Tonight, I am just reminiscing about the music that I heard emanating from university dorm rooms in the 1960s/early 1970s. Carole King was a big hit at the time, and I remember that someone had a Beatles record and had been told that if they played it backwards, there would be a hidden message revealed about someone getting killed. I never did hear the upshot on that rumor, nor did I figure out how anyone could play a record backwards. Of course, probably most “kids” today have never even seen a black vinyl record that fits into a machine to be played. How archaic! I’m really giving away my age.
I recall that Joan Baez and Bob Dylan were popular. For more hard core rockers, like my brother, Steve, there was Dave van Ronk and Leadbelly. I wonder if Dave is still above ground. I haven’t heard anything about him or his music, in a long time. I remember going down to Brandeis University, with a friend of mine, to hear a Judy Collins concert. She sang so beautifully! “Send in the Clowns.”
James Taylor was always a favorite of mine. I used to sing his song, “Sweet Baby James,” while rocking my own “Sweet Baby James,” in California. Only recently did I learn that James Taylor’s nephew was named, “James” because of him, as a tribute. My James was named for an Irish ancestor named James, and has a middle name of Patrick, named after another Irishman in the family, named “Patrick.” Names are funny that way. People are named for other people, as if they can’t just have their own name. Of course, in the 1950s, people were more apt to be named for saints, at least in my religion of upbringing. Technically, my patron saint is St. Patrick, since there is no St. Patricia. I know that I won’t personally close the gender gap on that issue!
I am straining my brain to think of what other music was popular during college days. Of course, the music faculty at the university would perform their concerts, which were always fun. I particularly enjoyed a piano concert by Dr. Steele. He played “Clair de Lune” and other classical tunes that I enjoyed. There was a reception, after the concert, and in going through the line, I thanked him and congratulated him. Apparently, that was not the thing to do. He asked me who I thought I was. Why, I was not even a music major and he’d never seen me before, and who was I to judge the quality of his playing … and … yes, I was sorry I had said anything to him. Some people are so touchy. I felt very awkward – one of those strange moments one does not forget. Now, he is busy “de-composing.” Sorry, that’s an old joke and perhaps not as funny as when I first heard it.
What I remember the most about voices, in that time period, is the role call of the names of those who died in Vietnam. One name right after the other. Students took turns at this candlelight vigil, naming names, in front of Thompson Hall.
The other voice I hear, in my mind, from the early 1970s is Elton John. It’s funny, whenever I see any of these performers I have mentioned, on television, now, I am amazed that they have aged. I don’t know why. I guess I have a certain image of all of them, in my head, and yet, they were older than me when I first knew of them, and for heaven’s sake, I am a grandmother! Nonetheless, their music is timeless, and music outlives all of us because it is written down, and it is recorded.
I like to take these kinds of little journeys into the past, every now and then. As you can see, good memories mix with something-to-be-desired memories. People are people. They are funny, smart, entertaining, stupid (or to be nice, “challenged”). They are insightful … or haven’t a clue, they are self-seeking, they are humble, they are knowledgeable or have much to learn. People are affectionate, aloof, disinterested, self-absorbed, or have a devil-may-care attitude. They are your best friend, your worst enemy, or your estranged relative. We are all here for a reason and we never know how, or if, we impact each other, but since none of us live in a vacuum, it is hard not to have some effect on others. People are religious or cynical; and they can be generous or mean-spirited. We are, above all, human. Music transcends our humanity and lifts us for a moment to another realm of personal expression and joy. When one is singing, it is easy to forget the pettiness of people, and just concentrate on the words and the notes. I love music and it’s so much fun to think of the popular music of my college years, especially the songs I learned in Spain, many of which are can be found on our website.
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
