Claire joined me on the phone having been in the studio in 2019. Since then she has begun training for the C. of E. ministry at Rippon Theological college in Cuddesdon, a small village six miles from Oxford. Claire told us how she felt she was being called into church leadership in 2013 whilst still a Roman Catholic and working in Docklands. There have been many changes in her life. She now feels that she is in the right place and is loving the experience. She chose the track ‘True colours’ as she said that the course brings out the true colours in everyone. She told us about living in a community of over 100 people and a little of her daily life. This included community meals and entertainment, hence the choosing of Dancing Queen to recall a memorable ABBA evening. She also talked about how the church has adjusted to life in lockdown and how some of the lessons, particularly around the use of technology, helped keep people together who were isolated. Finally she chose the track Better together.
Tonight’s playlist
La La Land soundtrack – Another day of sun
Kenny Rodgers & Dolly Parton – Islands in the stream – requested by Derek
Cyndy Lauper – True colours – chosen by Claire
ABBA – Dancing queen – chosen by Claire
Jack Johnson – Better together – chosen by Claire
Birthdays this week
Stewart Copeland – drummer in The Police – 68 years old – we heard Walking on the moon.
Dan Smith – singer and songwriter in Bastille – 34 years old – we heard Pompeii
Damon Johnson – after a varied career, including playing with Alice Cooper, he is now a member of Thin Lizzy – 56 years of age. We heard Waiting for an alibi.
Chris from Harlow was our winner in guessing their ages tonight. As a prize she wanted to hear Santana – Black magic woman.
Patrick in Ingatestone came second. He chose Modern Talking – Brother Louis.
Chart this week in 1977
No 1. Hot Chocolate – So you win again
No 2. Emerson, Lake and Palmer – Fanfare for the Common Man. If you don’t know it, check out the astonishing nine minute version from the LP Works 2.
N 19 Queen – Good old fashioned lover boy
Sophie Griffiths -What would I do without you? A beautiful rendition of a self-penned song with Sophie just accompanied on an acoustic guitar. She told us it was written and recorded in lockdown following the passing of her nan.
Paul Bell – The birds still sing – Paul told us a few weeks ago how this song was written and recorded during lockdown.
Diana Ross – If we hold on together
Nina Simone – My baby just cases for me
Greatest Showman soundtrack – This is me
Join me next week when my guest is Matthew Houghton, soon to end his time as curate at the Five Towers group of churches, centred on Ingatestone.