Tonight we were joined by Matt Houghton, assistant curate in Ingatestone and the surrounding villages. He talked about his Christian journey, including that he felt he was called to be ordained twenty years before it actually happened. He told us about some challenging experiences in his life. He chose three tracks that have special meaning for him, including Charlie Peacock’s ‘Almost threw it away’. He also shared how he is focussing on Lent. This includes giving himself time to look at his life and maybe clear out some of the unhelpful parts. Also he is spending time just appreciating the beauty of the world. Amy told us she has given up all drinks except water and milk. There were a number of artists with birthdays today. We looked at the chart of this date in 1989. We also celebrated one of the unsung heroes of 1960s USA pop music. Drummer Hal Blaine, who passed away this week, played on over 35,000 tracks, including 6,000 singles.

Tonight’s playlist

Dave Stewart & Colin Bunstone – What becomes of the broken hearted?

Charlie Peacock – Almost threw it away – chosen by Matt

Kings X – Summerland – chosen by Matt

Smashing Pumpkins – Tonight tonight – chosen by Matt

Doobie Brothers – What a fool believes – requested by Patrick

John Cowan – Nights in white satin – from the album Moodybluegrass 1 – requested by Phyl

Tom Jones – What good am 1? – from 2010’s album Praise & blame – loved by Joan who has bought the album after we featured a track two weeks ago.

Don Shirley – Stand by me – the pianist whose life in 1962 is loosely behind the story of the Oscar winning film Green Book.

Fairground Saints  – California – one of the hit artists from last weekends C2C country music festival.

Sly & the family Stone – Everyday people – Sly Stone celebrating his 75th birthday today.

McGuinness Flint – When I’m dead and gone – Hughie Flint born this day in 1940. He ended his working life as a porter in a Oxford college.

Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway – Where is the love? Written and produced by Ralph McDonald, also born this day in 1944.

Beach Boys – California girls – Hal Baine on drums. Mike Love composed this song with Brian Wilson. In the 1990s he successfully sued the band for writing credits on 35 songs, including this one. He claims he co-wrote 44 others.  Celebrating today his 78th birthday.

Chart this week in 1989

No1 Jason Donovan – Too many broken hearts

No 3 Banarnarama and a few friends – Help – comic relief single

No 17 Dusty Springfield – Nothing has been proved

Monkees – Pleasant valley Sunday – featuring Hal Baine on drums.

Van Morrison – When the prophet speaks

ECHO – I got the blues

The Goodbye Look – Eye to eye

Join me next week when my studio guest is Tim Lee from St. Giles Mountnessing and the surrounding churches. He will be giving us his view on Lent. There will also be a great selection of music for your Friday evening entertainment.