surgery meditation tape. My sister and my mom used one (sorry I don't know exactly which) and it really helped to keep them calm and get ready.

Maybe buy her a soundtrack from a movie she loves? I really like the soundtrack to Rushmore.
posted by Sara Anne at 8:06 AM on November 14, 2007

Billy Bragg - Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards
posted by Jofus at 8:06 AM on November 14, 2007

This is going way out on a limb, but is there any chance she might like some cool sanskrit chanting? I would recommend Krisha Das Live on Earth...for a limited time only or Pilgrim Heart (vibrant and good beat) or Deva Permal The Essence (soulful and contemplative).

Maybe just sneak it on there and tell here what it is later.
posted by shothotbot at 8:10 AM on November 14, 2007

Soothing-dreamy-funky-electronic - I would recommend Supernature by Goldfrapp. Best of luck to her.
posted by infinityjinx at 8:20 AM on November 14, 2007

I should add that the "any genre" bit was a part of her specifications, not mine, so she must be open to anything ...
posted by Jaie at 8:24 AM on November 14, 2007

I'm not sure what makes something appropriate for those kinds of things. But, someone at our office was sick, and everyone was asked to suggest three of their favorite songs to fill up an ipod for her when she was getting her treatment. I think at least part of the idea was that she would be surprised by what came next and therefore not bored. Also, she had fun trying to guess who added what. Here's some of the songs that were suggested:

Ryan Adams - Firecracker
Vince Guaraldi Trio - Linus and Lucy (how can anyone not smile at this)
Woody Guthrie - Ship in the Sky
Changes & Latitude, Changes in Attitudes - Jimmy Buffett
You Never even called me by my name - David Allen Coe
Nick of Time - Bonnie Raitt
The Prayer - Josh Groban
Dancing Queen - ABBA
Red Headed Stranger - Willie Nelson
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - Billy Joel
Hands on the Wheel - Willie Nelson
Several songs from Wicked
Beautiful Way - Beck
Only in my dreams - debbie gibson
fire and rain (and some others) - James Taylor
Jumpin Jolie - Weary Boys

There is obviously nothing tying those songs together, but you might try something similar - ask several people to pick one song.
posted by dpx.mfx at 8:25 AM on November 14, 2007 [3 favorites has favorites]

Oooh Child (Things Are Going to Get Easier)

It's Gonna Be a Lovely Day - S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M.
posted by mattbucher at 8:28 AM on November 14, 2007

Imogen Heap - Breathe In, Just for Now
Destiny's Child - Survivor. Corny, I know, but it's hard to not get amped listening to it.
KRS-1 featuring the Hezekiah Walker Choir- I Will Make It
Ashford & Simpson - Solid
Earth Wind & Fire - Celebration
Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc
posted by cashman at 8:36 AM on November 14, 2007

Bach Cello Suites are amazing. I'm still looking for the perfect recording, meanwhile there's YoYo Ma on iTunes.
posted by pammo at 8:42 AM on November 14, 2007

i hope your cousin makes a full recovery.

my first instinct is lots of classical music for the "mozart effect." not for the purported IQ boost, but for help with healing. some pieces that are mentioned for relaxation:
Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No.5, Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, Vivaldi’s Oboe Concerto and Four Seasons and Wagner’s Evening Star.
A lot of people seem to firmly believe in the benefits of classical music for post-op patients. Here's Time's more skeptical take.

The other way to go would be really happy, upbeat music to lift her mood. But I think I'd be inclined to go for classical.
posted by buka at 8:48 AM on November 14, 2007

My two favorite when I'm in a 'recovery' state of mind are:

Dennis Russell Davies' Tirol Concerto for Piano and Orchestra: II and Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major.

Also, the song the big blue diva sings in the 5th Element might be good right before physical therapy... starts out calm and then BAM, it kicks in and gets you moving.
posted by hummercash at 9:00 AM on November 14, 2007

therapy - 90's dance music
recovery - something like this.
posted by ewkpates at 9:10 AM on November 14, 2007

I don't know how old your cousin's children are but when I was 11 my mother had a brain tumor operation and it was quite scary for my sister and me. So, if they're of the age where they "know" mom is going into surgery, how about getting them something as well? Or just be there for them.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 9:23 AM on November 14, 2007

I love this recording and have used it sometimes when times were tough. It has a nice story, it's medieval music from Spain (I believe) tied into a book that was supposed to heal anyone who came near it. It's pretty beautiful stuff...haunting but positive, I think, and very calming.

I'm not always attached to my suggestions but I think this one is really awesome given the situation.
posted by sully75 at 9:28 AM on November 14, 2007

Oh crap. I forgot the ol' link.
posted by sully75 at 9:29 AM on November 14, 2007

OK, it's not too current, but there's nothing better for physical therapy than the theme from "Rocky"....
posted by mightshould at 9:59 AM on November 14, 2007

In the mid-seventies, Brian Eno was bedridden and recovering from an accident. He was given an album of 18th-century harp music that he wanted to listen to, and struggled to put it on and return to bed only to realize that the volume was too low for him to really make the music out. Being unable to get back up to adjust it, he stayed in bed, and, he claims, discovered a new way to listen to music. Out of this came "ambient music," and a tremendous album, Discreet Music, which might be my favorite of his many good ones.
posted by koeselitz at 10:09 AM on November 14, 2007

I find Josquin's choral works calming- perhaps a recording by the Tallis Scholars.
I'd also find Anonymous 4 soothing in that situation.
Or for something more contemporary, maybe Arvo Part?
posted by bassjump at 10:09 AM on November 14, 2007

I would try for a consultation with her surgeon or neurologist before becoming too committed to this project.

Parts of her brain will not be working very well after her surgery, conceivably including some that are important for the appreciation of music, and as music is clearly central to her, I worry that it could be devastating to put the headphones on and experience a favorite piece as hideous noise. But I think a surgeon, or better, a neurologist would be able to tell you whether this is a danger in your cousin's case.
posted by jamjam at 10:10 AM on November 14, 2007

Some random bits from my favorite (mostly calming) music:

classical/romantic:
debussy - Prelude a l'apres midi d'un faun
debussy - lento e molto espressivo
rachmaninoff - sonata for piano and cello in g minor
liadov - the enchanted lake
sibelius - symphony no. 1
holst - planets

more modern stuff:
Marine girls - Lazy Ways / Beach party
John Coltrane
the KLF - Chill Out
Piano Magic - Son de Mar
Plaid - Not for Threes
posted by jockc at 10:54 AM on November 14, 2007

Seconding the Brian Eno. Personally I'd go with the Apollo soundtrack, but Music for Airports and Ambient 4 (On Land) are good picks too.
posted by Vervain at 10:58 AM on November 14, 2007

i have a brain tumor and much enjoyed "wood/water" by The Promise Ring. it was written as the lead singer was undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor of his own. his circumstances aren't explicitly in the lyrics (much less morbidly so), but knowing where it came from sort of gave me some connection to it and comfort in the midst of treatment.
posted by ncc1701d at 11:33 AM on November 14, 2007