Poetry, stories, art, and music from the desk of Jezzie G, a writer without a label
Never Trust a Stranger
Album: Close
Date: 1988
Genre: Pop
Artist: Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is a pop singer and television presenter. She first saw success in 1981 with the single “Kids in America” which reached No. 2 in the UK. Kim Wilde received the Brit Award for Best British Female solo artist in 1983. Between the years 1981 and 1996, she had 25 singles charting within Top 50 on the UK Singles Chart
Variations on a Hungarian Folksong (The Peacock)
1938-39
Classical
Zoltán Kodály
Classical
Born: 16 December 1882, Kecskemét, Hungary
Nationality: Hungarian
Died: 6 March 1967, Budapest, Hungary
Kodály was a composer, ethnomusicologist, linguist, pedagogue, and philosopher. He Is internationally known as the creator of the Kodály method of music education
Masters of War
Album: The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
Date: 1963
Genre: Folk
Artist: Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is a singer-songwriter and is regarded as one of the best songwriters of all time. A major figure of popular culture for over 60 years Bod Dylan is most celebrated for his work from the 1960s with songs such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin’” which became anthems for anti-war and civil rights movements.
Tarantella
1885
Romantic
David Popper
Romantic
Born: 16 June 1843, Prague, Czechia
Nationality: Bohemian
Died: 7 August 1913, Baden bei Wien, Austria
Popper was a cellist and composer. Born in Prague he studied music at the Prague Conservatory under Julius Goltermann. Popper made his first tour in 1863 and in Germany, he was praised by Hans von Bülow, who recommended him as Chamber Virtuoso in the Court of Prince von Hohenzollern-Hechinger in Löwenberg
Sapho
1851
Opera
Charles Gounod
Opera
Born: 17 June 1818, Paris, France
Nationality: French
Died: 18 October 1893, Saint-Cloud, France
Gounod was a composer and wrote twelve operas including “Faust” (1859) and “Romeo and Juliet” (1867), both of which remain in the international repertory. Gounod also composed church music, songs, and other shorter pieces. He was a student at the Conservatoire de Paris and won France’s prestigious musical prize, the Prix de Rome. A deeply religious man, Gounod considered the priesthood after his studies
Landslide
Album: Fleetwood Mac
Date: 1975
Genre: Rock
Artist: Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a rock band, formed in London, UK, in 1967 by guitarists and vocalists Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer and drummer Mick Fleetwood. They were joined by bassist John McVie and guitarist Danny Kirwan in 1968. Christine Perfect was a session musician for the band’s second album. She married McVie and joined the band in 1970 as Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Lindsey Buckingham joined the band in 1974, replacing Green, Spencer, and Kirwan
Oh Very Young
Album: Buddha and the Chocolate Box
Date: 1974
Genre: Folk-pop
Artist: Cat Stevens/Yusuf
Cat Stevens is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His style consists of pop, folk, rock, and Islamic music. He converted to Islam in 1977 and, auctioning all his guitars for charity, left his musical career to pursue educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community. In 2006, Cat Stevens returned to music releasing his first album in 28 years using the stage name Yusuf as a mononym
Requiem, Op. 66
1892
Romantic
David Popper
Romantic
Born: 16 June 1843, Prague, Czechia
Nationality: Bohemian
Died: 7 August 1913, Baden bei Wien, Austria
Popper was a cellist and composer. Born in Prague he studied music at the Prague Conservatory under Julius Goltermann. Popper made his first tour in 1863 and in Germany, he was praised by Hans von Bülow, who recommended him as Chamber Virtuoso in the Court of Prince von Hohenzollern-Hechinger in Löwenberg
Never Quite Free
Album: All Eternals Deck
Date: 2011
Genre: Alternative/Indie
Artist: The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats were formed in California by singer-songwriter John Darnielle in 1991. Darnielle remains the core member of the band and over the years has worked with a variety of collaborators such as Peter Hughes (bassist and vocalist), Matt Douglas (multi-instrumentalist), Rachel Ware (bassist and vocalist), Jon Wurster (drummer), and Kaki King (guitarist)
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
1929-30
Concerto
Maurice Ravel
Impressionism
Born: 7 March 1875, Ciboure, France
Nationality: French
Died: 28 December 1937, Paris, France
Ravel was a composer, conductor, and pianist. Although he rejected the term he is often associated with Impressionism. During the 1920s and 1930s, Ravel was regarded internationally as France’s greatest living composer
Master and Servant
Album: Some Great Reward
Date: 1984
Genre: Synth-pop
