Sgt.Pepper's Friends: Recent Episodes
Roger Edwards
This is AE Houseman's Shropshire Lad. It's set in the beautiful county of Shropshire, with much of it being imaginary. It reflects on the terrible effects of war, the helplessness of man, and I think above all the loss of youth. it's made even more dramatic because of the incredible beauty of Shropshire. Hope you like it!
After a great performance at Sgt Pepper's Friends, how could we let Pete go without asking him to sing four of his own compositions for us?
Lovers by the Sea
Barefoot on the Shore
Reservation Road
Room of Dreams
If only it was that simple. In truth, Pete left his stool after the show and when he popped in to collect it we talked music and drank gallons of tea. Then out came a guitar or three. The weather was awful so we played to an audience of one snoring dog, Sunshine. She loved it. This is a little snippet of that day. Please enjoy.
Making Whoopie, Over the Rainbow, Paper Moon and King of the Road are four great songs that take me right back to my childhood and family parties. The air was always thick with cigarette smoke, booze and laughter. Someone would always sing a song or three and these great tunes would be typical of what we'd listen to. Most of the elders in the family might not be around anymore but the songs are still here. Hope you enjoy the sober versions with me and the guitar. Join in if you know any of them!!
And now for something different. Over the years I've written hundreds of poems. Today, I thought I'd share a few. Hope you enjoy them.
It was cold outside and getting dark. We were about to podcast but I picked up a guitar and recorded four tunes straight from four decades instead. Yesterday (Macca), I Was Only Joking (Sir Rod), Sorry (Tracey Chapman) and How Beautiful Life Can Be (Lathums).
All different tunes and Jan picks up the shaker again. It's warts and all but I quite like it like that. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it). Roll on springtime!
Yes, that's right. Roger and Chris enjoy a catch-up over a pot of tea and suddenly the memories of crazy nights and crazy bands and artists come flooding back. Just a mention of Chris's magic cape (he actually used to wear a cape) and somehow it opens up Pandora's box of what fun you have seeing live acts. Good job the record button was pressed. Some may say, was it misspent youth? Not on your Nelly! Hope you enjoy.
They say the course of true love never runs smooth and these four tunes are certainly a testament to that. Vincent (Don McLean), I Can't Stop Loving You (Leo Sayer), Love at the Five and Dime (Nanci Griffith), and More Like the Movies (Dr. Hook) are four songs that I have always loved. Here they are on acoustic guitar and me, warts and all, as I say.
Jan walked in as I was singing, picked up a shaker, and added it to the Dr. Hook tune. I like it.
Hope you like these as much as you did the Christmas songs.
Roger xx
It's that time of year when I thought, it would be good to chat with someone but I'm home alone.
Here are four of my favourite Christmas tunes I've recorded instead. I hope you like them.
The River - A Spaceman Came Travelling - Silent Night - Let It Snow.
Sgt. Pepper’s Friend’s Campervan rolled into Dudley town centre on a wet market day and met Mick. Warning: some people might find the content difficult to deal with. Mick’s story is both staggering and informative. The world needs more people like Mick to, tell and educate us. As someone said, if you’re prepared to stop people in the street, then you have to be prepared for what they tell you. I think I was. You make up your own minds. I hope you enjoy. Take care. Roger xx
The Sgt. Pepper's Friends campervan rolled up near the market square in Dudley and met Ann, Mani, Gladys and Carol. This is what they had to say about living in their town.
Roger and Chris are joined by Chris' wife, Lisa today. The best laid plans and all that!
Fully intending to take the Sgt Peppermobile into the Shropshire countryside to spread the word, when the heavens opened and the only thing for it was to go to a beautiful Shropshire pub and talk about how their festive seasons had been. Lisa tells how her late Christmas spirit got into full flow thanks to earrings from Primark. Not forgetting her annual maxim, Christmas is for family and New Year's for friends.
Hope you enjoy.....
Forgotten Voices - COVID 19 has impacted on everyone. We've all had different experiences and no two lives have been the same.
Throughout the pandemic Sgt. Pepper's Friends has got to know the lockdown stories of many people. They have real tales of resilience, relying on strangers, coping with no physical contact from loved ones, becoming poorly, experiencing bereavement and much more.
We've spoken to eight people who live or work in the Black Country who were willing to share their stories that will surprise, shock, sadden and even make you laugh.
Forgotten Voices was recorded and produced by Roger Edwards - we hope you enjoy it.
To find out more about Sgt. Pepper's Friends please go to - www.sgtpeppersfriends.co.uk
Roger and Chris were on their way to the local snooker hall. Now that the Olympic flame has gone out, two cups of tea and the tape machine running it soon becomes apparent if ever there was a medal for spectating they're both in with a shout. I wonder if they ever got to play snooker!
The realisation that shops you thought were still on the high street have gone - as quick as a flash.
We mull it over, you'll be amazed. Then again, not surprised. Hope you enjoy.
Roger and Jan reminice about being by the British seaside. Jan opens up about missing her hometown of Southport and Roger remembers heady days and nights on the North Pier, Blackpool, with a theatre fire and crooner Vince Hill all thrown in for good measure.
Too many people say the telly is their main source of company, Sgt Pepper's Friendship Club aims to put that right.
"It's a youth club for grown up's"