BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 21st October 2018
Stuart plays experimental music by black artists as part of 6 Music’s Black Power season honouring 1968, the year the revolution was televised. Featuring artists from 50 years ago and the present day - FKA Twigs, Archie Shepp and more.
Gil Scott‐Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised [BGP]
Gaika - Immigrant Sons [Warp]
June Tyson & Yaziko - Astro Dark [Chinchin]
The Artistic Heritage Ensemble - Malcolm X [Katalyst Entertainment]
Vôdûn - Spirits Past [New Heavy Sounds]
Albert Ayler Quintet - Angels [ESP Disk]
Malcolm X & Keith LeBlanc - No Sell Out [Island]
David McKnight - Strong Men [Soul Jazz]
Klein - Apologise [Howling Owl]
Sons Of Kemet - My Queen Is Angela Davis [Impulse!]
Jlin - Black Origami [Planet Mu]
Hannah Catherine Jones - Owed To Summer Madness [The Surround]
Archie Shepp - Attica Blues [Verve/Impulse!]
Irreversible Entanglements - Enough [Anthem Recording Company]
Dean Blunt - The Narcissist (Feat. Inga Copeland) [Hippos In Tanks]
FKA Twigs - Lights On [Young Turks]
The Last Poets - When The Revolution Comes [Charly]
Oneness Of Juju - African Rhythms [Soul Jazz]
Trio Da Kali - Tita (Live Cerys Matthews 20/05/18)
Algiers - Walk Like A Panther [Matador]
John Coltrane - Africa [Doxy]
Friday, 30 November 2018
Thursday, 29 November 2018
Neneh Cherry - Female Empowerment Playlist
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 21st October 2018
As part of the Black Power season, Neneh Cherry and 1Xtra’s Jamz Supernova present their Revolutionary Black Power playlist. Neneh focuses on female empowerment within the black community with music from some of the biggest female artists in black music.
This programme is part of the Black Power Season on 6 Music, 1Xtra and 5Live, marking 50 years since Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in the Black Power salute at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
Fatima - Caught In A Lie
Lil’ Kim - Put Your Lighters Up
The Lady Of Rage - Afro Puffs
Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Strange Things Happening Every Day
Alexandria - I Forgive You
Kelsey Lu - Shades Of Blue
Fatima - And Yet It's All Love [Eglo]
Marlena Shaw - Woman Of The Ghetto
Cardi B - Be Careful
Flohio - Wild Yout
Delilah - Breathe
Teni - Askamaya
Ibeyi Feat. Kamasi Washington - Deathless
Sudan Archives - Come Meh Way
Solange - Cranes In The Sky [Columbia]
Mary J. Blige - What's The 411? [Universal/Island]
Missy Elliott - The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)
Tierra Whack - Hungry Hippo
IMDDB - Leaned Out
Klein - Collect
Aretha Franklin - Day Dreaming
Beyoncé - Love On Top [RCA]
The Internet - Come Over
Kelela - Altadena
Seinabo Sey - I Owe You Nothing
Carol Kalphat - African Land [Hitrun]
Wednesday, 28 November 2018
The 6 Music Black Power Soundscape - 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years Of Black Power
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 21st October 2018
Don Letts introduces a soundscape telling the story of the potent Black Power protest at the 1968 Olympics by 200m medallists Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
Including inspirational music from Marvin Gaye, James Carr, James Brown, Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, the Impressions, Mark Alexander, Solomon Burke, the Chambers Brothers, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, Bill Withers, Jimi Hendrix and Elaine Brown mixed with archive footage of the Olympic Games and the voices of Smith and Carlos telling their story and the repercussions of their brave act.
Don also brings the story up to the modern day with the thoughts of American football star Colin Kaepernick, who, since 2016, has led the ‘take a knee’ protests during the national anthem at American football games, in response to police brutality, continuing deprivation and discrimination.
