In full Classic Brit Awards spirit, tenants at a retirement home in Glasgow have been listening to music from their youth and comparing it with today’s drastically different genres.
In a nod to Vera Lynn’s nominations for Female Artist of the Year and Best Album, and to mark her profound contribution to UK music and culture, tenants at Bield’s Carntyne Gardens enjoyed an afternoon listening to her hits.
From ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ to ‘We’ll Meet Again’ the forces’ sweetheart evoked memories of wartime living.
Mary Walker, tenant at Carntyne Gardens, said: “I find these pieces of music very moving – they take me back to when father returned from the war.
“I used to listen to this track for hours on end, without ever feeling the urge to go onto the next track – it’s such a beautiful piece of music.”
Along with the accolades that Vera Lynn was nominated for, she also received a lifetime achievement prize.
William Glen, tenant at Carntyne Gardens, said: “You could really dance to music from our day.
“I’d dance the smooth foxtrot with my wife on the weekends at Dennistoun Dance Hall – Glenn Miller’s In the Mood was our favourite track.”
When comparing the 40’s hits with today’s tracks, the tenants agreed that today’s popular Grime music wasn’t for them.
Glen added: “We love music that we can sing and dance to. This Grime music doesn’t let us do that.
“Music from our decade is timeless, powerful, and will never be forgotten. And nothing will ever compare to it.”
Carol Harvey, Development Manager at Carntyne Gardens, said: “They certainly weren’t fans of Skepta or Stormzy, but when forced to choose they did agree that Stormzy was better.
“The tenants had a great day getting together and sharing stories from the wartime era – and seeing just how much music has changed over the years.”
Bield is a registered charity which provides a wide range of housing and services for around 15,000 people across 22 local authority areas in Scotland.
