It's been a while...

[Redundant]

...and my apologies for that, still unemployed [since May] and not really enjoying the process, apparently sixty is the new "sod off you're too old".

So I was reading stuff, news mainly and I saw Rick Parfitt was quitting Status Quo, which got me thinking about music so I switched to Winamp [best music software...ever!].   I have fifty-nine genres of music and apparently there's a load more I don't have, who knew?   Anyway Status Quo equals nostalgia, so after the genre A Capella there's Acoustic and I had a browse for some oldies, but limited myself to songs that had some meaning to me personally.   Fear not, or gloat not, there will be no revealing or deadly boring stories, just some songs I remember fondly.

First up I found Colin Blunstone who had a big hit in 1972 with the song "I don't believe in Miracles" which I also love, but this track is the one with the memory attached and it's "Say you don't mind", also released in 1972:

https://youtu.be/FnmSKPU1zf8

Next up...Cat Stevens.   In 1971 Cat Stevens released the album "Teaser and the Firecat" which included the hits "Morning has Broken", "Moonshadow" and "Peace Train".   For me the memorable track on that album will always be "Rubylove"...

https://youtu.be/fIRMpn5DA2Q

Have you noticed an early seventies theme?   I just did and I suspect that the reason may well be that 1970 - 1973 were in many ways some of my best, I had a bedsit to call home, had a job, some of the best mates a man could ask for and for some reason women found me attractive...   This guy was my intellectual hero, although being aged 14 - 16 then I didn't exactly have a huge intellect, but I didn't need one, girls were kissing me, I was busy.  In 1973 Clifford T Ward released the album "Home Thoughts", a truly classic album which not only included the hit "Gaye" but also tremendous tracks such as "Wherewithal" "Where would that leave me" and this one "Home thoughts from abroad".

https://youtu.be/akKVtGUsbbY

1971 saw the release of Don McLean's album "American Pie", again an awesome album and a lot of memories, but the year before he released the album "Tapestry".  Don McLean wrote some of the most amazing lyrics, true stories rather than 'just' songs.   Here's a favourite "General Store", with a bitter twist so stay until the end:

https://youtu.be/LCsx3CmKFDo

Last one for now, and it's a classic, although the song itself was released in 1971 the memory it evokes is much, much older.   Gordon Lightfoot and "If you could read my mind"...

https://youtu.be/Ilybv2ZKOto

...and continue...
 

[Diane CBPFC]

You have similar taste in music to my hubby. He sings along with the songs and sometimes just sings them in the car without the radio to back him up.

[Redundant]

You have similar taste in music to my hubby. He sings along with the songs and sometimes just sings them in the car without the radio to back him up.

Well they say everyone has a dark side, you can tell your husband his is living in the Isle of Man, playing the same excellent music 

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Marvellous songs, all, Red. Not heard the disturbing Don McLean one before, but remember the other three well, and particularly love 'Home Thoughts From Abroad'. Thank you.

[Redundant]

Thanks Tarqs.   For me Don McLean's first two albums [that I know of] were his very best, Tapestry and American Pie, and there is such a wealth of clever lyrics contained in those two albums.   General Store is a disturbing song, particularly when heard for the first time.   It comes to mind frequently enough, and I suspect this time around was because of the American Presidential election, where it seems to me they are entering into some dark places.  Once I would have thought it impossible for someone like Donald Trump to become the President and I am dismayed that his campaign has even reached this far.

For the rest, there's been enough time and tides for the memories evoked to be pleasant ones, even the bittersweet.