The Magic of Music
This essay, originally written in February 2019, recently reminded me of the night it was written. I had been out with friends and had spent the evening immersed in the sounds of local musicians performing their original creations. I remember being carried by their energy, moved by their talent, and struck by the bravery it must take to stand on a stage and give a piece of yourself to an audience — to be celebrated, enjoyed, and inevitably judged. When I got home I couldn't sleep - this is what I wrote.
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato
I am a Melophile - I love music! It is my constant companion and, be it vocal or instrumental, often serves to inspire, delight and move me. Like all the arts, Music is subjective - what inspires me may not inspire you, what moves you may not move me. It is as individual as you or I. Amongst other factors, our musical tastes are formed by our experiences of life and our exposure to different genres. Our response to music often depends on our mood or our surroundings. A good melody, a strong beat and well chosen chords can evoke memories, soothe and excite, it can chase away a black mood and always adds extra oomph to a party or gathering of friends.
My blog is not going to focus on those great bands that many consider should have a place within the Musical Canon - this too is subjective! Many have discussed the work of classical musicians such as Stanford, Mozart or Beethoven. Others have declared their love of the Beatles and discussed at great length their experimental use of instruments and their innovative lyrics. Critics have commented on the performances of the late great Freddie Mercury and Queen and extolled the virtues and versatility of David Bowie or the legacy left by singers such as Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Michael Jackson and Nina Simone. This blog is about the music that has moved me, my own personal compilation, the soundtracks of my life so far - perhaps you have a soundtrack too?
Putting aside the music of St Winifrid's school choir or the album Captain Beaky and his Band, my first memories of liking music came in the form of a group of teddy boys called Showaddywaddy. I loved their bright suits and shaggy hair, the rhythm of their music and the way they seemed to love what they were doing. I remember, my godmother had a request played on the radio for me during a birthday party. I will never forget that party or the kudos I got from my little friends as we all heard my name come through the big speakers high on the wall of the living room. It was a magical moment as "Under The Moon of Love" was played just for the six year old me! I particularly loved the part of the song where, Antiguan born Romeo Challenger sang "C'mon little darling take my hand". Though Challenger was the percussionist/drummer in the band, a number of Showaddywaddy's songs were punctuated by his deep velvety tones this is my earliest memory of ever being affected by a musical vocal.
The music of the 1970's was a staple in my young life. Mum always had Radio 1 playing and the voices of Terry Wogan, Tony Blackburn, Jimmy Young, were all features of my formative years, they helped to raise me and influenced my taste in music. However, it wasn't until the early 80's that I really felt a connection to music. This connection came in the form of Punk/Pop Princess, Toyah Wilcox. I loved everything about her. For me, the way she moved, the way she dressed to the way she wore her hair went against everything convention I had ever known and I wanted to be her! Her music was like nothing I had ever heard, it was imaginative and wacky, at times it was weird and when I listened to it, I was transported to a far off world. It appealed to my soul, to my imagination and to my need for freedom. The song "I wanna be free" first led me to buy the album "Anthem" and I saved my money for weeks before I walked into Malcolm's Music Land and stood nervously in the queue clutching this prized possession in my hands. "I wanna be free" spoke to the 11 year old me in a way that no other lyric had ever done. The words "(I'm bored),I don't want to go to school, Don't want to be nobody's fool, I want to be me, I want to be me,I don't want to be sweet and neat, I don't want someone living my life for me, I want to be free..... " epitomised the way I felt at the time and this album remains one of my all time favourites.
Of course the music of the 80s, especially the early part, remains in my psyche. As a red-blooded teenage girl the delights of bands, such as Madness, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Tears for Fears and the likes, were not lost on me. No female of my generation remained unmoved by the sight of George Michael and Andrew Ridgely cavorting round on the stage wearing leather jackets and faded jeans during their 'Bad Boys' days or with golden suntans and white shorts during the 'Choose life/Wake me Up before you Go go" days. The boys from Wham - aah I remember them fondly! Conversely, I was a fan of heavy metal during this period, thanks mostly to Tommy Vance and his Friday rock show, and also to the influence of my first boyfriend. Therefore groups like Iron Maiden, Motorhead, ACDC and Led Zepplin also hold a special place in my heart. Iron Maiden's album "The Number of the Beast" with it's energy and anarchy really fired my senses and their mascot Eddie brought an element of the macabre and darkness to their image which I love to this day.
It was not until 1986 that I, once again, felt a resonance with an artist's work. This came in the unlikely personage of Chris De Burgh. It was the song "Lady in Red" which brought his music to my attention, however, that song does not figure amongst my favourites. By the time Lady in Red made it to number 1, Chris De Burgh had released several albums and, in my opinion, had done some of his best work. Far Beyond These Castle Walls (1974), Spanish Train and Other Stories (1975), At The End of A Perfect Day (1977), Eastern Wind (1980) and (my favourite) Man on the Line (1984) were all great albums, which told stories about the Crusades, God and the Devil, the Cold War and even a Stripper. Some songs held a very personal message for me. I remember being particularly incensed by a newspaper story which reported that Chris Rea had described Chris De Burgh' music as "chocolate box" music and I remember commenting indignantly on Rea's ignorance and using the phrase "pot calling the kettle black", after all hadn't he released songs such as "Josephine", "Fool If You Think it's over" and "Stainsby Girls. I liked Chris Rea too but this was just too much!
