Music for the Muse

Sometimes I have to write in silence. But more often than not, something's on my CD player. When I was writing Urban Legend, which was largely set in a Manhattan club, I listened to techno a lot. Lately, Rob Dugan is often spinning. Kind of moody, love his voice, but he's not so distracting that I can't think.
A lot of times, I can't have music with lyrics. I get sidetracked. Next thing you know, I'm off on a tangent inspired by the music and not my own brain.
My classical tastes run to Mozart lately, or Beethoven's 9th. Can't listen to paino . . . don't know why. And New Age stuff annoys more than inspires.
And when I am REALLY tired . . . because hey, I have three books due before the end of the year, four kids, and frankly, I don't have time to eat let alone sleep . . . I have a CD of old faves, like "Stuck in the Middle with You," songs that get me energized.
Love the power of a music.