DESERT ISLAND DISCS

[Fede]

There is a wonderfully popular Radio programme on BBC Radio 4 titled,

"Desert Island Discs"

Celebrities, or people of note have to pick 6 pieces of music they would most like to take onto a desert Island with them, if stranded.

They must also explain why, and obviously, how these pieces of music are important to them, and the reasons they want to take it with them....

Then if they could only take one, which one would that be?

They then have to pick one book (apart from the Bible and the complete Works of Shakespeare - they're already supplied)) to read, and again, what it means to them.

Obviously, we do not consider the Bible a book of any primary significance to us, so we would have to substitute our personal Buddhist tome of supreme significance perhaps.... supplied and vailable.

Finally, an Item of luxury.
Something they simply couldn't do without.

...And....
Would they try to escape?


Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto in C Major.
It reminds me of what a wonderful pianist my father was. Trained to concert level, he could make me cry playing this.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8l37utZxMQ

Ringo Star - you're 16, (you're beautiful and you're mine.)
The very first record, my very first B/F ever played for me. He'd sing it at the top of his voice going round the park, with his arm around me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76O6tuJPe3w

Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Come up and see me (make me smile)
My friends played this at my 18th Birthday party, and danced in a circle around me. It was very heartwarming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxoke4yuWlI

A summer Place (Theme from the movie of the same name)
This reminds me of blissful summers my family would spend in Italy, on the Med coast, at a resort caled 'Moneglia'. It was a wonderful time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mERbQIvgJXs

Do you know how wonderful you are (Gordon Haskell)
My partner, Nick, played this to me one day, at a time when I was feeling particularly hard done by, and put upon....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdxyPYVBh5I

Faure's requiem.
I sang this as lead soprano with my father directing the choir, at a recording at St Margaret's Catholic Church, Twickenham, in 1987. An Amateur choir to be sure, but we won the contest!! It's a beautiful piece of work. (The piece below is "Agnus Dei" but the whole work is just so thrilling!)

http://www.wikio.com/video/577343

Book:
It's a toss-up between The Book Thief and The time Traveller's Wife.
Probably the former, to remind me of mortality and Human Nature.

http://www.booksattransworld.co.uk/thebookthief/

Luxury

A really good, large, strong, perpetually sharp knife.

http://www.heinnie.com/6jcmbn1317047/Kn ... -161-1305/

Would I try to escape?
No.
But I might try to attract attention after a while.

OK - Your go!!

[Mawkish1983]

I'll see if I can have a go then.

System of a Down - War?
The first System of a Down song I ever heard (they are my favourite band).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3WSnlP1Ijs

Slayer - Raining Blood
First metal track I ever heard and changed the way I saw music forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSRQ_9IAHMM

Tubeway Army - Are Friends Electric?
Just because Gary Numan is AWESOME. Each and every time I listen to this song I find something new. When you know the background of the lyrics this song takes on a whole new meaning .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu6MDdxBork

Van Halen - When It's Love
This was the first dance song my wife and I chose for our wedding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5jXS75Qbmk (sorry it's a poo video)

Megadeth - Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
Two songs in one (and quite possibly the finest song Megadeth wrote).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT8n3r2WnkA

Michael W Smith - Awesome God
This is a symbolic song for me personally. I was a Christian and in a very dark place mentally. I was struggling for understanding and for some validation or verification of faith. It was whilst listening to this song (for the thousandth time) that it occured to me the problems I was having in my mind could easily be resolved by taking this 'God' character out of them. I was listening to this song when I resolved to find a religion that more suited what I actually believed. So, looking through the rather superficial lyrics, the song has meaning for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RGcb7alSk0

Book:
Enid Blighton - Secret Island
Why? I don't think any book ever enthralled me quite as much when I was a child <laughs> happy memories.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Island-E ... 1841351415

Luxury:
Company. My wife, a friend, even someone I don't get on with... anyone to keep me company.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solipsism_syndrome (I am susceptible)

Would I try to escape?:
Too <CENSORED> right I would! By whatever means possible!

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Fede,

Did you realise that every single musical choice you made was for nostalgic reasons?

In contrast, my choices will be best purely on which songs I like best...

1. Spray - Anthem (For The Modern Artist)
2. Carter USM - And God Created Brixton
3. Pet Shop Boys - Can You Forgive Her?
4. Spearmint - A Trip Into Space (original EP version)
5. Carter USM - The Only Living Boy In New Cross
6. My Life Story - Sparkle

There is no interesting story behind them - they're just top songs by top bands.

I could probably have ditched Sparkle for another Carter song but in the interests of balance... y'know. It might be useful to hear another voice.

And my one book is an English translation of the Sutta Pitaka

Luxury: The Internet

Would I try to escape: That depends... is anyone going to provide requisites?

Metta,
Retro.

[Fede]

Retro....Nostalgia....? yes, because, er..... that's the whole point........

Mawk..... bad boy.

No people allowed, silly!

That's why it's called a 'desert Island'......

Retro, how you gonna plug your PC in, exactly......?