Marc Almond's Torch Song Trilogy 

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Marc Almond's Torch Song Trilogy

Marc Almond presents a series about torch songs and torch song singers.

Marc Almond's Torch Song Trilogy: Episode 3

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18/12/2017

Episode 3

BBC Radio 2 - Marc Almond's Torch Song Trilogy, Episode 3

Marc Almond concludes his three-part celebration of torch songs and torch song singers.

Marc Almond concludes his three-part celebration of torch songs. In episode three, he looks at how the torch songs has evolved in more recent years.

Marc Almond concludes his three part celebration of the torch song and torch song singers as he sifts through his collection for gems from the pop era. 

Among the great torch songs being discussed in this programme, Shirley Bassey's version of the Lionel Bart penned classic 'As Long As He Needs Me', which was originally written for the musical Oliver, Cher's 'A Woman's Story' and Dusty Springfield with 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me'. Marc is once again joined by his friend and record producer Tris Penna who tells him: 'I was very lucky to have known Dusty well and worked with her. She was an extraordinary talent who managed to make each one of her songs her own.' 

The tradition of European chanson gets more than a mention for its contribution to torch songs. Marc talks about why and how he created his own English version of the Jacques Brel classic Ne Me Quitte Pas (If You Go Away) and we hear the legendary Charles Aznavour singing Who Could Forget You. 

There's also torch tracks from Elvis and from Billy Fury, who often rivalled Cliff Richard for title of 'The British Elvis'. Marc says: 'Billy Fury was huge, the perfect pop star, everything about him... the way he performed, the way he sang.' 

There's also songs from Karen Carpenter, Sinead O'Conner and Whitney Houston. 

As Marc and Tris delve through their collection it becomes clear that torch songs aren't just about sadness but can in a way make you feel happy as well. Marc says: 'Many torch songs have this sort of good to feel sad feel about them'.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

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