1. First song heard
It was back in 1973, on my first holiday away from my parents, at a holiday centre in North Wales. One of the cleaners there had recently been discharged from a mental hospital after spending a year for the crime(such was the punishment in those days) of taking some drugs. She had this record of a Canadian singer-songwriter-IYCRMM, which she found very helpful in contemplating her situation. The cover was reflective and thoughtful, but when I heard the record I was taken aback by the voice-mellow and noble. I put this to the back of my mind until I was able to buy records of my own.
3. First record.
After a few years of dabbling with the seventies supergroups like Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd, I heard Daylight Katy and Endless Wire on the radio. I had to get a copy as it took me back to the 1973 encounter(note timelag), and things haven't been the same since! Basically I worked forward and backward from that point in his work so that I have nearly got everything. I can now appreciate that this LP marked a major change in his work.
2. First and only concert.
This was in Birmingham, England in 1981. I had just got my first job and was about to leave home. I went to the concert with my parents who weren't exactly fans but went along for the entertainment and to keep me company. My father particularly enjoyed the evening and I bought him one of the greatest hits LPs for his birthday the following month. He was really getting into the music at that point, but sadly died shortly afterwards. I took possession of the LP after that and often think as I play it of what might have been had he lived. As for the concert, as I recall it was perfect, although relatively quiet after all the supergroups. Little did I realise then the major changes that were to happen over the next few months, and how it was a turning point in my life.
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As cool as the breeze on the last days of April
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