"I may not always love you, but as long as there are stars above you"....(Beach Boys)

Happy February! The month of Love ❤️🥰.....

Do you have a favourite love song?

I agree with Paul McCartney, "I may not always love you, but as long as there are stars above you" from "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys, must be one of the best songs ever written. What I love about this song, is how honest, heartfelt and intimate (for 1966) the lyrics are. Similar to " Your Song" by Elton John, you are part of a personal conversation. Clever songwriting by Brian Wilson. He uses short melodic phrases to match the short sentences. Unusual for a ballad.

I may not always love you...As long as there are stars above you...You never need to doubt it....I'll make you so sure about it...

Usually ballads have long flowing phrases - Think "Yesterday" - Beatles "I Will Always Love You" - Dolly Parton

All songs have basic ingredients: melody, harmony, structure, texture, timbre to name a few, but it is that magic element that makes a song an unforgettable hit and in "God Only Knows" it is the pure tender sweet vocals of Carl Wilson (Brian's younger brother) singing lead that brings the magic.

Sadly, on 6th February 1998 Carl died of lung cancer. He was 51. 23 years ago today.

In 2017, I was fortunate to hear and see The Beach Boys perform live in Glasgow. The line up included Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, but no Brian Wilson (I did see him later that year). The breathtaking part of the whole evening was seeing the stage line up perform "God Only Knows" with a video clip of Carl singing.

Here is a link to this marvellous song. I really love this live recording from a UNICEF concert. Paul McCartney & John Lennon were allegedly in attendance.

A delicate tender performance from an angelic Carl Wilson . Enjoy💓

Subscribers to the website will be able to download

'God only Knows" for Ukulele from Newsletter

Do you have a cherished Song/lyric? ..Share...

Another reason to love February..

winter is on the way out!!!..Yippee

It has been freezing here....the wind and snow from the river.....Brrr

Life at Ferryview has been quiet but busy...not necessarily successful though. We have been taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. The fun part seeing big Percy Pigeon stalking the garden to rob the bird table...then Susan squirrel nipping in when no one is watching to steel the nuts....Gosh when is lockdown over? 🤦‍♀️

Tried baking....My Orange and Sultana loaf held great promise..Does a cake really need butter? 😳🤣 Apparently it does!

Knitting a little more successful..give or take.

Happy Birthday Karl W.P Jenkins.

A special happy Birthday to the Welsh musician and composer Karl Jenkins who will be 77 on February 17th.

After studying in Cardiff and London Karl made his name through performing Jazz.

It was his commission "Adiemus", music for a commercial, that brought his talent to a wider audience. He then composed several other pieces for commercials including Levi's, BA and Pepsi.

I was first introduced to the music of Karl Jenkins through Dunfermline Choral Union and their performance of The Armed Man. I love the story of this work - A Mass for Peace. Others share my thoughts, as it continues to be in the top sections of favourite contemporary works. The work incorporates every style and mood from serene Islamic Call to Prayers to wailing screams ..in “Charge !”

Here is the beautiful Benedictus:

Keep Safe, happy and strong friends !