WEDNESDAY MORNING 6AM RADIO HITS FROM THE SMALL HOURS 1970 – 1983.

dereksmusicblog ♦ March 31, 2026 ♦ Leave a comment

Wednesday Morning 6am Radio Hits From The Small Hours 1970 – 1983.

Label: Ace.

Format: CD.

‘Wednesday Morning 6am Radio Hits From The Small Hours 1970 – 1983’ was recently released by Ace, and features twenty-two tracks that were heard on BBC Radio 2 and also on independent local radio. They were the type of tracks that wouldn’t be heard on BBC Radio 1. There’s a reason for that.

It’s fair to say that most of the artists on the compilation weren’t regarded fashionable. They were AOR bands, country, folk, pop or soul singers. Their music wasn’t what was played on BBC Radio 1. 

That was the home of personality DJs and hype. PR companies waged a war for air time. Their clients ranged from glam rockers, purveyors of pop and rock  to one hit wonders and the tres fashionable but talentless punks and post punk groups that polluted the airwaves from 1976 onwards. They were championed by a certain sneering late night DJ with superiority complex and faux Northern accent. He was one of many reasons to seek an alternative to BBC Radio 1.

For many, this was BBC Radio 2, which they listened to before heading off to work or school in the morning.  Between 1970 and 1983 among the artists they would hear were Lou Rawls, Don McLean, Crystal Gayle, Air Supply, Dolly Parton, Matt Monro, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Carly Simon, Clifford T Ward, Olivia Newton-John, Dionne Warwick and Art Garfunkel. This was much preferable to the sound of the Angelic Upstarts, Sex Pistols, Cockney Rejects and China White which sounds like cockney rhyming slang, and is an accurate description of the punk movement. 

Then unfortunately there was the post punk, and groups like The Three Johns, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Joy Division. Their music certainly wasn’t joyous and should’ve come with a prescription for Prozac. With “music” like this, it was no wonder that many music lovers were tuning into BBC Radio 2 and enjoying music like the twenty-two tracks on ‘Wednesday Morning 6am Radio Hits From The Small Hours 1970 – 1983.’ 

The compilation opens with ‘Evangelina’ by country singer Hoyt Axton. This ballad was taken from his 1976 album ‘Fearless,’ which was released by A&M.

In 1977, Lou Rawls released his silky smooth ballad ‘Lady Love,’ on Philadelphia International Records. It reached number twenty-four in the US Billboard 100, twenty-one in the US R&B and five in the Adult Contemporary chart. The single was one of the finest Rawls released during his four year tenure at Philadelphia International Records.

It’s never easy having a famous brother or sister. Crystal Gayle’s sister was country music superstar Loretta Lynn. However, Gayle went on to enjoy a long and illustrious career. In 1978 she released her fifth studio album ‘When I Dream.’ It was certified platinum in 1982. The second single from the album was ‘Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For.’ It’s a country-pop soap opera from a truly talented singer who by then, was enjoying crossover pop success.

‘Lost In Love’ was released by Anglo-Australian AOR group Air Supply in 1980. It was the title-track to their breakthrough fifth album. The single reached number three on the US Billboard 100. George Russell who penned this beautiful ballad won a composer award for “song of the year” and “most played song” of 1980. It’s a song that’s stood the test the time, and is a welcome addition to the compilation.

Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman the lead singer of Smokie joined forces to record their one and only single ‘Stumblin’ In’ in 1980. It was penned by the Michael Chapman and Nicholas Chinn songwriting team. Chapman produced the single which reached number five in the US Billboard 100. This track falls into the category of guilty pleasure, and is still a favourite of many DJs and has featured on many compilations.

‘Matrimony’ featured on Gilbert O’Sullivan’s 1971 debut album ‘Himself.’ It reached number nine in the US Billboard 100 and five in the UK. ‘Nothing Rhymed’ and ‘Matrimony’ which at the time was described by a critic as “true dancehall- tradition,”were the standout tracks on the album. Incredibly, when ‘Matrimony’ was released as a single in 1972, it failed to chart. Despite that, it’s regarded as one of O’Sullivan’ finest compositions.

