Sade in concert in San Jose. All concert photos Copyright © 2011 Alexander Chow-Stuart. On Thursday evening, we saw our longtime friend Andrew Hale perform with Sade at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, in one of the most beautifully conceived and produced concert performances I have ever seen. Sade is a rare musician, in that she and the band only write, record and tour every eight to ten years, so that in a very real sense you can measure your life by her. The band's music is always fresh and always newly conceived - for their previous album, Lovers Rock , they stripped everything down musically to a minimalist sound and banished the saxophone that had been so much a part of Sade's heavily soul- and jazz-influenced style. The latest album, Soldier of Love , released in 2010, is one of the most tender, moving collections of songs yet, from the astonishingly beautiful Morning Bird , which features exquisite keyboards from Andrew, to the soulful, retro, return-
Ah... the ever-changing ocean. I visited your site, Alexander, because 25 years ago, as I lay in a bathtub in Dover, where I was preparing to swim the Channel, I came across an article of yours in the Observer about Joe Buffalo and the sea that talked back. It made me cry at the time, your evocation of the innocence and wisdom and fragility of that lovely being. Also, I must surely have been moved by the love you and your partner showed in caring for him during his last days.
ReplyDeleteI clipped your article and kept it in a folder of inspiring stories which I only recently unearthed after long years in the archives. Going through it now, I re-read the article. Just before I put it in the recycling box, I thought I'd drop you a line to say thanks. I'm happy your life has been blessed by more children and I wish them and you, good health and happiness.
David F.
Dear David, thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts and for remembering Joe Buffalo, Ann and me - and that Observer article - after all this time. I greatly appreciate your thinking of me and making the effort to comment on my blog. I have had enormous difficulty replying (it has to do with the settings on my browser), but hopefully this will appear and you will see it!
ReplyDeleteI feel incredibly blessed to be the father of two young children and I treasure every moment. Being a parent is the core of my being.
I wish you well and wish you also good health and much happiness.
Very best, Alexander