Return to exotic Istria

1973 I discovered that music was a common bond that could break through even iron curtains.

Teddy and I had decided to return to Rabac for a second holiday in Istria. And this time we felt affluent enough to throw in a hired car. We were amazed by how rapturously we were welcomed back. Music was a big discussion in our developing friendships. The Yugoslav guys had their Deep Purple, Grand Funk and Santana albums, and took us to a live gig of a nationally famous band, playing decent prog rock. The car was important too. In a back to the future moment, we wondered why it attracted catcalls from local guys, and our friends explained that it was because it carried Sarajevo numberplates. They persuaded us to make a trip across the border to Trieste - they wanted to shop. It was an epic journey in the orange Beetle. On the way back we stopped late in Porec to take in a club. It was in a cellar, or perhaps a cave, the people were cool, the drinks intoxicating, and then this track came on, a song I knew and loved, but a wild, chaotic live version, which perfectly captured the mood of the evening and the atmosphere in the club. I play it and in my minds eye, I am back in that club.