Often when we can't quite recall a name or a face, we find ourselves saying "ohh that sounds familiar but I'm not quite sure why!"
This is one of those times. One of the times I have worked out WHY it sounded so familiar.....
'Sounds Familiar'
2011 - So there I was after a gig just chilling and chatting in the Wisemans flat in Ladbroke Grove, London.
Although we were chatting I was listening more than usually do as I was in company that I see as wise.
It was a nice vibe after a soul lifting gig.
The chap on the sax was particularly good and kind of 'caught my heart'. It felt comfortable to listen to, easy to watch as he closed his eyes and played from his soul. It was so smooth & warm, almost like having a blanket wrapped around me.
It was fuzzy, warm & familiar....
The 'his name sounds familiar line' came up a lot over a few weeks. I knew one day I would work it out, I always do, however it was already beginning to grate on the nerves of one of my pals.
So I left it until this night, kept trying to put it to the back of my head. I hoped it would fall into place in my mind one day but I had to let it go.....
Then this chat took place.....
*Wiseman - "Ah yes....the guy on the sax? You mean Ray Carless..."
*Me - "hhmmm that name 'sounds familiar'....not sure why but almost as famliar as his sound. Heard him a few times now & can't work out if I know the name from networking in music or from actually hearing him before somewhere at other gigs.....hmmm"
Wiseman starts to inform me about Ray Carless, his musical past etc. It was facinating and calming to hear. Then the Wiseman starts to mention some bands/groups that Ray Carless has played with in the past...
Names roll off his tongue & suddenly I stop him...
*Me - "Woah! Hold up a sec! Did you say Bhundu Boys..like as in THE Bhundu Boys?!"
*Wiseman - (slowly) I did
*Me - (now slightly over excited) "ooh...that doesn't just 'sound familiar...that IS familiar!"
Wiseman raises a slighlty surprised looking eyebrow..and again s l o w l y says ... "r e a l l y ?"
*Me - "ya hey, reallllly! I think you might just have put my mind to rest about something."
I then tried to be cool & not be over excited (I'm not good at hiding it!). I regained my calm, finished the lovely mint tea I was kindly given & I trotted off home.
I couldn't wait to get home. I went straight to my box of LP's, yep the good old vinyl records.
Flicking through, record to record, I knew what I was looking for.
I felt confident it was still there. I don't delve into the box too much.
Then THERE it was! My Bhundu Boys - True Jit album. Played so many times yet in immaculate condition. I got it in 1988 or '89.
Bhundu Boys - True Jit
Obviously I was just pleased to still have it in my collection. I looked at the cover...nope, can't see Ray....then I turn it over...yep.... I turned it over and this what it said in clear black and white...*RAY CARLESS -Saxophone*.....
So there it was! The reason the name was so familiar & it felt comforting & familiar was because I had actually been listening to him without realising it for years!
Yes I was happy, yes I got over excited and yes, again I remembered to trust my gut reactions, because when I say something 'sounds familiar'....I'm not just saying it, I know that with time I will remember it...trust me I will!
***I have met Ray and he is a humble & talented man. He was also part of my inspiration to re-embrace my love for the clarinet & I have started to play again***
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