I was 14 when Sweet Baby James came out, and 15 when I bought it. 1970-72 was always the very best period for music, in my opinion, and I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for friends I’ve met who weren’t around at that time – I just wished happy birthday to a friend who was only just born when the first Throwing Muses album came out!

I can pretty much plot out my life in terms of the music that was around at the time – some of which I liked and bought, some of which I disliked, most of which I ignored, and some of which I discovered and bought retrospectively. And there are almost always classic albums that last forever – like Sweet Baby James. And some songs that just have to go in my Desert Island Discs list (which runs to several hundred).

Anyway, that lyric came to mind just now in a rather poignant way. A few months ago a ‘gobby, giggly alto’ bounced into Tottenham Community Choir and brightened up rehearsals (not that they weren’t already bright) – and also my Twitter feed. And now she’s leaving us to go to Australia. And I just found out I won’t see her again. And that’s sad. Just thought I’d let you know.

So this post is for Sarah.

“Happy trails to you, till we meet again
Happy trails to you, keep smiling till then”
(Roy Rogers via Quicksilver Messenger Service)