Radio Recap – 13 October 2024

Michael Ball simply astounds me! How he is able to handle so many projects at the same time is a tribute to this man’s energy and ingenuity. Right now he’s on tour with LES MIS, starring as Javert, a demanding role. He’s also putting the finishing touches on his new album with Alfie, getting ready for their tour together AND his new book is about to debut. Finally, he manages to put together a weekly radio show, no easy feat. I give this amazing man a standing ovation for all of these accomplishments.

Today I’m going to shake up my recaps and try something new. Instead of merely documenting what takes place on the broadcast, I’m going to focus on Michael’s approach to the show, highlighting the interesting or amusing things he says and the aspects of the show that are unique to today’s broadcast. By now we all know the format, but LOVE SONGS is about more than the songs and conversations about birthdays and anniversaries. It’s about Michael Ball!

“Hello, my lovelies.” And Michael draws out the word ‘lovelies’ in such a delicious way! “How are you this Sunday? Welcome to LOVE SONGS with me, Michael Ball. You can say what you want, but I’m here for the next 2 hours.” And aren’t we lucky he is? He follows this up with playing Texas’ ‘Say What You Want.’ Okay, his bridges into music are getting a little better. When he returns – “Well, it’s been a rainy old week where I’ve been. Up in Glasgow and now in Sheffield. But you know what? Nothing’s going to stop the sunshine of our hearts because we’re here together. I’ve got your Sunday soundtracks sorted out. Nothing too loud or noisy for a Sunday morning. Can’t be doing with that. But feel free to have a smooch around the kitchen if you’re at home. We have no judgment on this show.” Oh yes, Michael is definitely in a fine mood today. Well, why not? He’s out there doing everything he loves.

Michael speaks with Rachel on the Love Line whose parents are celebrating their diamond anniversary. In describing her father, Rachel says he was the star of summer music halls, loved dressing up as a woman. “Yes, well,” Michael responds, “once you try it it’s very hard to go back.” And we hear that adorable giggle. How Michael loved playing Edna Turnblad!

Michael does some readouts from his email. Love the way he jumps into these with such enthusiasm and heart. This man cares about his listeners, no doubt about it. “Thanks for all your messages. I love, love, LOVE hearing them.”

Michael talks to Leslie, whose mum Margaret is turning 100. He calls Margaret who is the coolest of the cool. Her answer to almost everything Michael says is “Good.” What a delight she is. Michael plays for her – Wait for it! – Wilson Phillips ‘Hold On.’ Oh, Michael, what a sense of humor you have! This is the segment when his adorable giggles take center stage.

When Michael returns from the break, he plays Elton John’s ‘Your Song.’ “These are all your songs,” he adds. “Have you got out of bed yet? Nah. Stay snuggled.” Michael has a knack for making Sunday mornings the sweetest time of the week.

Michael speaks with Kevin who describes his 50 year marriage to wife Anne as ‘love at first sight.’ Michael (with his inimitable humor) compares it to the scene from LADY & THE TRAMP when the 2 dogs are eating that bowl of spaghetti and their noses meet over a single strand of pasta. How perfect that Michael used dogs to illustrate his point!

Michael does a special shout-out and a beautiful tribute to BBC’s Johnny Walker, who will be ‘hanging up his headphones’ in a few short weeks after 58 years. “He made a name for himself aboard Radio Caroline in the 1960s. We’ve all grown up with him as a familiar voice in our homes ever since.” As always, Michael Ball takes the time to honor the greats who came before him and, as he acknowledges, taught him so much.

In Michael’s favorite LOVE LETTERS segment, he speaks with Edward, who’s written a letter to his precious Welsh mum Jackie. Michael can identify with this, his love for his own Welsh mum and gran well known. Jackie is an enormous fan of Michael’s, which tickles him and evokes once again that infamous giggle. Edward’s letter to his mum is a glorious tribute from a son to his mother, so, so lovely.

Michael says he got a message from Beryl, who he spoke with last week about her marriage to Julian. She thanked Michael profusely, saying she’s received messages from friends all over the world after last week’s broadcast, friends she hasn’t spoken with in years. This shows Michael’s far reach with this particular radio show, and what a glorious tribute to our man.

Sadly, the broadcast has come to an end. I thoroughly enjoyed today’s show. Not only was the choice of music superb (Congrats Michael & Ste Softley), but we saw the very essence of Michael Ball, his lovely heart and sense of humor shining through.

I think we can all agree Michael is a lovable one-of-a-kind character. He’s a guy whose laugh is always a few seconds away from bubbling over. If you looked closely at that recent video of Michael and Alfie recording their new album, you’ll notice that Michael is barefoot. Only Michael Ball would do that! This is the little boy who lives side-by-side with the gifted artist we love so much. Kids possess a boundless energy rivaled by no one, and that energy lives in Michael. Bravo, Michael. Keep these projects coming. We are your avid supporters, now and forever.

Song Track List: Texas ‘Say What You Want’; George McCrae ‘Rock Your Baby’; Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars ‘Die With A Smile’; Chris de Burgh ‘ The Lady In Red’; Bruce Hornsby & The Range ‘The Way Italian Is’; Craig David ‘7 Days’; Tracy Chapman ‘Baby Can I Hold You’; Kathy Sledge ‘Promise Me’; Jimmy Ruffin ‘What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted’; Wilson ‘Hold On’; Jungle ‘Let’s Go Back’; Commodores ‘Easy’; The Bellamy Brothers ‘Let Your Love Flow’; Harry Styles ‘Watermelon Sugar’; Take That ‘Rule The World’; Billie Eilish ‘Birds Of A Feather’; The Beatles All You Need Is Love’; Tom Walker ‘Leave A Light On’; Norah Jones ‘Don’t Know Why’; The Foundation ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’; The Song of the Week: Elton John’s ‘Your Song.