I’m stretched out on the sofa, listening intently while the Mister plays me Meat is Murder by The Smiths.
Ok, so it’s not the most obvious title for a romantic evening at home.
But I still get goosebumps whenever I remember the look on his face and the feeling in his voice as he talked me through the lyrics and what that album meant to him.
Mix tapes were the business back in the day. But there’s nothing quite like sharing an amazing album in its entirety with the one you love.
Classic Album Sundays is a regular event devoted to the fine art of listening for pleasure. Originating in New York, there are now Classic Album Sunday events in London, Oslo, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Tokyo.
London organisers, DJ Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy and her husband, curate the vinyl selections every month for this ‘communal and audiophile experience’.
There are loose guidelines including switching off cellphones and mindless chatter, so you can give the music your full attention.
The concept of Classic Album Sundays has been calling to me since I first heard about it at Camp Bestival last year. The CAS tent had back-to-back albums playing, including cool selections for kids like Yellow Submarine by The Beatles.
The playlist at CAS is eclectic with past highlights including:
De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising
The Beatle’s Abbey Road
Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love
Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue
Talking Heads’ Remain in Light
Prince and the Revolution’s Purple Rain
Chemical Brothers’ Exit Planet Dust
Stravinsky’s The Firebird and The Rite of Spring
The Clash’s London Calling
Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions
Proper.
The CAS team encourages people to interact via Facebook and the web site — you can suggest an album online or even go ahead and start your own listening movement.
Earlier this month, CAS collaborated with the Red Bull Academy for a David Bowie Special with three albums introduced live by their producers, Ken Scott, Tony Visconti and Nile Rodgers.
And tomorrow night, you could treat your other half to a CAS after-work event at The Hanbury Arms in N1 where David Bowie’s Hurly Burly’s on the record player.
Could be a date night classic.
Classic Album Sundays presents David Bowie Hunky Dory at The Hanbury Arms, 33 Linton Street, N1 on Wed May 15, 6.30-9.30pm. £8 on the door or £8 + service charge online. Advanced booking recommended.
Follow Classic Album Sundays on Facebook and check out the web site for upcoming events at www.classicalbumsundays.com
Dates with Dads is a new series on Babes about Town where we suggest fun ideas for ‘date nights’ or afternoon escapes with your baby daddy, either at home or around town. Look out for more coming soon!
