Post by accipiter on Aug 17, 2015 11:20:03 GMT
A musical journey and so the saga continues.
Just a “very small” account of my life and travels told through music, a time capsule of unforgettable memories.
My choice of music at the time consisted of an eclectic mix of classical, the American standard, and other popular music of the day plus music from the Broadway musicals. You will also find some quite modern music in this list as well. Big Fred never seemed to mind that much at all what it was in fact he was not afraid to hammer out a bit of boogie woogie when he felt like it, and so if you have never seen a very poorly dressed dickens looking character trying to leap around like Jerry Lee Lewis to the rhythm of the boogie woogie bugle boy of company B you have not lived!
Note. The list that follows is not in chronological order
I used find it strange how certain pieces of music can transport one back in time recreating all the senses and memories so vividly into one’s mind some from long ago, while others that played a big part in my life hold no such memories what so ever, and now I know the answer to this question it is even more stranger still.
Incidentally if for any reason the links fail to work where it is relevant I have added a description to help you find the correct film clip on YouTube.
This first musical item relates to the many happy hours and recent events spent in my new location and the next one, well I leave you to work it out for yourself although I look nothing like this character or his occupation I do assure you.
What could be more beautiful than the music of Edward Grieg and the delightful vision of two breeding mute swans, so do watch this little film clip for all of life is revealed here.
Edward Grieg - Morning
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv6-Jc5De_w
This character is “very loosely based” on Big Fred because his mannerisms were very similar, in the end I decided to explain.
Ron Moody - actor, reviewing the situation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=96rC4X_KWl4
Little Darlin the Diamonds, very cherished memories of a past era painted in vivid Technicolor all thanks to father, a long brown haired little darling and my diaries
This clip shows the vocalists in 1957
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FYoYYChb0Y
Old musicians never really die they merely fade away and so the original diamonds in much later life. Little darling 2004
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L8Xe6ivrm4
Loves been good to me – Frank Sinatra I never get tired of playing this. The lyrics speak for themselves Rod Mckuen song writer, singer, and poet.
This film clip brings back similar memories as it starts and shows a country lane with trees running down one side.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZopXK6OEvaQ
Hmm interesting times and another funny ole do!
You meet a silent type on a windy trail with a shiny cloak and an unseen silver dagger you can talk till you ache give yourself one more break you can tell by the look on his face that it just does not matter
Chris Rea – Auberge
This film clip also shows some of Alan Fernley’s paintings as I hugely admire his artwork all except for the hunting scenes obviously!
I just love this quote by Oscar Wilde as well which is - the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable, oh how I had wished I had penned that quote so very true and simply quite brilliant do you not think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifzo_ZJu4yA
Dire straits - The Tunnel of Love) a dedication to Newcastle and my grateful thanks goes out to its “very special people” and one in particular who I will never ever forget
And girl it looked so pretty to me just like it always did like the Spanish city to me when we were kids.
This one opens showing the three musicians going round on a carousel
Check it out!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrDK0UoAkfY
Gary Moore Friday on my mind
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDorH739Zgk
You belong to me – Patsy Cline. More very fond memories of my dear friend Big Fred a perfect example of the quote – never judge a book by its cover. For I feel that I was blest and privileged to have known him, they do say that true beauty comes from within do they not, and so it does.
Although Fred’s version was by Jo Stafford I much preferred the later version by Patsy Cline. Listening to these lyrics I now understand why Fred loved it so although at the same time it must have held some extremely bitter memories and I do not mind admitting it always brings a tear to my eye every time I play it.
Fly the ocean in a silver plane see the jungle when is wet with rain just remember till your home again you belong to me
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4DQd3gemRg
Matt Monro, the impossible dream
And the world will be better for this that one man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to fight the unbeatable foe, to reach the unreachable star.
When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow we gave our today.
John Maxwell Edmonds
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi1cOdE_waI
Rush, (Time stand still)
Neil Peart the percussionist / philosopher is the main lyrist of this band who like Leonard Cohen is also very fond of using metaphors but nevertheless here is the very excellent song – (Time stand still) by Rush
I turn my back to the wind to catch my breath before I start off again driven on without a moment to spend to pass an evening with a drink and a friend I let my skin get too thin I'd like to pause no matter what I pretend like some pilgrim who learns to transcend learns to live as if each step was the end.
