THE SATURDAY SONG

[Ruby]

In popular music, there are more references, or nods, to classical composers than can be counted or mentioned. That’s the thing about music – it seeps into your psyche, so it’s not unexpected that phrases or entire movements would resurface in one form or another. And it runs deep, which for me, is at least one good reason to be reasonably selective about what I hear – certainly repeatedly.

Erik Satie’s Gymnopédies (there are three) are the source of my very short rumination for today. “Gymnopédie 1” has been covered by a score of contemporary artists. To mention a few - John and Steve Hackett (my favourite version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYUs7O03mTo - Michael Nyman’s rendition appears on the soundtrack for the movie Man on Wire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpExP_lPTO0 – and there is also a reimagining from a surprising quarter, I must say – Gary Numan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acId5ftnjnE! “Gymnopédie 1” has a simple yet striking melody and most people who pay any attention to music will have heard it somewhere along the line, I expect.

Today’s track is not that, however. It’s a something that has stayed with me since first discovering it on Red House by the inimitable Rod Argent. Quite some nerve he had – which I feel paid off! He took things a step further and composed “A Fourth Gymnopedie”. Here it is …