BBC RADIO 2: LOVE SONGS WITH MICHAEL BALL
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2024
“Musicals allow a depth of emotion that you don’t get in another form of acting, the chord changes, the lyrics really affect people, so that in two hours, you’ve forgotten about things.” Michael Ball
Talent can’t be taught. You either have it or you don’t. It can, however, be honed, and that’s what Michael Ball did at a very young age. I’ve always found it interesting that Michael chose the acting program instead of the musical theater training at the Guildford School. It was such a smart move, IMO. He took what he learned as an actor at the school and applied it to his extraordinary musical ability, enabling him to create musical characters that are full-bodied – every one of his heroes has faults, and he finds redeeming qualities in his villains. Because Michael loses himself in each character, making them real, we care about him, whether he be villain or hero. Michael did everything right when he was starting out, IMO. He trained as an actor, then moved on to create some early memorable roles in the musical theatre, followed by proving himself on the concert stage, laying the groundwork for everything that was to come. And let’s not forget his gift for the radio …
“Hello, my lovelies. How are you this lovely Sunday? Thanks for your company.” Wow, Michael is in cracking form. You can hear it in his voice. This is a happy man today. “Welcome to Love Songs With Michael Ball. I’m so glad you’re here. There’s no show without you. I always say it: It’s not my show, it’s our show. Wouldn’t be anything without you. The good news is – the cold has gone. I feel better.” We can tell! “Lovely. Not only that, I’ve had an extra hour in bed. I know. It gets darker at night and there’s rain everywhere and there’s mud – The dogs, Oh my Lord, if you’d seen them this morning. I had to shove them under the hose and rub them. They don’t like it, but it has to be done. And then, of course, they don’t shake themselves until they’re actually in the house! Still, wouldn’t be without them.”
Sandy comes on the Love Line and talks about Phil, who recently passed. She keeps him alive by playing the music he loved and thinking of him as just being in the next room. I love this. Michael also talks to Ian about his wife, Lynn, who apparently is an ENORMOUS Michael Ball fan. This couple has devoted their lives to helping others, something that impresses our man deeply. Michael then reads messages that came in, one very touching about a woman’s husband who is in the hospital, a man she says who never loses his sense of humor. It drew this response from Michael, “I’ll tell you what. Laughter gets you through so much, even the worst of times. If you can find something to laugh about and smile about, it speeds the recovery. Trust me.”
Michael then talks about something near and dear to his heart. The BBC RADIO 2 is joining forces with the RHS and horticulturist Monty Don to bring the RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden to the Chelsea Flower show next summer. “It’s all to celebrate the U.K’s passion for gardening and obsession with our furry friends. It will also raise awareness of plants that are toxic to dogs. Um, they must never eat an acorn. I’ve had a dog in a hospital because he ate an acorn. Afterwards, the garden will be sent to the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, to be enjoyed by generations to come. What a wonderful, wonderful thing this is.”
When Michael returns from the midway break, he reads more messages that came in over the past week. You can hear how ‘up’ he is, a few items bringing out his giggle, his voice with a definite lilt in it. It’s impossible for this man to hide how he’s feeling, and he’s in a GREAT mood this week!
Michael speaks with Nick on the Love Line about his fiancée, Melanie, who is about to retire after spending 25 years caring for foster children. Michael calls Melanie, who is stunned to hear Michael on the phone, being a longtime fan of his. The reactions on these calls are always so much fun. This segment has Michael laughing throughout, such a joy to hear.
Michael does a beautiful tribute to Johnnie Walker, who will be doing his last show this afternoon, adding, “And of course there’s that incident with the half-sucked Jakeman’s he left on the control desk, and I ended up blaming Rylan. He finally owned up to it. Genuinely, one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet. One of the most knowledgeable about music. A proper legend. And he has always been so supportive of me, so kind to me. Whenever we socialized, he and his wife, Tigs, we always had such a laugh. I’m going to miss you, my friend. I really, really am.”
In the Love Letters segment, Michael speaks with Edward who’s in Crete. Michael is insanely jealous, , shrieking “It’s rotten here!” Edward is missing his partner Rachel, so Michael gives her a call. When Rachel answers and hears it’s Michael Ball, she bursts out in a non-stop fit of laughter, tickling our host and drawing out his own giggle. Edward’s letter to Rachel is quite funny. Michael closes by playing Elvis for them. Then: “That was the maddest love letter, absolutely chaotic, but I blooming loved every minute of it.” He’s laughing so hard he’s having trouble talking. This hasn’t happened in a VERY long time, and it was glorious to listen to!
And that’s it. Once again, the 2 hours flew by. Today’s show was fun and echoed with laughter. Thank you, Michael, for setting such a great tone for the coming week …
I admire everything Michael Ball does. But for me the ultimate is his stage work. Don’t get me wrong. I love his concerts when he can be himself, that lovable, sexy, funny man who is adored by legions of fans around the world. But there are few who can create a character in a West End musical like Michael can, holding the audience in the palm of his hand. I am so envious (in a good way) of those who are able to see his Javert in the current production of LES MIS. Enjoy every single glorious moment of watching the G.O.A.T in the musical that helped launch his West End career so many years ago. As I’ve always said, Michael Ball wears his heart on his sleeve, and that’s what he brings to his characters, to his concerts and to the radio.
Song Track List: Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton ‘Islands In The Sun’; The Isley Brothers ‘This Old Heart Of Mine’; Jalen Ngonda ‘Anyone In Love’; Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson ‘Tonight I Celebrate My Love’; Lewis Capaldi ‘Someone You Loved’; The Emotions ‘Best Of My Love’; Seal ‘Kiss From A Rose’; LeAnn Rimes “How Do I Live’; Sabrina Carpenter ‘Please Please Please’; Amy Winehouse ‘Back To Black’; Fleetwood Mac ‘Everywhere’; George Benson ‘Lady Love Me’; Teddy Swims ‘Lose Control’; Ellie Goulding ‘Your Song’; Aretha Franklin ‘A Natural Woman’; Jim Croce ‘Time In A Bottle’; Sam Smith ‘Stay With Me’; Jake Isaac ‘Ever Yours’; Elvis Presley ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’; Madonna ‘You’ll See’; Nat King Cole ‘Let’s Face The Music And Dance’; Song of the Week: Sam Smith ‘Stay With Me.’