Tonight I was joined in the studio by David and Barbara Clark from the Mid-Essex group of Gideons International. This organisation began with the vision of William J. Knights, John H. Nicholson and Samuel E. Hill in Boscobel, Wisconsin in 1899. Now the organisation is active in over 200 hundred countries. The primary aim is to distribute Bibles free of charge. If you have seen a Bible in a hotel room, it was placed b y the Gideons. David and Barbara told us that they are also distributed in hospitals, schools, Police Stations and prisons. In schools in the U.K., the aim to to have a pocket sized New Testament available for year seven pupils. This includes a section at the beginning with helpful references for when there are problems in life. World-wide they have now distributed over two billion copies. Barbara explained the choice of the name Gideons by telling us the account of Gideon in the Bible, where he was given a mighty and apparently impossible task by God. She also explained how the symbols on the Gideon Bibles represent aspects of the incident. More information can be found by looking up Gideons in any search engine and specifically on www.gideons.org.uk

On the playlist tonight we had to feature Bob Dylan, given the Nobel Prize for literature this week for his catalogue of songs. We also heard from The Dixie Cups, one of whose founder members, Jean-Marie Johnson died this week.

Playlist
Booker T & MGs – Crazy – show theme
Jamie Cullum – Save your soul
Rend Collective – Alive
Artist of then, now & forever – Forever county. Watch the video and see how many artists you can name.
Mel Torme – Comin home baby
Fats Domino – Blue berry hill – requested by Phyl in remembrance of Jack Sherring, who would have been 100 years old today.
MonaLisa Twins – Hotel California – Lee liked this version of The Eagles classic.
David Bowie – The man who sold the World – requested by Derek. Patrick reminded us of the hit version by Lulu.
Deacon Blue – The believers.
Quincy Jones – Soul Bossa Nova.
Elvis Presley – A big hunk of love – a new version from the new Wonder of You album. The jury was out on this track.
Denyse Donnell – Then he kissed me – you can find the recording of the full show with Denyse on the show blogs.
Herman’s Hermits – I’m into something good – requested by Michael
Travis, featuring Josephine Oniyama – Idlewild – requested by Patrick.
Michel Buble – Nobody but me – a new track from Michael, featuring a rap break…yes really!
The Shires – Made in England
Alison Krauss – Stay
Dowie Bob – Slow down
Dixie Cups – Chapel of love
Bob Dylan – Blowin in the wind
Nathan East – Sir Duke
Stevie Wonder – I wish
Madness – Mr. Apple
Sting – Fragile
Micheal Casswell – Friends for life

I look forward to your company again next week, 8-10 p.m. for Friday Night Extra, live from Brentwood.

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