Artist: Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, England. The lineup consists of Dave Gahan (lead vocals and songwriter), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, and songwriter), and Andy Fletcher (keyboards). Depeche Mode have had 54 songs in the UK Singles Chart and 17 Top 10 albums in the UK. They were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and 2018 and were inducted as part of the Class of 2020
Santa Lucia
1916
Classical
Enrico Caruso
Opera
Born: 25 February 1873, Naples, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Died: 2 August 1921, Naples, Italy
Caruso was an operatic first lyric tenor and dramatic tenor. To great acclaim, he sang at the major opera houses of Europe and America in a variety of roles from the Italian and French repertoires. Caruso was one of the first major singing talents to being commercially recorded and made 247 recordings from 1902-1920 making him an internationally popular star in the world of entertainment
Lady in Black
Album: Salisbury
Date: 1970
Genre: Rock
Artist: Uriah Heep
Part of the early 1970s rock scene, Uriah Heep are a rock band formed in 1969 in London, UK. There have been numerous line-up changes throughout their 54-year career with guitarist Mick Box the only original member, Uriah Heep’s current line-up consists of Box, Phil Lanzon (keyboards), Bernie Shaw (vocals), Russell Gilbrook (drums), and Dave Rimmer (bass)
Requiem
2005
Classical
Karl Jenkins
Jazz, Rock, Classical
Born: 17 February 1944, Gower, Wales
Nationality: Welsh
Jenkins is a composer and multi-instrumentalist. His best-known works include the song “Adiemus.” Educated at Cardiff University and the Royal Academy of Music Jenkins joined the jazz band Soft Machine in 1972. He became the group’s leading songwriter and worked with them until 1984. Jenkins as written music for TV ad campaigns and has won the industry prize twice
Knowing Me, Knowing You
Album: Arrival
Date: 1977
Genre: Pop
Artist: Abba
Abba are a pop group formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. One of the most successful groups of all time they became one of the best-selling acts in popular music history
Negative Earth
Album: Everyone Is Everybody Else
Date: 1974
Genre: Rock
Artist: Barclay James Harvest
Founded in 1966, Barclay James Harvest are a progressive rock band. The original lineup consisted of Les Holroyd (bassist/vocalist), John Lees (guitarist/vocalist), Mel Pritchard (drummer/percussionist) 1948-2004, and Stuart Wolstenholme (keyboardist/vocalist) 1947-2010
Pavane pour une infante défunte
1902
Classical
Maurice Ravel
Impressionism
Born: 7 March 1875, Ciboure, France
Nationality: French
Died: 28 December 1937, Paris, France
Ravel was a composer, conductor, and pianist. Although he rejected the term he is often associated with Impressionism. During the 1920s and 1930s, Ravel was regarded internationally as France’s greatest living composer
Ninna Nanna Della Vita
1938
Classical
Beniamino Gigli
Classical, Opera
Born: 20 March 1890, Recanati, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Died: 30 November 1957, Rome, Italy
Gigli was a lyric tenor opera singer, widely regarded as one of the greatest tenors of his generation
Mamakutty
2022
Film and TV
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Film and TV
Born: 31 August 1979, Chennai, India
Nationality: Indian
Raja is a film score and soundtrack composer and singer-songwriter. He is known for his music scores for Tamil films and is considered a versatile composer. Raja utilizes Western music elements and has been credited for introducing hip-hop to the Tamil film and music industry. Over a 25-year career, Raja has worked on over 100 films winning wards such as the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director in 2004 for his score for Rainbow Colony. In 2015 Raja formed his own music label, U1 Records, and in 2017 the film production studio, YSR Films
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Album: 30 Anniversary Concert Celebration
Date: 1975
Genre: Classic Rock
Artist: Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is a rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is considered one of the most influential guitarists in rock music and ranks second in Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
Man on the Corner
Album: Abacab
Date: 1981
Genre: Rock
Artist: Genesis
Formed at Charterhouse School in Surrey, UK, in 1967 Genesis’ most successful line-up includes Tony Banks (keyboards), Mike Rutherford (bassist/guitarist), and Phil Collins (drummer/singer). In the 1970s when the line-up included Peter Gabriel (singer) Genesis was among the pioneering groups of progressive rock
La Villa Strangiato
Album: Retrospective I
Date: 1978
Genre: Metal
Artist: Rush
Rush was a rock band formed in Toronto, Canada in 1968, primarily consisting of Geddy Lee (bass and vocals), Alex Lifeson (guitar), and Neil Peart (drums, percussion, and lyricist). The band went through several line-up configurations before achieving its classic power line-up. Rush achieved commercial success in the 1970s with “Fly by Night” (1975), “2112” (1976), and “A Farewell to Kings” (1977). Their popularity continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s with albums charting highly in Canada, the US, and the UK. Rush were best known for their musicianship, eclectic lyrical motifs, and complex compositions heavily influenced by science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy
