Since 1942, the BBC has had a weekly radio show, Desert Island Discs, which asks celebrities which 8 recordings they would want to have with them if, like Robinson Crusoe, they somehow found themselves stranded on a deserted isle.
I’m no celebrity, but I thought it might be fun for us to play the “home version of the game.”
#8 Sean O’Riada’s Mise Eire. I find this piece hauntingly beautiful and I wonder if I could listen to it on the desert island. It would make me so homesick.
#7 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute. It is criminal to have to choose only one composition by Mozart but, forced as I am by my own silly rules, I have to select The Magic Flute. I wouldn’t want to live without “The Queen of the Night” nearby.
#6 Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World. I have a feeling that if I got stuck on a desert island, I’d need frequent reminders that the world is beautiful and worth loving.
#5 Ludwig Von Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. I mean, you’ve got to have the best of the best with you, don’t you? Besides, it lasts for over an hour and is both orchestral and choral.
#4 Annie Lennox singing Cole Porter’s, Every Time We Say Goodbye. An achingly beautiful song performed by an angelic voice. I have an urge to weep every time I listen to it.
#3 George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. This somehow encapsulates what I love most about the USA and puts it in auditory form.
#2 Yo Yo Ma performing Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cello Suites. I think this would calm me even in my most ragged and panicked state. Distilled beauty.
#1 Thomas Tallis, Spem in Alium. A glorious blast of Catholic polyphony – a 40-part motet that blows my socks off every time I hear it.
At the end of the show, guests are asked what book (apart from the Bible & Shakespeare) they want on the island and they are allowed one luxury. For me, Jane Austen’s Collected Novels and a solar-powered ice-maker, thank you very much!
Over to you…
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
Re my not being a culture vulture, I can’t honestly say I have any favourite music that I would think I couldn’t be without on a desert island. I like music but I am one of those people who just happens to listen to whatever is being played on the radio at any given time. I like some, I don’t like others. If I had no music at all, I’d probably make my own with cocount shells after a while I suppose
Simon,
You are such a lucky fellow, being content with whatever is playing on the radio. If I try listening to music, I spend my time station-hopping and never seem to find what I’m hoping for.
Paul
Oops. I forgot the book and the luxury. I’m not keen on reading books more than once so I’m struggling. The luxury if easy though. A solar powered still. I assume there is something on the island I could turn into hooch. If even pay myself the excise duty
A good list, but don’t forget to pack some of Nat King Cole’s recordings with you: “when I fall in love,” “stardust,” “mona lisa,” “unforgettable” are some you should consider, and also anything he ever did with Christmas songs, especially, “o holy night.”
Bob,
Wouldn’t “O Holy Night” get a bit old in July?
Paul
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole
• It Was A Very Good Year – Frank Sinatra
• You’ve Got A Friend – Carole King
• The Impossible Dream – Luther Vandross
• The River – Garth Brooks
• ‘Gimme Some Lovin’ – Spencer Davis Group
• Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops
• The Servant Song – Richard Gillard
(not necessarily in any given order)
Plus the collected works of C.S. Lewis and a solar-powered HD big screen TV with an incredible satellite reception capability
Happy Wednesday!
Tim,
Why am I not surprised that Frank made your list?! I don’t think I’ve heard the Vandross version of “The Impossible Dream.” Must go search for it on YouTube. And Richard Gillard. I confess I’ve never even heard of him.
Paul
Richard Gillard I believe is the author of The Servant Song, there are many versions of this song, my favorite is by the Bukas Palad Ministry from the Philippines:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wMO5KxeAI
It would be hard to leave Carole behind…
Vivaldi’s Gloria
Saint Saens’ 3rd Symphony (“Organ Symphony”)
For starters…
Meredith,
Yes! Yes! But would I be prepared to delete two of my current choices to put them on the list? Hmm.
Paul
Handel’s Messiah. Not enough of a “culture vulture” (great term, Simon!) to have a favorite recording, but if any PFOers want to suggest, I am open.
Faure’s Requiem, with the Pie Jesu song by a boy soprano — this is a lovely version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?=s6ePmrZDTfw&feature=related
Peter, Paul and Mommy.
Paul Simon’s Graceland.
U2 — Probably “War”, but maybe Boy or Joshua Tree.
Lady Gaga’s Born This Way — only cause it’s my favorite pop song at the moment. Not sure I would have this on the list next year.
Godspell (so sorry that it just closed on Broadway, but do glad I got to experience it!)
And my last would be the disc I have at home of my kids’ last band concert.
Book — Lord of the Rings (including The Hobbit).