I turn my face to the sun close my eyes let my defences down all those wounds that I cannot get unwound I let my past go too fast no time to pause if I could slow it all down like some captain, whose ship runs aground I can wait until the tide comes around
Time stand still I'm not looking back but I want to look around me now
time stand still see more of the people and the places that surround me now freeze this moment a little bit longer make each impression a little bit stronger freeze this motion a little bit longer the innocence slips away
the innocence slips away...
Summer's going fast, nights growing colder children growing up, old friends growing older freeze this moment a little bit longer make each sensation a little bit stronger experience slips away experience slips away
the innocence slips away.
This film clip is a very modern one in which it shows the musicians flying around in the studio
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMSFqXGZ5TQ
Casting my mind back to much earlier times every Sunday after our evening meal our family would all gather round the piano, for my father was a very fine pianist / jazz guitarist as well as a surgeon who played the guitar not unlike Django Reinhardt. While my mother still being a working GP was also a very fine violinist and liked to play like Stephane Grappelli, she could almost give Nicolo Paganini a run for his money too since mother had been classically trained. But just like me also enjoyed the songs from the Broadway musicals. That is not to mention both my parents were great lovers of the natural world as were the rest of my family. They also enjoyed nothing more than hearing us all play our party pieces. My party piece was Carmen Habanera that I played on the classical guitar because I particularly enjoyed the major lift and the minor fall throughout this piece.
Carmen – Habanera film clip with the beautiful voice of Julia Migenes (with English subtitles
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8y1dj7bvjE
Django Reinhardt, minor swing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN8fw8M18U8
Django Reinhardt After you’re gone vocals by Freddy Taylor two of our favourites by Django so much so we still play these two pieces today.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTH_Nn_TtDI
And just to finish off the evening my parents would often sing a duet usually (people will say we’re in love) by Gordon MacRae & Shirley Jones.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfWt9N94gjM
Once a year we still have tango night in which the extended family turn up and commences to slither grapple and entwine across the dance floor pulling some “deadly serious faces” to the blue tango all wearing long flowing ball gowns complete with the long stem red rose, and that’s just gentlemen!
Our family still provide the live music of course with my wife on piano son on the very excellent six sting bass, with my brothers on piano accordion, percussion, rhythm guitar and me on lead guitar plus big sister on the burning violin. I of course am finding it all highly amusing producing tears of laughter as is the many mysterious ways of this one wandering minstrel!
The main event still happens when my big sister arrives from Australia for we are all treated to the very same greeting each time she enters the room – (hello darlings don’t get up its only me) believe it or not her voice use to sound like Joanna Lumley’s well it did until she married Bruce the sheep farmer, it now sounds like dame Edna Everage. Hence – (hello darling don’t get up it’s only me,) thank goodness for Cousin Rob on the extremely loud triumphant trumpet!
Incidentally if you find this next tune going round in your head for the next six months do not blame me it is just a that type of tune!
Blue Tango – instrumental / dance quite a nice little dance routine going on here after you get past the few still photographs
By Billy Vaughn
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZfw6JpLyJI
Al Caiola, guitar and harmonising voice’s I like this version very much too which is the way we always perform it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGHRvhOfDfg
A bit of a weird one this but this brings back memories of my second Cousin Sid the daring young man on the flying trapeze; yes cousin Sid was indeed a crazy character finished up in America in the end or so they tell me doing what he did best charming the birds down from the trees if you know what I mean, another story for the book - you bet your sweet life it is and if you do not go into anaphylactic shock it will be a miracle!
This vocalist always reminds me of Jacob Rees Mogg I do not know why perhaps it is the impeccable old fashion upper class English accent.
Henry Hall the daring young man on the flying trapeze
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR5ntF9XjhA
If I loved you – Gordon MacRae & Shirley Jones some wonderful songs came from this musical including the unforgettable (you’ll never walk alone.