‘You Belong To Me’ by Carly Simon epitomises the seventies Yacht Rock sound. It’s a track from the 1978 album ‘Boys In The Trees.’ The combination of a vocal masterclass from Simon and Arif Mardin slick, polished production is a winning combination and a track that’s truly timeless.

Without a doubt, Clifford T Ward’s best known song is ‘Gaye.” It featured on his 1973 sophomore album ‘Home Thoughts. The album sold well and reached the top forty in the UK. So did ‘Mantle Pieces,’  which was released in 1975. However, by 1981 Ward wasn’t enjoying the same success. Still he wrote some outstanding songs. This included the single beautiful soul-searching ballad ‘The Best Is Yet To Come.’ It featured on his 1983 album for Phillips, ‘Both Of Us.’ Sadly, it was Ward’s last album for a major, and is a reminder of a vastly underrated troubadour who crafted many memorable songs.

In 1978, Olivia Newton-John released her eleventh album ‘Totally Hot.’ It was certified platinum in the US, and was very different from her previous albums. After starring in Grease, Newton-John was given a makeover, and her new looked mirrored Sandy, the character she played in the film. The album had a tougher pop-rock sound and featured sultry rocky lead single ‘A Little More Love.’ ‘Deeper Than The Night’ was the second single a polished slice of pop-rock that should’ve reached higher than sixty-four in the UK  charts. It’s without doubt one of the highlights of ‘Totally Hot’ and the compilation.

Barry Manilow produced ‘Who What When Where Why’ for Dionne Warwick. This irresistible fusion of soul, funk and disco was written by Rupert Holmes and is one of the highlights of her 1979 album ‘Dionne.’ It reached number twelve on the US Billboard 100 and was certified platinum. Quite simply, the song is akin to a call to dance, and resistance is impossible.

Closing ‘Wednesday Morning 6am Radio Hits From The Small Hours 1970 – 1983’ is ‘Theme from ‘Taxi’ (Angela)’ from Bob James.’ It was released as a single in 1979, and featured on his sixth album ‘Touchdown.’ It’s easily one of the best tracks on the album which  featured an all-star band. It’s like a who’s who of seventies’ jazz musicians, and is also a reminder of a television program that’s fondly remembered by many of a certain age. It was on ITV between 1978 and 1982 when there were just three television stations in the UK. 

The twenty-two tracks on ‘Wednesday Morning 6am Radio Hits From The Small Hours 1970 – 1983’ are sure to bring back memories for people of a certain age. Whether it’s listening to BBC Radio before heading off to school or work. For others it’s listening on the car radio on the journey to work before the 9 to 5 grind, and for many, it provided the soundtrack to their day. 

The tracks on the compilation will bring back memories of where they were, what they were doing, who they were with and what was happening. 

Ironically, during the period the compilation covers there were two oil crises. The first was in October 1973, and the second came in 1979 as a result of the Iranian Revolution. Sadly, history has a tendency to repeat itself.

On the 28th February 2026, two intellectually challenged warmongers launched operation Epic Fury. As a result of their actions, innocent children were among the tens of thousand that have lost their lives. Others lost their homes, businesses and livelihoods. That’s of no consequence to the warmongers. Meanwhile, The Puppet Master and Draft Dodger argue about strategy, and don’t care about the havoc they’ve wreaked and chaos they’ve caused. This includes an oil crisis. It’s like the seventies all over again.

That’s when the majority of the tracks on Wednesday Morning 6am Radio Hits From The Small Hours 1970 – 1983.’ Listening to the compilation it’s hard to believe that some of the tracks are over fifty years old. They’re truly timeless. This includes singles and album tracks from familiar faces and lesser known names. They play their part in an eclectic and highly listenable compilation that has something for everyone.

There’s everything from AOR, country, folk, jazz and pop Philly Soul to pop-rock, soul and yacht rock. ‘Wednesday Morning 6am Radio Hits From The Small Hours 1970 – 1983’ is a lovingly curated compilation, and for people of my age, a reminder of the magical music of our youth.

Wednesday Morning 6am Radio Hits From The Small Hours 1970 – 1983.