Our Castaway on 04 August 2026 avoided being left on the Desert Island and instead chose her favourite covers of songs that had made the charts. Marsaili had chosen Herbie as her technical support, and when the Internet was disconnected during her session, she was grateful that Herbie had previously downloaded the materials onto a laptop prior to the start of the session. With a little conjuring he was able to continue the session despite there being no Internet connection! Thanks, Herbie!
Marsaili’s first cover was Franz Rhythm playing Chiquitita, originally by Abba. Her second choice was Kathy’s Song sung by Sarah Jarosz, originally written by Paul Simon. With a strong Scots background, we then moved on to the Transatlantic Sessions for An Ashokan Farewell performed by Aly Bain and the tune’s composer Jay Ungar.
The emphasis on strings continued with an instrumental performance of Casta Diva from Bellini’s Norma by Stefan Hauser. That was followed by Señorita sing My Heart Will Go On with accompaniment by Stefan Hauser, the song Celine Dion made famous in Titanic. The string session concluded with Cuando El Rey Nimrod performed by Nani and Alon Sariel. a popular Sephardic folk song.
After a break for refreshments, it was back to the US for Folsom Prison Blues performed by Brandi Carlile. Marsaili had information about John Cash and his time in Scotland! That led to Always On My Mind as performed by Leire (rather than Elvis Presley or Willie Nelson) during a live busking session in Leicester Square. Marsaili had sung in a Gallic Choir, and chose Moya Brennan singing An Maighdean Mhara (The Mermaid) to complete the section.
We then returned to the pop classics with A Whiter Shade of Pale sung by Gary Brooker, with part of the melody being inspired by J S Bach, performed by the Danish National Concert Orchestra. Next came Van Morrison with Bring It On Home To Me which had been made famous by Sam Cook. That was followed by Blowing in the Wind, performed by Katie Melua but originally by Bob Dylan (who was originally Robert Zimmerman!).
Our musical journey closed with What a Wonderful World performed by Eva Cassidy but made famous by Louis Armstrong. Our next Desert Island Discs will be on 25 August 2026 at 2pm and the Castaways will be Viv and Peter T.