Madura Veeran
2022
Film and TV
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Film and TV
Born: 31 August 1979, Chennai, India
Nationality: Indian
Raja is a film score and soundtrack composer and singer-songwriter. He is known for his music scores for Tamil films and is considered a versatile composer. Raja utilizes Western music elements and has been credited for introducing hip-hop to the Tamil film and music industry. Over a 25-year career, Raja has worked on over 100 films winning wards such as the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director in 2004 for his score for Rainbow Colony. In 2015 Raja formed his own music label, U1 Records, and in 2017 the film production studio, YSR Films
Massachusetts
Album: Horizontal
Date: 1968
Genre: Pop
Artist: Bee Gees
The Bee Gees were a music group formed in 1958 by the brother Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. Best known as a successful popular music act in the late 1960s and early 1970s and later in the disco era of the mid-to-late 1970s. the Bee Gees wrote all their own hits and major hits for other artists. The Bee Gees are considered to be one of the most influential acts in pop history
Pathala Pathala
2022
Film and TV
Anirudh Ravichander
Film and Tv
Born: 16 October 1990, Chennai, India
Nationality: Indian
Ravichander is a music composer, music producer, and singer in the Indian film industry. He has won numerous awards including three Filmfare Awards and nine SIIMA Awards
Lady d’Arbanville
Album: Mona Bone Jakon
Date: 1970
Genre: Alternative/Indie
Artist: Cat Stevens/Yusuf
Cat Stevens is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His style consists of pop, folk, rock, and Islamic music. He converted to Islam in 1977 and, auctioning all his guitars for charity, left his musical career to pursue educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community. In 2006, Cat Stevens returned to music releasing his first album in 28 years using the stage name Yusuf as a mononym
Kiss
Album: Under the Cherry Moon
Date: 1986
Genre: R&B/Soul
Artist: Prince
Prince (1958-2016) was a singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. A recipient of numerous awards he is regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. With his flamboyant and androgynous persona, he is best known for his wide vocal range and skill as a multi-instrumentalist, often preferring to play most, if not all, the instruments on his recordings
Only a Rose
1956
Classical
Mario Lanza
Opera
Born: 31 January 1921, Pennsylvania, USA
Nationality: American
Died: 7 October 1959, Rome, Italy
Lanza was a tenor singer and actor. He was a popular Hollywood star in the late 1940s and the 1950s. He began training as a professional singer at the age of 16. Following an appearance at the Hollywood Bowl; in 1947, Lanza signed a film contract with the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Louis B. Mayer, who saw the performance and was impressed by his singing
Land of Hope and Glory
1902
Classical
Edward Elgar
Classical, Orchestral
Born: 2 June 1857, Worcestershire, UK
Nationality: English
Died: 23 February 1934, Worcestershire, UK
Elgar was a composer known for his works that have entered many English and International classical repertoires. Amongst his most famous compositions are orchestral works such as the Enigma Variations, Pomp and Circumstance Marches, and concertos for violin and cello. He also composed choral works such as The Dream of Gerantius. He was appointed Master of the King’s Music in 1924
Johnny Was
Album: Inflammable Material
Date: 1979
Genre: Alternative/Indie
Artist: Stiff Little Fingers
Stiff Little Fingers are an Irish band emerging from the punk rock era. Formed in 1977 at the height of the Irish Troubles which influenced much of their songwriting. They were the first punk band in Belfast to release a record – “Suspect Device” was released on their own label, Rigid Digits. Their album “Inflammable Material” released with Rough Trade became the first indie LP to enter the UK top 20
Never Say Goodbye
2003
Classical Pop
Hayley Westenra
Classical, Classical Pop
Born: 10 April 1987, Christchurch, New Zealand
Nationality: New Zealander
Westenra is a classical crossover singer and songwriter. She has sung in various languages including English, Māori, Welsh, Irish, Spanish, and Italian. Her first album “Pure” (2003) reached number one on the UK classical charts and has sold more than two million copies worldwide. Westenra is one of the youngest UNICEF Ambassadors to date
O Sole Mio
1955
Opera
Beniamino Gigli
Classical, Opera
Born: 20 March 1890, Recanati, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Died: 30 November 1957, Rome, Italy
Gigli was a lyric tenor opera singer, widely regarded as one of the greatest tenors of his generation.
