Yoko Ono - Season of Glass
#226
June 8 1981 LISTENING POST ADMIN DISCOVERY
Yoko Ono
Season of Glass
Genre: A Perfect Eulogy
4.5 out of 5
Highlights:
Goodbye Sadness
Even When You’re Far Away
Toyboat
It’s been 40 years since John Lennon was shot. I was never much of a Beatles fan so it didn’t hit me as hard as other. Cuz, I was young and stupid and didn’t know what a tragic loss it was. But I have experience loss. We all have. I’ve lost all my grandparents. My parents, dad died when he was 49, mom at 74.
My own first born child died of a terminal illness when she was 13.
I’ve reached that age where my friends are starting to go. Just last year a high school pal succumbed to cancer. I hear drips and drabs of others from my year at Chatham Township High School who die.
It’s becoming less and less of a shock when someone in my peer group dies. Sure, that’s incredibly young, but it’s going to be more expected than it would be when we were in our 20s.
That’s why the tears were flowing during the opener of this record, “Goodbye Sadness”. Because that’s the very sentiment you need when people die.
I know not a few people who have clung to the dead. Especially parents. Especially those who lost their child in infancy or just after. Moving on is hard. You don’t want to forget them. You are afraid that you will.
When someone asks me how many children I have there is a moment that happens in my head where I have a little debate. (This happens EVERY time, btw). I have to weigh the present versus the past.
If I say I have two children, which I do, does that mean I have left Lizzy to the ether of the past?
If I say “three” I have to qualify that one is dead. That keeps the memory alive but invariably halts the conversation while the other person offers condolences. They feel bad. I feel bad. Partially because I don’t really need the condolences. It’s been 14 years. I’ve dealt with it. I only cry once a year now. I created a scholarship in her name. I really can’t wait for the funds to be paid out in full because it’s a constant reminder, it’s bookkeeping now and it’s actually served it purpose, which was to help me through my grief.
Anyway.
I need songs like “Goodbye Sadness”. We all do. Because you can’t mourn forever. If you do, you can’t live life to the fullest. And there’s so much time and so little to do.
Strike that.
Reverse it.
This album is long. But, so is grief. Yoko and John’s love was deep. It deserves more than just one song. This entire album is mourning. It’s like Shiva. Those seven days start off feeling interminable but, by the end, you are laughing and ready to move on in the world.
After Side One lulls you into a state of acceptance and calm, Side Two kicks you right in the chest by addressing the elephant directly. “I Don’t Know Why” is exactly the sentiment I had when I learned of Lizzy’s diagnosis.
And, man…”No, No, No”. That’s really something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfB8aqDUqbU
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