Songs & Music that make me cry

Many of these songs below are piano songs (not all) - just piano, and powerful, direct, clear vocals that are deeply moving. I play piano myself so maybe that's why piano gets me. Minor keys make us feel sad – oddly sad songs make us feel better because we know we are not alone.
Let It Be – written and sung by Paul McCartney (one of the best songs ever written, simple yet so emotional, about his mother who died when he was 13)
A Heart Needs Home - written and sung by Richard Thompson
This Cruel Country – written and sung by Richard Thompson (most moving lyrics)
Who Knows Where the Time Goes – written by Sandy Denny and sung by Fairport Convention
Persuasion - written and sung by Richard Thompson
Blue - written and sung by Joni Mitchell
River – written and sung by Joni Mitchell (can't praise Joni enough she's my musical hero)
Both Sides Now – written and sung by Joni Mitchell (my favourite all time song)
Always on My Mind – old song sung by Willie Nelson ( amazing emotions)
Clarinet Concerto In A, K 622 – Mozart (whenever I feel down the best therapy)
Nocturne In E Minor, Op.72, 1 – Chopin
Sonata Pathetique - Beethoven
Visions of Johanna – written sung by Bob Dylan ( immersing love song)
Bridge Over Troubled Water – written and sung by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkle
Tears in Heaven – written and sung by Eric Clapton (about his young son who fell to his death)
Fix You – Coldplay (wonderful mood the way it builds momentum)
Sometimes You Can't Make it on your own – written and sung by Bono and U2 (about Bono's father)
Probably more…..!!

Elton John: Music Magic Rocket Man SECC

Elton – Music Magic from the Rocket Man SECC Glasgow June 2009
Elton John was fabulous – dynamic vocals and piano and even after all these years performing he seems to thrive on it, while his voice gets better and better. Elton appeared up the steps and paused to bask in the audiences thrill to see him there!

Elton John...- I had forgotten how much I love ‘Your Song’ –  Great gig!.  Adrenalin rush to the head..I’m still standing!  

These photos of Elton were such an honour for me and I was hugely excited about my first time shooting at the SECC. It seemed quite restrictive and they were surprised I was there to shoot the support artist too. I always shoot support artists too, well you never know they might be big one day! Other press snappers turned up and we were all taken into the arena, where there was more waiting about in the dark at the front of the wide stage. Elton’s piano was the only shape lit up and then suddenly through the darkness he appeared up the side steps. We were only allowed the one song and the adrenalin rush was incredible and the knowing you only have such a short time to get that one shot. Nerve wracking!!  I thought after what an honour to shoot Elton.

Elton was wearing a pink shirt and pink glasses and a black jacket covered in colourful music notes and a keyboard and with the words ’music magic’ embroidered on the back. He ran through his back catalogue of hits and the packed SECC loved him. 

He built up the energy with strong renditions of 'I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues' and 'Daniel'.  Followed  by a full fifteen minute arrangement of his well known hit ‘Rocket Man’ which took the energy up after which he performed 'Sad Songs' and 'Sorry' which took the tempo down. 

The most moving moment was ‘Candle in the Wind‘ when you could hear a pin drop  in the dark with only Elton and his spot lit piano it felt like candles blowing in the air of the vast arena.  I heard echoes of Norma Jean and of Diana both beautiful ladies who shone for a brief time. He also sang 'I Need Love', 'Fly Away', 'Are You Ready For Love' and more from his wonderful back catalogue. He had his long time band members with him and Nigel Olsen on drums.  I was pleased that for his encore he played my favourite Elton song 'Your Song'. I had my Your Song piano sheet music with me with the vague hopes of getting it signed. I did get down near the front for the last songs and Elton was signing autographs, mostly gig tickets.

Elton writes piano melodies that touch people’s hearts and you could feel the love! Now this year I’ve taken photos of Richard Thompson and Elton both. If I could ever take shots of Paul McCartney (!!) I could die happy. I’d no idea what to expect and I guess the next time I take photos at the SECC I won’t be so nervous!

Broken Records - Oran Mor 2009

The band are being spoken of as the next big thing. They played packed and popular gigs in Inverness where they picked up a following, and also supported Sons and Daughters there.
Drawing on influences as diverse as folk legends the Waterboys to Canadian rockers Arcade Fire – this young 7 piece rock band from Edinburgh command the stage. In one sense their music might be called Celtic rock? - with the feel and mood of Scotland matched with an energetic rockiness. From charismatic blond front man Jamie Sutherland, and his brother on fiddle who displays a rich and dynamic style – the band have then added extra oomph with trumpet, and depth with cello. Also they boast powerhouse strong drums - good drummers can be often overlooked – yet they are the centre core of any top band. The band includes fiddle, guitar, bass, keys, drums, trumpet, and cello.
Sutherland also plays keys and guitar and takes the tempo down for a few songs. My thought is - watch out for this band and expect the music to match the hype here.

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT Old Fruitmarket

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT Old Fruitmarket Celtic Connections 2009
Shimmers like the sun – Something very gentle yet surreal and very strong in Martha’s performance of her meaningful songs. They swoop, yet also carry a clarity and depth to them. Her influences are strongly folk (from both her parents) yet blend and converge with other song writing and vocal styles - such as contemporary pop/rock, alt American country and even cabaret chanson, as heard in the early 20th century vaudeville clubs of Europe. Honing her own very unique style.

QUOTE -
Hamish Henderson Poet, translator, Highland folklorist, campaigner for Scottish parliament and guiding light behind the Edinburgh fringe festival. The tryst of Hamish Henderson, who has died aged 82, was with Scotland. It was a meeting of high consequence - across the 20th century, in darkness and in sun, Scotland informed all that Henderson was as a man and a poet. And in his Nelson Mandela freedom song, Rivonia, when Henderson sings, "Spear of the nation unbroken", it is to Scotland as much as South Africa that he refers. Like Burns, Henderson was, first and last, a poet, and poetry was for them both language rising into song, responsible to moment, people, place and joy. (QUOTE GUARDIAN Timothy Neat March 2002)