There is more than a little guilt associated with this playlist.

I listen to a lot of music from various genres. I’m open to most musical possibilities. But it took a friend to point out one day that my collection was nearly devoid of one element: women.

I’ve become an accidental musical misogynist, and I feel just horrible about it.

When it comes to music, women are just as important as men. But the genres I was focused on during the building of my collection — namely progressive rock and jazz — did not feature a ton of female musicians.^

My love for the college rock of the eighties enabled me to hear more female artists. Usually, they were fronting the bands I loved. There were also a couple of singer/songwriters that held my attention and admiration.

Still, women are a huge minority in my collection.

More than a few people will tell me a playlist like this is completely unnecessary and more than a little sexist. I sympathize with this position. And you’re right — it shouldn’t be necessary. But given the level of sexism in the music industry (as I’ve been told more than once by people in the know), this feels like a decent way to bring attention a few who have been ignored. It’s a Catch-22 to be certain.

When I created this playlist, my mind was pushed toward the days when I would go to bookstores that had coffee shops. Now and then, those coffee shops would have someone performing with an acoustic guitar and voice. Their act didn’t interfere with people browsing for books or sitting in the coffee shop, reading their purchases. But it was nice to have those voices (mostly female when I was there) in the background all the same.

Not everyone in this list is playing for a coffeehouse audience. That was never my intent when I put this list together. The coffeehouse gig just sparked my desire to create this list.

I’m sure there are a couple of no-shows, for which I apologize. I’d love to hear about what you think is missing.

Enjoy!

^ There were more than a few women in jazz, particularly vocalists. But one of the reasons I got into jazz was to avoid vocalists. Hence, next to no women involved in my collection.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5dQMdfe2w7FP0DxYQfmaJo?si=llFXIvlERyqD1rhIhyacxw&pi=gpT3OQfYQW-br

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed, please contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com