No not an exasperated cry! Time stood still for me last night when George Michael sang this song near the end of the American Idol finale last night. It was as if the memory flood gates flung open. Yes we watched AI, and it was such a disappointing season (I have never fast forwarded so much), until that moment…
George Michael has one of the most extraordinary voices ever gifted to a human and his turn of phrase, ability to tell a story both with his songwriting and his performing has captivated millions. Last night he struggled, I could tell he had a cold and yet by midway through the song he channeled this challenge into the struggle that the words portray, it was literally breathtaking and it brought out a tear and also memories of the days before I left London to travel to Australia in January 1992, the beginning of my career as a conductor:
The weekend before I left, I performed a Trumpet recital in the Purcell Room at the South Bank Center (Royal Festival Hall) which included Steve Martland’s Trumpet Sonata and Berio’s Sequenza X! The program notes even said On Monday Ron begins his career as conductor with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra as their new assistant. My accompanist was Peter Selwyn (pictured) and apart from seeing him once probably 12 years ago we have since lost touch. As we were packing up after the recital he handed me a CD, George Michael’s Listen Without Prejudice (volume 1, although there is no volume 2). It wasn’t even that new as it had been released in 1990, and it was his own copy. He told me he didn’t have time to get a new one but wanted me to have it (and not just because the title seemed appropriate after a recital).
When I arrived Perth Australia not knowing a soul (I grew up in Sydney), it was the first thing I listened to and it gave me that tangible link to the life I had just left. Praying for Time is the first song on the album. It also became a link to my new life for when I first started seeing my wife Lisa whom I met in Perth, it was (and still is) also one of her favorite albums. Even with us having iPods now, that copy is still in our car. The whole album is brilliant and very powerful, Mothers Pride is probably our favorite song.
After watching last night’s performance I googled what Peter was up to. He’s a conductor now!!!
Seeing that performance last night brought everything back and forward at the same time. That is for me the power of music. He started the song singing the words Do you think we have time…Absolutely yes, for him I do! Whilst still praying for time I also feel blessed with the time I have already had.
Here are three versions: 1) last night, 2) A live version from 1996 with his voice soaring, and 3) the original music video which are just images of the lyrics. Enjoy!