Tonight my guests were Sharon Paul and Betsy Scott. They have both recently completed the two year course in Christian Studies run by the Diocese of Chelmsford. They told us it is 30 years since this course began and over 2,000 people have been students. They both said how much they had enjoyed it. They described a typical evening, which included prayer, chocolate biscuits and marshmallows, good fellowship and fascinating theology. The course had clearly been important within their journeys of faith. It was a significant step along the way as they sought to know more about God’s desires for their lives. They had chosen two interesting tracks for us to hear. They were also converts to Phoenix98FM!

Tonight’s playlist

Booker T & MGs – Crazy

Katie Melua – A million bicycles

Faith Hill & Tim McGraw – Keep my eyes on you. This track is from the soundtrack to the film ‘The Shack’ and was chosen by Sharon.

Hillsong Worship – What a beautiful name – chosen by Betsy.

Shires – Made in England

Andrew Gold – Thank you for being a friend

Imagination – Just an illusion

Shakatak – Easier said than done

Tornados – Telstar – requested by Phyl

Steeley Dan – Rikki don’t loose that number

Sophie Griffiths – A change is gonna come – an exclusive track. A soulful rendition of a classic track from 15  years old Sophie of a song written by Sam Cooke.

Sam Cooke – What a wonderful world it would be.

Sandie Shaw – Long live love – requested by Patrick

Joe Stilgoe – Waterloo sunset – a welcome return play of a Friday night classic.

Lisa Harman – Save the last waltz for me – yet another exclusive play of an original track from the multi-talented Lisa.

Travelling Wilburys – End of the line – vocals from Tom Petty

Carly Simon – You’re so vain – requested by Chris, but who for?

Paul Simon – Call me Al – for birthday boy today Paul. Listeners were staggered to know Paul is 76 years old today.

Traffic – Paper sun

Steve Winwood – Valerie

Lady Antebellum – Lay our flowers down – from the soundtrack of  ‘The Shack’

George Martin – Theme 1.

Join Jonty and I next week for another two hours of good music and chat for your Friday evening entertainment.

Isabella & Annabelle were part of trip by 17 students from the Anglo European School to Lesotho. This had really opened their eyes to the difficulties of life for many people and changed their own views about the priorities in their own lives. The aim was to help with environmental sustainability, agricultural development and promoting health and safety awareness.  One of the ways they funded the trip, organised by www.africasgift.org was by selling trees to be planted there to help combat soil erosion. £5 buys a stabilising tree, £10 a fruit tree. They took with them gifts, including 20 thermal cooking bags called ‘wonder bags’. A shocking number of childhood deaths are due to smoke inhalation and these bags would help. The trees and the bags can be sponsored via the website. This also has a wide range of other information about how the work can be supported. Both girls wanted to go back at some time in the future.

We featured a first radio play for Sophie Griffiths track, A thousand times. Sophie is aged 15 years and comes from Ingatestone.

In the second hour we were joined by Rob, from CHESS. He gave us an update on the charity. In particular he told us about their autumn fund raiser, Daly dinning. They are looking for 1000 events. You simply organise an event where people eat and then ask them to contribute. He also gave us information about the sleep out in the grounds of Chelmsford Cathedral on November 24th. He said the most powerful part of that experience was getting in the car and driving home for a shower, when of course those who are really homeless cannot. Information about how to support CHESS and also be involved in numerous voluntary capacities are to be found on www.chesshomeless.org

Tonight’s playlist

Billy Joel – Uptown girl

Toto – Africa – chosen by the girls

Shakira – Waka Waka – chosen by the girls

Depeche Mode – I just can’t get enough

Gary Barlow – 6th Avenue

Ward Thomas – Cartwheels

Sophie Griffiths – A thousand times

Jean Michel Jarre – Oxygen part 4 – loved by Chris who e-mailed in that she had not heard it for years

Piano Guys – Its gonna be OK

London Grammar  – I believe – chosen by Rob

Tears for Fears – Closer – chosen by Rob

Kings of Leon – Closer

Billy Fury – In thoughts of you – requested by Patrick

Billy Fury – Halfway to paradise – requested by Phyl

Tom Petty RIP – Free falling – requested by Rene

Lisa Harman – Capital of my heart – another exclusive and a first radio play

Alison Krauss – A living prayer

Joni Mitchel – Big yellow Taxi 1970

Join me next week for another edition of Friday Night Extra, live from Brentwood to the world.

