Track of the Day

Leaving Me Behind - Nick Drake (a rarity not on the studio albums)

Reminds me of this photo I just bought a print of - Nick Drake moving at a different pace from the day-to-day world, not quite of it - which in turn reminds me of my friend Steve who was also not cut out for this world - greetings Steve (and while I'm at it Ian Harris whose birthday has just passed) - miss you both...

The world humes on at its breakneck pace
People fly in their life-long race
For them there's a future to find
But I think they're leaving me behind.

The chances they come, but the chances have been lost
Success can be gained, but at too great a cost
For some there's a future to find
But I think they're leaving me behind.

Uncanny, you wonder whether he had this picture (by Keith Morris from Five Leaves Left) in mind.

Solid Air

Wending my merry way home from the Albert Hall and a very special performance by John Martyn - the whole of the Solid Air album, plus a few other beautiful songs.



He opened with Cooltide, a tune I really love and which is welded for me to sunset on the Nile - i took it with me on a leisurely cruise up the nile to Aswan with my mum, mr first experience of Africa.



The highlight of Solid Air was the outstanding Don't Want to Know. The man is not only a master of lyrics of great simplicity and substance, but he also has a vocal and instrumental styling which is entirely unique.



And as for the song Solid Air, it's difficult to listen to without thinking of Nick Drake and what a contrast - Nick frozen in eternal youth and John battling on bravely through the wear and tear of aging. And then you think of those Romantic curls on the cover of London Conversation. What a long and winding road...