“If music be the food of love, play on;” from Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare.
“Music was my first love and it will be my last…” John Miles.
Throughout my life music has always been there, in various forms, and always been important. I grew up with my mother’s radio, or maybe I should call it ‘the wireless’ and I think we listened to ‘The Light Programme’. I still have my mother’s records, the singles and LPs that we spent many hours singing and dancing to in my childhood and our pubs always had the sounds of the jukebox filtering upstairs, or someone belting out a tune on a piano. My love of piano music remains. I don’t play very much now as poor sight comes between me and the sheet music, but it’s nice to have the occasional plonk about when there’s no one to hear. A familiar song or piece of music can transport me to times past in a second and fill me with joy and remind me of how far I’ve come.
I love lots of music, not just symphonic or progressive rock. Live music is the best but I won’t bore you with all of the concerts I’ve been to. Music soothes the soul, calms the spirit, or makes us want to dance, so what I might listen to depends on what suits at any given time. Rolling Stones, Oasis, The Smiths, Mozart, Chopin, Prokofiev (especially Troika), gospel choirs, Gregory Porter, Simply Red and many more are amongst my favourites. When they were living with us, I enjoyed listening to my son playing guitar or bass; and my daughter’s wonderful singing, both of them talented. They entertain their own families now.
If you know me personally, or through my blogs, you might have noticed me mention that the music of The Moody Blues is the main soundtrack to my life. This month I have had their album ‘December’ permanently on the CD player. The track ‘December Snow’ has a wonderful piano solo in the middle and I really wish I could play that myself. I’ve lost count of how many MBs concerts I’ve attended over the years, many tours, many cities, each one a breath-taking experience. Those days are gone, the band is depleted and I’m glad I was able to be there at the time. I look forward to seeing John Lodge again, on his solo tour next year.
Here’s an old poem of mine, an attempt at capturing the essence of a magical Moody Blues concert,
The Concert.
The lights are lowered, silence fills the arena
As the minstrels move through darkness on to the stage.
This is the moment, breathless anticipation,
Travelling eternity road has been an age.
Then a flute’s haunting melody rises above
Twin guitar riffs to take lead of the symphony.
Slow, bass drum, and applause reaches a crescendo,
Orchestral rock and voices singing harmony.
On the threshold of ecstasy, keeping the faith,
We’ve made this pilgrimage so many times before,
To be rewarded with autographs and handshakes
After waiting patiently outside the stage door.
PMW 2010
Very best wishes for 2025. May your dreams come true.
Thanks for reading, Pam x
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