Tonight we heard music from ECHO who are playing live at Ingatestone Parish church on 30th at 7p.m.

They base their music on classic MOTOWN and soul tracks and then give them a Christian edge. Musically we focussed on Billy Joel who has sold over 150 million albums in his career. We hear from listeners tonight engaged with a whole lot different activities whilst listening to the show. Lee was cooking a meal for his son and the son’s girlfriend . Chris as marking books from School after booking tickets for a Nial Rodgers concert on-line. She had to own up that the concert was on a Friday evening! Caelon was packing before going to university tomorrow. Rene was folding pew sheets for church. John had come in from taking his mother out for a meal to celebrate her birthday. Patrick was simply sitting and listening to us. It was fascinating for Jonty and I in the  studio to read all these responses. We had an exclusive first play from the Michael Horner Trio, a great young local jazz ensemble. We also heard a track from Lisa Harman, This featured the voices of Al Pacino and Gabriel Byrne as well as Lisa herself. Awesome!

Tonight’s playlist

Booker T & MGs – Crazy – show theme

Pentatononix – Cracked

Glen Campbell – Adios

Tremaloes – Call me No 1 – requested by Patrick and a No 2 in 1969

Jamie Cullum – Edge of something

ECHO – Higher and higher – there version of the Jackie Wilson classic

Jackie Wilson – I get the sweetest feeling

David Bowie – Changes – with Matt going to play the album Hunky Dorey tonight in full.

Beach Boys – Blue birds over the mountain

Lisa Harman – She was so beautiful – the opening song from ‘The Rebound’ – a story told by songs of three characters whose lives are intertwined. A show exclusive.

Chicago – If you leave me now

Michael Horner Trio – There is no greater love

Tight Fit – The lion sleeps tonight – following on from a 9 o’clock news story about rugby player Scott Baldwin having been bitten by a lion in South Africa when he stroked it.

The Move – Flowers in the rain – to mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of Radio One

Michael Buble – Everything

Billy Joel – An innocent man

Billy Joel – My life

Billy Joel – Tell her about it

Coldplay – Every teardrop is a waterfall – for Caelon, packing, or was it his mum…

ECHO – For once in my life

Chic – Good times – for Christ booking the Nial Rodgers concert

Earth, Wing & Fire – September

Yardbirds – Shape of things to come

ABBA – Mama Mia – with the Greatest hits album back in the Top 30, after over 800 weeks in the chart! Who is still buying it?

Piano Guys – Its gonna be OK

George Martin – Theme One

Join me next week when Isabella and Annabel will be telling us about an aid trip to Africa. Old friend of the show Rob from CHESS will be telling us about the November sleepout for the homeless charity.

Graham came to talk to us about how he became a Vicar and his 40 years in ordained ministry. Before he went for training, a friend had said, “Graham is the last person I can imagine as a Vicar!” His varied ministry included being a curate in Slough and for eighteen years a Vicar in Buckinghamshire. In recent times he has been involved in the training of newly ordained clergy. He said how he has loved it all. Retirement plans include for the first time owning a house and for the first time and being able to do with whatever he and his wife want to do. He will also be working on a book that has to be finished during 2019. Gary came to talk about the free BBQ in Ingatestone tomorrow between 11.30 – 2p.m. outside the church. It will be a great event, a real celebration. Eugene will be singing at the event tomorrow and stunned everyone with his wonderful voice, singing two songs live tonight. This was a real treat.

