Memories: Part 2

Why do we like to delve into our past? Is it because we are at least partly a product of our memories? Or maybe our memories are an increasing treasure as we get older, and might even in some small way live on in our children's minds long after we die. 

We are at the moment caring for A's aged mother who has been diagnosed with cancer. Her short term memory gets worse but every so often she comes up with a memory of long ago. Memories are certainly of value to her, even if for us we have heard her speak of some of them rather too many times! So I'm not at all sure that any of any of my readers has the least interest in the memories I recall herewith but maybe they will resonate or at least make you chuckle. 

I was about 13 when my parents took me to see the newly released Sound of Music. I became infatuated not only with the music (which has become a part of me) but also with Julie Andrews as Maria - to the point that my father thought it necessary to warn me that it wasn't any good falling in love with a film star. I hadn't thought I had fallen in love, but I bookmarked his words.

My dad's LP record collection was about as limited as my own small pile of CD's. One of his favourites was Mediterranean Moonlight by Frank Chacksfield and this became, along with hymn tunes, my early musical bread and butter: example tracks here and here. This music still haunts me. Lady of Spain I adore you...

My best friend's musical taste was much more refined than mine - I suppose I was less mature and had not yet discovered the sort of music that I would end up loving for the rest of my life. Back then I listened to what might be described as light music. As opposed to "pop" which my parents disapproved of. I remember Cliff Richard's Congratulations when it first came out and feeling ashamed because, though 'pop', I rather liked it. Even to this day I do not allow myself to listen to pop music channels on the radio whether or not I like what is playing (generally I do not but there are exceptions). 

Of this "light music" two songs are still part of the rather limited repertoire of tunes that to this day still go persistently around and around in my head.

Things is a song which was written and recorded by Bobby Darin in 1962 and reached No.2 in the UK. One pertinent line goes Memories are all I have to cling to.

The other is For all we know, this may only be a dream. We come and go like a ripple on a stream. So love me tonight - Tomorrow was made for some - Tomorrow may never come - For all we know, which was written before my time but was performed here by Bobby Vinton in 1970. I found the analogy of a ripple very evocative.

These songs are all mixed up in my memories with my adolescent discovering an attraction to the opposite sex: puppy love I suppose, but at the time it was heart rending. 

I am almost ashamed that I had such shallow musical tastes and I guess my recent "music appreciation" classes that I have given to four youngsters in our community have been my attempt to make sure they at least have the opportunity to hear some genuine music. Whether or not they like it! Although I doubt if my attempt will be wholly successful.

But then by accident I discovered Bruckner and all of a sudden I started to grow up.