Melbourne, 2024.
Power House RFC enjoys the most successful rugby union season in its proud history. Three senior sides celebrate Grand Finals success, a fourth finishes runners-up, a fifth fails to qualify for its title game by the thinnest of margins.
10,000 miles away, via webstream and reports from my son, I watch events unfold. Week by week, thanks to plenty of skill and dogged determination, the wins pile up. I can literally feel the club’s optimism, spirit, momentum, and camaraderie. Sport one of the few things in life that has the power to draw people together and move them as a collective.
Music is another.
And so, it stands to reason there should be any number of medleys available to supply sporting inspiration, to provide emotional highs, to remember favourite moments. To perhaps supercharge a performance, to pump up a changing room, get a clubhouse singing and dancing.
In this regard, I always look forward to the Power House musical selections, announced via various game day playlists on the club Facebook page.
Now of a certain vintage, I cannot pretend any real familiarity with the chosen artists, never mind the actual recordings. Nonetheless, I know the intention. It certainly seems to work. Furthermore, it immediately takes me far back in time. Decades ago. To 1976.
Canadian born trumpeter Maynard Ferguson closes the Montreal Olympics. His scintillating execution of Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” seen live and by millions of television viewers, draws rave reviews. A year later comes his Grammy nominated version of “Gonna Fly Now,” the indelible theme from the movie Rocky.
I am immediately hooked. With a somewhat meandering collegiate basketball career requiring a jump start, timely motivation arrives in the form of this superlative horn player. Lips of steel, ear piercing power, and dizzying high notes part of the package.
Enter “MacArthur Park,” Ferguson’s rearranged pop/rock big band tribute. Ten magical minutes of genius and virtuosity. The delivery tight and clean.
Mid afternoon before every home game, for three consecutive seasons, I load up the turntable. Watch the arm swing into position, see the needle drop towards a specific track on the LP titled M.F Horn. A second of static and crackle as I lie back on the couch, eyes closed. My mind a kaleidoscope of pictures and thoughts as sounds swell through the nearby speakers.
The music reaches deep into my heart and soul.
The band operates as a well-oiled machine, like a quality team in a high-level, competitive game. Ferguson is unquestionably the star, the crowds there to see and listen to him. Yet, as brilliant as he is, as a renowned entertainer and educator, he makes it a point to involve and showcase others. Pure and simple, at times he gets out of their way, lets the backup musicians shine. Role players, so critical to the success of any group, unveiled, their own playing rock solid and beautiful.
As a result, a superb arrangement includes sultry, soulful baritone, alto, and tenor saxophone riffs, a delightful piano solo, the steady backing of drums and bass. Tempos change, from ballad to fast paced jazz. Then slow, awaiting the return of the fantastic frontman. Yet, as if part of a game whose pace has ebbed away, “MacArthur Park,” sparked by the dynamic Ferguson and a flawless brass section, quickly regains a boundless energy and vitality.
I replay various sections. Just listening, over and over, remains an emotional experience. Highly motivating. My spirits soar. Shivers down the spine, the tremendous range and impossibly high, clear notes invoking excitement and awe. Past high C, then into the next octave. Tone and timbre unique.
I return from my reverie. My heart continues to pound. But I feel strong. Stoked even. Determined to find moments to stand out in the game that evening. At a minimum, to contribute and play efficiently.
And if this does not come to pass, I know that one or more of my teammates will cover the necessary support roles. While, for me, there will always be next week. Or the week after that.
Alas, no such luxury exists for the illustrious Maynard Ferguson. For him, there is no equal, and never will be.
Editor’s note:
See the link below and listen to MacArthur Park. Ten minutes well spent!!
Wow! never heard of him before but really enjoyed the music.