Luxury — “All I want is a room somewhere / Far away from the cold night air / With one enormous chair .” Not sure if they producers wooudl allow it, but there’s my wish!
Happy Wednesday, everyone.
Denise
Denise,
Lady Gaga? You’re so much cooler than I will ever be…
Paul
Doubt it. My teens have barred me from even using the word “cool” in the presence of their friends.
Mine, too! Whatever I am, it’s not cool….
And Peter, Paul and Mommy made me remember Trout Fishing in America…which came in 9th in my list of 8!
1. Stevie Wonder
2. Queen: We are the champions, We will rock you
3. Helen Reddy, I’m a woman
4. Bob Marley (goes with the island)
5. The Beach Boys (that fits no?)
6. Charles Trenet, Je chante
7. Monteverdi
8. Jordi Savall
9. Palestrina
10. Taize chants
Book: Three men in a boat — it cracks me up every time and Nora Ephron, she just passed away.
Claire,
I, too, love Charles Trenet (despite his collaborationist activities) but I’ve never heard of Jordi Savall. As for “Three Men in a Boat,” I obviously need to read it again because I don’t think I ever cracked a smile.
Paul
Jordi Savall, concert in Versailles, Charpentier: Messe Et Motets Pour La Vierge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCfhn0IZ6L8&feature=related
PS: I discovered Jordi Savall in the movie “Tous Les Matins du Monde” also on youtube. Jordi Savall and Marin Marais, a 17th c. composer.
1. Yo-Yo Ma playing the Bach cello suites
2. Messiah (the whole thing!)
3. Trio Mediaeval’s Stella Maris and Ave Maria (part of the soundtrack to my 30-day retreat…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaTeUs5Qm04)
4. Moses Hogan’s spirituals (Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel, Wade into the Water)
5. Arvo Part’s Passio
6. Allegri’s Misere Mei
7. Fleetwood Mac’s Greatest HIts
8. My Fair Lady with Julie Andrews and Rex Anderson
Book? Just one??? At the risk of sounding way too spiritual, I’m going to say the four volumes of my breviary…all the wisdom and wit in the Office of Readings I would not willingly part with even with the Psalms in other forms
Luxury: a fresh water shower with solar hot water (though I’d be tempted to say an iPad with solar charger fully loaded with BOOKS, but I suspect that’s like asking the genie for an extra three wishes as your last wish)
Michelle,
A lovely, eclectic list. Don’t know Moses Hogan or Arvo Part. Agree totally about Allegri.
I guess you’ve outed me because I didn’t even think of bringing my breviary!
I’d much rather have the ice cubes than a hot shower. For pete’s sake, you’ll have a warm ocean in which to bathe!
Paul
In no partcular order
Bach – the Brandenburg Concertos
Dvorak – Symphony # 9 New World Symphony
The hymn – I know that my redeemer lives
From Show Boat – Can’t help Loving that man of mine
Nat King Cole’s version – Our Love is here to stay
Kathy Traccoli – Sounds of Heaven the whole album
The Summons
For a Book it would have to be the collected works of John Donne ( though I whole heartedly support Paul’s choice too)
Luxury item would have to be a CD player to listen to all of this on. !-)
Maura,
You’re so practical – thinking about needing a CD player…
Love the Brandenburg Concerti and Dvorak, of course, but I don’t know Kathy Traccoli or “The Summons.” Hope I can find them on YouTube.
John Donne rocks!
Paul
The summons is a common song sung at mass in our parish. I’m thinking John Bell is responsible fore the lyrics but I might be wrong.
Forgot to add the song “Be thou my vision.”
my husband pointed out that I would have no place to plug it in and suggested a solar generator.
Discs:
Christopher Parkening – The Great Recordings
Hilary Hahn and Natalie Zhu – Mozart: Violin Sonatas
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos
Beethohven: Symphony # 6
Dvorak: Symphonies # 8 and 9
Pearl Jam – Ten
Willie Nelson – The Very Best of Willie Nelson
Dixie Chicks – Fly
(I would trade them all in for a violin and the first 8 Suzuki books.)
Book – Yikes. I really like to read, and I only get one. Maybe The Complete Works of William Shakespeare?
Luxury item: a working, motorized 80-foot yacht with GPS, full fuel tanks, and a good sound system to play my 8 CDs.
