Another example, already in the public domain - of the power of Steve's compositions - with strings involved.

North West Europe is a Cockney Rebel stronghold. Great Britain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and Norway, in particular, and Steve often spoke of his enjoyment of travelling there (as he does here, in the opening of 22 minutes of Viking sound and vision). I should also include Finland - 'The Best Years Of Our Lives' LP made just outside the Top 20 there, back in the day. Appropriately in this context - in 1973/74, Miss Hultgren was my (Finnish) cultural studies teacher!

He and Cockney Rebel enjoyed travelling by boat and ship and this reminds me of when we were in Norway, in 2004. I felt right at home there. Their train system is a joy to travel on too, and their food is a very high quality. Norge er bra!

Strangely, this started for me, back in 1975, about the time I bought my very first album (referred to elsewhere herein), when Carolyn C, mentioned to me that she'd been on holiday to Norway, with her parents. That stayed with me (unconsciously) until (we) eventually got there, almost thirty years later.

I just get the sense of Steve (in 2011) really enjoying his 'niche', he knew he and the band could still earn a good living, touring. But why not also enjoy the sights and culture along the way?! This is a man at ease with himself, a man content with 'his lot'.

For Cockney Rebel, the audiences were beginning, in my view, to get larger (again) during the following dozen years...Anyway, it's what they did...

(Enjoy your weekend)