Nessun Dorma
1948
Opera
Mario Lanza
Opera
Born: 31 January 1921, Pennsylvania, USA
Nationality: American
Died: 7 October 1959, Rome, Italy
Lanza was a tenor singer and actor. He was a popular Hollywood star in the late 1940s and the 1950s. He began training as a professional singer at the age of 16. Following an appearance at the Hollywood Bowl; in 1947, Lanza signed a film contract with the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Louis B. Mayer, who saw the performance and was impressed by his singing
Jet
Album: Band on the Run
Date: 1973
Genre: Rock
Artist: Paul McCartney and Wings
Paul McCartney is a singer, songwriter, and musician who gained international fame with the Beatles as their bass guitarist and shared primary songwriter and lead vocals with John Lennon. McCartney is one of the most successful composers and performers of all time. He is known for his melodic approach to bass playing, versatile and wide tenor vocal range, musical eclecticism, and exploring musical styles from pre-rock ‘n’ roll to classical and electronica. The Lennon and McCartney songwriting partnership remains the most successful in history
I Gave You My Heart
Album: Love Shot
Date: 1983
Genre: R&B/Soul
Artist: Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate is a soul band formed by Errol Brown and Tony Wilson. At the height of their popularity during the 1970s and 1980s, the group had at least one hit song on the UKL charts every year, including “You Sexy Thing” and “It Started with a Kiss”. Errol Brown was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music in 2004
Maa Tujhe Salaam
1997
Film and TV
A. R. Rahman
Film and TV
Born: 6 January 1967, Chennai, India
Nationality: Indian
Rahman is a composer, record producer, singer, and songwriter and is popular for his film work. He is a humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising funds for a variety of causes and charities. Rahman was honoured by Stanford University for his contribution to global music and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rotary Club of Madras. In 2017 he made his debut as a director and writer for the film Le Musk
La Spagnola
1952
Opera
Mario Lanza
Opera
Born: 31 January 1921, Pennsylvania, USA
Nationality: American
Died: 7 October 1959, Rome, Italy
Lanza was a tenor singer and actor. He was a popular Hollywood star in the late 1940s and the 1950s. He began training as a professional singer at the age of 16. Following an appearance at the Hollywood Bowl; in 1947, Lanza signed a film contract with the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Louis B. Mayer, who saw the performance and was impressed by his singing
La Isla Bonita
Album: True Blue
Date: 1986
Genre: Pop
Artist: Madonna
Madonna is a singer, songwriter, and actress. Her continual reinvention and versatility in music and visual production earned her the title of the “Queen of Pop” in the 1980s. Madonna has often pushed the boundaries of creative expression in the mainstream while controlling every aspect of her career. Her music, incorporating social, political, sexual, and religious themes, has attracted both controversy and critical acclaim.
Incantations
1978
New Age
Mike Oldfield
New Age
Born: 15 May 1953, Reading, Berkshire, UK
Nationality: British
Oldfield is a musician, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter, best known for his debut album Tubular Bells in 1973. Primarily a guitarist Oldfield also plays a range of instruments including keyboards and percussion, as well as doing vocals. Throughout his career he has adopted an extensive range of styles such as progressive rock. World music, classical, ambient, and new-age music
La Donna é Mobile
1951
Opera
Mario Lanza
Opera
Born: 31 January 1921, Pennsylvania, USA
Nationality: American
Died: 7 October 1959, Rome, Italy
Lanza was a tenor singer and actor. He was a popular Hollywood star in the late 1940s and the 1950s. He began training as a professional singer at the age of 16. Following an appearance at the Hollywood Bowl; in 1947, Lanza signed a film contract with the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Louis B. Mayer, who saw the performance and was impressed by his singing
Kids in America
Album: Kim Wilde
Date: 1981
Genre: Pop
Artist: Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is a pop singer and television presenter. She first saw success in 1981 with the single “Kids in America” which reached No. 2 in the UK. Kim Wilde received the Brit Award for Best British Female solo artist in 1983. Between the years 1981 and 1996, she had 25 singles charting within the Top 40 on the UK Singles Chart
Jeanny
Album: Falco 3
Date: 1985
Genre: Synth-pop
Artist: Falco
Falco (1957-1998) was a singer and musician with several international hits including “Vienna Calling,” “Rock Me Amadeus,” and posthumously “Out of the Dark.” “Rock Me Amadeus” reached No.1 on the Billboard charts in 1986 making Falco the only German language artist to score a number-one hit in the US.
