Manawatu Community Radio’s First 2024 Programme

Four songs for justice and peace by two women artists open the Wesley Broadway community radio activities for 2024. Gillian and John Thornley share the presentation of a weekly show airing each Tuesday and Saturday, at 11 am. Programmes can be downloaded at the Manawatu People’s Radio 999AM.

The February programme shares songs from African-American jazz/soul singer Bettye Lavette and the USA singer/songwriter Natalie Merchant.

Bettye Lavette covers Paul McCartney’s song ‘Black Bird’ from the White Album 1968. Paul writes: ‘I had in mind a black woman rather than a bird. These were the days of the civil rights movement, which all of us cared passionately about, so this is really a song from me to a black woman, saying ‘Let me encourage you to keep trying, to keep your faith, there is hope.’ Betty Lavette makes this song her own, as a tribute to earlier black women songsters, like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan – and herself – who struggle to have their artistry heard and supported by the wider White audiences. She also covers Billie Holiday’s song about lynching ‘Strange Fruit’.

The other artist is Natalie Merchant. Her ancestors came from Sicily and her family enjoyed classical music and jazz. In 1993 she formed her own band and set up her own recording company. Her 2023 record, titled ‘Keep Your Courage’ was included in the NZ Listeners Top Pop recordings for 2023. The accompaniment for her songs include strings and woodwind instruments.

‘Tower of Babel’ portrays our wounded world, using the ancient image of a large tower. The legend is found in many ancient tales, where people build a high tower to reach the heavens where their gods live. But squabbles and in-fighting bring the tower crashing to the ground. The Dr Seuss book Yertle the Turtle retells the story for the enjoyment of children and adults. Merchant’s version is a more sombre story for a current world in disarray:

 

Her other original song, ‘The Feast of Saint Valentine’ is an anthem for the future battles we face. There is no denial of harsh realities ahead, but her final lines are a prayer of faith that ‘love will win, love will conquer all’.

Listen to the programme at this link: https://bit.ly/wesley_methodist_merchant-lavette

The Wesley Broadway partnership with the secular community access radio network offers an outward-looking/listening programme – including interviews, news, and a variety of music that links the sacred and secular worlds – especially the hymns of Aotearoa by Shirley Erena Murray, Colin Gibson and others. The presenters would love to hear from listeners: John and Gillian Thornley: johngill@inspire.net.nz