This week we celebrate the life and legacy of Dolly Parton; look at the tragedy in Nepal; Iceland as country of the week; Venezuelan Oil Deal; the Cambridge professor of education attacking Western education; Belfast City Council celebrating abortion; the death of Yayoi Kusama; the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation banning 9/11 being described as terrorism; No.7 classical top ten – Saint Saens; The British tea spy in China; the real cost of Ed Millibands Net Zero; Feedback; Stella O’Malley on suicide; the decline of Paula White; and the Final Word – with music from Dolly Parton, Bjork; Sigurbrornson; Saints Saens; and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.
A new feature is that I write an additional commentary on my Substack every week – here is this weeks BFA Plus
Here is the music used in this months podcast on Spotify….
Support Beauty for Ashes here….
Or 
Paypal: theweeflea@gmail.com
Catch up on last weeks episode here – Beauty for Ashes 46 – Forgive us our Debts – Russia, Iran, the Congo and the US
Very much enjoyed the music this week. Dolly Parton, Bjork and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. What’s not to like. I thought you credited Dolly with writing Silver Threads and Golden Needles, but she did not. It was originally recorded by Wanda Jackson, who nearly became Mrs Presley.
Your references to her, in the BFA and Substack, were insightful and respectful. It appears her faith was very personal, but not particularly bible based and seldom involved attendance at church. Although she built a chapel in Dollywood, for others to use. Contrast this with Alice Cooper, much maligned in the 1970s by the Scottish church and Mary Whitehouse. Following a health scare and a warning from his wife of 50 years, he is now a regular church attender and keen bible studier, even toning down the theatrical satanic lyrics for which he was famous. I suppose we have to be aware that manufactured public image can morph into a type of perceived reality.
Now you have dipped your toe into (one time Sydney Devine support act) The Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s back catalogue, can we expect you to play “There’s No Lights on the Christmas Tree Momma……,” in the weeks leading up to Santa coming in 2026? I am posting early for Christmas.
I didn’t realise you had a weekly podcast – which I’ve now discovered and will now follow. God bless. Liz
On the Venezuelan Oil Deal, David, maybe there was a reason for the lack of press interest in this. Could it be (as Paul Krugman (look him up) says) ‘A scam that is both vile and deeply stupid’?
i have heard you often on janet.s show..i am glad to get the name of this site..
Me as well Pamela. I’ve come across the sermon site of the pastor. Instructive sermons but Live at Five needs questions from the congregation repeated again by the pastor so we can hear them – you can’t hear the question. The Message would be much clearer.
Thanks – we will do what we can to rectify that…