Remembering Gerry Rafferty

The news reported this morning that one of my favorite artists has died at the sadly young age of 63.  Many people are focusing on “Stuck in the Middle With You”, but my favorite songs from him are those you find on his City to City album, including, as the Times put it, soulful singing in Stealin’ Time.  Some of the lyrics are perhaps a bit banal, but in my most depressed times, I could easily ignore that problem.  And he rocked our world with Baker Street, reminding us just how sexy the sax is.

Here’s a question, though: when I listen to City to City I hear a sibilance that borders on a slur or a lisp.  Anyone else hear that?