Upon reaching the artists beginning with Q, a compromise (bending of the rules?) was required to help maintain my sanity long enough to pull a decent playlist together.
It's always good to see some love for Finley Quaye. His 'Maverick A Strike' is still a much-adored album that brings back so many memories for my wife and I. Mainly because our first child was born in 1997, it takes us back to some very special times singing to the album while learning how to be a parent.
And I think I have an interesting story about Jamiroquai. Before getting my first teaching job in London, I worked in a pub in Ealing with a Northern lad named Jay Kay. He was in a band, but I never heard their music as they had yet to record anything (and if they had, he never pushed it on me). However, while working at the pub, we talked music all the time. He eventually invited me to his flat and introduced me to some cool records (the ones I remember in particular were The Wonder Stuff and Ride's 'Nowhere'), and in return, I introduced him to some obscure 60s American psych bands. My life took me back to the States for a bit before I moved permanently to the UK (well, I was there for 14 years), and by then we had lost touch. A year or two later, I saw Jamiroquai on Top of the Pops and was convinced it was the same Jay Kay I had worked with in the pub! To this day, I still believe it was, but it's hard to confirm, as in those early photos, videos, and interviews, he so often wears his big hats, which obscure his face. But it's all too coincidental plus it looks and sounds like him. I also have a photo of us in the pub that was taken on my last night before I returned to the US - I'm pretty sure it is him!
Great photos, and keep on keepin' on, Mark! You are doing great.
That Finley Quaye album was great and it’s lovely to hear your memories around your earlier parenting connected to the music of the day.
That’s quite a story about Jamiroquai! Sounds too coincidental not to be true. Reading an article about his mother in the Lancashire Telegraph from she says
I love the honesty in your writing. I hope you can get some well-deserved rest soon. I can relate to what you say about Substack feeling like a bit of a burden sometimes. I feel this with my own writing more often than I'd like to admit. I've realised it has a direct correlation with how tired and drained I feel. Sometimes it's all about making sure you get enough rest. After a good night of sleep, we can often see things from a different perspective.
I enjoy your Alphabet Series and I think it's given you a lot of structure as well as a great platform to grow your publication. I can understand it must feel a bit limiting at times, but this is also a sign of how much you've grown. All my positive energy so you can see it to fruition -- you'll feel much better afterwards!
I'm a huge Queen fan, so I can wholeheartedly recommend A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races and News of the World, my top 3 Queen albums. Jazz is also a favorite.
Thanks Andres, I’m still getting close to nine hours of sleep a night which is much needed after the long days of walking. I think it’ll be a few weeks before the trail weariness fades away, once we’ve been in London relaxing for a few days. I’m really glad we changed our plans and moved away from the 700-mile hike we had originally planned after this one.
I definitely agree that the series has provided me structure. And it’s given me a reason to write every week. That consistency is probably helping me build a following here, which is nice.
Thanks for the positive vibes and the Queen recommendations!
You’re welcome, Mark! The walks, while awesome mentally and spiritually, can be gruelling, I’m sure, so it’s normal you’ll feel like this every now and then. It’s physically very taxing. But you are doing so well, in every respect, and you’ve got all of us rooting for you from here!
First off, I hope your energy returns and you enjoy the rest of your trip. I understand how burnt out you must feel! That said, I love reading your alphabet posts and enjoy trying to find my own favorite tunes to fit where you're at each week! I've actually got Quite a few Q artists' songs to add to your list:
Thanks Dan, the energy is fluctuating and although I’m very much enjoying the hike I think I’ll have my ups and downs until this hike is over in a few weeks. But that’s part of the challenge I signed up for!
Some great picks on your list! I’ve always loved that Quarterflash song and the Queen song is great although I’ve always been partial to Another One Bites the Dust as I had the single when I was a kid. Never heard of Quivers but I’m loving that track! I see they have a new album out, I’ll give that a listen.
Love, love, love the pictures, Mark! I can also relate to feelings about the series. I ran one for a year on another platform, and loved doing it. On week 52, I was more than ready to write its epitaph.
Music wise, I’m glad you bent the rules! This gives me a chance to say again how much I love The Helio Sequence. They’re from my hometown too, which makes it all even better.
Thanks Kevin! It’s so beautiful here the photos almost take themselves! Glad to hear someone else we can relate about the series. Looking forward to the freedom to write more regularly about different topics and not be constrained.
I really enjoyed the latest single by The Helio Sequence and am hoping they have an album on the way.
It's always good to see some love for Finley Quaye. His 'Maverick A Strike' is still a much-adored album that brings back so many memories for my wife and I. Mainly because our first child was born in 1997, it takes us back to some very special times singing to the album while learning how to be a parent.
