Radio Recap – 22 September 2024

“Michael Ball is an always evolving powerhouse whos flawless vocals wow and his acting ability will take your breath away. His portrayal of Javert is edgy, brilliant and executed by one of the world’s greatest musical theatre performers.” The Conjurors. Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. September 2024.

Once again, Michael delivers in a performance of LES MIS. Was there ever any doubt? We’ve seen snippets of his Javert. Heard him sing the bone-chilling “Stars,” his body coiled with emotion. And while he was rehearsing this incredibly difficult role, he was leading thousands in Broadway songs on the Preston stage in the Park, recording an album with Alfie Boe and planning his radio shows …

“Hello, my lovelies. Let’s kick off this fabulous Sunday with Candi Staton’s ‘My Young Heart’s Running Free.’” Just as I expected, Michael sounds up and happy and full of energy. “Welcome to LOVE SONGS with me, Michael Ball. How’s your week been? If you’re feeling like it’s been one of those weeks – and we all have them – not enough hours in the day, spinning all the plates – then you’ve got to wash them – you have my permission to enjoy some ‘me’ time right now. I don’t know. Put the kettle on. If you’re still in bed, stay there. Good for you. You’ve earned it.” Great advice all around. Thank you, Michael.

Song Track List: Shania Twain ‘From This Moment On’; Commodores ‘Three Times A Lady’; Texas ‘In Our Lifetime’; Etta James ‘At Last’; Amii Stewart ‘Friends’; Taylor Swift ‘I Can Do It With A Broken Heart’; Fleetwood Mac ‘Friends’; Cyndi Lauper ‘Time After Time’; Sabrina Carpenter ‘Taste’; Berlin ‘Take My Breath Away’; Candi Staton ‘Young Hearts Run Free’; Pet Shop Boys ‘Feel’; Phil Collins ‘A Groovy Kind of Love’; Tracy Chapman ‘Fast Car’; Kate Bush ‘Wuthering Heights’; Lady A ‘Need You Now’; Hozier ‘Too Sweet’; ABBA ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’; Gloria Estefan ‘Hold Me’; Perry Como ‘Magic Moments’

Michael speaks with Adam on the Love Line. After 31 years, he finally married his partner Freddie. What took them so long to tie the knot was, first of all, it was illegal for so many years. Then, Freddie had a serious stroke a couple of years ago which left him very disabled. “Like has a funny habit of reminding you what’s important,” Adam says. “That stroke came off the back of the COVID lockdown where the 2 of us were stuck together at home, and that whole period brought back to life the amazing love we had for each other. For anyone else who’s in a longtime relationship, there isn’t anything quite so amazing as falling in love with the same person over and over again, which is really what it’s been like for us.” Michael is quite moved by the moral of this lovely story. “Beautifully put.” He plays Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’ for them and wishes them the very best, including Adam’s mum who is a big Michael Ball fan!

Back on the Love Line, Michael speaks with Hannah, who’s calling to honor her mum Nicola. Hannah describes her mother as a selfless person who is always doing for others. Nicola, who’s tuning 70, is a longtime Michael Ball fan. Michael calls her, and the reaction is hilarious. Her voice reaching the highest pitch, Nicola is stunned, even having to hit her son who’s standing next to her (!!!). Others in the room have joined in now, and Michael can’t stop giggling – absolutely GLORIOUS!!! “I’m a wreck! Michael Ball!” Nicola shouts. “I bloomin’ love you, Nicola,” Michael says at the close of the segment. I think everyone in the listening audience loves Nicola! But before Michael can go, someone new arrives at Nicola’s house, and she shrieks, “I’m talking to Michael Ball! Michael Ball!!” With a giggle, Michael cuts in, saying he has to go, he has to do the rest of the show. More giggles and more giggles and … What a FABULOUS segment! I absolutely LOVED it!

When Michael returns after the break: “It’s LOVE SONGS with Michael Ball, and don’t tell me you’re still in bed because some of us have walked the dog, made the breakfast, done a bit of housework …” Sigh. “But if you are, I don’t blame you. Just stay there as long as you can. Snuggle down under that duvet.” (My duvet is calling me back to bed. Thanks for reminding me, Michael ).

On the Love Line, Michael speaks with Mark. He’s been with Barbara for 3 years, and tonight they’re going off to have a nice romantic Italian dinner. “Yeah. A bit of fettuccini. You can’t go wrong,” Michael says with his signature giggle. Both Mark and Barbara lost their previous partners to cancer, and working at the same place eventually drew them together. Neither thought they’d ever find love again. “You give everyone hope,” Michael says in closing. He plays Phil Collins’ ‘A Groovy Kind of Love’ for them. Afterwards he ruminates about what he was doing when he first heard that song in September, 1988. “I was in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in the West End. It’s amazing, isn’t it, when you hear songs and you follow the chronology – where were you when that was a hit? What were you doing?” I love when Michael does this – takes us back in time with his life.

Love Letters – Michael’s favorite segment of the show. And mine. Michael speaks with Marie, who’s written a letter to her daughter. The time is right as Laura is turning 40, and Marie is afraid she’ll now drift away. Laura is so busy with her life and her children, and Marie feels around the age of 40, parents become less important. Marie has set up the phone call to Laura this way: her daughter’s partner is thinking of joining the Army Reserves, and Laura was told to expect a call asking questions about her preparedness for a life in the army. Michael lets loose with a wicked laugh and says, “I shall be Sergeant Major Ball!” On the line, when Michael reveals his true self, Laura seems to take the fact that Michael Ball is calling her in stride. Marie reads her lovely letter to her daughter, citing that she misses the mother-daughter time, with Laura so busy. The letter is quite emotional, both women crying. “Do you understand that your mother doesn’t want her little girl slipping through her fingers?” Michael asks gently. Laura agrees that she doesn’t spend enough time with her mum, which is what Michael wanted to hear. Mission accomplished. Once again Michael has used this segment in such a beautiful way.

The Last Dance. This one’s for Reese & Antonia. This first year of their marriage has been spent mostly apart because Reese is in the army. Every Sunday they listen to LOVE SONGS at the same time, sharing a special moment across the miles. Well, today, they’re finally together as they listen, and to make the situation even better, Antonia is expecting a baby. Michael is over the moon for both of them and plays Perry Como’s ‘Magic Moments’ for their dance on this special occasion. What a lovely way to close the show.

We all know Michael Ball can do anything. He’s once again proven it, running from gig to gig, never dropping the ball, giving it his all. Every single one of us wishes him the very best as he embarks on this LES MIS tour.

I can see you, Michael, standing center stage, perfectly still, those intense blue eyes looking out towards the horizon …. “There … out in the darkness … a fugitive running … fallen from God … fallen from grace … God be my witness … I never shall yield … Till we come face to face … Till we come face to face …”

Song of the Week: Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams.’