Are you listening, Papa?

My father loved to play the clarinet, and whilst skimming through YouTube today, I came across a clarinet solo by the great Sidney Bechet. Blue Horizon laments the Blues, and the searing blue notes played in this piece are heart wretching. My father would have loved this, and I’m certain, if he were here now, listening to it with me, he would be describing every chord and irresistible cadence of perfect fourths leading back to the root at the end of each chorus.

I was young then and didn’t appreciate words like broad-vibrato or understand the scale in terms of tempo. But being married to Keith for 30 years has instilled in me an appreciation and understanding for all that I remember of my father’s love and thrill of music.

I wish he were here now, making the hair on my arms stand-up with the sound of his clarinet, and his ever so present love of it.

Papa...are you listening? I understand now.