Thought-provoking post, Michael. I’ve not seen Harold and Maude, but that scene, and your description of the film, makes me want to go and watch it. Such a striking juxtaposition between the field of daisies and the military cemetery, as you say.
I love the idea of age sharing wisdom and perspective with youth. It’s often seen as not welcome in real life (western life anyway), but there is so much to learn from life experience and the insights that come with it.
Thank you kindly, Rich. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
I think in Western society we don't value or respect each other enough to full appreciate, listen or learn from one another. Capitalism, in particular, celebrates and rewards the individual so we don't have that sense of respectful community that many other societies share and value.
If you watch it (it's on Prime), I'd love to hear what you think of 'Harold & Maude.'
I always look forward to your posts, Michael, the way you shine a light on art and music and write about each with such depth and insight. You've introduced me to so many musicians that I've come to love, and Spirtualized is just one of them. Harold and Maud is a movie I've heard about over the years that sounded like something I'd like but never got around to watching. I'll have to find out where it's streaming and try to watch. Thank you for the light and inspiration you bring to us each week. I always feel uplifted after reading.
Awww, I am very humbled by your kind words, Deborah. Reading this makes my day. Thank you. It's validating to know there are some people out there who enjoy my efforts to make connections with music & art and my attempt to tie them into the deeper meaning of life, love, and the universe. 🙏
I am fairly certain 'H&M' is on Amazon Prime. If you do watch it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. It's quirky, it's dark, but there is so much more going on than the obvious relationship between two people at different spectrums of life. Sure, it's dated, but its overall message, coupled with its fabulous soundtrack, is beautifully timeless.
I remember the huge difference between the first two times I saw Spiritualized, and it was that hugeness of sound. I'm happy I got to see them in their small intimate club form and their big room choral glory. Great way to tie together the light. I need a 'Harold & Maude' rewatch, maybe a Bud Cort double feature with "Brewster McCloud".
When I was in London I saw Spiritualized in some nice venues, but when we first moved to Portland they played a tiny venue that is now a doughnut shop! It was so small, in fact, that I was sitting on the stage next to Jason. They now play places at approximately 800 capacity, but still considerably more intimate than they would play in London.
One of their gigs in London I did see was John Peel's Meltdown which had the killer line-up of Sonic Youth, The Delgados & Spiritualized (around their 'Ladies & Gents' tour). The final 15 minutes was a wall of noise jam during 'Cop Shoot Cop' with all members of each band occupying the Royal Festival Hall stage.
I haven't seen Harold and Maud. Tea for the Tillerman is a treasured album. I can get almost painfully nostalgic listening to this song and the scene from the film enhances this feeling further. I'll definitely watch it, when I have the emotional headspace to process what it touches. I love Spiritualized, this track is right up my street and at the top of the hill on my 'Epic' playlist. Nice work drawing it all together!
Thanks for another lovely piece Michael! I’m a little behind on my Substack reading and trying to work my way through them strategically. Knowing that I’d have something to say about your post (I always do), I’ve left it until I have a bit of headspace and time.
I’ve heard of Harold and Maude before but never seen it. I’ll add it to my watch list and will plan to get to it at some point when I’m a little more settled, which may be a while.
That was a lovely scene. As the camera panned out on the tombstones I found it very reminiscent of a field of flowers, the type that Maude was talking to Harold about. While, in the case of the tombstones, they were very similar to each other, the lives they represented were unique and individual in their own way. The Cat Stevens track was a perfect accompaniment.
I’ve never listened to much of Spiritualized. I did see them open for Radiohead at Radio City in 1998 and remembered enjoying them as an opening act but never really followed their music.
Thought-provoking post, Michael. I’ve not seen Harold and Maude, but that scene, and your description of the film, makes me want to go and watch it. Such a striking juxtaposition between the field of daisies and the military cemetery, as you say.
I love the idea of age sharing wisdom and perspective with youth. It’s often seen as not welcome in real life (western life anyway), but there is so much to learn from life experience and the insights that come with it.
Thank you kindly, Rich. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
I think in Western society we don't value or respect each other enough to full appreciate, listen or learn from one another. Capitalism, in particular, celebrates and rewards the individual so we don't have that sense of respectful community that many other societies share and value.
If you watch it (it's on Prime), I'd love to hear what you think of 'Harold & Maude.'
I always look forward to your posts, Michael, the way you shine a light on art and music and write about each with such depth and insight. You've introduced me to so many musicians that I've come to love, and Spirtualized is just one of them. Harold and Maud is a movie I've heard about over the years that sounded like something I'd like but never got around to watching. I'll have to find out where it's streaming and try to watch. Thank you for the light and inspiration you bring to us each week. I always feel uplifted after reading.
Awww, I am very humbled by your kind words, Deborah. Reading this makes my day. Thank you. It's validating to know there are some people out there who enjoy my efforts to make connections with music & art and my attempt to tie them into the deeper meaning of life, love, and the universe. 🙏
I am fairly certain 'H&M' is on Amazon Prime. If you do watch it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. It's quirky, it's dark, but there is so much more going on than the obvious relationship between two people at different spectrums of life. Sure, it's dated, but its overall message, coupled with its fabulous soundtrack, is beautifully timeless.
Thank you for that. I'll check it out on Prime and let you know.
I remember the huge difference between the first two times I saw Spiritualized, and it was that hugeness of sound. I'm happy I got to see them in their small intimate club form and their big room choral glory. Great way to tie together the light. I need a 'Harold & Maude' rewatch, maybe a Bud Cort double feature with "Brewster McCloud".
When I was in London I saw Spiritualized in some nice venues, but when we first moved to Portland they played a tiny venue that is now a doughnut shop! It was so small, in fact, that I was sitting on the stage next to Jason. They now play places at approximately 800 capacity, but still considerably more intimate than they would play in London.
One of their gigs in London I did see was John Peel's Meltdown which had the killer line-up of Sonic Youth, The Delgados & Spiritualized (around their 'Ladies & Gents' tour). The final 15 minutes was a wall of noise jam during 'Cop Shoot Cop' with all members of each band occupying the Royal Festival Hall stage.
I haven't seen Harold and Maud. Tea for the Tillerman is a treasured album. I can get almost painfully nostalgic listening to this song and the scene from the film enhances this feeling further. I'll definitely watch it, when I have the emotional headspace to process what it touches. I love Spiritualized, this track is right up my street and at the top of the hill on my 'Epic' playlist. Nice work drawing it all together!
Thank you, Phil! When you get the time to watch 'Harold & Maude' I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for another lovely piece Michael! I’m a little behind on my Substack reading and trying to work my way through them strategically. Knowing that I’d have something to say about your post (I always do), I’ve left it until I have a bit of headspace and time.
I’ve heard of Harold and Maude before but never seen it. I’ll add it to my watch list and will plan to get to it at some point when I’m a little more settled, which may be a while.
That was a lovely scene. As the camera panned out on the tombstones I found it very reminiscent of a field of flowers, the type that Maude was talking to Harold about. While, in the case of the tombstones, they were very similar to each other, the lives they represented were unique and individual in their own way. The Cat Stevens track was a perfect accompaniment.
I’ve never listened to much of Spiritualized. I did see them open for Radiohead at Radio City in 1998 and remembered enjoying them as an opening act but never really followed their music.