I Feel You
Album: Songs of Faith and Devotion
Date: 1993
Genre: Alternative/Indie
Artist: Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, England. The lineup consists of Dave Gahan (lead vocals and songwriter), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, and songwriter), and Andy Fletcher (keyboards). Depeche Mode have had 54 songs in the UK Singles Chart and 17 Top 10 albums in the UK. They were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and 2018 and were inducted as part of the Class of 2020
Kodi Paarum Pooramalle
2022
Film and TV
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Film and TV
Born: 31 August 1979, Chennai, India
Nationality: Indian
Raja is a film score and soundtrack composer and singer-songwriter. He is known for his music scores for Tamil films and is considered a versatile composer. Raja utilizes Western music elements and has been credited for introducing hip-hop to the Tamil film and music industry. Over a 25-year career Raja has worked on over 100 films winning wards such as the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director in 2004 for his score for Rainbow Colony. In 2015 Raja formed his own music label, U1 Records, and in 2017 the film production studio, YSR Films
Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
Album: The Smiths
Date: 1984
Genre: Alternative/Indie
Artist: The Smiths
The Smiths were a rock band formed in Manchester, UK in 1982. The line-up comprised of singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist, Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce. Morrissey and Marr were the band’s song writing partner and the band are one the most important acts to emerge from the independent music of the 1980s
Inspired by and written for Weekend Writing Prompt – Thank you, Sammi
Definition: Aplomb – n. self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation
In addition, in the world of ballet aplomb refers to unwavering stability during a vertical pose or movement, possibly best exemplified by the Dying Swan – not that I need an excuse to include a clip of Zakharova
Form: Free Verse
swan
as she dances again
her poise of elegance and grace
not even a flutter of a tutu
out of place
as she moves onto the stage
her audience in rapture
sell-assured liquidity
fingers and arms a swan’s wings
portraying the poignancy of the moment
in the desperate struggle
between life and death
swan
maintains her gentle composure
and sweet sadness enters
the memory
entwining everlasting beauty
with the music
denying the scythe of the reaper
for in the magical movement
and in the beauty of her dying
swan
is forever immortal
Word count: 92
©JezzieG2023
Just Another Star
2003
Choral
Karl Jenkins
Jazz, Rock, Classical
Born: 17 February 1944, Gower, Wales
Nationality: Welsh
Jenkins is a composer and multi-instrumentalist. His best-known works include the song “Adiemus.” Educated at Cardiff University and the Royal Academy of Music Jenkins joined the jazz band Soft Machine in 1972. He became the group’s leading songwriter and worked with them until 1984. Jenkins has written music for TV ad campaigns and has won the industry prize twice
In the Hall of the Mountain King
1875
Orchestral
Edvard Grieg
Romantic
Born: 15 June 1843, Bergen, Norway
Nationality: Norwegian
Died: 4 September 1907, Bergen, Norway
Grieg was a composer and pianist. He is considered one of the main composers of the Romantic era and his music remains the standard of the global classical repertoire. Grieg made use of Norwegian folk music in his compositions and brought fame to the music of Norway
Kann es Liebe sein
Album: Junge Roemer
Date: 1984
Genre: German Pop
Artist: Falco
Falco (1957-1998) was a singer and musician with several international hits including “Vienna Calling,” “Rock Me Amadeus,” and posthumously “Out of the Dark.” “Rock Me Amadeus” reached No.1 on the Billboard charts in 1986 making Falco the only German language artist to score a number-one hit in the US
How Great Thou Art
2018
Classical
Aled Jones
Classical, Film and TV
Born: 29 December 1970, Bangor, Wales
Nationality: Welsh
Jones is a singer and radio and television presenter. He reached widespread fame during the mid-1980s as a teenage chorister
Jezzie G 