21 Jan, 2009 MUSIC & SUNLIGHT
“A great record can not only change your mood, it can literally keep you from committing suicide” so wrote someone whom I can only describe as a passionate fan of the power of music.
Leading me to think, l hope that a lot of great records are being released currently and over the months to come then, if only to balm the effects of a world seemingly submerged in all manner of turbulence, and with none of us immune either! (As any random glimpse at most newspapers headlines will breathlessly testify.)
But do I actually agree with that statement about the effect of a great record? Hmmm, I can definitely relate to the idea that certain music has the most fantastic ability to change my inner mood within seconds of me hearing it. Among other reason that is probably why I love it to the extent that I do and let it accompany me as I pass through my experiences. Good and bad, highs and lows, swings and roundabouts.
I am sure we all do the same in relation to our favourite songs. Those songs that comfort us, give us strength, raise our spirits, remind us of better days, special experiences, distant friends, loved ones, memorable occasions etc. As well as those tunes that inform, entrance, entertain, excite, and the list goes on endlessly. That is what great music does and therefore yes, it is possible that when you are even way out there on the brink, it could make you think twice at the idea of “drawing a blanket over it all.” As they enigmatically say in Sicily.
Come to think of it, I am at a loss in terms of recognising what else is comparable to music, in the sense of being able to achieve that same rapid change of emotional state. Apart from the effect of sunlight that is, which of course has an instantaneous way of being able to change my mood for the day. Okay, unlike music it may not get me jumping up or down, swaying from side to side, or even tapping my toes for that matter. But without doubt I have literally felt the “sap rise” in me when, to use a clumsy example, within minutes of leaving the rain sodden airstrip of any given grey city, I without warning find that having passed through the ceiling of black cloud that engulfed the recently departed destination, that I am now miraculously being stroked by sunlight.
I mean, who does not love it when that happens and we all suddenly feel a different energy inside ourselves. The entire cabin seemingly changes ambience completely, and as a result fellow passengers somehow find it much easier within themselves to raise a smile or make a warm gesture etc, as all previous broodiness and formal detachment is seemingly forgotten. Understandably so, given that it is as though within seconds we have travelled through the very seasons – moving from darkness into light. As though time has been condensed even and what we felt was a snapshot version of the effect of spring. Is there a better feeling than the first glint of spring light?
Not too coincidentally we worked on a song for the upcoming album that calls out to that same natural cycle of light . I hope that it comes across as a great record to everyone who spends time with it but for the moment I am enjoying listening to it privately, finding that it serves to it put an arm around me. Will it do the same for you? I hope so!
Great music and sunlight then! Yes, that is what I needed. And I hope there is plenty of both in Washington DC over the upcoming days when a man called Obama will take on the mantle and the pressures that comes with being the next President of the United States Of America. He certainly has his work cut out for him, but in reality, don’t we all in these days?
There is little doubt however that there will a lot of fine music in the city, and in fact I have already heard that that is well taken care of. But even if it is just for the symbolism – as well as some other undefined reasons. I do hope in all my heart that the sun manages to shine strongly at some point during proceedings and with it, the feeling that there is some kind of a new awakening, full of the freshest hope possible as we all in someway go moving into a brand new morning.
Jim Kerr