There
seems recently to have been some nostalgia about Radio Caroline, and
the freedom it has brought for the young to enjoy their kind of
music.
However,
I feel sure that I speak for many of an earlier
generation, in reflecting nostalgia of a different kind.... the
progressive loss of their kind of
music. Before the advent of Radio One, we had a
wonderful diversity of music in the Home, Light and Third
programmes of the BBC. Music throughout the day
would satisfy everyone's taste from symphony concerts to "Music
While You Work". There were so many bands, orchestras and
instrumental groups, all with their own distinctive
sounds. Today, we have mainly
disc jockeys playing pop CDs.
Now,
to cut a long story short, somehow or other, I developed a flair
for composing music in the syles that I had reviously enjoyed, and
built up a collection of keyboard recordings. With no
commercial market for these styles, and having rejected various
forms of self publishing, I have more recently seen the internet as a
possiblity, and opened a website to provide free downloading of
about fifty original melodies and songs.
The
point of all this is that I cannot be unique, and there must be many
others of my generation, more able than me, to put a few
notes together to make a tune. Perhaps we could unite in
some way, to show a pop dominated music industry that we can
well do without it, after more than forty years of neglecting
us. It is surprising what professionally sounding recordings can
be made with comparatively modest equipment. The further task of
setting up a website is fairly simple using a basic domestic
computer.
It is
all perfectly legal, provided the work is your own, you have
retained its copyright, and given permission for its use. It
will not make any money of course, but will give the satisfaction of
sharing your pleasure with others. There could
be something to be said for: "music from the heart - not
the purse".
A further suggestion might be a
"Silver Songwriters" competition. Over sixties only; no
entrance fee; no prizes. Let's do it just for fun! You
never no - it might produce a "hit"!
Anyone
wishing to support, or join in this kind of activity is welcome
to contact me at:-