In the early morning rain…
You know my recently discovered treasure of music by John Stewart who was with the Kingston Trio in its prime and then had a significant solo career although I missed much of it. I now have five of his albums, spanning his time on his own (although he does harken back to his time with the Trio). Listening to the entirety of my collection, I better understand his dedication to the original three, on that Kingston Trio Reunion Concert of 1981. I could say more, but I suggest you try to locate them yourself… if you have trouble, ask me and I will help you hunt them down. Probably the place to start though is with the Phoenix Concerts back in the mid/late seventies…
He also has an album titled The Last Campaign and it is a tribute to the late Bobby Kennedy upon whose campaign, John worked & sang. I didn’t realize he was a keen supporter of political movements in the late sixties. That led me to watch a special on Knowledge Network (based in BC) about Joan Baez. It is a wonderful look into the life of a key participant in both the integration movement and the anti-Vietnam war era. She also talks about her relationship with Bob Dylan which was brought to mind by watching A Complete Unknown. [note: She says he broke her heart!]
Ironically this in turn caused me to listen to a variety of songs on different CD’s by the group Tamarack. Now I think this group is one of Canada’s greater unknowns – and sadly so, because the music still is contemporary and gives many insights into our own history and geography. While I may be biassed (as my younger brother is a key figure in that group) listening again to the music about the fur trade, the Canadian/American wars, Northern Ontario, Ontario’s cottage country, the Maritimes, the Prairies… it all gave me a restful pause in these troubled times.
While I wish that our politicians would refrain from mentioning POTUS by name, and reduce the opportunities for him to get an even more swelled head, I firmly believe that now is the time to spend more time listening to good music – mostly Canadian but not entirely. Artists everywhere can help restore or re-tool our brains and get us into a more upbeat and pro-active frame of being. Go to your local symphony or a nearby pub where music is playing. Put on some old LP’s or CD’s or maybe listen to some good jazz from whatever station is nearby that plays that stuff. It might not even hurt to tune in occasionally to a solid church service that has a superb choir and lively organ (St. Andrew & St. Paul in Montréal comes immediately to mind).
The key is, for this Tuesday at least, to listen to lots of music and help your brain become vibrant again…
In reflection,
g.w.