I know for me a life without music would be barren indeed. It is one of my greatest blessings that I share my life with a man who appreciates music as much, if not more, than I do. Nothing can raise my spirits more than the sound of his music filling our home, even on those days when it seems to be one of those days where nothing seems to be going as I might wish. Hearing his music as he plays makes my heart swell with pride and yes, thankfulness, that on this day at least he is feeling well enough to once more do what he loves best. Those hands which perform such magic and which so often in recent years bring him such discomfort are once more speaking volumes.

As a child I used to lie in my bed and as sleep eluded me listen to the sounds of music which always seemed to accompany any major event in my parent's lives in those early days. I still remember so vividly how my Mother loved Bing Crosby and Glenn Miller and during those years when my Father was overseas she would often play their music. Perhaps it helped her to bear the loneliness of those interminable three and a half years when he was off fighting a war. Only now do I truly appreciate how difficult those years must have been for her, raising three rambunctious youngsters, the youngest of which she brought into this world months after Daddy had boarded that train which was to carry him on the first leg of the journey which would take him so far away from home and family. I wonder if, as she said her goodbyes, she had any idea just how long that burden would be hers alone. I do recall how  she made us feel so loved throughout those years and how she kept Daddy  so familiar to us even though  to children of our age three and a half years was an eternity in our young lives. Our precious baby sister did not have even a memory to keep him alive in her mind. Her first glimpse of the man she had heard so much about only came as he  stepped down from that train when she was almost three and a half years old.

 As a teenager my tastes changed somewhat but the music from the war years has remained very much among my favourites, even today. I may have preferred Sinatra to Crosby but dancing to Glenn Miller music still can make the years fall away and I am young once more even if only for a few moments.  I do also confess a long time love of country music which was introduced to me during those years as I was growing up which has endured even to today.

  It was during those years that rock and roll arrived as well. I still remember so vividly  my first introduction to Elvis. It was his first television appearance and he was definitely unique. I wasn't really sure what I was seeing but knew that the voice was one which would be around for many years to come. Listening to him sing in the genre he most loved  was a gift to the listener which defies description. Nowhere does the richness of his voice come through as it did when he sang the old hymns or spirituals of his youth.

 I recall so well the shock and horror of the older generation as we embraced this new phenomenon called 'Rock and Roll'. And perhaps I am now  guilty of being as narrow minded when I hear some of what passes for music today, but I think not. Rock and Roll has proven its legitimacy and has endured much as the music of my early years. I do enjoy the work of many of today's artists. Operative word being 'artist'. Shouting, screaming, and illegible lyrics accompanied by profanity and blatant sexual display which makes one feel ill is not music. 

 Fortunately my husband shares many of my musical tastes although he does have a very soft spot for latin music, perhaps because of his love of ballroom dancing.  I recognize that each new era has its own distinct flavour and no where is this reflected more than in music but to allow the music of bygone eras to slip into history  would be to deny future generations the pleasure of music which was such a big part of our lives. I do so hope this resurgence will continue and help to restore an appreciation for music into the lives of our youth.  Does anyone really believe that a rap song or the jarring sound of heavy metal will engender the memories years from now which a soft, lyrical ballad or amazing instrumental  invariably does ?

 OK.. I admit  I am prejudiced and perhaps getting on in years has a part in my thinking but does the noise which so often passes as music today speak as loudly as the old favourites  to you ? The volume may be amplified but the message is muted and words are for the most part  all but lost in the cacophony of sound assaulting instead of soothing the eardrums of the listener. Louder doesn't mean better ... don't take my word for it ...   do yourself a favour and  listen to a few old standards. I am prepared to wager they will speak louder to you than the electronic, over amplified mish mash being promoted as music today.

Throughout the years and the many changes in musical styles always there have been very special  melodies and lyrics which bring back memories of both happy and sad times in my life. Can any of us deny that many times hearing an old familiar song instantly calls to mind a specific time or event in our lives ? The past few years I admit musical styles have not been as pleasing to me.  Perhaps age is catching up with me finally. I confess 'rap' or 'heavy metal' are not in my repertoire of what I call music, but always there are the old standards and favourites to turn to and enjoy. And finally the music industry appears to be realizing that the music of those bygone days is as relevant today as it ever was. Even the youngsters are finding that they do enjoy the music of yesterday. There is a vast storehouse which has only begun to be tapped but the signs are there that  more and more of the music of my youth is experiencing a resurgence. How wonderful that our children may yet have the opportunity to enjoy that which brought so much pleasure to us.

 Music speaks many languages. I do so hope the future of music will be even more multilingual.