Jim,
Cheater! Read the post again – the Bible and Shakespeare were stated as exceptions (presumably because so many guests chose them) and wanting an 80′ motorized yacht… I’m speechless
Paul
Well, I think it’s cheating to take the Bible and Shakespeare out of the running just because people want them, but if I can’t choose those, I’ll go with “A Timbered Choir” by Wendell Berry. I haven’t actually read it, but I like what I’ve read by him, and this collection is supposed to be the essence of Wendell Berry poetry.
Since the yacht is not explicitly ruled out, I think I’ll keep it. Otherwise, I’d take a decent tent or cabana.
What fun! Am loving reading everyone’s lists… here’s mine, wish I could include hyperlinks
1. Pavarotti and Friends – esp Miserere
2. Lúnasa – the Kinnitty Sessions, esp Bulgarian Rock
3. The Wailin’ Jennys – Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House
4. Los Angeles Guitar Quartet – Air & Ground especially The Lotus Eaters
5. Best of Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler – especially Sultans of Swing
6. Vision – the music of Hildegard von Bingen – especially O Virga Ac Diadema
7. Johnny Cash – American 4 – especially Bridge Over Troubled Water
8. The Bridge School Concerts – especially Heroes
9. Pretenders – the Singles – especially Back on the Chain Gang
10. Tracy Chapman – Telling Stories – esp Devotion
book: Little Women
luxury item: watercolor pencils and paper
Sasha,
Wow! I know hardly anything about any of these (although one of my friends did go to college with Tracy Chapman.)
What a great luxury item you chose!
Paul
Wow, what big taste you have, Grandmother! Let me just add one each then:
Music: Beatles White Album
Book: A Course in Miracles
Luxury item: Robinson Crusoe.
Mike,
I have been called many, many things in my life but never before has anyone addressed me as “Grandmother.” Congratulations.
Luxury item: Robinson Crusoe. Ha! Methinks you’re not taking this totally seriously…
Paul
Carmina Burana
Mozart’s Requiem
Mark/Almond – Sausalito Bay Suite, The City
Theme of Thomas Tallis
Willie Nelson – Stardust Memories
The Hymn Jesus Jesus Come to Me
Any Gregorian Chant by any group of nuns or monks
I wouldn’t take a book. I’d take Don Juan de Marco, sweetest movie ever. and if it’s not allowed to take a movie, I’d take the script.
Helen,
You are the fourth or fifth person to mention Willie Nelson. Hmm. I just can’t seem to get to like C&W music. What’s wrong with me?
Don’t know the “Mark/Almond – Sausalito Bay Suite, The City” and must look it up.
Thanks,
Paul
You can find it more easily on The Best of Mark Almond CD. But I warn you, it’s a bit melancholy. I always am amazed at the willingness and ability of Jon Mark to bare his soul the way he does. I consider this music a real gift from God to me personally.
I’m not a huge country fan, but I grew up hearing Willie singing “Stardust,” “Blue Skies,” “Georgia on My Mind,” and dozens of other lovely melodies from my parents’ record player. I use his songs as lullabies for my son. He’s got a fantastic, distinctive voice and a diversity of songs that makes it hard to pigeonhole him as a C&W artist, in my opinion.
Only 10 choices! hmmm
1) Russell Watson – Volare (I picture my Dad every time I hear it)
2)Debussy – Clair-de-lune
3)Barber – Adagio for Strings
4)Mascagni – Cavalleria rusticana intermezzo
5) Barry White – (most of them) haha!
6) Gilbert o’Sullivan – It’s Matrimony
7) Billy Joel – Uptown Girl
8)Kenny G – Ultimate collection
9) Tom Brown – Funkin for Jamaica (You just have to move those feet)
10) Bee Gees – Stayin Alive
I could cheat again and say “Time to say Goodbye”
Katy,
Actually, “Desert Island Discs” only allows 8… which two are you going to sacrifice?!
Paul
Rosemary Clooney: Mambo Italiano
Kinks: Low Budget, Superman
Queen: Crazy Little Think Called Love
Van Morrison: Brown Eyed Girl, Into the Mystic
Cyndi Lauper: True Colors
Johnny Cash: I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
Bob Dylan: Forever Young
Leonard Cohen: Anthem
Lesly Gore: You Don’t Own Me
Neil Young: Harvest Moon
Bonus song: Andrea Bocelli: Time to Say Goodbye
Actually I would just bring my iPod fully charged and an extra generator.
I am going to play this game at my next party. FUN!
Anne
Anne,
Johnny Cash… You all seem to love C&W and I can’t stand it. Ah, well.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” so I will go and look for it.
Paul
You must, it is lovely. It is one of my summer/fall go to songs!
