Yet, it was during this tumultuous three-year period that Rafferty would begin assembling the material that gave birth to City to City. Prior to making City to City, Rafferty spent several years amidst much legal wrangling and personal turmoil with his former record label in the aftermath of the demise of his band Stealers Wheel whih had topped the charts with “Stuck in the Middle with You” in 1973. Add to that the searing guitar solo played by Hugh Burns it’s held in high regard by many guitarists due to its strong melodic content and instantly recognizable. And in “Baker Street” it perfectly suits the traveling aspect to the song’s lyrical matter: “Winding your way down on Baker Street.” It brings to the song and music a sophisticated edge and shows the depth and knowledge of Rafferty’s musicianship and songwriting genius. In this case, A is the primary chord, while the D note in the bass gives the illusion of another chord D being heard whilst providing a moving bass line, especially when used by piano and guitar. The song’s emotionally charged lyrics underscore the alienation of city life while at the same, reflecting a desire and longing for home.Īnd the subtle use of “slash” chords - for the musically uninitiated, these are chords that imply a second related chord by the use of a bass note, for example A/D. This is the mark of a true musical genius.Īnd the album’s most famous song, the resplendent “Baker Street,” with its iconic signature sax motif, is a masterful textbook lesson in songwriting itself. It is music that transcends its contemporary time frame and continues to sound fresh 43 years on, its message still resonating after all these years. Not the sort that is subject to the latest trend of the day, that later becomes a throwaway, relegated to the past. The songs get inside you, and never leave. Every element came together at the precise moment, brick by brick, building its sonic framework to perfection, so that it could convey its aural message to the listener. Then there is the music, which from a musician’s point of view was superbly well-crafted. His frequent travels to and experiences in London also provided much songwriting inspiration as was highlighted on “Baker Street,” while his Scottish roots were echoed in “The Ark.” These are all universal themes that everyone relates to, themes which form the basis of many other timeless classics. A sense of family, connectedness and a longing for home were at the core of Rafferty’s songwriting spirit. Much of Rafferty’s writing was inspired by his enormous love for his family, evident on some of the songs on City to City, in particular “Mattie’s Rag,” which was written for his daughter Martha, and “Right Down the Line,” written for his wife at the time. A gifted songwriter whose lyrics were infused with an emotional depth that sprang from the depths of his soul. What is it about this album, and Rafferty in particular, that casts such an enormous pull over my life? Let’s start with the man himself. So much so, that I’ve even over time collected numerous pressings of the same album on vinyl from various countries around the world, spending much of my free hours while on tour seeking out second-hand record stores and thrift stores in a quest to find another pressing. I’ve worn out numerous copies over the years: vinyl, cassettes, CDs, and each time, purchasing a replacement.
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