Day 447: Alabama, Neil Young
So this is one of Neil’s protest songs against the USA southern state racism. This song would lead Lynyrd Skynyrd to decry Young name in his most famous song Sweet Home Alabama (see tomorrow’s post).
1972
Day 414: Heart of Gold, Neil Young
To open week 60, I shall start with probably one of the most famous Neil Young songs of his very large repertoire which is Heart of Gold. This concert was recorded for the BBC all the way back in 1971 when Heart of Gold was just fresh of the press; hence why he says it …
Day 363: Travelin’ Prayer, Billy Joel
Countdown to the year anniversary of Covid Island Discs T -4 The opening song on Billy Joel’s Piano Man album was called Travelin’ Prayer. This is a particularly interesting song musically because it begins with a snare drum and piano and slowly builds with a new musical instrument being added from verse to verse. I …
Day 337: Sylvia’s Mother, Dr Hook
So last week I shared a classic hit from the 70s from the US band Dr Hook. This is another one of their not so well known song that tells an interesting story about a guy who has lost the love of his life, Sylvia. As he argues over the phone with her mother (Mrs …
Day 254: Rocket Man, Elton John
Another song from the piano man, Rocket Man. This is such a great version of this wonderful song when the young Elton John still had his voice. The piano in this video is also just wonderful.
Day 202: Needle and the damage done, Neil Young
Another one from my musical centre. Neil Young music is like an old friend to me. This song is particularly poignant especially since my first job was working in a drug and alcohol unit at Westmead hospital. It was there I began to understand the complexities of drug addiction especially addiction to heroin.
Day 140: Old Man, Neil Young
Love playing this song on my guitar. Remember first seeing this clip back in ’93 when I was sharing a flat in Manchester with a group of university students. Those were the days of video recorders so I recorded the BBC show and held onto the video tape long after my video player died. Finally …
Day 99: American Pie, Don Mclean
I spent some time learning every verse to this song. Again brings back very pleasant memories of lovely holidays at Barrington Guest house (see Covid Island Discs Day 2). This song was now written a long, long time ago.
Day 54 (album cover 9 of 10): You’re so Vain, Carly Simon.
So with the partial release of the UK shutdown the question is when do I bring Covid Island discs to a fitting conclusion? I have decided its end point (my last post) will be on the day that I first am allowed to go swimming again. My guess is that won’t be too far away …
Day 54 (album cover 9 of 10): You’re so Vain, Carly Simon. Read More »