From Carousel
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKZRhcDKrdk
Any musical journey would not be complete without the Eagles now would it! (Take it easy) live 1977
Well I am a standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona such a fine sight to see it’s a girl my Lord in a flat-bed Ford slowing down to take a look at me
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhH3mRkKDX8
Run for home by Lindisfarne
I’ve travelled the land with a guitar in my hand and an eye ever open for some fun I've made some mistakes had my share of the breaks seen the boys on the make and on the bum.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZNjvo1_3PE
Jump forward many years and as you can probably tell by my choice of music Alan is not as highly salubrious as he once was, but I am still walking many miles each week even if it is at a more modest pace.
These two pieces of music are possibly the most beautiful two pieces of music ever written Chopin Tristesse etude op 10 no 3 and Nocturne op 9 no 2 in E flat major many pianists have tried to do these two pieces of music justice but no other performs these better than Claire my wife of course.
Much later lyrics were added, one version performed by Jo Stafford entitled (No other love) and another with completely different lyrics called (So deep is the night) performed by Tony Christie. This version became so popular that many vocalists have recorded it, all thanks to the brilliance of Frederic Chopin.
Tristesse (Sadness)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezr4eCuQ5C8
Jo Stafford, No other love
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjDqMftHbKI
Tony Christie, So deep is the night
www.youtube.com/watch?v=00QrB2PORwU
Simplicity is the highest goal achievable when you have overcome all difficulties. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.
Frederic Chopin
Nocturne op 9 no 2 in E flat major is also one of my favourite pieces of classical music from Chopin the master of romanticism, I always associate this piece with a beautiful night sky full of stars or walking through the woods very early on a spring day listening to the dawn chorus the peaceful sound of nature, ah serenity personified.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEaMdjHsBOY
Many performers have sung this song but I much prefer the voice of Frankie Laine.
They call the wind Maria
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbDFKC-jHQo
Oh yes I nearly forgot the four things that every young man should know as dictated from my father an ex-military man the possessor of a strict moral code and an exceptional humours wit!
Now then Alan I am going to impart to you four very important pieces of advice that my father told me are you listening my boy he said as he paced up and down with both arms behind his back.
But I was not listening of course but rather thinking of my visits to grandfathers house and listening to the many fantastic stories and adventures he had in his younger days, for grandfather was a bit of a wandering happy go lucky joker too who liked to carry an odd assortment of things on his person while creeping around the countryside at night trying to evade the local gamekeeper. Namely a nut stick, a modified .410, a small penknife a silver sixpence a piece of string, and a small touch.
For grandfathers main enjoyment in life seemed to be going around upsetting the local gentry as much as humanly possible as well as working very hard indeed, in fact he used to walk the very long journey to work every day starting off at five in the morning returning at nine every night. I suppose you could say he and grandmother were a paradox in more ways than one but at the same time the happiest people you could ever wish to meet with big red rosy cheeks to match their personalities. Yes both true mavericks in their own ways both coming from completely different sides of the social class a very rare occurrence in those days of that I am sure.
I was just about to recall some of those happy memories when my father’s voice brought me back to reality hello are you in there, are you listening to me Alan - yes father, then write this down instead of staring into space.
(One) whatever you do always question every single thing (two) whatever you buy always pay for it with cash and never ever borrow money) (three) always try to do everything to the best of your ability,) and four the most important of them all (be very careful with the ladies and “do not to be taken in” by just any pretty face. I must admit that last point completely past me by, anyway it was always very hard to tell if he was joking or not for my father was always very good at that sort of thing. In fact he would have made a splendid comedian but I bet you can guess what Alan thought at the time - what a load of old rubbish, but of course as usual he turned out to be right on every single point.
But my good talking to had not finished there oh no far from it, before you disappear again have you listened to a single word I have said Alan - yes father, – are you sure you seem to have that vacant distant look again for if your brains are not wandering your feet are.
And so some time later and after thinking the matter over very seriously indeed I finely took his advice on doing everything to the best of my ability and began and to practise the ole voodoo from my arsenal of mystic charms on the lovely little darling from the village with the beautiful long brown hair.
