Chenier, Young and 'The Boss'...

Around this time of year, Scrobs recalls a few things which happened, and what happened later! This post seems a bit miserable, but there's no reason for it, other than I've learned something interesting - again, and maybe it's all linked! In fact, things are also pretty positive around now, with February becoming the new March, thanks to some kid whose parents told her to tell the world (I haven't stolen your childhood dear, your problem to get over is to understand real grown-ups), and plants, flowers and greenery start to re-appear!

The other evening, I was tootling around on YouTube, as a fireside malt and a pair of earphones is rather a pleasant occupation about then, and for no other reason, I watched the excerpt from the flick 'Philadelphia', where Tom and Denzel get together to discuss a few things...

It's an incredibly powerful scene, and part of a learning curve for Scrobs, as he was watching the film with daughters at the time it came out, and hearing their views on Aids as well, which was enlightening.

So, while listening to Maria Callas, I checked the 'comments', and someone had said that he wondered if anyone had ever heard anything about 'Andre Chenier', before the film made it popular. My first thought was 'pompous arse', but then thought again, and realised that yup, I had never heard of that particular opera, so a further few clicks were necessary, and then a whole lot of memories just tumbled out, such that the tincture glass needed a refill of some proportions.

The original theme of 'Streets of Philadelphia' by Bruce Springsteen is all-time favourite, mainly because I reckon such a simple but powerful opening drum and synth - C to Emin - combination 

shows real class... 

I was once coming off the M2, on the slip road up to Brenley Corner, to get to Canterbury, and when this theme started, in a few moments, I suddenly realised that as my mum was so lost in the arms of Alzheimer's, I'd never be able to talk to her again! It wasn't a happy thought; the rest of the journey down to the city was pretty miserable, but she was in safe hands and there you go!

The final scene of the film has Neil Young doing what he does best, and this song is also just as heartbreaking...

So there we are, Scrobs now on a third Glenlivet, (large), and still thinking about the 'comment' on Andre Chenier! Why not go the whole hog then!

Hellfire!

Just watch this final scene from Umberto Giordano's opera, and feel, like I did, that it really is time to come down from the ceiling!   

I'm glad that I saw all this at the same time. Thank you 'Commenter'! 

I'm also glad that it wasn't a Tuesday or a Wednesday, when Scrobs forsakes all things tincture, to help a past weekend recovery, and look forward to a new one!