The Age of Humans by Retrospection reflects my deep concern about the lack of urgency in dealing with the human contributions to global warming and consequential climate change. If you have differing views, ignore the lyrics and enjoy the music, and be a FOLLOWER if you would like to hear more music from me.

The Age Of Humans

All people at some stage of their life experience an impossible situation in which they just can't win, whatever they do. "Damned if You do and Damned if You Don't" is the refrain in No Running Away by Retrospection. Be one of my FOLLOWERS if you would like to hear more music from me..

No Running Away

Many a musician or singer has experienced the thrill of playing to an enthusiastic crowd while countless more have enjoyed the exciting atmosphere as simply "one of the crowd". Transforming The Night by Retrospection is the musical story of one such concert. Be one of my FOLLOWERS If you would like to hear more music from me.

Transforming The Night

Inspired by the golden age of rock'n'roll from the late fifties to the early sixties. Please be one of my FOLLOWERS If you would like to hear more music from me.

Rock Away The Night

The influences for this track were boogie-woogie (especially Jerry Lee Lewis) and rockabilly (especially Ricky Nelson). It is the story of a young man wanting to develop a relationship with a lady who was previously in an abusive marriage and who will never put herself in such a position ever again.

Joanne

Reminiscing about the era when, as a teenager, owning your own car was a big deal. You were regarded as some sort of hero, someone who was special.

Your Own Wheels, Retrospection, soft rock, rock, car song, Happy Days, thrill, joy, teenagers.

Your Own Wheels

This song is autobiographical. It traces three different stages of my journey through life with music always by my side.

rock, soft rock, pop rock, Retrospection, Music All The Way

Music All The Way

This song is about travelling across the Nullarbor Plain which is part of the area of flat, almost treeless, arid or semi-arid country of southern Australia, bordering the Great Australian Bight coast. The name “Nullarbor” is Latin and means “no trees” i.e. “treeless.”

For those who would like to know a little more about things that are mentioned in the lyrics, read on.

The Eyre Highway officially begins in Port Augusta, South Australia, and ends in Norseman, Western Australia (if travelling west). The small town of Ceduna on the Eyre Highway is considered to be the gateway to the Nullarbor Plain.

There are 10 roadhouses in between Ceduna and Norseman: Penong (actually a very small town), Nundroo, Nullarbor, Border Village, Eucla, Mundrabilla, Madura, Cocklebiddy, Caiguna, and Balladonia. Mundrabilla is the only one not referred to in the lyrics. 

At Nullarbor Roadhouse, there is a golf hole fondly named Dingo’s Den. It is part of the Nullarbor Links which is the longest golf course in the world, stretching 1300km between Ceduna and Kalgoorlie, north of Norseman.

Head of Bight is part of the coast line where the huge Southern Right Whales can be seen. They don’t perform antics like the smaller humpback whales do in eastern Australian waters.

Bunda Cliffs are a spectacular sight along the coast of the Great Australian Bight.

Occasionally cyclists can be seen pedalling across the Nullarbor. Often there is a strong wind which either helps them or makes the journey so much tougher, depending on which direction they are travelling.

The 90 Mile Straight is the longest straight road in Australia. Small aeroplanes actually use it as a runway.

In 1979, pieces of a rogue NASA space station called Skylab came crashing down in the area around Balladonia Roadhouse. Its small museum has several replicas of the space junk.

The Treeless Plain

This song was the consequence of a discussion I had with a friend regarding songs we would like to have played at our funerals. My friend then challenged me to write my own funeral song, which, of course I did!

Final Goodbye

After reading a couple of articles about the struggle ex-prisoners have to make a new life, it inspired me to write a song about a fictional character who actually does make a go of his new life on the outside.

Movin' On

This is a song for lovers of small dogs; it is about a cute little Moodle pup named Phoebe and Ruby her owner.

Loving Phoebe (resurrected after deletion)

This song started out many years ago as a novelty party spoof on blues. I would ad lib the lyrics and improvise an accompaniment on acoustic guitar which meant no two performances were ever the same. See Retrospection’s Facebook page for a sample.

Recently I decided to do a serious blues rock version and this current track has been inspired by the blues rock style of Eric Clapton and the licks by other blues artists. The lyrics still do contain just a little hint of the mischievous fun from the old party days.

Back Fence Blues (Revised)

Ruby asked me to write a jive song, so this track is my response to her request. She is the mother of four daughters whom she loves dearly. Ruby was a good artistic roller skater in her younger days before becoming an acclaimed coach of figure skating. She took two of her daughters to international competition. She was also well regarded throughout Australia as a teacher of ballroom and new vogue dancing. Severe back pain in later life has forced her to retire from the activities she loved so much.

Ruby My Love (Remix)

Surf And Sun (resurrected)

To me, the highlight of any camping trip is the evening campfire. There is something magical about sitting there gazing into the flames while you converse with any company you may have. This song celebrates such a special occasion.

Firelight Magic

I was fortunate enough to go on a hot air balloon flight a few years ago and that eventually inspired me to compose this song.

Fire Balloons

I am a solo recording artist who produces his own original music in Tweed Heads West, NSW, Australia.
 
My songs are released under the band name Retrospection. The joy and satisfaction I get from making music and sharing it, is my reward, although I do like to receive some recognition for my efforts!

Back in December 1963, after graduating from high school in Brisbane, QLD, Australia, I formed the rock band The Avengers in which I played lead guitar and sang backing vocals. We were semi-professional, playing any or all of the nights from Friday through to Sunday.

After two years I had to leave the band to take up a teaching career. Throughout my life I kept up (unpaid) entertainment as extra-curricular activities in the various schools in which I worked.

Unfortunately, I am no longer able to give live performances because of health problems.

Keith Ryan

RETROSPECTION

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