Anyone for a foxtrot
Frank Sinatra, Witchcraft
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5klKXoGrReM
Frank Sinatra, “Young at Heart”
The film clip you want is where Frank is explaining how he approaches to sing this song
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT--YHYbwjs
Michael Buble, Home
And I know just why you could not come with me this was not your dream but you believed in me
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbSOLBMUvIE
Memories of Egypt and all it entailed, Midnight at the oasis - Maria Muldaur
I’ll be your ballet dancer, prancer, and you can be my sheik
www.youtube.com/watch?v=whYiOJ2iBE0
The Tower of Song
Leonard Cohen as everyone knows is the king of the metaphor, do you wish to know the meaning of life; well it is at the very end of this song told in a way that only Leonard can do.
I believe the lyric the tower of song is a metaphor meaning heaven and the lyric there moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track refers to hell, although I may be wrong. I also like the man’s sense of humour as well for instance – (I was born like this I had no choice I was born with the gift of a golden voice) when he clearly has none! But this is just another example of the man’s ability to laugh at himself.
Well my friends are gone and my hair is grey I ache in the places where I used to play and I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on I'm just paying my rent every day in the tower of song
So I bid you farewell I don’t know when I’ll be back there moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track but you’ll be hearing from me darling long after I’m gone, I’ll be speaking to you sweetly from my window in the tower of song.
This I dedicate to a loyal and trusted friend, a musketeer who also loved Leonard’s work’
Rip Tom.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW9jCUQgX9g
I leave you with these two beautiful themes just use your imagination relax and drift back to somewhere in time every picture tells a story remember.
Somewhere in time, John Barry and just part of Rachmaninoff rhapsody on a theme of Paganini 18th variations
This film clip opens with the rays of the sun shining through a beautiful woodland scene
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgtEUr_n9vM
When I hear music I fear no danger, I am invulnerable, I see no foe, I am related to the earliest times and to the latest.......
Henry David Thoreau, - author, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, development critic, surveyor, historian, and a huge hero for many people around the world still today, including Alan.
Alan the wandering minstrel
Just a “very small” account of my life and travels told through music, a time capsule of unforgettable memories.
My choice of music at the time consisted of an eclectic mix of classical, the American standard, and other popular music of the day plus music from the Broadway musicals. You will also find some quite modern music in this list as well. Big Fred never seemed to mind that much at all what it was in fact he was not afraid to hammer out a bit of boogie woogie when he felt like it, and so if you have never seen a very poorly dressed dickens looking character trying to leap around like Jerry Lee Lewis to the rhythm of the boogie woogie bugle boy of company B you have not lived!
Note. The list that follows is not in chronological order
I used find it strange how certain pieces of music can transport one back in time recreating all the senses and memories so vividly into one’s mind some from long ago, while others that played a big part in my life hold no such memories what so ever, and now I know the answer to this question it is even more stranger still.
Incidentally if for any reason the links fail to work where it is relevant I have added a description to help you find the correct film clip on YouTube.
This first musical item relates to the many happy hours and recent events spent in my new location and the next one, well I leave you to work it out for yourself although I look nothing like this character or his occupation I do assure you.
What could be more beautiful than the music of Edward Grieg and the delightful vision of two breeding mute swans, so do watch this little film clip for all of life is revealed here.
Edward Grieg - Morning
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv6-Jc5De_w
This character is “very loosely based” on Big Fred because his mannerisms were very similar, in the end I decided to explain.
Ron Moody - actor, reviewing the situation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=96rC4X_KWl4
Little Darlin the Diamonds, very cherished memories of a past era painted in vivid Technicolor all thanks to father, a long brown haired little darling and my diaries
This clip shows the vocalists in 1957
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FYoYYChb0Y
Old musicians never really die they merely fade away and so the original diamonds in much later life. Little darling 2004
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L8Xe6ivrm4
Loves been good to me – Frank Sinatra I never get tired of playing this. The lyrics speak for themselves Rod Mckuen song writer, singer, and poet.
This film clip brings back similar memories as it starts and shows a country lane with trees running down one side.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZopXK6OEvaQ
Hmm interesting times and another funny ole do!
