One 2 Three
Patrick Sherring
Kaye, Jenny and Elaine from Essex Befriends told us that they have 263 active volunteers working with 564 clients. However, they also have 254 people that are seeking a befriender. The organisation covers all of Essex apart from Southend and Thurrock. This initiative began in 2019 to address the growing reality of loneliness amongst people of all ages. Their youngest volunteer is sixteen years old and their oldest is ninety nine years of age. Efforts are made to ensure that those seeking a befriender are matched with a suitable volunteer. Volunteer Elaine, in her 70s, spoke about how much she had enjoyed the training, which can be undertaken on-line. She also found the experience of befriending someone very positive, with a planned meeting turning into a much longer social time. Meetings can be undertaken at any agreed location. It is also possible to befriend via telephone conversations and e-mail. Kaye is both a facilitator and volunteer. She said that her weekly volunteering was two thirty minute phone calls. Jenny, also a facilitator and volunteer, emphasised the need for more volunteers across the ages and the county. More information can be found at www.essexbefriend,or,uk If you would like to consider being a volunteer you can make a no-obligation phone call to 01279421308. If you would like to request a befriender you can call 0300 770 1263
Playlist
Aretha Franklin – Rolling in the deep. This version of the song written by a twenty year old Adele is from the album Sing the great diva classics from 2011. It demonstrates the power in Aretha’s voice. At the time of the recording she was sixty nine years old.
Jason Mraz – Best friend – from the 2014 album Yes!
Foo Fighters – Evergreen – Chosen by Kaye as it reminds her of her youth and is a great sing-along-song.
Electric Light Orchestra – Mr Blue sky – chosen by Jenny as it is on her ‘happy’ playlist.
Nina Simone – Feeling good – chosen by Elaine as it makes her happy and reminds her of her mum. She twice saw Nina Simone sing live, at a small venue and in the Royal Albert Hall.
The Friday Teaser
The Human League then
The Human League now.
Jenny Catherall, singer with the Human League, celebrated her fifty ninth birthday. We heard – Mirror man, a UK no 2 in 1982.
Faith Hill, country singer who has sold over 40 million albums, celebrated her fifty fourth birthday. We heard her 1998 UK no 13, This kiss.
Don Felder was a lead guitarist in the Eagles between 1974 and 2016. Elaine had seen them playing at the O2 and thought they were great. He celebrated his seventy fourth birthday. We heard the 1972 track Peaceful easy feeling.
Kaye, Jenny and Elaine all guessed the age of Joanne Catherwall correctly. Stewart and Kaye were both one year out with the age of Faith Hill. Jenny was the closest with Don Felder, being two years out. Our joint winners today were Kaye and Jenny.
Over the Rhine – Baby if this is nowhere. Check out Friday Night Extra on 16th of April with Danny Wignall chatting about his love of the music of this band over the years.
Gloria Gaynor – He won’t let go. 70s disco diva Gloria won the 2020 Grammy award for the best Gospel album with Testimony. This track comes from the album and features Bert Millard.
Moonlight Parade – Hanging around.
Chart this week in 
No 1 Elvis Presley – Way down. This track went to the top of the charts in the UK following the news of the death of Elvis.
No 7 Jon Michelle Jarre – Oxygen part 4. This was the highest UK position for this track that reached no 1 in Spain and was Top 3 in three countries.
No 8 Emotions – Best of my love – This track won the Grammy award for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals.
Enya – Echoes in the rain. Patrick requested this track from her 2015 album Dark sky island. This album reached the Top 10 in fourteen countries.
Zombies – Moving on – from their 2015 album – Still got the hunger.
Thanks for checking out the showblog and the recording. I look forward to your company next Friday.