Whilst the 1990s saw the rise of Brit Pop and the battle for domination of the genre by Blur and Oasis, the beginning of this decade was almost bereft of musical influence for me. I appreciate the contribution that the likes the Spice Girls, Eminem, Nirvana and others were making to the music industry but it was not until alternative rock, in the form of REM and the album "Automatic for the people" came onto my radar with songs like Shiny Happy People, Sidewinder Sleeps tonight, Nightswimming, Man on The Moon etc, that I was once again moved by music. This time, I can't really tell you why I liked their music, perhaps it was the genius of Michael Stipe, perhaps it was the song "Everybody hurts", I don't really know why - I just did - I still do.
Similarly in the decade 2000-2010, there were musical influences that moved me. The genius of Amy Winehouse will be remembered by many. Her album "Back to Black" was amazing and won high critical acclaim, the wackiness of Lady Gaga and the individuality of Paloma Faith all figured strongly during this period of my life, but somehow they were not enough and, for the first time in my life, I began to explore other genres, Blues, Jazz, Prog Rock, Classical music. It is here that I was persuaded to listen to Pink Floyd and two albums which changed my thoughts on music forever. "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish you were here". I still just cannot get enough of these two albums! Though I had obviously been aware of the group, no-one growing up during the 70s and 80s could have avoided the massively successful "Another brick in the Wall"(1979) or songs such as "Money", "Time" or "See Emily Play" but somehow "Wish you were here", "The Great Gig in the Sky" and "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" had passed me by. From Pink Floyd, I was then introduced to The Velvet Underground, The Grateful Dead and even to the work of Nick Cave, whose lyrical genius cannot be denied! Oh and by the way, if you ever get the chance to go and see Caro Emerald - do it. She is amazing live. She is generous both to her audience and to the musicians in her band who, on the two occasions, I have seen them have been absolutely incredible. The variety of instruments that they play beggars believe and you cannot help to be uplifted when you see their obvious joy in what they do. Caro Emerald - do it!
With the advent of technologies, which facilitate greater accessibility, society has at its finger tips every conceivable genre of music. The likes of Bob Marley, the Hollies and Elvis Presley reach out from the past and touch the lives of new generations. A whole new world of music has opened up to us. A world in which you can experience the energy of William Tell's overture or the moodiness of Etta James. A world in which you can access the work of musicians who do not necessarily covert success but who make their own music because they love it and because they can. They may not make the charts, they may never experience world wide success but they will have an impact on those who listen as they cast their spell. Their words will fill a void, their harmonies will lift an ailing spirit, and their music will carry the listener to a better place. To me musicians are magicians and we all need a little magic in our lives.
My blog is not going to focus on those great bands that many consider should have a place within the Musical Canon - this too is subjective! Many have discussed the work of classical musicians such as Stanford, Mozart or Beethoven. Others have declared their love of the Beatles and discussed at great length their experimental use of instruments and their innovative lyrics. Critics have commented on the performances of the late great Freddie Mercury and Queen and extolled the virtues and versatility of David Bowie or the legacy left by singers such as Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Michael Jackson and Nina Simone. This blog is about the music that has moved me, my own personal compilation, the soundtracks of my life so far - perhaps you have a soundtrack too?
Putting aside the music of St Winifrid's school choir or the album Captain Beaky and his Band, my first memories of liking music came in the form of a group of teddy boys called Showaddywaddy. I loved their bright suits and shaggy hair, the rhythm of their music and the way they seemed to love what they were doing. I remember, my godmother had a request played on the radio for me during a birthday party. I will never forget that party or the kudos I got from my little friends as we all heard my name come through the big speakers high on the wall of the living room. It was a magical moment as "Under The Moon of Love" was played just for the six year old me! I particularly loved the part of the song where, Antiguan born Romeo Challenger sang "C'mon little darling take my hand". Though Challenger was the percussionist/drummer in the band, a number of Showaddywaddy's songs were punctuated by his deep velvety tones this is my earliest memory of ever being affected by a musical vocal.
The music of the 1970's was a staple in my young life. Mum always had Radio 1 playing and the voices of Terry Wogan, Tony Blackburn, Jimmy Young, were all features of my formative years, they helped to raise me and influenced my taste in music. However, it wasn't until the early 80's that I really felt a connection to music. This connection came in the form of Punk/Pop Princess, Toyah Wilcox. I loved everything about her. For me, the way she moved, the way she dressed to the way she wore her hair went against everything convention I had ever known and I wanted to be her! Her music was like nothing I had ever heard, it was imaginative and wacky, at times it was weird and when I listened to it, I was transported to a far off world. It appealed to my soul, to my imagination and to my need for freedom. The song "I wanna be free" first led me to buy the album "Anthem" and I saved my money for weeks before I walked into Malcolm's Music Land and stood nervously in the queue clutching this prized possession in my hands. "I wanna be free" spoke to the 11 year old me in a way that no other lyric had ever done. The words "(I'm bored),I don't want to go to school, Don't want to be nobody's fool, I want to be me, I want to be me,I don't want to be sweet and neat, I don't want someone living my life for me, I want to be free..... " epitomised the way I felt at the time and this album remains one of my all time favourites.
