Holidays & Travel

with Al Hidden

What’s on your summer travel playlist? A random mix of favourites? Or perhaps music evoking trips made – or planned? With summer getaways in mind, I’ve been thinking about music with a strong sense of place.

For me, it started with Francis Lai’s ‘Un Homme et Une Femme’, which first captivated me in the 1960s. The song, and the movie of the same name, continues to weave Gallic spells with its romantic imagery of 1960s Paris, Le Mans racing and chic Deauville. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any French road trip.

Jump forward 50 years and half a world. We’re in a shop on Ushuaia’s Avenue San Martin, I hear what I now know to be ‘Bomba de Tiempo’ by the late Gustavo Cerati. I ask what the song is and seek out the ‘Ahí Vamos’ CD that henceforth reminds me of our trip through Argentina, Chile and Brazil.

By sea from Ushuaia, Antarctica’s another 48 hours further south and high on our travel bucket list. When we get there, it’ll be with the icy aural imagery – and signature wind machine – of Vaughan Williams’ ‘Sinfonia Antarctica’ on our phones. Brrr!

Heading north through the Americas, songs from singer-songwriter Tom Russell, Canada’s Ian Tyson and Heart’s ‘Dreamboat Annie’ transport me to the Pacific Northwest faster than any jet.

I’ve always time for Cuban rhythm too; Buena Vista Social Club unfailingly evokes Havana’s magic. So does Stacey Kent’s ‘I Wish I Could Go Travelling Again’ – but you probably already know that from February’s article…

Recalling several memorable Japan trips, Kent features again as ‘Bullet Train’ delivers Jazzinfused calm after too much ‘Kawaii’ J-Pop. And when I ask my wife what prompts memories of working in Australia, it’s not Men at Work or Midnight Oil but The Proclaimers’ ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ that evokes 1980s Sydney. Ah, song power!

Back to Europe and my fondness for anything Swiss. Whether heard at home on Luzern’s Radio Pilatus, or walking the Reusstal towards the Gotthard Pass, Züri West’s ‘Fische Versänke’ or Stubete Gäng’s ‘Göschene-Airolo’ are as distinctly Helvetic as any little red Swiss Army knife.

From France to the Alps via Argentina, Japan and British Columbia, that’s my playlist sorted. And you? What’s getting you through that long holiday drive or airport delay? Wherever you find yourself this summer, just hit ‘Play’ and let your favourite music take you around the globe.