You meet a silent type on a windy trail with a shiny cloak and an unseen silver dagger you can talk till you ache give yourself one more break you can tell by the look on his face that it just does not matter
Chris Rea – Auberge
This film clip also shows some of Alan Fernley’s paintings as I hugely admire his artwork all except for the hunting scenes obviously!
I just love this quote by Oscar Wilde as well which is - the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable, oh how I had wished I had penned that quote so very true and simply quite brilliant do you not think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifzo_ZJu4yA
Dire straits - The Tunnel of Love) a dedication to Newcastle and my grateful thanks goes out to its “very special people” and one in particular who I will never ever forget
And girl it looked so pretty to me just like it always did like the Spanish city to me when we were kids.
This one opens showing the three musicians going round on a carousel
Check it out!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrDK0UoAkfY
Gary Moore Friday on my mind
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDorH739Zgk
You belong to me – Patsy Cline. More very fond memories of my dear friend Big Fred a perfect example of the quote – never judge a book by its cover. For I feel that I was blest and privileged to have known him, they do say that true beauty comes from within do they not, and so it does.
Although Fred’s version was by Jo Stafford I much preferred the later version by Patsy Cline. Listening to these lyrics I now understand why Fred loved it so although at the same time it must have held some extremely bitter memories and I do not mind admitting it always brings a tear to my eye every time I play it.
Fly the ocean in a silver plane see the jungle when is wet with rain just remember till your home again you belong to me
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4DQd3gemRg
Matt Monro, the impossible dream
And the world will be better for this that one man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to fight the unbeatable foe, to reach the unreachable star.
When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow we gave our today.
John Maxwell Edmonds
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi1cOdE_waI
Rush, (Time stand still)
Neil Peart the percussionist / philosopher is the main lyrist of this band who like Leonard Cohen is also very fond of using metaphors but nevertheless here is the very excellent song – (Time stand still) by Rush
I turn my back to the wind to catch my breath before I start off again driven on without a moment to spend to pass an evening with a drink and a friend I let my skin get too thin I'd like to pause no matter what I pretend like some pilgrim who learns to transcend learns to live as if each step was the end.
I turn my face to the sun close my eyes let my defences down all those wounds that I cannot get unwound I let my past go too fast no time to pause if I could slow it all down like some captain, whose ship runs aground I can wait until the tide comes around
Time stand still I'm not looking back but I want to look around me now
time stand still see more of the people and the places that surround me now freeze this moment a little bit longer make each impression a little bit stronger freeze this motion a little bit longer the innocence slips away
the innocence slips away...
Summer's going fast, nights growing colder children growing up, old friends growing older freeze this moment a little bit longer make each sensation a little bit stronger experience slips away experience slips away
the innocence slips away.
This film clip is a very modern one in which it shows the musicians flying around in the studio
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMSFqXGZ5TQ
Casting my mind back to much earlier times every Sunday after our evening meal our family would all gather round the piano, for my father was a very fine pianist / jazz guitarist as well as a surgeon who played the guitar not unlike Django Reinhardt. While my mother still being a working GP was also a very fine violinist and liked to play like Stephane Grappelli, she could almost give Nicolo Paganini a run for his money too since mother had been classically trained. But just like me also enjoyed the songs from the Broadway musicals. That is not to mention both my parents were great lovers of the natural world as were the rest of my family. They also enjoyed nothing more than hearing us all play our party pieces. My party piece was Carmen Habanera that I played on the classical guitar because I particularly enjoyed the major lift and the minor fall throughout this piece.
Carmen – Habanera film clip with the beautiful voice of Julia Migenes (with English subtitles
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8y1dj7bvjE
Django Reinhardt, minor swing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN8fw8M18U8
Django Reinhardt After you’re gone vocals by Freddy Taylor two of our favourites by Django so much so we still play these two pieces today.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTH_Nn_TtDI
And just to finish off the evening my parents would often sing a duet usually (people will say we’re in love) by Gordon MacRae & Shirley Jones.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfWt9N94gjM
Once a year we still have tango night in which the extended family turn up and commences to slither grapple and entwine across the dance floor pulling some “deadly serious faces” to the blue tango all wearing long flowing ball gowns complete with the long stem red rose, and that’s just gentlemen!
