This page may appear unrelated to our six month trip away, but Trevor and I discussed how an important aspect of this trip was the opportunity to reflect on the past and make loose plans for the future.
I've had the chance to read only a few books while we've been away. One of them has been 'Sing You Home' by Jodi Picoult. As you can summise from the title, music is a major theme in the book. One of the characters chooses the ten albums or artists who have shaped her life.
I've been reflecting on this in relation to my own life, and here is my list. I've included songs in the list that are particularly notable to me.
I wonder if you were in my life at a time when one or more of these artists featured?
What would be on your list?
As with most of my lists, these are not in any particular order...
1. Frank Sinatra - "Fly Me To The Moon"
- "The Girl From Ipanema"
- "The Way You Look Tonight"
2. Billy Joel - "Piano Man"
- "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant"
- "We Didn't Start The Fire"
3. Simon and Garfunkel - "America"
- "The Boxer"
- "Cecilia"
4. Paul Simon (as a solo artist) - "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes"
- "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover"
- "Late In The Evening"
- "You Can Call Me Al"
5. Queen - "Bohemian Rhapsody"
- "Fat Bottomed Girls"
- "Bicycle"
6. Van Morrison - "Moondance"
- "Tupelo Honey" from his Live in San Francisco album
7. The Whitlams - "No Aphrodisiac"
- "Hamburgers"
8. 'Riding With the King' album - BB King and Eric Clapton. This would have to be my favourite album of all time.
9. Paul Kelly - "Making Gravy"
- I find Paul Kelly to be the most accessible artist: I just love listening to the stories
of his songs.
10. Cold Chisel - I came to love this music in my 30s. The piano of Don Walker, the vocals of Jimmy and Ian as well as the drums of Steve Pres (as Max used to call him) and bass of Phil Small just combine so beautifully together. I struggle to list my favourite songs ....
- 'Lovelight' was written by the recently deceased Steve Prestwich and is incredible.
- 'When The War Is Over' gets a predictable but well deserved mention. It was also one of Steve Pres' songs...
11. Sweet Blue Midnights - Liz Sanderson on vocals, Kenny Stringer on guitar. Just brilliant. I've watched this band many times live - at the Regal, at the Swanbourne, at UWA, in Margaret River...
- "The Thrill Has Gone" - I know it's a cover but wow it's good!
12. Kate Ceberano - a glorious, distinctive voice. She has performed and recorded so widely.
- "Kate Ceberano and Her Septet" was a really early recording with her brother Phil. Great stuff!
- "You've Always Got the Blues" - sung with Wendy Mathews was the soundtrack to an ABC tv series. I love this song!
I could go on and on.... Some that missed the list (but only just) were U2, James Morrison (the trumpeter, not the guy who features on Triple JJJ), Crowded House, Missy Higgins, Dire Straits, Hunters and Collectors (particularly "Throw Your Arms Around Me").
What a fantastic list of musicians!