soundtrack to an evening in 1976

technically the first day of summer vacation for me and it is gloriously, a morning of muzziness, rain, and fog and with it comes memories flooding from very far away in time. if you, like me, believe that time is something that is only uncompressed by our wish to see it as an arrow with a beginning, a middle and an end of flight then you will appreciate how the autumn of 1976 can be as present in this moment as the moment i lived a year ago or even one minute ago.

in the autumn of 1976 i went to bed one night with a lovely selection of music organized by a friend who (through the wonders of a shop that actually purveyed vinyl from other continents by musicians who were known and yet also not so-well-known in the little town i lived in at that time and to which i have returned) very generously provided a musical journey that has blossomed into my current appreciation of musics from all sources and forms.

so this morning’s selection is coloured by the smell of sandalwood incense, scented candles, and at the time i first heard this i enjoyed white wine above all else so there would almost certainly be the ubiquitous bottle of blue nun present. in my company at that time were nineteen year-old university students from new jersey, vancouver island, and southwestern ontario.

the evening begins with the synthesizer and mellotron driven sounds of tangerine dream's album . . . "rubycon" pt. 1(1)


tangerine dream rubycon pt.1(2)


next up the closing song from vangelis’ album "heaven and hell"
a beautiful majestic yet wistful piece of music sung by the lead singer from “yes” jon anderson - here are the lyrics . . .

once, we did run
how we chased a million stars
and touched as only one can

once, we did play
how the past delivered you
amidst our youth we'd dream away, away

as if i knew the words i'm sure you'll hear
of how we met as you recall so clear

once, we did love
long ago how did i forget
holding you so closely

look, how i move
chance would have me glance at you
to know how you move me, me

all barriers fall around us as we hear
of memories known and matters so long ago, so clear

once, we did run
how we chased a million stars
and touched as only one can

so long ago , so clear . . .


the next track is from the english progressive rock band ”yes”. taken from the album "relayer" which featured among other things the extraordinary and fantasmagorical artwork of roger dean . . .


yes - soon


and to wake the following morning, i recall brian eno’s beautiful and melancholy ”discreet music” in which brian took pachelbel’s canon and enosiffied it by organizing the instruments such that their unique timbre was reflected in the speed with which they played their parts. the result is that bass lines are much slower and violin lines are played a little quicker.
have a listen . . .

and now to enjoy the morning paper, to hoover back some joe, to make breakfast for my children and to listen to the sound of the falling rain . . . . . treats galore!! i’m a lucky boy!!