Our family still provide the live music of course with my wife on piano son on the very excellent six sting bass, with my brothers on piano accordion, percussion, rhythm guitar and me on lead guitar plus big sister on the burning violin. I of course am finding it all highly amusing producing tears of laughter as is the many mysterious ways of this one wandering minstrel!
The main event still happens when my big sister arrives from Australia for we are all treated to the very same greeting each time she enters the room – (hello darlings don’t get up its only me) believe it or not her voice use to sound like Joanna Lumley’s well it did until she married Bruce the sheep farmer, it now sounds like dame Edna Everage. Hence – (hello darling don’t get up it’s only me,) thank goodness for Cousin Rob on the extremely loud triumphant trumpet!
Incidentally if you find this next tune going round in your head for the next six months do not blame me it is just a that type of tune!
Blue Tango – instrumental / dance quite a nice little dance routine going on here after you get past the few still photographs
By Billy Vaughn
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZfw6JpLyJI
Al Caiola, guitar and harmonising voice’s I like this version very much too which is the way we always perform it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGHRvhOfDfg
A bit of a weird one this but this brings back memories of my second Cousin Sid the daring young man on the flying trapeze; yes cousin Sid was indeed a crazy character finished up in America in the end or so they tell me doing what he did best charming the birds down from the trees if you know what I mean, another story for the book - you bet your sweet life it is and if you do not go into anaphylactic shock it will be a miracle!
This vocalist always reminds me of Jacob Rees Mogg I do not know why perhaps it is the impeccable old fashion upper class English accent.
Henry Hall the daring young man on the flying trapeze
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR5ntF9XjhA
If I loved you – Gordon MacRae & Shirley Jones some wonderful songs came from this musical including the unforgettable (you’ll never walk alone.
From Carousel
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKZRhcDKrdk
Any musical journey would not be complete without the Eagles now would it! (Take it easy) live 1977
Well I am a standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona such a fine sight to see it’s a girl my Lord in a flat-bed Ford slowing down to take a look at me
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhH3mRkKDX8
Run for home by Lindisfarne
I’ve travelled the land with a guitar in my hand and an eye ever open for some fun I've made some mistakes had my share of the breaks seen the boys on the make and on the bum.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZNjvo1_3PE
Jump forward many years and as you can probably tell by my choice of music Alan is not as highly salubrious as he once was, but I am still walking many miles each week even if it is at a more modest pace.
These two pieces of music are possibly the most beautiful two pieces of music ever written Chopin Tristesse etude op 10 no 3 and Nocturne op 9 no 2 in E flat major many pianists have tried to do these two pieces of music justice but no other performs these better than Claire my wife of course.
Much later lyrics were added, one version performed by Jo Stafford entitled (No other love) and another with completely different lyrics called (So deep is the night) performed by Tony Christie. This version became so popular that many vocalists have recorded it, all thanks to the brilliance of Frederic Chopin.
Tristesse (Sadness)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezr4eCuQ5C8
Jo Stafford, No other love
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjDqMftHbKI
Tony Christie, So deep is the night
www.youtube.com/watch?v=00QrB2PORwU
Simplicity is the highest goal achievable when you have overcome all difficulties. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.
Frederic Chopin
Nocturne op 9 no 2 in E flat major is also one of my favourite pieces of classical music from Chopin the master of romanticism, I always associate this piece with a beautiful night sky full of stars or walking through the woods very early on a spring day listening to the dawn chorus the peaceful sound of nature, ah serenity personified.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEaMdjHsBOY
Many performers have sung this song but I much prefer the voice of Frankie Laine.
They call the wind Maria
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbDFKC-jHQo
Oh yes I nearly forgot the four things that every young man should know as dictated from my father an ex-military man the possessor of a strict moral code and an exceptional humours wit!
Now then Alan I am going to impart to you four very important pieces of advice that my father told me are you listening my boy he said as he paced up and down with both arms behind his back.