Tonight’s playlist

Crosby, Stills and Nash – Marrakesh Express

Boney M – Rivers of Babylon – chosen by Graham

Van Morrison & Cliff Richard – Whenever God shines his light

Van Morrison – Have I told you lately that I love you

Tight Fit – The lion sleeps tonight – requested by Phyl

Michael Horner Trio – Autumn in New York – a show exclusive from a talented group of local musicians.

Harry Chapin – Cat’s in the cradle

Eugene Phillips – The king is coming – sung live in the studio

Eugene Phillips – The light of the city – sung live in the studio

Shania Twain – Swinging with my eyes open

Lisa Harman – Nothing I can do – loved by my studio guests – another show exclusive

Bob Lind – Elusive butterfly

ECHO – Reach out, I will be there – catch them live as part of the concert in Ingatestone church on Saturday 30th at 7p.m.

Joe Stilgoe – What’s on?

Diana Krall – Night and Day – loved by Matt, getting ready for his show.

I will see you next week with another two hours, live from Brentwood to wherever you may be…

Tonight Mark & Max Morris explained how they have taken part in this event organised by Friends of Essex Churches for 14 years, raising over £5,000. This money is divided between the charity and a nominated church, in their case St. Mary the Virgin, Fryerning. They said they really enjoy the event, even though some years it has rained. Max, who is aged 14 years,  said he had grown up taking part in this charity riding and striding, as well as being part of the church family in Fryerning. Mark said how all these churches supported in this way really need people to help them raise funds.

More info on www.foect.org.uk/rideandstride

In the second hour Gary Bott and Revd Paul Carr spoke about the twenty five years of work in local schools of the charity School’s Ministry Billericay. They work in all the schools in Billericay taking assemblies, lunch time clubs, assisting with the curriculum and helping with pastoral care. One of the numerous recent projects has been to buy a bus which can be taken to a school to provide a place for quiet reflection. To celebrate 25 years of the work, there is a special event on Sunday 24th of September at 4pm at  Emmanuel church. There will be a thanksgiving service followed by a reception and refreshments. More info on www.smbbase.com

Tonight’s playlist

Ward Thomas – Cartwheels

Queen – Bicycle

Mixtures – Push bike song

Aretha Franklin – I say a little prayer for you

Lisa Harman – All gone – another exclusive track written by Lisa and recorded by Jayne MacDonald and featured in her live shows.

Abba – S.O.S. – with the news that a show is planned for next year featuring avatars of the four members of the band!

Pentatonix – Take on me

Tears for fears – Everybody wants to rule the world – requested by Patrick

Seal – Kiss from a rose

Miles Davis – Summertime

ECHO – We are family – catch them performing live at Ingatestone church on 30th of September

Bon Jovi – Living on a prayer – chosen by Gary and loved by listeners

Sting – Fragile

Lauren Housley – Show me what love is – look out for listings of Lauren playing live in Billericay at Emmanuel church.

Casting Crowns – O my soul

Beatles – All you need is love

Chicago – Your my inspiration – we were surprised to find that Chicago were the most successful band in the USA for both single and album sales. But maybe with a continuous fifty year career and 36 albums, we should not be surprised.

Michael Buble – The very thought of you – requested by Karen – listening in her classroom in Toronto, six hours behind us – after the children had gone home.

Join me next week, along with guests Revd. Graham Hamborg, talking about his 40+ year ministry career and Gary Seithel telling us how to get a free BBQ sausage or burger in Ingatestone the next day.

We welcomed organiser Máira and dancer Daria talking about the festival happening on the 17th of September in Hylands Park between 10 am – 10 pm. This will be an amazing event for the whole family. Dance workshops, battles, cinematography room, food and drinks, casting agency room, fashion shows and pop up shops. Workshops led by internationally recognised teachers in a wide range of genre, including Hiphop, Bollywood, House, Ballet, tap, Latin, jazz, popping, whacking, Irish etc. Moira told us how an idea a year ago had grown into a huge event, with some people flying in from San Francisco to watch the dancing. Daria had only been dancing for a year. She had flown to Paris for special lessons and enjoyed seeing the Eifel Tower. She is featured in the YouTube video about the event.  More information, including how to take part on the website www.thehyvefestival.co.uk. You can e-mail for details info@thehyvefestival.so.uk.

