From The Southside Of Chicago

Ghetto Life 101 is one of the most acclaimed broadcasts of recent public radio. It's producer's, David Isay, aim was to document life on the southside of Chicago, a particularly poor area. Thus in 1993 he handed recording equipment and mics to two young residents of the southside, LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman, aged 13 and 14 years old respectively at the time. The entire 30 minute broadcast is centered round the daily lives of the boys and features some truly riveting interviews with their friends, family and members of their community.

It is an unbelievably heart-breaking piece of broadcasting while never being soppy or pitying or condescending. The two boys handle the whole experience with a tactful innocence that is a delight to listen to and they're pretty funny too. All in all pretty refreshing in comparison to all the loud-mouthed celebrity radio hosts out and about at the moment.

 All the way through there are heart-breaking interviews and comedic moments from their daily lives together then right at the end one of the boys grandma sings the gospel standard, "One Day At A Time". I think that sums up the whole show. One of the most wonderful pieces of radio broadcast I have ever heard.

http://www.soundportraits.org/on-air/ghetto_life_101/

Amazing Grace

Written by Englishman John Newton, Amazing Grace first appeared in print in 1779. First recorded in 1922 by Brunswick Records it has since become most recognised as a classic gospel spiritual. It's been recorded by as wide a range of artists as you could think of, from classic gospel versions to a bagpipe version by the 'Dropkick Murphys' a Boston Irish punk band. In my eyes it's arguably the best gospel song ever though I do waver between it and 'His Eye Is On The Sparrow'. 

Here are some of my favourite recordings:

Cat Power

Everyone knows she literally can barely put a foot wrong in my book and I do recommend her at any occasion but this had to be included. The timing on this version is ridiculously good. 

Mahalia Jackson

The queen of gospel some say, that could be debatable but this version is classic and the piano behind her is wonderfully epic and flourishing. Plus her voice is just incredible especially around 3.40 into this video.

Aaron Neville

This isn't to everyone's taste, he does tend to warble all over the place but I love his voice and if there's organ involved I'm sold.