Nostalgic Music Month
Dire Straits by Jon Hilton
It is the beginning of a month-long journey to delve into the music of our lives. In the fall of 1971, I attended kindergarten in Greenville, Maine. It was there that one of my intellectual equals was Mike Martin. From that day to this, music has provided the soundtrack of our lives. And I have been privy to all of his schemes. We have not always been on the same path, but we both agree that music provides a connection to the past and the people who have shaped our lives.
There was little choice for me on the first day of nostalgic music month. It
had to be Dire Straits. From the first time I heard the unique and iconic guitar, to the messages in the lyrics that seemed to capture the emotions of the experiences I was having, Dire Straits has been one of my favorite performers. Most important is the connection to many special people I have known over my life who have shared the music with me.
My top 5 Dire Straits songs are as follows:
- Down to the Waterline– It reminds me when I was a young man and was on my own for the first time. Living in South Portland, going to SMVTI. Hearing the foghorn at night, having fun and getting to know all
of those special people I knew from that time working at campus security.
4.On Every Street– This is a newer song but captures a lot of the old style, and it describes how I feel about so many people that I have lost over the years. Some more than others. When you walk down the street, and you see a crowd of people, “and it’s your face I am looking for on every street…..” Someday we may meet again. The guitar at the end……..classic Mark Knoffler.
- Sultans of Swing– A song with so many memories and different points in my life attached to it that I remember a different thing almost every time I hear the opening beat, I can’t stop listening because I get a shiver
in the dark and it’s raining in the park, but meantime………….and I feel alright when I hear the music ring.
2. Romeo and Juliet– The top two songs are from the same album, Making Movies. This song is particular to the memories of a young man, being Romeo and the first real love that breaks your heart. Like a rite of passage, there are good things that end and in the end, it is best for all involved, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less at the time and the scars that are left are just as real. As we age, people tend to trivialize the past and diminish the importance of many events and the value of people. Deep in our hearts, those things still live and the value will always be there. “All I do is miss you and the way we used to be……….” Everyone feels like that at some point. This song reminds of a time I was young, naive and idealistic. A simpler time.
- Tunnel of Love– In my memory when places, people, and love are combined from my past, magic happens and this song reminds me of that magic. There are people that you meet and they are only meant to be in your life for a season, and then they are gone. It is up to you to understand the lesson and take the value from that relationship. Even when it is clearly your fault that things didn’t work out, this song though sums it up. We learn our lessons, remember those who mattered and rock away, rock away. The final guitar solo rips my soul.
Honorable mention: Water of love, Money for Nothing, Telegraph Road, Lady Writer, Expresso Love, Skate Away
There is my half of day one of Nostalgic Music Month for Mike Martins half Read on Here.
Sentimental Street by Mike Martin
I have a spiritual advisor. His name is Jon Hilton and I have known
him since kindergarten. We speak on the phone often and will argue
with each other even when we agree. We have much in common and are
complete opposites.
With all the negativity in the world, Jon has proclaimed October,
Nostalgic Music Month. He will want to share the credit because Jon is
a team player and one of the many things I appreciate about his
friendship.
Before I gave my word that I send him sentimental music selections each day for the month of October as a way to promote hope and
optimism, as we reflex on the music of our past, I demanded (big
smile) that we use this platform to encourage people to visit our
hometown of Greenville, Maine. (if you a reading this, I am happy to
say that my demand was accepted)
We invite everyone and anyone to join in October, Nostalgic Music
Month. There are many ways to participate including the radio,
cassette, record, DVD and if you post on Social media please use the
hashtag. #OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth and please feel free to share
Jon’s blog with your friends and enemies.
Night Ranger’s second album, Midnight Madness was released the summer
of 1984. The summer after I graduated from high school. The summer
before a memorable fall that included a miracle pass from Doug Flutie.
I have a memory of seeing Night Ranger in concert, but I am
unconfident that I really did because the memories are foggy. So I am
asking my favorite musician ever Born, Rich Daigle and his favorite sound
man, J Alan Grant-Did Night Ranger open for 38 Special when we saw
them the summer before I joined the Navy?
Now sit back, relax and take a walk down this Sentimental Street-Night
Ranger #OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth and while you are at it take a trip
to Greenville, Maine-I understand the foliage is majestic this time of
year!
#OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth #visitGreenville
