My knowledge of Loren is through my friend
Bert and the first thing to say is how content they were
in each other's company. Outside of his writing Bert was
a man of few words and by contrast Loren almost bubbled over
with enthusiasm on the phone about anything and everything
to do with music and Bert's place in it.
I first became aware of young Loren when she
began working on an album that had many artists I knew making
contributions to the recording. I think that is where she
first met Bert.
Years fly by and their relationship flourished
and they eventually married and Bert enjoyed some of his
happiest times. Loren put her own musical career on hold
whilst gently taking the reins on Bert's.
Through her efforts and tireless, contagious,
enthusiasm she persuaded Bert to take on projects and follow
up routes that I know he would have been reluctant to do
by himself. His profile steadily increased along with and
in proportion to her lovely smile and she even performed
the seemingly impossible of getting Pentangle to re-form
to huge critical acclaim. Through their struggle with illness
their bond became even more strong, each of them raising
their strength to help the other whilst from the wings we
watched in awe as they took on work in a continuum that would
have exhausted even a fit and well couple.
It was as if music
breathed the oxygen of hope into them both. When Bert finally
succumbed to his illness I wrote down a few thoughts to Loren
in which I tried to point out that she brought a stability
and order to Bert's life and her unstinting work and and
admiration for his art raised up his reputation to where
it should always have been and now where forever it will
remain.
What greater selfless
love is there than to stand in the shadow and let the light
from one's efforts shine brightly on the one you love?
Loren's work is over now,
and if the torch she lit for Bert's work is ever inadvertently
dropped, there are enough of us to see that it is picked
up and that his legacy will continue.
A few weeks ago at Bert's funeral,Loren
said, and here I must paraphrase, that she always hoped
that Bert's song As Fresh as a Sweet
Sunday Morning (although
composed before they had met) could have been written
for her. Well I remember Bert writing that song and recording
it and regardless of what others may have it, I always
thought that it was a song of aspiration, in hope that
he would one day meet this woman described in the lyric.
Well Loren, he did meet her and when ever I hear this
song I will think of you.
He did write it for you.
Ralph McTell
