Start date – Wednesday 1 July 2026
Slow Jams
This month we’re taking our foot off the accelerator and cruising comfortably in the slow lane.
Your challenge is to bring a Slow Jam — a song that strolls rather than sprints, sways rather than stomps, and proves that not every great tune needs to sound like it’s being chased by the police.
This is a chance to venture outside our usual comfort zones.
No frantic guitar solos.
No caffeine-fuelled drum attacks.
No songs that leave you needing oxygen after three minutes.
Instead, bring us something that makes you sink into your chair, close your eyes, and say: “Ahhh… that’s nice.” (And NO! Not a Mrs. Brown’s Boys version of “That’s Nice!” 😊 😊 )
Think smooth grooves, laid-back rhythms, soulful ballads, easy listening, and songs that take their sweet time getting where they’re going.
As a rough guide, we’re looking for songs in the 60–90 BPM range. But don’t panic — nobody will be conducting a forensic BPM investigation – if it’s slow enough, it counts!
Warning: Side effects may include:
• Unexpected head nodding
• Excessive swaying
• Random candlelit feelings
• Thinking about old flames
• Falling asleep and claiming you were “deeply moved”
Slow Jams: Because not every song needs to be in a hurry.
Arno
Jack Savoretti – Breaking The Rules
Liezel
Olivia Dean – What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays?
Today’s choice is once again, a team effort by Jayden and I.
It seems Jay is really enjoying getting involved in the Music Evening choices. However, it takes a lot longer than Wilfred and his friend’s collaboration efforts, I can tell you.
This lovely song by Olivia Dean is rather special to us: found one rainy, misty and lazy Sunday afternoon. Jay and I were cuddled up in his room, listening to soul and jazz when this song came on and we both fell in love with it. Needless to say it’s on the Soft Sunday Jazz playlist.
Karen
CHOIR! of 2500 sings “ANGEL” with Sarah McLachlan
Sue
Sissel – Unchained Melody
Sissel is an exceptional Norwegian singer with a voice like an angel. In an interview she stated that she always knew she had to sing and she has performed formally since the age of 16. She has long been one of my favourite singers and her career spans decades. Her vocal manipulation of the music and her clear enunciation of the lyrics.puts her in a class of her own. She is versatile too as her performances range from opera, to more contemporary pieces, jazz and religious songs. She recorded the demanding melodic voice soundtrack which can be heard in the background for the blockbuster movie” Titanic” ( not the Celine Dion song )
I hope that you enjoy her touching version of “Unchained Melody”.
Deborah
Roberta Flack – First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 1972
Roberta Flack’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.
Most of us will know this beautiful love song, but did you know that it was written in 1957 by British folk singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger, who later became his third wife?
At the time, they were separated by distance and complicated circumstances * and knowing that gives the lyrics an even deeper sense of longing.
Roberta Flack’s wonderfully understated version became a worldwide hit in 1972, winning Grammys for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
* already had a wife