Of course the music of the 80s, especially the early part, remains in my psyche. As a red-blooded teenage girl the delights of bands, such as Madness, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Tears for Fears and the likes, were not lost on me. No female of my generation remained unmoved by the sight of George Michael and Andrew Ridgely cavorting round on the stage wearing leather jackets and faded jeans during their 'Bad Boys' days or with golden suntans and white shorts during the 'Choose life/Wake me Up before you Go go" days. The boys from Wham - aah I remember them fondly! Conversely, I was a fan of heavy metal during this period, thanks mostly to Tommy Vance and his Friday rock show, and also to the influence of my first boyfriend. Therefore groups like Iron Maiden, Motorhead, ACDC and Led Zepplin also hold a special place in my heart. Iron Maiden's album "The Number of the Beast" with it's energy and anarchy really fired my senses and their mascot Eddie brought an element of the macabre and darkness to their image which I love to this day.
It was not until 1986 that I, once again, felt a resonance with an artist's work. This came in the unlikely personage of Chris De Burgh. It was the song "Lady in Red" which brought his music to my attention, however, that song does not figure amongst my favourites. By the time Lady in Red made it to number 1, Chris De Burgh had released several albums and, in my opinion, had done some of his best work. Far Beyond These Castle Walls (1974), Spanish Train and Other Stories (1975), At The End of A Perfect Day (1977), Eastern Wind (1980) and (my favourite) Man on the Line (1984) were all great albums, which told stories about the Crusades, God and the Devil, the Cold War and even a Stripper. Some songs held a very personal message for me. I remember being particularly incensed by a newspaper story which reported that Chris Rea had described Chris De Burgh' music as "chocolate box" music and I remember commenting indignantly on Rea's ignorance and using the phrase "pot calling the kettle black", after all hadn't he released songs such as "Josephine", "Fool If You Think it's over" and "Stainsby Girls. I liked Chris Rea too but this was just too much!
Whilst the 1990s saw the rise of Brit Pop and the battle for domination of the genre by Blur and Oasis, the beginning of this decade was almost bereft of musical influence for me. I appreciate the contribution that the likes the Spice Girls, Eminem, Nirvana and others were making to the music industry but it was not until alternative rock, in the form of REM and the album "Automatic for the people" came onto my radar with songs like Shiny Happy People, Sidewinder Sleeps tonight, Nightswimming, Man on The Moon etc, that I was once again moved by music. This time, I can't really tell you why I liked their music, perhaps it was the genius of Michael Stipe, perhaps it was the song "Everybody hurts", I don't really know why - I just did - I still do.
Similarly in the decade 2000-2010, there were musical influences that moved me. The genius of Amy Winehouse will be remembered by many. Her album "Back to Black" was amazing and won high critical acclaim, the wackiness of Lady Gaga and the individuality of Paloma Faith all figured strongly during this period of my life, but somehow they were not enough and, for the first time in my life, I began to explore other genres, Blues, Jazz, Prog Rock, Classical music. It is here that I was persuaded to listen to Pink Floyd and two albums which changed my thoughts on music forever. "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish you were here". I still just cannot get enough of these two albums! Though I had obviously been aware of the group, no-one growing up during the 70s and 80s could have avoided the massively successful "Another brick in the Wall"(1979) or songs such as "Money", "Time" or "See Emily Play" but somehow "Wish you were here", "The Great Gig in the Sky" and "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" had passed me by. From Pink Floyd, I was then introduced to The Velvet Underground, The Grateful Dead and even to the work of Nick Cave, whose lyrical genius cannot be denied! Oh and by the way, if you ever get the chance to go and see Caro Emerald - do it. She is amazing live. She is generous both to her audience and to the musicians in her band who, on the two occasions, I have seen them have been absolutely incredible. The variety of instruments that they play beggars believe and you cannot help to be uplifted when you see their obvious joy in what they do. Caro Emerald - do it!
With the advent of technologies, which facilitate greater accessibility, society has at its finger tips every conceivable genre of music. The likes of Bob Marley, the Hollies and Elvis Presley reach out from the past and touch the lives of new generations. A whole new world of music has opened up to us. A world in which you can experience the energy of William Tell's overture or the moodiness of Etta James. A world in which you can access the work of musicians who do not necessarily covert success but who make their own music because they love it and because they can. They may not make the charts, they may never experience world wide success but they will have an impact on those who listen as they cast their spell. Their words will fill a void, their harmonies will lift an ailing spirit, and their music will carry the listener to a better place. To me musicians are magicians and we all need a little magic in our lives.
"I have come to realise that musicians are singularly blessed. They have the power to relax you, ease your pain, to entertain you, to touch your life, to provoke thought and to change your perspective." EL