Here is song number five of my Desert Island Discs:
Heart Of Gold by Neil Young
Like most people, my early 20's were a lot of fun. It was mostly about friends, drinking and trying new things. But my job was rubbish and I ended up going back to college at age 23 which was a very wise decision, but tough financially at the time. Not being the most outgoing gay man and always a late starter, I was quite lonely at times. I'm not after pity here, lots of guys go through it and I am still here to tell the tale.
After years of thinking about it, I had guitar lessons for a while and was introduced to an even wider choice of music: Elvis Costello, XTC, Richard Thompson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Neil Young, etc. And yes, one of the first songs I learnt was Ralph McTell's 'The Streets Of London' (I can still play it!). At one of the first lessons, I had the challenge of learning the Neil Young song 'The Needle And The Damage Done'. After a while I realised that, I didn't practice enough and it ended up an expensive way to talk about music each week.
I love acoustic based music and I love sitting and noodling with my acoustic guitar. I may not have improved my skills, but I will never tire of sitting playing nothing in particular to see where it goes. There are a few songs in me and one-day they will escape. A true classic is the Neil Young Song, 'Heart Of Gold'. I had been tempted to pick 'Cinnamon Girl', but this is a beautiful track.
After years of thinking about it, I had guitar lessons for a while and was introduced to an even wider choice of music: Elvis Costello, XTC, Richard Thompson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Neil Young, etc. And yes, one of the first songs I learnt was Ralph McTell's 'The Streets Of London' (I can still play it!). At one of the first lessons, I had the challenge of learning the Neil Young song 'The Needle And The Damage Done'. After a while I realised that, I didn't practice enough and it ended up an expensive way to talk about music each week.
I love acoustic based music and I love sitting and noodling with my acoustic guitar. I may not have improved my skills, but I will never tire of sitting playing nothing in particular to see where it goes. There are a few songs in me and one-day they will escape. A true classic is the Neil Young Song, 'Heart Of Gold'. I had been tempted to pick 'Cinnamon Girl', but this is a beautiful track.
Wonderful choice and great background too.
ReplyDeleteSo refreshing to hear a singer who can enunciate his words. No distractions from the song of the "What did he just say?" variety.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that Neil would be so pleased to hear that!
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