Music that changes the world

I'll start this piece with some good news - even if it's a couple of years late - but maybe someone like me missed it. To celebrate 50 years since the release of Tea for the Tillerman, Cat Stevens has decided to re-record this album with new arrangements. End of info. Do you also happen to be projected somewhere in space when you listen to good music? One of my first times was listening to this amazing album.

I was 10 years old and Gatto Stefano immediately rose to first place among my favorite singers, outclassing Alberto Camerini. How many times have I sung at the top of my lungs "O baby baby è un mondo selvaggio", wanting with all my heart to become a singer-songwriter so I could have my say on the things of life. Even if this hasn't happened yet, except for my old youthful hit Mi hai rubato i scarpe e l'anima, listening to this wonderful album makes me happy and satisfied from the first to the last song! And it makes me think: can music change the world? And the answer is always yes.

How many fewer wars would there have been if the powerful of the earth had listened to good music with the ears of a child?
There was an old joke by Woody Allen that said: "Every time I listen to Wagner I feel like invading Poland" and I - even though I love old Woody - have never agreed: those who love music, want to listen to other music and have no time to invade anything at all. Wishing for a world with more music and fewer invasions.

Andrea Gotico
NP November 2024