One of my absolute greatest joys running Radio Free David is discovering new music or having new music discover me. Each and every album that is played is a treat and a gem (admittedly, some more so than others), wonderful and awesome; as each track begins I wonder what it will bring and as each track departs it is a little sad. As you know, we usually spin pretty upbeat tunes. But then Terry O’Hara and Summer-Winter came along.
Terry’s music is wonderfully, wonderfully mellow. Downtempo, sort of, sure, but again, labels don’t matter so much, do they? (”Melancholy” would be another label, if one we so inclined.) But it is warm, rich and engaging: it just draws you in close and holds you there as the tune plays. You find yourself moving in time with the music and when it ends you sort of sit up and with that certain, slightly glazed expression that says you were elsewhere realize it stopped. No worries, though, because then the next one starts and all is well with the world again.
I asked Terry a bit about himself. He was really quite candid in his response to the question of why his music is so mellow. His answer? He doesn’t really have one (and that’s a fine answer); he went on to say that he is introspective and reflective (listening to his music confirms this), and that he is content (see previous parenthetical comment). His music reflects, too, his travels over the years and his, ah, multitude of odd jobs. Yeah.
You may have gathered that we like Summer-Winter and you are so right: we do. It’s well composed and well played. It’s smooth and yet complex, all at the same time. The lyrics are compelling and pull you closer in. Terry shares himself and just lays it out there. What is not to like?
We’re running Coming Around and It Makes You Cry from his album Alone Is Yes. And Terry…you’re not alone. You have a whole lot of listeners here at Radio Free David saying “yes, yes, Yes!”.
As always,
Enjoy!
david