Strange the Things we Don't Remember
In 2002, Irregular Records assembled and issued the album, 9x2: English Contemporary Chanson, which drew contributions of two songs from each of nine performers. Leon was represented with "Soldiering On" from Intruders, plus a completely new song: "Strange the Things We Don't Remember".
This apparently recent composition is one of Leon's more beautifully poised, the tale of a half-remembered day long ago, flying kites on Hampstead Heath with the girl of his desires. In Leon's passion, the kites are symbols of the two lovebirds, soaring and dancing in the air, and ultimately locking together - much to the girl's dismay. She clearly isn't the romantic Leon had hoped for, and as the kites crash down, the brief romance dies.
The recording itself is arranged unusually for Leon, but highly effectively, with Miranda Sykes's bowed upright bass underscoring Leon's guitar, and capturing some moments of pure elegance, especially the warming upturn on the refrain, "We can't forget". The song would later be included on the CD, Turning Silence Into Song.
This apparently recent composition is one of Leon's more beautifully poised, the tale of a half-remembered day long ago, flying kites on Hampstead Heath with the girl of his desires. In Leon's passion, the kites are symbols of the two lovebirds, soaring and dancing in the air, and ultimately locking together - much to the girl's dismay. She clearly isn't the romantic Leon had hoped for, and as the kites crash down, the brief romance dies.
The recording itself is arranged unusually for Leon, but highly effectively, with Miranda Sykes's bowed upright bass underscoring Leon's guitar, and capturing some moments of pure elegance, especially the warming upturn on the refrain, "We can't forget". The song would later be included on the CD, Turning Silence Into Song.
"The setting for 'Strange the Things We Don't Remember' is the top of Parliament Hill in London. It's another of those stories where meaning is open to interpretation. I can't myself explain why anyone would want to write a song about flying kites." - LR (Turning Silence Into Song, (songbook), p75)
"Kite-flying on the top of Parliament Hill. Ah yes. Memories, memories. Or are they?" - LR (Turning Silence Into Song (sleevenotes), 2004)
"Kite-flying on the top of Parliament Hill. Ah yes. Memories, memories. Or are they?" - LR (Turning Silence Into Song (sleevenotes), 2004)
Recordings
Version 1 (2002)
- 9x2: Contemporary English Chanson Various artists collection
- Turning Silence Into Song Believed to be the same recording