Fight the Good Fight
HYMNS in which Christians are portrayed as warriors seem to have a special resonance these days, and Fight the Good Fight is one of the best. The words were written … Continue readingFight the Good Fight
Author: Margaret Ashworth
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Shirley Ellis: The Name Game
This silly but catchy song was written by American singer Shirley Ellis with Lincoln Chase. (It can’t have been hard to write as there are only a couple of notes … Continue readingShirley Ellis: The Name Game
The Beatles: If I Fell
Possibly the best self-composed Beatles track, with a stunningly complex and beautiful melody. John Lennon claimed to have written it solo, given credence by this scratchy home demo, but Paul … Continue readingThe Beatles: If I Fell
O God Our Help in Ages Past
ON Sunday, services of remembrance will be held at war memorials in towns and villages all over the country, each with its list of names of those who died to … Continue readingO God Our Help in Ages Past
Bach Violin Concerto No 2 in E major BWV 1052
LAST week I wrote about Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), the Venetian composer sometimes called the King of Baroque. He was a major influence on Johann Sebastian Bach, who was seven years younger. … Continue readingBach Violin Concerto No 2 in E major BWV 1052
Nashville Teens: Biggest Night of her Life
Written by the great Randy Newman, this was released by the Nashville Teens in 1967. For the first time in this series, I can’t find out if it got into … Continue readingNashville Teens: Biggest Night of her Life
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
TODAY’S choice is another of the 9,000 or so hymns written by Charles Wesley (1707-1798). I covered the early part of Wesley’s life when I wrote about O For a Thousand … Continue readingLove Divine, All Loves Excelling
The Beatles: Twist and Shout
This was written in 1961 by Phil Medley and Bert Berns and first recorded by the Top Notes, but they ruined it. Amazingly this was produced by Phil Spector. The … Continue readingThe Beatles: Twist and Shout
Small Faces: Tin Soldier
This was written by the great Steve Marriott though it was credited on the record to him and fellow Small Faces member Ronnie Lane. It was released in December 1967, … Continue readingSmall Faces: Tin Soldier
Vivaldi – beyond the Four Seasons
ANTONIO Vivaldi is well known as the composer of the violin concertos known as the Four Seasons, but he left at least 500 other concertos including some for less usual instruments … Continue readingVivaldi – beyond the Four Seasons