This programme is part of the Black Power Season on 6 Music, 1Xtra and 5 Live, marking Black History Month and 50 years since Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their gloved fists in their potent and provocative Black Power salute at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
Marvin Gaye - Abraham, Martin & John [Tamla Motown]
James Carr - Freedom Train [Ace]
James Brown - Say It Loud (I'm Black And I'm Proud) [King]
The Soul Stirrers - Jesus, Wash Away My Burdens
Sam Cook & The Soul Stirrers - Farther Along
Queen Esther Marrow - Things Ain't Right [Content]
The Flames - Stand Up And Be Counted
The Impressions - We're A Winner [Island]
Mark Alexander - A Change Had Better Come
Solomon Burke - I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)
The Chambers Brothers - Time Has Come Today [Milan]
Mahalia Jackson - The Lord's Prayer
Nina Simone - Revolution (Parts 1 & 2)
Bill Withers - Lean On Me [Solitaire Collection]
Jimi Hendrix - Star Spangled Banner [Atlantic]
Elaine Brown - Until We're Free
Tuesday, 27 November 2018
The Last Poets Sit In For Iggy Pop - 6 Music 19th October 2018
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 19th October 2018
50 years ago this year, the founding members of the Last Poets stood together in Mount Morris park - now Marcus Garvey park - in Harlem and uttered their first poems in public. They commemorated what would have been the 43rd birthday of Malcolm X, who had been killed three years earlier. The forefathers of hip hop present their Black Power Playlist tonight on 6 Music as part of Black Power Season.
Black Power Season on 6 Music, 1Xtra and 5Live, marks 50 years since Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in the Black Power salute at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
The Last Poets - When The Revolution Comes
John Coltrane - My Favourite Things
Nina Simone - Today Is A Killer/My Sweet Lord (Live)
Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Miles Davis - So What
Gil Scott‐Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Leon Thomas - The Creator Has A Master Plan
James Brown - Say It Loud (I'm Black And I'm Proud)
The Last Poets - On The Subway
Sly & The Family Stone - Stand!
Rahsaan Roland Kirk - The Inflated Tear
The Last Poets - Understand What Black Is
Terry Callier - Occasional Rain
Isaac Hayes - Walk On By
Oscar Brown Jr. - Signifying Monkey
Minnie Riperton - Lovin' You
The Impressions - People Get Ready
Common & The Last Poets - The Corner
Kendrick Lamar - Alright
Herbie Hancock - Chameleon
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Nikki Giovanni - Ego Tripping
Aretha Franklin - Respect
Monday, 26 November 2018
R.E.M. - Out Of Athens - How R.E.M. Made The Alternative Mainstream
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 19th October 2018
In an award-winning programme first broadcast on RTÉ, Ken Sweeney tells the story of R.E.M.'s rise to fame and how they managed to turn the alternative mainstream.
Ken travels to Georgia, to hear how R.E.M. set out from their home town of Athens as evangelists for a new alternative music which returned to simple melody and jangling guitars.
What R.E.M. achieved was beyond their wildest dreams, but it took nearly a decade for them to get there.
Sunday, 25 November 2018
Paul Weller At 60 With Martin Freeman
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 12th October 2018
Actor Martin Freeman takes us on a personal journey through the many musical faces of Paul Weller who turned 60 this year.
Often referred to as The Modfather, this reductive tag has tended to pigeonhole Weller's music within the public's psyche. Martin is on a two hour mission to convince you otherwise. For him, there's always been a clear push and desire to explore sonic possibilities whilst avoiding treading water within Weller's music. When boundaries present themselves and the straps of the genre straightjacket start to tighten, Weller isn't afraid of downing tools in order to seek a completely new approach to his musical output.
First breaking through in the late 70s with his group The Jam, Paul stunned fans and followers alike when he broke the band up at the height of their game in 1982. To compound things further, he then formed The Style Council with keyboardist Mick Talbot. In a way, this is the band that allows you to understand the true complexities of Weller's musical journey as it distorts the straight line from his former punk glories in The Jam to his renaissance as the Modfather.
Martin Freeman is an English actor known for roles such as Tim Canterbury in The Office, Dr. John Watson in Sherlock, Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit film trilogy and Lester Nygaard in the drama TV series Fargo.
His film work includes Love Actually, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Nativity!, The World's End, Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther.
The Jam - I Got By In Time
The Jam - Liza Radley
Paul Weller - As You Lean Into The Light
Paul Weller - Out Of The Sinking
The Style Council - The Story Of Someone's Shoe
The Style Council - Dropping Bombs On The Whitehouse
Paul Weller - Has My Fire Really Gone Out?
