Ivor Moody talked about his new book – Six More Songs – further reflections on Faith and Rock’n Roll. As with his previous book – Songs for the soul – he feels that these well known and much loved songs songs cover ideas and themes that relate to faith and spirituality. He talked passionately about how he feels the sacred can be found within the secular. He believes songs that have been with us for years and which thread through our lives can provided signs and symbols which can inform and enrich our spiritual lives. He said, “the modern soundbites can throw fresh light on ancient truths”. Ivor talked about three of the songs from the book – Eleanor Rigby – Heroes – Into the fire.
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Playlist
Aretha Franklin – Running in the deep – this Adele song is from the2014 album – Aretha Franklin sings the great diva classics. USA no 13, UK no 32.
Brent Cobb – When country came back to town – from the newly released album – Southern Star.
Beatles – Eleanor Rigby – from the 1966 album – Revolver. Grammy award winner for best vocal performance, no 243 in the 2021 Rolling Stone 500 greatest songs of all time.
Ivor noted this is a song about a priest and parishioner who are desperately lonely. However, by both being part of a worshipping community they support each other.
David Bowie – Heroes – 1977. no 23 in the 2021 Rolling Stone 500 Greatest songs of all time. Ivor feels this is a song about a community living with division and repression. He talked about the inspiration for the song for David Bowie was when he saw recording in Berlin two member of his crew kissing under the lights of an East German watchtower.
Thirteen Senses – Into the fire – 2004 UK no 35, from the album – The Invitation – UK no 14. This is a song about people living with mental illness. Ivor spoke movingly about his personal experiences with his mother.
Birthday’s competition.
Toni Basil is 80 years of age. She bought her experience as a chorographer to the video for the 1982 track – Mickey – No 1 in the USA, where it sold over 2 million copies. Also no 1 in Canada and Australia. UK no 2.
Above Chesney Hawkes in 1971.
Below in 2021.
Chesney Hawkes recently celebrated his 52nd birthday. We heard his 1991 track from the soundtrack of the film Buddy – The one and only – No 1 UK and Austria, Top 10 in ten more countries including USA where it reached no 10.
Hilary Duff is an American singer, songwriter and author who is 36 years old. We heard her 2003 track – So yesterday – UK no 9, Top 10 in five more countries, USA no 15.
Thanks to Chris and Bob in Harlow, Ivor in the studio, Chris in Guildford and Patrick in Ingatestone for taking part. Our winner with points was
Patrick requested George Ezra -Green green grass. 220 track, UK no 3, no2 Belgium & no 3 Ireland. From the album – Goldrush kid. UK no 1, Top 10 in six more countries.
Joby Fox – Falling – from the album – I was a hawk and now I am a dove – due for release in October. Drive presenter Jo Bailey will be interviewing him on the show on 5th of October about his music and humanitarian work.
Blood, Sweat & Tears – You made me so very happy – 1969 track from the eponymous album, Grammy record of the year. Album USA no 1 selling over four million copies. Single USA 2, UK 35.
Chart this week in
Ivor chose 1978 for a number of reasons. The tracks from Grease because it reminded him of going to see the film Grease with a girlfriend of the time.
No 1 John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – Summer nights – sold 1.640 million copies in the UK being at no 1 for seven weeks. Sold over a million in USA despite only reaching no 5.
No 3 Franki Valli – Grease – track sold over 7 million world wide. USA no 1, UK no 3. The soundtrack album from the film toped the charts around the world. It has sold over 30 million world wide, including 2.7 million copies in the UK.
No 17 Darts – It’s raining – No 2 UK and Ireland, no 8 Belgium. From the album – Everyone plays Darts – charted across Scandinavia.
Above, image of Soloman Smith taken at a recent gig at the Tall Trees in Cambridge.
Soloman Smith – Five spot note – from the recently released album –Y’dig that.
Spearmint – Prince and Joni – new release.
Spyro Gyra – Morning dance – UK 17, USA no 24.
Join me next week when my studio guest is Dan Pierce talking about his new album with George Moorey – Mindful systems.