I Hear You Now

It'll probably come as no surprise to discover I'm a fan of Jon & Vangelis. I like Yes, I'm not averse to Vangelis, but together they're mighty.

I was minded to think of them when Donna Summer's majestic version of their State Of Independence popped up on the ipod; now there's a forgotten gem from the Eighties if ever there was one.

Their I'll Find My Way Home always reminds me of waking up really early one morning just before Christmas, 1981.

My parents were back from the Middle East where they lived at the time. I was home from school. A ring at the doorbell woke me up. It was still dark, on the cusp of turning lighter. It was our old postlady Hazel*, popping into say hello. We were no longer on her round, seeing as we'd moved the year before, but she hadn't forgotten us. The delight in my mother's voice was palpable. From downstairs, the sounds of Jon & Vangelis were drifting languidly out of the radio. At that moment, I've never felt so Christmassy.

But I can't really explain why. So my love of J&V started right there.

But you've got to admit, The Friends Of Mr Cairo is a top album.

Enjoy:



*She wrote a fictionalised account of her round. She sent it to my dad in weekly instalments to cast a critical eye over. It was rubbish.