Aftertones

Of all the rabbit holes I have gone down during this time of isolation and strangeness, music has been perhaps the most fruitful. I had set up my hectic life in a way that precluded a great deal of “listening for pleasure.” I was either busily screening VBS songs I could teach the young kids to sing in church, or selecting the meditative tunes to play as background for my Advent Prayer Center, or choosing the Contemporary Christian numbers that would work well for the Confirmation and Mission Trip videos. I might attend a classical concert and fall in love with this or that concerto or chamber work, only to let it quickly fade from my memory. I was often overwhelmed by the tsunami of choices, so would end up in paralysis, listening to nothing at all.

But now, experiencing live music only an option when Sheridan and Ya-Jhu play at home, I am learning to appreciate the choices I still have, thanks to the internet. Evan is a reliable curator of interesting electronic music, and I take full advantage of the legwork (earwork?) that goes into his thoughtful selections. Sher challenges me regularly to recall classical music I have enjoyed (this morning he had me hum my favorite movements of Brahms’ symphonies).

It was, however, a passing remark of Julie’s last night that swept me right back to my youth. She inquired about a lyric to Gilbert O’Sullivan’s sweet little song “Clair,” and suddenly I was a teen again, lying on my bed in Atlanta, listening to “Alone Again (Naturally)” and many of his other hits. One musical memory led to another, and today I’ve been rediscovering albums like “Close to the Edge” by Yes, Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”, Carole King’s “Tapestry” and James Taylor’s “Sweet Baby James.”

Steve is a staunch proponent of the music of HIS younger years, and the mellifluous sounds of the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary echo through the house frequently (often played by Stevo himself on guitar). My kids know “Charlie and the MTA” and “Golden Vanity.” So why have I so rarely played the oh-so-special tunes of MY past? On Family Feud, would they even be able to name a single favorite of 15 year old Elise?

That’s a shame, because popular music was so very important to me then. There was a melody for my every mood--many of them melancholy (as I was prone to be). And they still pack quite an emotional punch. Why, just a few minutes ago I played Janis Ian’s “Aftertones” for the first time in decades, and it brought me to tears.

I know that Oasis and Weezer albums spark similar recollections for my offspring;  every era has its anthems. I hope they carve out moments to listen and remember. It takes time to make memories, but it also takes time to solidify those memories. This afternoon, I have an unexpected gift: free time. How will I spend it? Listen…

"Aftertones"--Janis Ian