One 2 Three
Patrick Sherring
Ivor Moody chatted about three more of the songs from his book, Six more songs. Though secular songs, Ivor feels it is possible to see in the lyrics a depth of spiritual searching.
Piano man, set in a back bar is a song about despair and hope. Ivor commented those at the bar all hope that the piano man can, through his music, help them to reflect on happier days. As the piano man has problems as well, he is a wounded healer. Brothers in arms is a reminder that all soldiers, even when they are on different sides of a conflict, are in reality brothers in arms. Ivor noted he had found this helpful when involved with Remembrance commemorations. Peter Gabriel wrote Solsbury hill when he felt he needed to leave Genesis, a kind of Damascus Road moment that he had when walking alone to the top of a hill that demanded a change of life. This was just at the point that the band’s fame was just beginning. Ivor describes this sense of leaving a situation to face an unknown future as being ‘lost and found’.
For more information about the book go to https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/six-more-songs
Playlist
Kygo featuring Whitney Houston – Higher love – 2019 UK no 2, USA Dance no 1 and charted around the world including in Israel and China.
Dave Kelly – Sun on my face – title track from his recently released album. Played for last weeks winner of the birthdays quiz, Chris who answered from the clearly inspirational venue of Toddington services.
Billy Joel – Piano man – Title track from the 1973 album. Over 800 million streams on Spotify. Thanks to all those who liked the video posted on the Facebook page – Patrick Sherring on PhoenixFM – David, Keith, Scott, Rob and also Anna in Portugal.
Dire Straits – Brothers in arms – title track from the 1985 album. Global sales of over 30 million. 2020 Rolling Stone 500 Greatest albums of all time, number 418.
Peter Gabriel – Solsbury hill – 1997 first single release after leaving Genesis.
Birthdays competition
Ed Sheeran featuring Luke Coombes – Life goes on – song originally on – (subtract) album. Duet first performed at 2023 Academy of Country music awards. Ed is 33 years old.
John Travolta & Olivia Newton John – You’re the one that I want – From the soundtrack of the film – Grease – UK and Australia no 1 for nine weeks. USA no 1 and in many more countries. Global sales of over 15 million making it one of the best selling singles of all time. John is 70 years old.
Seal – Kiss from a rose – featured in both – Never ending story 1994 and Batman forever 1995. Grammy awards for Record of the year and Song of the year. Seal recently celebrated his 61st birthday.
Thanks to Chris and Bob in Harlow, Chris back in Guildford, Ivor and Dan in the studio for taking part. The winner with 4 points was Bob. Dan had 3 points. Chris in Harlow 1 point.
Patrick in Ingatestone requested an early Neil Diamond track. We heard the title track from the 1975 album – A beautiful noise – single was a UK no 13, album no 10.
Talking Heads – Once in a lifetime – UK no 14 from 1981. 2021 Rolling Stone 500 Greatest songs of all time, number 28. Dan requested this track because he has always like it.
Dan Skeates gave an update on the Rucksack Project. https://www.c2bk.co.uk/the-rucksack-project/
This year over 150 rucksacks have been donated. Since Dan began the project 12 years ago, well over 1,000 have been donated, These have been distributed to rough sleepers in Chelmsford and also give to other projects working with rough sleepers in other towns. Dan thanked all the individuals, companies and other organisations that had donated rucksacks this year.
Sinead O’Connor –Streets of London – song written by Ralph McTell and a no 2 for him in 1974., though written in 1969.
Vision – Pocket change – check out Steven, Lee and Stanley performing live at PhoenixFM on Curveballs on 11th of December 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp7Flu4sGig
Chart this week in 1973
No 2 Strawbs – Part of the Union
No 4 Focus – Sylvia – UK no 4, Netherland no 9, from the album – Focus 3 – UK no 3, selling 100,000 copies. USA no 35, selling 5000,000 copies.
No 11 Stevie Wonder – Superstition – USA no 1, UK no 11, selling 1.8 million copies. From the album – Talking Book – 2020 Rolling Stone 500 Greatest albums of all time, number 59.
Billy Joel – Turn on the light – new release with an astonishing video. First new track from Billy for 17 years. A new album to follow soon.
Ramsey Lewis Trio – Wade in the water – title track from 1966 album. No 3 Billboard Soul singles chart.
Next week my guest is Paul Beasley-Murray, fundraising through a 7 mile walk for https://www.essexdementiacare.org.uk In March he celebrates his 80th birthday.
