The Rhythm Divine

When you have no home and a song is your only possession, music can be a life-line. This week, Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' sung by the Sydney Street Choir and composer Gavin Bryars' 1971 work, 'Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet' which combines the voice of a homeless man recorded at London's Waterloo station with Tom Waits' distinctive growl.

The Sydney Street Choir was formed in 2001 by Jonathon Welch to empower homeless and disadvantaged people, giving them a sense of purpose and a public voice. Jonathon moved to Melbourne and formed the Choir of Hard Knocks, but the Sydney Street Choir continues to thrive and to sing under the direction of Peter Lehner. They recently cut their first album and Geoff Wood, who sat in on some of the recording sessions, plays the choir's moving version of Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day'.

We also hear from teenage jazz-influenced singer-songwriter Sonya Kitchell. Her song, 'So Lonely' is just one of 17 new recordings from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Madeleine Peyroux and Pete Seeger, on a CD called Give Us Your Poor, part of a wider campaign to help end homelessness in the US.

The Rhythm Divine also travels back to 1971 when the English composer Gavin Bryars came across a homeless man near Waterloo Station in London. He was singing a religious song which Bryars caught on his tape recorder. Back in his studio Bryars discovered his piano was in tune with the old man's voice which he put on a tape loop, and he began improvising around the melody. Years later the completed work became an international sensation. 'Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet' combined an orchestral backing and the grizzled voice of Tom Waits with the haunting voice of the old man at Waterloo Station, singing his song of faith. It remains one of Bryars most powerful and moving works.

Further Information

Sydney Street Choir
You can find information about the Sydney Street Choir's CDs here, and view a short video of the choir in their Redfern Recording Studio.

The Original Street Choir - a radio feature
Made up of homeless people of all ages and backgrounds, the Sydney Street Choir has helped people get back on their feet and form positive relationships. We hear from choir members Lucky, Sandra, Barbara and Geoff, from Music Director Peter Lehner, we drop in on a rehearsal session, and we catch up with the choir as they perform a concert. A radio feature broadcast on The Spirit of Things, 25 November 2007.

Give Us Your Poor - the Campaign to End Homelessness
Give US Your Poor brings together the latest research, multimedia, celebrities, non-celebrities, homeless people, and partner organizations to help end homelessness.

Sydney Street Choir - Image Gallery
Meet some of the members of the Sydney Street Choir.

Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet - the story
The piece was originally recorded on Brian Eno's Obscure label in 1975 and has been revised over the years. Read a brief outline of how the work began, with the voice of a homeless man recorded at London's Waterloo Station in 1971.

Music

CD title: Give Us Your Poor
Track title: So Lonely
Artist: Sonya Kitchell
Composer: Kitchell
CD details: Appleseed Recordings
URL: http://www.sonyakitchell.com/

CD title: Sydney Street Choir and Friends
Track title: The Storm is Passing Over
Artist: Sydney Street Choir/ Jeremy Brennan
Composer: trad. arr. SSC
CD details: Sydney Street Choir custom CD
URL: http://www.sydneystreetchoir.com/

CD title: Sydney Street Choir and Friends
Track title: Perfect Day
Artist: Sydney Street Choir
Composer: Lou Reed, arr. SSC
CD details: Sydney Street Choir custom CD
URL: http://www.sydneystreetchoir.com/

CD title: Gavin Bryars - A Portrait
Track title: Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet (single version)
Artist: Tom Waits
Composer: Bryars
CD details: Philips 473 296 2
URL: http://www.gavinbryars.com/

Presenter

Geoff Wood

Producer

Geoff Wood