Music

Music has always been important part of my life and it's rare that a day passes without listening to some music. In the long ago past that would have involved playing an album (LP) or listening to John Peel's radio show or late night viewing of the brilliant Old Grey Whistle Test (OGWT). Those LPs were eventually superseded by CDs, and they in turn replaced (even more quickly) by today's streaming services. But, I'm proud to say, I still have a collection LPs and even some singles, and a turntable on which to play them. But will my grandchildren even know what they are?? Incidentally, the first single I bought (and still have) was Let's Work Together by Canned Heat (see opposite).

I'm also proud to say I've always liked a wide range of music. Not surprisingly, it's mainly been rock in its many guises, but I enjoy everything from pop, folk and jazz to reggae and so-called Global/World music. My formative decades were the 1970s and early 80s dominated by, for example, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Free, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Little Feat, David Bowie, Hall & Oates, Roxy Music, Soft Machine and Bob Marley (who I managed to see live in 1976, but who sadly died in 1981 at the age of only 36 years). The solo singer/songwriters included the famous Dylan, Neil Young, John Martyn and Van Morrison, but also less well known artists like Ry Cooder, Garland Jeffreys and Loudon Wainwright III. Hmm, I need to balance that male-dominated list of names by mentioning some female artists too: Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Laura Nyro, Marianne Faithful and Rikkie Lee Jones. I realise classical music is conspicuous by its absence above, but although I have selection of classical music LPs and CDs, I only listen to them very occasionally, and attending a classical concert has been even more of a rarity.

As an historical aside, the first time I heard Loudon Wainwright was probably on the OGWT around 1972 and he has remained a favourite of mine even after all these years (and the only artist I ever asked for an autograph). Loudon comes from a ridiculously musically talented family, which includes his son Rufus, daughters Martha and Lucy and not so well known sister Sloan, not to mention his first wife Kate McGarrigle. I suppose you could say that the Wainwright clan has been one of my minor music obsessions.

The 1970s are of course well-remembered for the birth of punk, but I wasn't much attracted to it as there was so much else going on. Fortunately I didn't get stuck in 1970s and one of the many pleasures in life is discovering new bands or artists. In the following decades I've been drawn to bands and artists like Bjork, k.d. lang, Cousteau, Amy Winehouse, R.E.M., Seal, Ron Sexsmith, Nick Cave, Richard Hawley, Salif Keita, St Germain, Rodriguez and many more, not forgetting The Spooky Men's Chorale! More recently, I've been listening to Rejjie Snow (who?) and Alice Phoebe Lou...

Desert Island Discs

Inevitably when it comes to music, the question arises, which songs or pieces of music would you take to the proverbial desert island. Come on, we've all done it. Well, here are my eight:
  1. Be Careful There's A Baby in the House by Loudon Wainwright III
  2. It's Only Rock 'N' Roll by The Rolling Stones
  3. Thunderstruck by AC/DC (never saw the band live, but this song made a great biceps track in Bodypump, which I did numerous times!)
  4. Love is Everything by k.d. lang (original by Jane Siberry)
  5. Fais-moi une place by Francoise Hardy
  6. Perfect Day by 'various' (original by Lou Reed in 1972 but released as a charity single in 1997 for Children in Need)
  7. Last Good Day of the Year by Cousteau
  8. Crossing The Bar by The Spooky Men's Chorale (performing the poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson)