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Cross in Oxford

Taken back in 2016 this cross was in a very overgrown churchyard in Oxford.

It brings to mind "Jesus was a Cross Maker" written by Judee Sill.

Very many moons ago I did have a few tracks by Judee. They were likely recorded onto those 'reel to reel' tapes :-) Recently, in a charity shop, I came across Judee's first album from 1971. It was on cd with bonus tracks for an absolute bargain price.

In 1973 Judee released a second album entitled "Heart Food". Judee had partially completed a third album before dying of a drug overdose in 1979.

Judee was the first artist signed to David Geffen's Asylum label and there are lots of articles on the internet about Judee.

Two statements that ring so true are -
"Brilliant and bewitching, she could have been the most famous singer-songwriter of the Seventies."
"Judee's story is a story of self-destruction, missed opportunities, but – most importantly - artistic triumph".

"Jesus was a Cross Maker", produced by Graham Nash, was written about John David Souther. Apparently, J D Souther broke Judee's heart when he left Judee to become Linda Ronstadt's boyfriend.

Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music

♫ ♪ ♪ ♫ Listen here ~ Jesus was a Cross Maker ~ Judee Sill (Live)

♫ ♪ ♪ ♫ Listen here ~ Jesus was a Cross Maker ~ Judee Sill (Studio Recording)
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11 comments

Karen's Place said:

Oh, what a sad story, Roger. It gave me chills. We've lost so much talent to self-destruction over the years. It reminds me of Candy Givens/Zephyr who we also lost in the 70s. Such a waste.

She had a beautiful voice and the song goes great with your gorgeous image. The bokeh really sets that cross off nicely.
5 years ago

Roger Bennion replied to Karen's Place:

Just been reading about Candy Givens/Zephyr and listening to some of their music on YouTube. The 70's were brilliant for music but so many tragedies! Thank you so much for complimenting my photo, Karen.
5 years ago

Roger (Grisly) said:

By the quality it would appear that the cross had either weathered well or was still fairly, new a nice find and capture anyway Roger,
A lovely clear voice in a nice song, Sadly the evils of drugs take a never ending toll
5 years ago

Roger Bennion replied to Roger (Grisly):

Yes, even though the churchyard was very overgrown I reckon it could have been a fairly recent addition. Thanks very much, Roger.
5 years ago

Karen's Place replied to Roger Bennion:

So true. It really makes you wonder what they could have done.
5 years ago

Roger Bennion replied to Karen's Place:

So much more they could have given I'm sure.
5 years ago

Karen's Place replied to Roger Bennion:

Amen to that!
5 years ago

Roger Bennion replied to Karen's Place:

:-))
5 years ago ( translate )

Jaap van 't Veen said:

What a beautiful - and razor sharp - details.
5 years ago

Roger Bennion replied to Jaap van 't Veen:

Thank you very much, Jaap. Appreciated.
5 years ago ( translate )

Clickity Click said:

The boke really sets of the crispness of the detail. Lovely old cross, thanks for sharing.
5 years ago