MPD via LuaSocket

local socket = require("socket")

foo = socket.protect(function(action)
    -- connect somewhere
    local c = socket.try(socket.connect("localhost", 6600))
    -- create a try function that closes 'c' on error
    local try = socket.newtry(function() c:close() end)
    -- do everything reassured c will be closed
    try(c:send(action.."\r\n"))
    local answer = try(c:receive())
    print(answer)
    c:close()
end)

foo("stop")
-- OR
foo("play")