The first time I was in New York I brought my CD Walkman with me because I was SO COOL. I have no idea what music I brought with me, that doesn't matter. What matters is that I stopped off at Sam Goody and picked up a CD on a lark mostly because of the title: Happy Anniversary Charlie Brown. Big Peanuts fan, I am, and the music from Vince Guaraldi kinda shaped my musical tastes growing up.
On that album is a version of 'The Great Pumpkin Waltz.' Everybody talks about 'Spain' by Chick Corea, but I think his version of 'The Great Pumpkin Waltz' is one of the perfect songs. Maybe it was the moment in time - a cool spring in NYC, a room high in a skyscraper facing its twin, a window fully opened about two inches, just enough to hear the sound of the city at night overtop of a three piece band playing perfection.
That moment really opened my mind to music.
Rest in peace, Chick Corea.