And I think I have an interesting story about Jamiroquai. Before getting my first teaching job in London, I worked in a pub in Ealing with a Northern lad named Jay Kay. He was in a band, but I never heard their music as they had yet to record anything (and if they had, he never pushed it on me). However, while working at the pub, we talked music all the time. He eventually invited me to his flat and introduced me to some cool records (the ones I remember in particular were The Wonder Stuff and Ride's 'Nowhere'), and in return, I introduced him to some obscure 60s American psych bands. My life took me back to the States for a bit before I moved permanently to the UK (well, I was there for 14 years), and by then we had lost touch. A year or two later, I saw Jamiroquai on Top of the Pops and was convinced it was the same Jay Kay I had worked with in the pub! To this day, I still believe it was, but it's hard to confirm, as in those early photos, videos, and interviews, he so often wears his big hats, which obscure his face. But it's all too coincidental plus it looks and sounds like him. I also have a photo of us in the pub that was taken on my last night before I returned to the US - I'm pretty sure it is him!
Great photos, and keep on keepin' on, Mark! You are doing great.
That Finley Quaye album was great and it’s lovely to hear your memories around your earlier parenting connected to the music of the day.
That’s quite a story about Jamiroquai! Sounds too coincidental not to be true. Reading an article about his mother in the Lancashire Telegraph from she says
Oops! She said: "The place he stayed the longest was Ealing, in London." So that sounds about right!!
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6185298.stars-secret-past/
I love the honesty in your writing. I hope you can get some well-deserved rest soon. I can relate to what you say about Substack feeling like a bit of a burden sometimes. I feel this with my own writing more often than I'd like to admit. I've realised it has a direct correlation with how tired and drained I feel. Sometimes it's all about making sure you get enough rest. After a good night of sleep, we can often see things from a different perspective.
I enjoy your Alphabet Series and I think it's given you a lot of structure as well as a great platform to grow your publication. I can understand it must feel a bit limiting at times, but this is also a sign of how much you've grown. All my positive energy so you can see it to fruition -- you'll feel much better afterwards!
I'm a huge Queen fan, so I can wholeheartedly recommend A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races and News of the World, my top 3 Queen albums. Jazz is also a favorite.
Have a good Sunday!
Thanks Andres, I’m still getting close to nine hours of sleep a night which is much needed after the long days of walking. I think it’ll be a few weeks before the trail weariness fades away, once we’ve been in London relaxing for a few days. I’m really glad we changed our plans and moved away from the 700-mile hike we had originally planned after this one.
I definitely agree that the series has provided me structure. And it’s given me a reason to write every week. That consistency is probably helping me build a following here, which is nice.
Thanks for the positive vibes and the Queen recommendations!
You’re welcome, Mark! The walks, while awesome mentally and spiritually, can be gruelling, I’m sure, so it’s normal you’ll feel like this every now and then. It’s physically very taxing. But you are doing so well, in every respect, and you’ve got all of us rooting for you from here!
How about Queens Of The Stoneage - "No One Knows", NRBQ (aka 'The Q') - "Rain At The Drive-in", and something by Sutherland Bros. & Quiver?
Looking forward to when you get to 'X'. . .
Never heard of the last two, will have to investigate!
NRBQ are a great band, check out the albums "NRBQ at Yankee Stadium" and "Grooves In Orbit" for some of their best stuff.
Beautiful pics!
No Q. Lazzarus? lol https://youtu.be/BQgaZYJXSeE?si=kBPmzqBdkH_yt-m9
Amazing!! “It puts the lotion in the basket”. Such an epic song from such a scary movie!
First off, I hope your energy returns and you enjoy the rest of your trip. I understand how burnt out you must feel! That said, I love reading your alphabet posts and enjoy trying to find my own favorite tunes to fit where you're at each week! I've actually got Quite a few Q artists' songs to add to your list:
Harden My Heart - Quarterflash
We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions - Queen
Under Pressure- Queen & David Bowie
If I Had You - Queen Latifah
You're Not Always On My Mind - Quivers
Thanks Dan, the energy is fluctuating and although I’m very much enjoying the hike I think I’ll have my ups and downs until this hike is over in a few weeks. But that’s part of the challenge I signed up for!
Some great picks on your list! I’ve always loved that Quarterflash song and the Queen song is great although I’ve always been partial to Another One Bites the Dust as I had the single when I was a kid. Never heard of Quivers but I’m loving that track! I see they have a new album out, I’ll give that a listen.
Another One Bites the Dust was my second choice for Queen! Great song! Thanks for pointing out that Quivers has a new album out. I didn't know!
Love, love, love the pictures, Mark! I can also relate to feelings about the series. I ran one for a year on another platform, and loved doing it. On week 52, I was more than ready to write its epitaph.
Music wise, I’m glad you bent the rules! This gives me a chance to say again how much I love The Helio Sequence. They’re from my hometown too, which makes it all even better.
Thanks Kevin! It’s so beautiful here the photos almost take themselves! Glad to hear someone else we can relate about the series. Looking forward to the freedom to write more regularly about different topics and not be constrained.
I really enjoyed the latest single by The Helio Sequence and am hoping they have an album on the way.
Converter: https://open.spotify.com/track/6dVkO6jAt4YPCR0CXa9Dn3