December 2014 - Christmas Songs
Dr Dave Allen entertained us once again on his third seasonal presentation to the group about Christmas songs. This year he talked about the popularity of Christmas songs in the past and those chosen by people on Desert Island Discs. Dave has searched through 77 years of the Radio Times to identify the most popular choices. He projected many front covers of the Radio Times dating back to 1923.
During his research he found that 35 different Christmas songs had been selected by 3,000 guests since 1923. The most popular choice by 14 potential castaways was 'In the Bleak Midwinter' by the Kings College Choir. We then enjoyed a short rendition.
The second choice (by 13 castaways) not surprisingly was Silent Night by a variety of performers together with several requests by Bing Crosby. We listened to a very old German recording.
The third choice was Bing’s rendition of White Christmas. The next two were the Holly & the Ivy and Fairy Tale of New York (which no one seemed to know!).
Next at seven was 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing', and finally eighth was 'Dulci Jubilo' which Dave’s favourite cricket commentator, John Arlott, who was a castaway twice, said that Kings College Choir recording of which was the one record to epitomise England.
During the presentation we listened to several of the choices. At the end of his talk Dave told of his own personal favourites all associated with different events and memories in his life. Top of his list is Santa Claus by Sonny Boy Williamson.
Following Dave Allen’s talk we were serenaded by our own U3A singing group. They sung their hearts out with seasonal treats and most of us just couldn’t help but sing along! A truly seasonal meeting followed by tea and mince pies and enjoyed by all.
Diane Stoner, Speaker Co-ordinator