MELANIE SAFKA : AN APPRECIATION

A guest posting by flimflamfan

It was a phase. A phase that, till now, has lasted most of my lifetime. That phase was a love of the music of Melanie Safka, known professionally as Melanie.

The news of her death left me feeling old, sad and tearful but above all thankful that I had ‘accidentally’ stumbled upon her music in the very early 80s.

I feel like an imposter-fan… I own only four LPs and one single (three of the four LPs are Best Ofs) and another ‘Best Of’ CD.

Introduced to the world of ‘hippy’ music, as I entered my teens, I tended to side with West Coast psychedelia and had only a passing interest in the UK cohort. When I first heard Melanie (not taking into account the wonderful pop-hit Brand New Key) – that voice! As mellifluous as it was strident – it called to me.

My first purchase was Affectionately, Melanie (1974). I most likely bought it second-hand in 1980/81? One listen and I was hooked. I had Janis (Joplin). I had Grace (Slick). Now, I had Melanie (Safka).

Around the time of my Melanie epiphany there was another epiphany and the soundtrack to that, for me, was Melanie’s I Don’t Eat Animals (1970). Another soundtrack, a few years later – from another Melanie fan, an independent pop star – was to make a starker more dramatic statement but till then I had my anthem.

In 1983 Melanie released the single Every Breath of the Way. I was sure it was going to be a hit. I had to be, surely? It was not to be, but… I still have my 7” picture disc.

As a singer/songwriter Melanie is a colossus. As an artist interpreting the work of others she can, on occasion be a genius. Her versions of Ruby Tuesday and Mr Tambourine Man are THE definitive versions, in my opinion.

This is a sad day. It’s also a joyous day as I’m reminded of her body of work and what it meant, what it means to me.

Thanks, Melanie

flimflamfan

JC adds……

I never turn down requests for guest postings, and especially when it comes from someone who is such a friend and valued member of the TVV community, and a huge thanks to fff for his wonderful and heartfelt words.

Just to mention that today was scheduled to feature #45 in Dirk’s long-running series.  It’ll still be with you, but a few hours later than the usual time for the daily post.