Music for Winter

Here in Massachusetts, the forecast is for more snow today and tomorrow. This will turn out to be record breaking I understand. Although the snow seems to fall in piles, it has the propensity, so far, to dissipate from the lawns and streets within a week or so. Such is winter this year.

Let me introduce, or reintroduce as the case might be, two selections that are most appropriate and hardly ever heard given their appropriate dues.

Wintertime
A dreamy, hazy, bass-laden, harmonica breezing slice of harmony that is a wonder of songwriting which has a laid back unpretentious sublime texture. Gentle, soothing and quite transcendent this has a feel that at once has you supple and comfortable in a mellow trance but yet is prone to find you more often than not slowly nodding in time. Superb in its atmospheric intentions, this continues to remind me of the time the snow was lazily descending onto my head while I sat placidly stewing in an outdoor hot tub on New Year’s Eve which was hidden within a small town deep in the Vermont woods. It was a cosmic coming together of time, space and music.

In the winter time
When all the leaves are brown
And the wind blows so chill
And the birds have all flown for the summer
I’m callin’, hear me callin’, hear me callin’

The Winter Song
Punky Meadows as a band member is one of the few trivia facts that come to mind when I think of the band Angel. Part of the LA based troupe that included The Runaways. All things considered (timing, the continually evolving state of music and the then current breed of musicians), Angel was one of the right bands at the right time. They were at once theatrical, glam, metal and ostentatious – always dressed in all white. They were ‘hard’ rock and roll that was easily digestible and if not mega-successful, they at least were what we once called a ‘cult band’.

However, conversely to their image, on this track they managed to create a magical triumph of beauty, enlisting the exquisite madrigal vocals of Seraphim and Cherubim. Intoxicating with its restrained swirl of organ, twelve string guitar and exultant bass, it has been perfectly coalesced and tempered just as the introduction of velvet wraiths join in glorious abandon.

Just as I am often entranced by this track, I am just as often perplexed as to why we do not hear this on the radio at this time of year, especially given the subject matter. But, you know my many opinions on the state of radio by now.

By the fireplace, there's a smile on every face.
The ice begins to cling, listen to the children sing.
Looking outside, the city lights all come alive.
People running all around, they fill the streets with a happy sound.

There's a feeling in the air, feel the spirit everywhere.
Winter winds on heaven and earth.
Hear the Angels join the choir, let them take the music higher.
Through winter days on heaven and earth.

Steve Miller: Wintertime [92]
From: Book Of Dreams [1977]

Angel: The Winter Song [38]
From: White Hot [1978]