Pentangle - Lord Franklin

There are many times where music compelled me to investigate further into topics, history, or places. In rare cases, however, something I read led me to the music. Such was the case of Lord Franklin and his search of the Northwest Passage which I first encountered in Sten Nadolny's novel 'The Discovery of Slowness' (original German title: Die Entdeckung der Langsamkeit). The recent rediscovery of the HMS Terror has reminded me of the ballad 'Lord Franklin' aka 'Lady Franklin's Lament' which recalls the loss of the expedition ...

Lord Franklin
Pentangle, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn

It was homeward bound one night on the deep
Swinging in my hammock I fell asleep
I dreamed a dream and I thought it true
Concerning Franklin and his gallant crew

Tracy Chapman - Mountains O' Things

I love listening to Tracy Chapman's songs, the intensity of her presentation and the rawness of her voice. And not to forget the lyrics which are worth to listen to carefully. Mountains o' Things was included in her debut album which was released more than 25 years ago ... and in all that time I've not grown tired of listening to it ~

Mountains o’ Things
Tracy Chapman

The life I've always wanted
I guess I'll never have
I'll be working for somebody else
Until I'm in my grave
I'll be dreaming of a live of ease
And mountains Oh mountains o' things

Daughtry - September

If a month can herald autumn it has to be September, and the month always brings to mind the song 'September' by Daughtry ...

In the middle of September we'd still play out in the rain
Nothing to lose but everything to gain ~

September
Daughtry

How the time passed away, all the trouble that we gave
And all those days we spent out by the lake

Nicole Scherzinger - Memory

As much as I love musicals, there are some that I will not attempt to view in a live performance. The likes of 'Cats' composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber for example. When listening to 'Memory' -an absolutely beautiful song, I think- I rarely make it to the line 

Touch me ... 

before my eyes dissolve ... Among the many great renditions of the song, Nicole Scherzinger's interpretation is one my favorites -

Memory
Cats

Midnight
Not a sound from the pavement
Has the moon lost her memory?
She is smiling alone

Tina Turner / Sting - On Silent Wings

If there's a mention of 'wings' or 'flying' my ears tune in - happens all ... the ... time!

Of course the song 'On Silent Wings', performed by Tina Turner and Sting and released in 1996, has nothing to do with flying but rather with the slow demise of a relationship. Amazingly, this song conveys a quiet acceptance of the changes brought on by time - and even a sense of peace ... At least that's my take - feel free to disagree ...

On Silent Wings
Tina Turner, Sting

There was a time when I would have followed you
To the end of the earth
I was willing to share it all with you, the love, the hurt

Maurice Causey / Mikhail Karikis - Ominous Rumblings of Discontent

From the YouTube files of Maurice Causey ...

Choreographer: Maurice Causey
Music/Original Composition: Mikhail Karikis
Costumes: Marlowe Bassett
Company C Ballet

Joan Baez - Diamonds and Rust

"Well I'll be damned ..." indeed!

To me, 'Diamonds and Rust' by Joan Baez is one of those songs that does not sound its age, and the unmistakable voice of Joan Baez is one that doesn't grow old. Of course to me it has little to do with Bob Dylan -the one Joan Baez talks about in her song - but rather with the incredible chance which had me hear this song on the radio after a similar "here comes your ghost again ... you happened to call" moment ...

Diamonds and Rust
Joan Baez

Well I'll be damned
Here comes your ghost again
But that's not unusual
It's just that the moon is full
And you happened to call
And here I sit
Hand on the telephone
Hearing a voice I'd known
A couple of light years ago
Heading straight for a fall