One 2 Three
Patrick Sherring
Ft Mark from St Thomas’ Brentwood talked about how for many people it just does not feel right and it is not a real Christmas if they do not go the church and sing carols. This is often to do with memory and sing carols at primary school. On Friday 15th between 5 – 8 pm St Thomas have Carols and Curry, a three hour rolling programme of Carols followed by curry. The also have the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday 17th at 6 pm. The church has a large choir and this will be an opportunity to both sing carols and hear them sung by the choir. ON Christmas Eve there are Christingle services at 4pm and 6 pm. Fr. Mark explained the purpose of these services and how they explain about all Christians believe Jesus has done for humanity. At 11.30 pm there will be Midnight Mass and on Christmas Day services at 8am and 10pm.
Lauren Diagle – New – track from her Grammy award and Billboard award self-titled album. My Presenter pick album of 2023.
The Vamps – Seat at the table – 2022 Christmas release from the band that have had two UK no 1 albums.
Regular listener Patrick from Ingatestone requested Cliff Richard – Mistletoe and wine – UK Christmas no 1 in 1988 and in the first three weeks of 1989, selling 750,000. Ireland no 1, Norway no 7.
Jamie Cullum – Turn on the lights – 2020 album – The piano man at Christmas – UK no 11, Belgium no 8, Top 20 in four more countries.
Joby Fox – I love you – from the PhoenixFM A list and his latest album – I once was a hawk and now I am a dove. Available now on CD from Joby’s website.
Take That – Windows – from the PhoenixFM A list.
MercyMe – Dear Younger me – 2014 album – Welcome to the new – USA no 4, Grammy nominated.
Martin Trotman – Hey Hey – Christmas release.
Birthdays competition.
Brenda Lee – Rocking around the Christmas tree. Brenda is 79 years old. She recorded this track, no 1 last week in the USA, in 1958.
Weezer – Buddy Holly – 1994 UK no 12, USA no 17. From the album – Weezer – USA no 16, but selling 3.5 million copies. UK no 3. Brian Bell is rhythm guitarist, singer and songwriter with the band. He is 55 years old.
Taylor Swift – Shake it off. 2014 USA no 1 and in eight more countries. UK no 2 and Top 10 in eighteen more countries. Taylor Swift is 34 years old.
Thanks to Chris and Bob in Harlow, Mark in the studio, Chris in Guildford and Patrick in Ingatestone for taking part. Our winner with 6 points was Chris in Harlow. She e-mailed in response YESSSSSSSSSSSS.
Choir of St. John’s College Cambridge – Lo he comes with clouds descending – Fr Mark chose this Advent carol as it reminds us not just of the birth of Jesus but that he will come again at the end of time as judge of the world.
Madness – Our house – UK no 5, USA no 5, Canada no 1, Sweden no 1, Top 10 in four more countries. Fr Mark said that we use our house as places of hospitality at Christmas time. He said that same is true of the churches with an invitation to everyone to come and sing Carols and hear again the story of the birth of Jesus..
Ed Sheeran & Luke Coombes – Life goes on – 2023 release. Fr. Mark said that his wife is a huge Ed Sheeran fan. They went to a concert at the O2. HE chose the song reminding us that not everyone finds Christmas an easy time, but life goes on.
Cee Lo Green – Mary did you know – 2012 album – Cee Lo’s Magic moment. USA no 25.
Chart this week in 1983.
No 1 Flying Pickets – Only you – no 1 for four weeks, including Christmas. Also a no 1 in Ireland and Germany. Top 10 in six more countries.
No 8 Billy Joel – Tell her about it – UK no 4, USA no 1, Top 10 in four more countries. From the album – An innocent man – UK no 2, USA no 4, New Zealand no 1. Top 10 in four more countries.
No 17 Shakin’ Stevens – Cry just a little bit – UK no 3, Ireland no 2, Top 20 in two more countries. USA no 67.
Next Friday we will have two hour of the best Christmas music.
On Boxing Day live between 1 – 4 pm the music will include special recorded tracks by DC Pierce, Michelle Ward and Solomon Smith.
