In terms of "family" or "children's" music, the biggest hit in our household for many years (boys now 7 and 8) has been Joe Scruggs. He's wickedly funny and the albums are well produced to boot. Our favorites are "Bahamas Pajamas" and "Ants." I've listened to a few of his earlier albums but found that they did not hold up nearly as well. "Peter, Paul and Mommy" and Pete Seeger's "Birds, Beasts, Bugs, and Little Fishes" have also withstood the test of time.
Adult music: Enduring favorites include Chuck Berry, anything by The Byrds prior to the departure of David Crosby, anything by Johnny Cash ever, and Marty Robbins' "Gunfighter Ballads." Surprisingly, The Beatles and Elvis have yet to make much of an impression. Anything jam-oriented (Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, etc.) is right out, as is crooning (Dad's love for Mel Torme is a running household joke, like it used to be on "Night Court"). Coltrane met with this incredulous inquiry: "Do you actually LIKE that music?"