Paul,
In Johnny Cash’s twilight years he really branches our musically… The’American’ series of discs was him covering lots of other (not necessarily c&w) standards… And his cracked and tinned old voice Gabe them a real poignancy. If you like Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water it is worth a hunt for Johnny’s version
I was a big Nine Inch Nails fan in high school, so I really enjoyed his take on “Empire of Dirt.”
Just checked out the Annie Lenox video clip of “Ev’ry Tome We Say Goodbye.”
AWESOME!
Anne,
I KNOW!!!
Paul
Forgot to add my book ! Sorry but nothing theological from me I’m afraid.
fiction: Frederick Forsyth “Avenger”.
It choked me up at the end- just that loyalty thing. Also my Dad was in the SBS and SAS (I have the letter from SBS recommending him for SAS).
ps. Paul, have you heard the one about “the man who kept playing country and western music backwards” – no? “He got his wife BACK!” (I was told this last wk by a scouse butcher (haha)
What a coincidence. I finished reading Avenger this week
I would never feel alone as long as I have James Taylor and as you said Jane Austin. I could want more and more and I do LOVE the choices of many but that is my decision and I will sing and tell myself stories the rest of the time. But yes, please add ice (d tea with extra lemon)!
Paul SO SORRY but I have to put you right re Desert Island Disc – When you get to the Island the Bible and Complete Works of Shakespeare are given to you and you can only choose ONE piece of music from your list, ONE book and a luxury item BUT not something which may help you escape from the island. Its a great programme which I usually listen to and the guest basically tells his/her life story.
“10,000 Reasons ” Matt Redman
“Better Than. A Hallelujah” Amy Grant
“Held” Natalie Grant
“Silk Road” the album by Kitaro…..anything Kitaro has done!
“Long Road Out of Eden” the Eagles
“Good Morning” Mandisa
“Pilgrim ” Enya
“Music of the Andes” by any artist, I just love the flutes and rhythms!
Lastly, any music that would eminate from a wind harp that I’d make and hang up. That music would come directly from the One who controls the breezes and would be heavenly!
For my book : an Audubon Guide to the native flora and fauna.
My luxury item: a Fell Pony! No walking over the dunes or carrying heavy construction materials for me! And I might have to travel a long distance in search of fresh water or flee rapidly from predators! I think I would love it! But then, I was never much for creature comforts. I enjoy “roughing it and the freedom it offers (she says from her comfortable bed, writing on her miracle electronic devise) . Darn it Paul, now you’ve made me homesick for my tent!
Oooooh! Why didn’t I think of bringing a relevant nature guide? I’m changing my answer!
I KNOW!!!! I can’t believe no one else thought of that! All those people reading great works of literature and schooled in classical music, need people like me
Go figure. If not, they’re all going to die within the first 72-144 hours!!! They’ll die either from starvation, get poisoned by something or die from dehydration. Paul’s response that you can bathe in salt water, that’s true, but you can’t drink it and live and desalianation takes too long………..and the pony serves a two fold purpose. Horses can smell and find fresh water miles off. All’s I’d have to do is give it a free rein and it would find the water. With a new world to explore, I wouldn’t want to be watching television! even the Bible, God speaks to us through nature. I’m sure He/She would do the same there. Literature and music are man’s expressions of the divine. The Divine would be expressing itself all around me. I wouldn’t need a Bible 
But, I would want to live to explore and experience!
Emma,
Oh, my gosh. I’ve heard of Enya and I think, for the rest, I’m completely out of my depth. Nothing new there!
Pau
If you can listen to only one I suggest “Held”. It is the most comforting song ever! I can’t count the times I’ve been embraced by its message. For anyone during a time of loss or sadness, this is the best I’ve heard and I do guess that it’s something that you’d fall in love with also. But I can’t believe that having spent time in Japan you never heard of Kiitaro. Maybe they’re more popular here than in their homeland or else because they’re classified as New Age? They are also worth a listen. Might even help witty your insomnia…..helping little Mateo sleep
I feel extra silly because I’m a trained ecologist. Why would I select a book of poetry about connecting with God and nature when I could have picked a book that helps me read God’s book of nature (and survive – bonus!)?
Johnny Cash Nine Inch Nails covers are amazing
Anne
Anne,
I shall take your word for it.
Paul
As a man who is extremely guilty of not recognising the gifts that God has given me, this is a very, very, useful reminder.
Have a great weekend one and all
So many beautiful songs come to mind but if stranded on a deserted isle I think I would give this inspired piece #1
Janine Jansen – The Lark Ascending – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbcuteYm-EA
Enjoyed your post, Fr. Paul. Best wishes from Ireland.