But I was not listening of course but rather thinking of my visits to grandfathers house and listening to the many fantastic stories and adventures he had in his younger days, for grandfather was a bit of a wandering happy go lucky joker too who liked to carry an odd assortment of things on his person while creeping around the countryside at night trying to evade the local gamekeeper. Namely a nut stick, a modified .410, a small penknife a silver sixpence a piece of string, and a small touch.
For grandfathers main enjoyment in life seemed to be going around upsetting the local gentry as much as humanly possible as well as working very hard indeed, in fact he used to walk the very long journey to work every day starting off at five in the morning returning at nine every night. I suppose you could say he and grandmother were a paradox in more ways than one but at the same time the happiest people you could ever wish to meet with big red rosy cheeks to match their personalities. Yes both true mavericks in their own ways both coming from completely different sides of the social class a very rare occurrence in those days of that I am sure.
I was just about to recall some of those happy memories when my father’s voice brought me back to reality hello are you in there, are you listening to me Alan - yes father, then write this down instead of staring into space.
(One) whatever you do always question every single thing (two) whatever you buy always pay for it with cash and never ever borrow money) (three) always try to do everything to the best of your ability,) and four the most important of them all (be very careful with the ladies and “do not to be taken in” by just any pretty face. I must admit that last point completely past me by, anyway it was always very hard to tell if he was joking or not for my father was always very good at that sort of thing. In fact he would have made a splendid comedian but I bet you can guess what Alan thought at the time - what a load of old rubbish, but of course as usual he turned out to be right on every single point.
But my good talking to had not finished there oh no far from it, before you disappear again have you listened to a single word I have said Alan - yes father, – are you sure you seem to have that vacant distant look again for if your brains are not wandering your feet are.
And so some time later and after thinking the matter over very seriously indeed I finely took his advice on doing everything to the best of my ability and began and to practise the ole voodoo from my arsenal of mystic charms on the lovely little darling from the village with the beautiful long brown hair.
Anyone for a foxtrot
Frank Sinatra, Witchcraft
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5klKXoGrReM
Frank Sinatra, “Young at Heart”
The film clip you want is where Frank is explaining how he approaches to sing this song
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT--YHYbwjs
Michael Buble, Home
And I know just why you could not come with me this was not your dream but you believed in me
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbSOLBMUvIE
Memories of Egypt and all it entailed, Midnight at the oasis - Maria Muldaur
I’ll be your ballet dancer, prancer, and you can be my sheik
www.youtube.com/watch?v=whYiOJ2iBE0
The Tower of Song
Leonard Cohen as everyone knows is the king of the metaphor, do you wish to know the meaning of life; well it is at the very end of this song told in a way that only Leonard can do.
I believe the lyric the tower of song is a metaphor meaning heaven and the lyric there moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track refers to hell, although I may be wrong. I also like the man’s sense of humour as well for instance – (I was born like this I had no choice I was born with the gift of a golden voice) when he clearly has none! But this is just another example of the man’s ability to laugh at himself.
Well my friends are gone and my hair is grey I ache in the places where I used to play and I'm crazy for love but I'm not coming on I'm just paying my rent every day in the tower of song
So I bid you farewell I don’t know when I’ll be back there moving us tomorrow to that tower down the track but you’ll be hearing from me darling long after I’m gone, I’ll be speaking to you sweetly from my window in the tower of song.
This I dedicate to a loyal and trusted friend, a musketeer who also loved Leonard’s work’
Rip Tom.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW9jCUQgX9g
I leave you with these two beautiful themes just use your imagination relax and drift back to somewhere in time every picture tells a story remember.
Somewhere in time, John Barry and just part of Rachmaninoff rhapsody on a theme of Paganini 18th variations
This film clip opens with the rays of the sun shining through a beautiful woodland scene
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgtEUr_n9vM
When I hear music I fear no danger, I am invulnerable, I see no foe, I am related to the earliest times and to the latest.......
Henry David Thoreau, - author, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, development critic, surveyor, historian, and a huge hero for many people around the world still today, including Alan.
Alan the wandering minstrel