09 Feb 2012

Looking for a playlist the other day, mixed with watching High Fidelity, again, I found a round of Name That Tune I had done for my birthday a few years back. An autobiographical playlist is way easier than reorganizing my records that way, not to mention it’s way easier to share a song at a time. The goal here is to get through all 40 songs before my birthday, March 7th. I did do some narrative between songs when I did this round of Name That Tune two years ago and I’ll try to recreate those points as best I can. I’m going to dedicate this first post in the series to my folks. Thanks for having such great taste in music!

Birth!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm0nopK1BQM
Three of the greatest things in the world happened in 1977. First, Fleetwood Mac‘s Rumours came out. I remember being around 20 years old and reading somewhere that it was one of the best albums of all time. I picked it up on a whim, mostly because it was in the 2 for 20 bin at HMV, or something like that anyway. As soon as I put it on I realized I knew almost every track. I had recently moved to Guelph so I had to give my parents a call to see if they played it a lot. Apparently I could hum/sing the words to the whole album, before I could actually talk properly. In 1977/78 it was the go to album whenever there was a gathering. I still love this album now, having traded in my CD for vinyl. It’s one of the three albums I listen to, by myself at 3am, on my actual birthday. I have a special, discontinued, bottle of scotch that I only drink at this time. It’s been my ritual for the last 8 years or so. I’m almost out of scotch. I’d be willing to try this one. Hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMOhsvhF4Jw&feature=fvst
Of course the second best thing that happened to 1977 was STAR WARS. Nobody really knew what it was and nothing had ever been done like it before. I’m lucky enough to have seen the film in it’s original glory, when it was re-released with Empire as a double header, before the explosions had giant rings, Jabba was C.G.I., and before DarthVader/Anakin Skywalker was a whiny little twerp!

The last thing that happened in 1977 that was awesome? I was born!

My First Concert

In 1982, at the tender age of five, my parents decided that it was time to take me to my first concert. Actually, I’m pretty sure they didn’t have a choice. My Mom’s cousin, my second cousin I think, is Skip Prokop of Lighthouse. Meaning that all of my Aunt’s & Uncle’s, also known as babysitters, would also be attending their triumphant return to the stage. I know the show was at the old Ontario Place Forum, I know the stage spun around the whole show, and I know that the bass made me have to pee a lot. Uncle Skip is still touring with Lighthouse and making new music with his new band Mercy Train.

For My Folks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k3JVfxluFU
The Autobiographical playlist also included a song each for my folks. For Dad, I picked Supertramp. They were one of his favourite bands when I was a kid. For Mom, it was a little more difficult. I don’t remember her being ‘attached’ to any one artist or band. We lived in a town of 400 people (Kirkfield, ON) and had limited access to radio and TV. I do remember this next song being played often. I’m not sure if it was just constantly on the radio or if there was a copy kicking around the house. I just remember it then, and still know all the words now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9abYzI9ycjk

Next Time, On If My Life Was A Musical…
My first concert disappointment, My first records and memories of the Grandparents player piano.

Read it here!