Bishop Stephen talked about his two new books. Striking out is about his month-long pilgrimage to northern Spain on the Camino. He said that though at times the pilgrimage was very challenging, he found it liberating. He did not plan his over-night stops and this instantly added a real vulnerability to every day. He tried to make his backpack as light as possible and commented this taught him how little we actually need. His lack of Spanish meant that he needed help from others and he felt this was a powerful lesson. He met a wide range off people who were also walking and there was an instant camaraderie. He was disappointed when he had reached Santiago De Compostela and wished to keep on walking. He noted that if the opportunity arose, he would love to do it again. The book contains daily sonnets written on the Camino, together with reflections.
The Sleepy Shepherd was a story that he had written thirty years ago. However, he never had an ending that he found satisfying. Then sitting in an airport lounge, waiting for a flight, and without having been thinking about it at all, suddenly an ending came to him. He approached a publisher who like the idea and engaged an illustrator to provide many striking illustrations.
Tonight’s playlist
Rise up – Cliff Richard – requested by Phyl last week, but she failed to hear it when I played it an hour later! So I though we better start with it tonight.
Proclaimers – I will walk 500 miles – chosen by Bishop Stephen
Van Morrison – Full gale force – chosen by Bishop Stephen
Iris Dement – My life – chosen by Bishop Stephen
Franki Valli & The Four Seasons – December 63 – requested by Sarah taking her granny to the 02 tomorrow to see Franki.
Micky Wax – Never let you go
Michael Buble – Love you anymore
Carpenters – Close to you – requested by Patrick for Marjorie because he knows she always loved the song.
McFly – I’ll be Ok – remembering the 31st birthday of McFly member Dougie Poynter. McFly had 7 UK No 1s and 2 UK No1 albums.
Rick Astley – Good old days – loved by listener Bob
Top 20 this week in 1976
No 1 – Chicago – If you leave me now
No 2 – Leo Sayer – You make me feel like dancing
No 17 – Leo Schifin – Jaws, the disco remix – the title says it all – from a period when it was apparently OK to add a disco beat to anything.
Rag & Bone man – Grace – requested by Chris
Toto – Africa – with the news that a club in Bristol is playing this track on a loop tonight for five hours to raise money for an African charity. Dancers are sponsored for how long they last. In the bar they are playing alternative versions of the track from other artists.
Hollies – King Midas in reverse – a lost classic from 1967 showing the direction Graham Nash wanted to take the band. The others did not. He left the band to form Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Hooty & the Blowfish – Hold my hand – a virtually unknown band in the UK that sold 21 million copies of records in the 1990s in USA
Join me next week when we have a return visit from Marina Bottelli-Price. This time she will not be singing. Instead she will be telling us about her new book.
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