FEATURE:
Kate Bush’s Music and Its Potential Impact in 2022…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in promotion of her one-off Christmas television special, Kate, in 1979/PHOTO CREDIT: Bernard Fallon
Reacting to a Humbling Christmas Message
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AS is traditional…
PHOTO CREDIT: John Carder Bush
at this time of year, we get a great message from Kate Bush wishing people a happy Christmas. Earlier this week, a message appeared on her official website. It makes for humbling and hugely inspiring:
“With nearly two years of Covid, are any of us the same people we were before? It’s left everyone confused and uncertain of the future.
It’s been a terrible time of loss for so many. I want to say a big thank you to all the people on the front line and in the NHS. I have such huge respect for all the nurses and doctors who’ve already been working flat out for nearly two years. These caring people are showing such extraordinary acts of kindness to others. Let’s hope they get the pay rises they rightly deserve.
I’d like to mention something that happened a few weeks ago on a walk; stopping to look at the view, I noticed something moving in a tree right beside me. It was a Goldcrest - the smallest bird in Europe, even smaller than a wren. I stood still, hoping not to frighten it away. Its colouring is beautiful - a peacock’s eye on each wing and a striking yellow streak on its tiny head. This gorgeous little ball of fluff flew away after ten minutes or so. I’ve only ever seen one once before and very briefly. It made my day. In these strange times, I really hope you can get the chance to stop for a moment and feel nature around you.
Please stay safe. Wishing you a restful Christmas and hoping 2022 is a happier year for everyone .
With love
Kate”
This year, whilst quiet for new stuff from Bush, has been very busy when it comes to people discovering her music. There has been, as I have said a lot, some great new books (including Finding Kate) that have helped introduce her music to new people. Cover versions have been released, and it has been a very hectic and fascinating year regarding the fandom! I am looking ahead to next year. I feel that there will be something in the way of something from Bush. There has been talk that her and Big Boi collaborating on a track. In addition, I genuinely believe we will get an album in the autumn. Rather than obsess about new stuff from Bush, we have so much good stuff out there. I keep finding out new things regarding Bush. She is a wonderful artist who has so many layers. If you have sort of got into her music but have not dived deep lately, I would say next year is a perfect chance to do that. Her music is so varied, it can lift the spirits or keep you company if you need something more reflective. It is fun putting together playlists of her music set around themes. Maybe you have a nature-based one, or you may fancy a more ‘out there’ one – in terms of the lyrics and themes being quite strange.
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush shot in 1989/PHOTO CREDIT: Guido Harari
There is something universal about Kate Bush’s music that, perhaps, was not evident at the start of her career. Over forty-plus years, she has released some of the most original music the world has heard. As we head towards Christmas and the end of a hard year, I feel Kate Bush’s music can give everyone strength and hope. Regardless of what comes from her in the future, there is an ocean of music, interviews and other bits from Bush that you can discover and enjoy! Read as many of the new books out about her and, as I said in my Christmas guide, there are great albums and merchandise that no fan should really be without! As much as anything, I think listening to some Kate Bush music every day should be part of your music-listening ritual. I have included a playlist at the end…but there is so much more to explore. After Kate Bush left a nice Christmas message – and one of support for frontline workers -, I am more determined than ever to write about her a lot and listening to her music even more. She is an artist who has provided so much strength to do many through the decades – and this will continue for generations more. After a brutal and strange 2021, have yourself…
A happy Katemas.