In all my ramblings and scribblings about music and the genres of music (blah.. blah.. blah..) I make much mention of Pipe Organs, Heavy Metal bands and Jean-Michel Jarre.
Browsing through my site recently (I do this in case posts need updating with recent and more relevant information), I realised that I’d completely left out one particular artist from my very long list of favourites.
All that time (and it was a long time!) I’d spent deliberating and faffing around with that music post (it’s here) I’d completely forgotten to mention Barry White.
Barry Eugene Carter
Barry Eugene Carter, or Barry White as he was professionally known as, was an American singer and songwriter (for details, see his Wikipedia page).
It was during the 1970’s that Barry took off as a solo artist, creating The Love Unlimited Orchestra along the way, composing and releasing several very popular songs. His style of music was generally smooth soul and R&B music that was characterised by its mellow, romantic, and often sensual vibes. That and his smooth baritone voice and his huge charisma (which he had in barrels), he very quickly earned the nickname: “The Walrus of Love” (in the UK, anyway).
I remember those tracks very well, especially the greatest orchestral track ever played by the Love Unlimited Orchestra: “Love’s Theme”. In fact, White’s music was a bit of a must to play in the background if you were headed for a “romantic” evening. It was expected (by all parties involved) that Barry would be playing in the background.
He composed some fabulous disco tracks (he did many of those during the seventies). They were always so upbeat and so well produced; the orchestral disco soundtrack in the background was a compelling invitation to dance. It was impossible to resist dancing to them – and I did – even though my dancing wasn’t (and still isn’t!) great!
Chair dancing
Chair dancing is a thing. I insist upon it. When your favourite track comes on, dance (sat down in a chair) like no-one’s watching. Nothing lends itself more to a chair dance than a Barry White track.
I can’t quite remember the circumstances, but at work, in my office, a Barry White track was played. It was my most favourite White track: “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything”. Naturally (and automatically, without realising I was doing it) I began to chair dance (as I’d done many times before – but in private!).
A stunned silence fell upon my colleagues in the office. After a short while, someone piped up “Oh my God, you’re chair dancing! I’ve never seen you look so happy!!”
And dear reader, I was indeed.