The show tonight included a special feature on Steeley Dan, following the death of original member Walter Becker.  Many listeners commented on the music and we will play more tracks by them in the following weeks.

Tonight’s playlist

Lou Reed – Perfect day

David Bowie – Lets dance

Bruno Mars – 24k – chosen by Moira and Daria

Jennifer Lopez – Dance again – chosen by Moira and Daria

Paul Young – Come back and stay

Dusty Springfield – I only want to be with you – requested by Phyl

ECHO – I way a little prayer to you – you can see ECHO live in Ingatestone on September 30th at the parish church.

Miles Davis – Human nature

Harry Chapin – W.O.L.D. – loved by Jonty, who had never heard it before, and Adrian e-mailing in.

The Band Perry – Gentle on my mind – a multi grammy award winning song

Alison Krauss – Paper aeroplane

Lisa Harman – Fall like the rain – a wonderfully emotional and moving performance of her own song. A Friday Night Extra exclusive.

Bruce Forsyth – Generation Game opening 1973 – remembering the funeral of Brice this week.

Yoseph Cat Stevens – What love did for me – a new track from a legendary artist

Steeley Dan – Rikki don’t loose that number, Reelin in the years, Do it again – all classic tracks loved by listeners.

Celine Dion – Think twice – requested by Patrick

Zager & Evans – In the year 2525

Glen Campbell – Galveston – for Adrian, who l;ike us is enjoying revisiting Glen’s musical legacy.

Join me next week for another edition of Friday Night Extra, from our place to your place.

It was great to be back on Phoenix tonight. Jonty was back as well.  In the second hour we did a special feature on the Box Tops. This band from Memphis are part of the Happy Together tour, playing over 40 dates in the USA. This features a number of 60s acts, I was lucky enough to see them in Nashville. I felt the Box Tops, who closed the first half, were the best act. We learnt tonight that with 69 singles chart entries, the Shadows are the third most successful band in UK pop history. Ist is Elvis. 2nd is Cliff Richard.  Who would have thought it?

Tonight’s playlist

Booker T & MGs – Crazy – Show theme

Ward Thomas – When its not me

Brenda Russell – Walking in New York

Sting – Desert Rose

Shakatak – Down on the street – for Rene, who is a big fan

The Shadows – Apache – for Phyl.

Glen Campbell – By the time I get to Phoenix _ Jonty said the words of the title were virtually the last words he said before he left the house tonight.

The Four Tops – Its the same old song

The Foundations – Build me up buttercup

Clare Teal – Chasing cars

Bonnie Tyler – Total eclipse of the heart – for Sue and Leonard and family who I was blessed to be with near Nashville to see the total eclipse.

Beach Boys – Do it again – we will do the watching of the total eclipse again in seven years time, God willing.

Booker T & the MGs – Soul limbo – John e-mailed in and said he recognised the theme from Test Match Special and expected us to talk about cake. We didn’t!

Pentatonix – Somewhere over the rainbow

Kraftwerk – The model – requested by Patrick

The Box Tops – The letter

The Box Tops – Neon rainbow

The Box Tops – Soul deep

Natalie Grant – Clean

Carole King Musical recording – It might as well rain until September

The Crystals – Da do ron ron – We sang along in the studio

Toto – Rosanna

Michael Buble – Everything

The Temptations – Just my imagination – for John, listening to the whole show whilst decorating a kitchen…on Friday evening  !?!

Imagination – Just an illusion – for Jonty’s mum and all the family, listening at home

Michel Jackson – Human nature – for Jonty who has just been given an original vinyl copy of the album.

