One of my all time favourite musicians is Jerry Rafferty a Scottish singer/songwriter who created an enviable library of great music. He was irascible, ornery, stubborn, melancholic and a force to be dealt with as many of his former colleagues and friends will readily testify. Jerry was also a private, sensitive loving soul who had a long standing battle with alcohol which affected his relationships and health and was to result ultimately in his early death.
I'm not here to judge his character but to point out his creative talent which was and is just short of incredible. I mention his blemishes only to remind the reader that all too often the talented or gifted have their own secret struggles and suffering which seem to be part of the creative package. I can't say why this is but am always amazed at what great things are brought into the world by many gifted people like Jerry in spite of all their personal hurdles and often short lives.
Jerry wrote and produced 17 solo and compilation albums before he passed away and did it more or less on his own terms. His drive for perfection was legendary, his ear for sound impeccable and his battle with record companies legendary. He looked for the best talent to work with and the rest is recorded history. Not driven by markets and record company politics he continually struggled to remain true to the integrity of his vision of what he and the music should be and this i respect greatly. Jerry hated celebrity and performance preferring the quiet life and so never became the huge "star" that he could've been. I admire his decision to avoid the temptation of status and wealth and the 'Pop Hit' treadmill and concentrate instead on his art. The landmark early albums "City to City" and "Night Owl" are mature and very refined and later albums such as "Another World" and "Life Goes On" reveal an artist of ever increasing depth and sensitivity.
Jerry Rafferty has inspired me for a long time with his mellow haunting melodies and soft crooning voice. He's been there in the background for a sizeable chunk of my life and i'd like to honour his memory because he is a rarity in the world of music. Have a listen to his seminal hit "Baker Street" and you'll be awed at his ability to produce such a timeless classic as well as many other great songs. I hope you'll take the time to get acquainted with more of his music which is readily available on You Tube.
I'm not here to judge his character but to point out his creative talent which was and is just short of incredible. I mention his blemishes only to remind the reader that all too often the talented or gifted have their own secret struggles and suffering which seem to be part of the creative package. I can't say why this is but am always amazed at what great things are brought into the world by many gifted people like Jerry in spite of all their personal hurdles and often short lives.
Jerry wrote and produced 17 solo and compilation albums before he passed away and did it more or less on his own terms. His drive for perfection was legendary, his ear for sound impeccable and his battle with record companies legendary. He looked for the best talent to work with and the rest is recorded history. Not driven by markets and record company politics he continually struggled to remain true to the integrity of his vision of what he and the music should be and this i respect greatly. Jerry hated celebrity and performance preferring the quiet life and so never became the huge "star" that he could've been. I admire his decision to avoid the temptation of status and wealth and the 'Pop Hit' treadmill and concentrate instead on his art. The landmark early albums "City to City" and "Night Owl" are mature and very refined and later albums such as "Another World" and "Life Goes On" reveal an artist of ever increasing depth and sensitivity.
Jerry Rafferty has inspired me for a long time with his mellow haunting melodies and soft crooning voice. He's been there in the background for a sizeable chunk of my life and i'd like to honour his memory because he is a rarity in the world of music. Have a listen to his seminal hit "Baker Street" and you'll be awed at his ability to produce such a timeless classic as well as many other great songs. I hope you'll take the time to get acquainted with more of his music which is readily available on You Tube.
