Friday Night Extra
Patrick Sherring
Tonight we had two guests. In the first hour I spoke to blues enthusiast Chris Hollingshurst and in the second hour to Nikki Mills from Revelation TV. Chris talked about how his love of blues music had begun when he went to a Dave Edmunds concert. A blues band were the support act and he loved their set. He said that the raw emotion of the blues is very real. He quoted Buddy Guy who said, “you play the blues, you loose the blues”. The track he chose by T. Bone Walker goes through a week of misery, but ends with being in church on your knees on Sunday. As a man of faith, Chris felt this showed hope at the end of the week. He said that a lot of blues tracks are like the Psalms. Many of these ancient songs attributed to King David begin with a feeling of woe and end with coming to God. Chris had a long lists of favourite artists. He suggested anyone interested in knowing more about this genre of music should explore the work of the early pioneers. He recommended the music of Muddy Waters who began recording in 1941. Chris moved from singing worship songs into singing the blues. He has been part of a number of groups. At the moment he slings with @redhousebluesduo. Their music can be accessed via YouTube and Facebook.
Photo taken with Nikki Mills in the Phoenix98FM studio in September 2019.
In the second hour we were joined by former Friday evening Phoenix98FM presenter Nikki Mills who now works for RevelationTV in Spain. Nikki told us how the post came about, how she felt drawn to it by God, and that it is a dream come true. Here lockdown experience was very strict, with people only allowed out to buy essential items and go to work if they were considered essential workers. She carried a paper to show that she worked in the media, and had to show it on three different occasions on her short walk from her flat to the station. During lockdown her hours with the station were cut. She now presents Saturday evening show, reviewing the content for the week and featuring clips from the station output. Putting this together takes her a day and a half. She felt that lockdown had taught us a new sense of dependence on God. Without faith our lives would be chaotic; faith gave us stability.
Tonight’s playlist.
Mary Chapin Carpenter – Why walk when you can fly ?
David Pickthall Big Band – In the Mood – requested by Derek. Local band with a great version of the Glen Miller big band standard.
T Bone Walker – Stormy Monday – chosen by Chris.
Dave Edmunds – Singing the blues
Red House Blues Duo – I know that I’ve been changed – Chris on vocals on a song that has great meaning to him.
ECHO – What’s going on? Local band with their take on a Marvin Gaye classic.
Birthdays Quiz.
Roland Orzabal from Tears for Fears, 59 this week. We heard 1984s Mad World.
Howie Dorough from The Back Strret Boys, 47 this week. We heard 1997s As long as you love me.
Jean-Michelle Jarre, French electronic ambient music musician, 72 this week. We heard from 1976 Oxygen part 4.
Chris Hollingshurst and Chris from Harlow were joint winners tonight. Patrick and Bob also took part.
Jamie Cullum _ God only knows.
Lauren Diagle – You say – Nikki said how much she loved this track.
Dan & Shay – When I pray for you.
Elton John – Song for Guy – requested by Patrick
Chart this week from 1985
No 1 UB40 & Chrissie Hynde – I got you babe
No 3 Kate Bush – Running up that hill
No 6 Madonna – Holiday
Next week my guest is artist and author Henry Martin.