George Martin – Theme 1

Join us next week, when my studio guest is Moira O’Regan, who will be telling us about a dance festival she is organising for the whole family in Hylands Park.

In a packed show tonight Jonty and I were joined by Karen, who listens to the show regularly in Canada. This prompted e-mails from two other listeners in Canada and one in Croatia! We remembered the career of Glen Campbell, listening to three of his recordings. We also remembered Elvis Presley, with 16th of August being the 4oth anniversary of his death. We considered how much young people relate to Elvis or understand his significance to popular culture. It was amazing to hear that there is an annual Elvis festival held in Toronto, Canada, which is growing bigger every year. The reality is Elvis has sold more music since his death than during his career. August 14th 1967 marked the closure of all the British pirate radio ships, apart from Radio Caroline. Their significance cannot be undervalued in relation to the subsequent development of radio in the U.K.

Tonight’s playlist

Elvis Presley – It’s now or never

Gregory Porter – Don’t loose your steam

Pentatonix – Can’t help falling in love – for Adrian

Kate Bush – The man with the child in his eyes

Glen Campbell – Wichita lineman – for Derek

Glen Campbell – By the time I get to Phoenix

Glen Campbell – Adios

Fairport Convention – Who knows where the time goes – for Phyl

Michael Buble – Today is yesterdays tomorrow – Michael is a Canadian artist and Karen told us about his popularity back home and his charity work.

Brenda Russell – Walking in New York

Lisa Harman – I’ll miss you

Joe Stilgoe – Waterloo sunset

Focus – Sylvia (live) – for Tom and Phil who both commented on my Facebook page when I said I would be playing this track tonight. We all remember hearing them in the early 70s and that they were LOUD.

Joni Mitchel – Big yellow Taxi  (2007 version)- a song by a Canadian artist for Rachel – listening to us in her car in Toronto, and screaming when she heard me say her name!

Elvis Presley – The wonder of you

Elvis Presley – In the ghetto

Elvis Presley – Jailhouse rock

Shires – Made in England

Sonowaltz – Theme tune of the pirate station Radio London, which closed on August 14th 1967.

Fortunes – Caroline – theme tune of Radio Caroline, the only one of the pirate stations to continue on air directly after that date.

Scott McKenzie – Lets go to San Francisco – No1 throughout August 1967 and an anthem for a generation. Written by John Philips in 20 minutes. Globally the 45 rpm single sold over seven million copies.

Mama & the Papas – California dreaming.  John Philips was a member of the band.

Carol Emerald – Riviera life

Stevie Wonder – Isn’t she lovely – the full album version.

Take That – The flood – for Patrick

Bob Marley – Three little birds

Beatles – Nowhere man

Join Chris Sivitar is sitting in on this time slot for the next two weeks. Join me in September.

Richard and Terry joined me tonight to talk about the activities they have undertaken since they have retired. Terry has volunteered to work with www.essexsearchandrescue.org.uk. She has trained as a volunteer for this organisation which supports the Police in searching for missing people. The volunteers can be called out at any time 24/7 when the Police are looking for someone who is missing. She told us that there have been a large number of call outs for the organisation in this year. Terry has been training with the canine team with her dog Lucy. Richard has also been training for his role with the Witness service. This involves particularly helping vulnerable people and is a nationwide scheme that involved three days of intensive training in London, together with shadowing those already undertaking this role. Richard is also a member of the University of Sheffield Estates Committee. This helps with building projects. They both said how these roles had enhanced their lives, giving a sense of significance and purpose in retirement. They also felt that these roles let them “give something back” to society. They would encourage anyone who is retired to look to something that they enjoy that will help others.

The music tonight included a feature on Shawaddywaddy as suggested by regular listener Patrick. They had ten top ten hits. We also remembered the Concert for Bangladesh, held at 2.30 and 8 pm on 1st of August 1972 in Madison Square Garden, New York.

Tonight’s playlist.

Booker T & MGs – Crazy

Piano Guys – Its gonna be ok – over six and a half million hits for the video on YouTube.

