Vanessa Jenkins & Bryn West: 'Islands In The Stream'

Released on Monday, Mar 9 2009

Published Monday, Mar 2 2009, 12:16 GMT | By Alex Fletcher | 8 comments

Vanessa Jenkins & Bryn West: 'Islands In The Stream'

Ever since Sir Cliff teamed up with the Young Ones cast to score a number one with 'Living Doll', Comic Relief has tapped the money-making potential of mixing music with comedy. The results haven't always been gold - Hale and Pace doing 'The Stonk' anyone? - but they're usually guaranteed to bring in the big bucks. Peter Kay's 'Amarillo' and '500 Miles' have set the bar high in recent years, so it feels appropriate that this year's effort comes from the BBC's biggest and (arguably) best comedy series in a number of years - Gavin & Stacey.

Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones - in character as Bryn West and Nessa Jenkins - have enlisted the services of big hitters Sir Tom Jones and Robin Gibb for this affectionate cover of the Parton-Rogers karaoke classic. The tagged on catchphrases ("genuine", "tidy") sound a little forced, but thanks to Jones's throaty Welsh vocals and the infectious goodwill of Brydon, everyone comes out of this with their dignity intact. Not convinced? Well, the CD single also includes Bryn West's rendition of 'Wisemen', a song which Brydon describes as "vintage James Blunt".

> Click here to watch the 'Islands In The Stream' video

More: Sir Tom Jones, Rob Brydon, Ruth Jones, Music, Gay Spy

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8 Comments

Your Responses

Sue - Cardiff, on March 16th, 2009
Fantastic and Tom is just gooooorgeous

Rachie, Glasgow, on March 15th, 2009
Neither of this years songs were musical gold in any way shape or form but people seem to be missing the important thing here - they didn't have to be. All thats required of a comic relief single is that it has to be catchy and it has to have the right sense of fun. And both the comic relief singles had those. Oh and all hail Rob Brydon!

Ben Rigsby, Witney, on March 15th, 2009
I hate this song. I know its for charity but did it have to go to number 1? Don't like Saturdays song either but its better than this pile of rubbish.

Annie. Leicestershire, on March 10th, 2009
Well, I loved it! I adore Uncle Bryn and Nessa and will buy the single just because it is them. And they both sing well and it is a great song. What's not to like?!

Alan, Cork, on March 7th, 2009
I think if Africa heard this they'd, send the money back.

Nikky, London, on March 5th, 2009
I agree with you, Taz. This year's comic relief singles are very weak compared to pervious years with '500 miles' and 'the way to amarillo. i like this song better than the saturdays slutty rubbish

Taz, london, on March 5th, 2009
Sorry the song is rubbish as is the video, Tom jones only sing abit at the end so it's his part is pointless. Yes it's for charity, doesn't stop it being a big pile of poo. Lazy effort this year.

Paul, London, on March 2nd, 2009
Great Comic Relief song. Gotta love Bryn and his obsession with James Blunt as well. Haha.