A Perthshire rockin’ rev has teamed up with Wet Wet Wet guitarist Graeme Duffin to record an “upbeat and catchy” charity single celebrating the success of a unique healthcare programme in Africa.
Albert Bogle, who is also a former Kirk Moderator, said the summer anthem was written to mark the epic journey of medical ship, Jubilee Hope, from the Clyde in Glasgow to Lake Victoria in Tanzania in 2014.
The vessel is operated by The Vine Trust, which was established by the minister in 1985, and provides basic health care to around 450,000 people living in an area where there is no primary healthcare provision.
Vocalist Mr Bogle, who recently stood down as minister of St Andrew’s Parish Church in Bo’ness, said the proceeds of the four minute long single, which is also called Jubilee Hope and available for download on ITunes for 79p, would be donated to The Vine Trust.
“The song is a bit of an anthem, it has a summer feel to it and a tinge of Africa about it,” said the Dunblane-based minister, who was Moderator of the General Assembly in 2012-13.
“It is just another way to inspire people to see we can all make a difference in the world and echoes the thoughts of US President Barack Obama when he speaks of the ‘audacity of hope ‘
“In the midst of all our present world crises Jubilee Hope reminds us the possibility of an alternative world view.
“It is about a sense of rejoicing that the Vine Trust is working with so many volunteers and has achieved this amazing gift of a ship that has gone into Lake Victoria, where it is making a huge difference to the lives of many people.”
The song was written by Mr Bogle, who now works for Falkirk Presbytery as a pioneer minister, exploring new ways for the Church to establish an internet congregation, and his long-term collaborator Dr Iain Jamieson, a GP from Largs in Ayrshire.
It was recorded and produced at the Foundry Music Lab in Motherwell, established by Mr Duffin and two of his friends, over two days last week.
The musician, songwriter and producer, who was never an official member of Wet Wet Wet but recorded albums and played live with the pop group, has collaborated with Mr Bogle and the Bogle Band for around eight years.
“I was excited about the Jubilee Hope song because it is a very hooky, catchy song and after hearing the original demo version I saw a lot of potential in it,” said the musician, who has performed with famous artists including Elton John.
“It is a very appealing song both musically and lyrically and very positive, upbeat and hopeful.”