Andrew Gold – Thank you for being a friend – chosen by Terry

Berlin – Take my breathe away – chosen by Richard

Michael Jackson – Stranger in Moscow

Joni Mitchel – Free man in Paris

Aker Bilk – Stranger on the shore – requested by Phyl, on holiday in Kent

PHD – I won’t let you down

Bonnie Tyler – Total eclipse of the heart – requested by Sue and Leonard, looking forward to the total eclipse of the sun in Kentucky on 21st of August

Dolly Parton & Pentatonix – Jolene – for Jonty, who will be back from holiday next Friday

Petula Clark – Downtown

Shawaddywaddy – Under the moon of love – their only No 1.

Eva Cassidy – Fields of Gold

Billy Preston – That’s the way God planned it (live) – recorded at the concert for Bangladesh

Lisa Harman – Perfect harmony – Rene liked this track and said it reminded her of Shakatak, so…

Shakatak – Easier said than done

Brenda Russell – Walking in New York

Sting – Fragile

George Martin – Theme 1

Join me next week for another edition of Friday Night Extra, live from Brentwood to the world.

Tonight some of the music were tracks requested by Ben Lacey, Helen Rendell, Rob Scaggs, Caroline Seville and Archdeacon Elizabeth Snowden, who have been among the guests this year.

Tonight’s playlist

Booker T & MGs – Crazy

Pentatonix – Na Na Na – first time we have played this track. Judging by listener reaction, it will not be the last time.

Marvin Gaye – Too busy thinking about my baby

Coldplay – Fix you – chosen by Archdeacon Elizabeth Snowden

Michel Buble – Nobody but me

Diana Krall – Just the way you are

Cliff Richard – Travelling light – requested by Phyl

Crosby Stills Nash & Young – Marrakesh Express

Dolly Parton, Emylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt – After the goldrush – from the album Trio2

Black – Wonderful life – chosen by guest Ben Lacey who said that the gift of life was wonderful.

Sam Cooke – What a wonderful world – requested by Derek

Lisa Harman – Nothing I can do – an exclusive track from show favourite Lisa, written with the hope of impressing Simon Cowell!

Walk of the Earth – Happy – chosen by Rob Scaggs from the charity CHESS

Dream Academy – Life in a northern town.

Inspector Morse theme

Fleetwood Mac – Seven wonders – requested by Rene

Four Tops – Walk away Renee – for John. Rene told us this had once been sung to her down the phone by Paul Rogers, at the time lead singer of Free. She handled his car insurance and he had had a bang and did not want Rene to be angry and walk away.

Joe Stilgoe – What’s on – I saw Joe perform as part of the Maldon festival. His trio were great.

Neil Diamond – Beautiful noise – for Patrick, also a track by chosen by Arch Deacon Elizabeth Snowden to illustrate the first Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Beach Boys – That’s why God made the radio

Carole King – So far away – with the news that the musical about  her life and music is about to close in the West End.

ELO – Show a little love – a track from 1978 that we had all forgotten. It was a no 1 in Canada, no2 in France, No4 in Ireland, no6 in UK and no8 in USA. So we should have remembered it!

Stevie Wonder – Have a talk with God

Coldplay – Adventure of a lifetime – for guest Helen who had retired and moved to live on the Island of Rhodes.

Unit 4 =+ 2 – Concrete and clay – chosen by last week’s guest Caroline Seville who had talked about all that happens at Doddinghurst church and that it was not made of these materials.

Elton John – Song for Guy

Kate Bush & Larry Adler – The man I love

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Gone gone gone

George Martin – Theme 1

Next week my guests will be Teresa Cattell-Hollox and Richard Hollox. Teresa is a dog handler with Essex Search and Rescue. Richard is an outreach officer with the Witness Service. They will be talking about these voluntary roles they have taken up in retirement. Join us next Friday for Friday Night Extra, live from our studios in Brentwood.