Warm at Home

Our mind works in curious ways. Sometimes I have a certain feeling of loneliness. I love Ashland. From the window of my one room (a studio apartment) I see Grizzly Peak, a mountain I love. But even so, sometimes… as I just said. Now and then too, memories come to me, of other places I also love. The north side quarter of Gesell, a small town on the South Atlantic is one of them. 206th street, between 304 and 305, for instance. The winding street, with the ancient pines and the cozy houses. That place always gives me a wonderful warm feeling. I was lucky enough to have lived only a few blocks from there on and off.

There is some music too, that especially reaches the deepest of my heart. Gerry Mulligan and Bill Evans are very much bound to good moments in my life. This morning I downloaded Gerry Mulligan’s Night Lights, as I don’t have it with me at present. So, a while ago, after having prepared a certain text for printing, I played Night Lights. I remembered, instantly, with details, the moment when I found the CD, many years ago. We had gone out for dinner with my mother and daughter. Going back home, we stopped at a record store. The jazz CDs were on the right side, past the middle of the shop. Fumbling, I found Night Lights. I was quite surprised of having found an “album” by Gerry Mulligan I had never heard of. Bought it immediately. Played it immediately as soon as we made it home. I loved the atmosphere from the first few bars, and all along the themes.

Since then, I’ve played Night Lights, every time I want a music that brings that quiet, happy atmosphere, along with some romanticism too. There is romanticism in Gerry Mulligan’s music. Happiness, lyricism and romanticism. Those are things I share with Gerry Mulligan, even after he’s gone. When I listen to this album, I feel pleasantly at home, no matter where I am. Our mind works in curious ways.