Paul Weller - Gravity
The Jam - Boy About Town
The Style Council - My Ever Changing Moods
The Jam - In The Crowd
Paul Weller - All The Pictures On The Wall
The Style Council - Have You Ever Had It Blue
The Jam - Fly
The Jam - Thick As Thieves
Paul Weller - Find The Torch, Burn The Plans
The Style Council - Headstart For Happiness
The Style Council - Changing Of The Guard
Paul Weller - She Moves With The Fayre
The Jam - Ghosts
Paul Weller - No Tears To Cry
The Jam - When You're Young
Paul Weller - Empty Ring
The Style Council - You're The Best Thing
The Jam - Happy Together
Paul Weller - I Didn't Mean To Hurt You
Paul Weller - Sunflower
The Style Council - The Piccadilly Trail
The Jam - Absolute Beginners
The Style Council - The Lodgers (Or She Was Only A Shopkeeper's Daughter) (Extended Single Version)
The Style Council - Shout To The Top
Saturday, 24 November 2018
Swampmaster - Unmix
November 2018
The Avalanches - Zap! [Modular/XL Recordings]
Horsepower Productions - Change [Tempa]
The Rutles - Let's Be Natural [Warner Bros.]
The Fraternal Order Of The All - Rainbow People [J-Bird]
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Riverman (Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve Re-Animation Instrumental) [Sour Mash]
Funkadelic - Be My Beach (Mophono & Tom Thump) [Westbound]
Little Axe - London Blues (Dub) [Echo Beach]
Richard Harris - MacArthur Park [Raven]
Mary Casio - Archid Orange Dwarf [My Own Pleasure]
Leftfield - Release The Pressure (Adrian Sherwood Mix) [Hard Hands]
Let's Eat Grandma - Falling Into Me [Transgressive]
Bootsy Collins - Bass-Rigged-System (feat. Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, Manou Gallo, Alissia Benveniste & World-Wide-Funkdrive) [Mascot]
Bootsy Collins - Snow Bunny (feat. Tyshawn Colquitt, Snowbunny & World-Wide-Funkdrive) [Mascot]
Psychemagik - Mink & Shoes (Feat. Navid Izadi) (Richard Norris Psychoactive Mixx) [Bandcamp]
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Acid 2 Me Is No Worse Than War [A]
Aphex Twin - 2X202-ST5 [Warp]
Wings - Love Is Strange (Psychemagik Edit) [Bandcamp]
John Carpenter - Utopian Facade [Sacred Bones]
Simian Mobile Disco - Hey Sister [Wichita]
Julian Cope - Times Change [Head Heritage]
Twin Freaks - What's That You're Doing? [Parlophone]
Simian Mobile Disco - Happening Distractions [Delicacies]
Plaid - Nat [Warp]
Twin Freaks - Temporary Secretary [Parlophone]
Psychemagik - New Beginning [Bandcamp]
Friday, 23 November 2018
Mastertapes - Elvis Costello (The B-Side)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 13th October 2018
In the second part of a special edition of Mastertapes, broadcast to celebrate the first ever National Album Day, Elvis Costello takes questions from the audience and premiers exclusive tracks from his new album, Look Now. He is accompanied through out by his career-long collaborator, pianist Steve Nieve
The first part of this special was broadcast earlier in the day and they are both available as a single podcast.
This programme is part of BBC Music’s support for the first ever National Album Day, which takes place on Saturday 13th October with programming on Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, 5 Live, 6 Music, BBC One and BBC Four across the week or on the day itself.
Thursday, 22 November 2018
Mastertapes - Elvis Costello (The A-Side)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 13th October 2018
From his critically acclaimed debut album, My Aim Is True, released in 1977 to his about-to-be-released Look Now, his first new album in five years, Elvis Costello has been widely recognised as one of Britain’s best songwriters.
In a special edition of Mastertapes to celebrate National Album Day, the consummate album artists talks and plays his way back through a career that has spanned five decades.
From early classics like Watching The Detectives, Accidents Will Happen, and Almost Blue, all the way through to Jimmie Standing In The Rain, Unwanted Number and Under Lime his talent for wordplay has remained undimmed. He remains a composer who works across a range of styles, always mining a deep, rich seam of melodic and harmonic treasures - all of which is on display in this programme recorded in the iconic BBC studios at Maida Vale. Accompanying him is his career-long collaborator, pianist Steve Nieve.
This programme is part of BBC Music’s support for the first ever National Album Day, which takes place on Saturday 13th October with programming on Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, 5 Live, 6 Music, BBC One and BBC Four across the week or on the day itself.
Wednesday, 21 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 7 - 6. Jimmy Webb (The B-Side)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 12th December 2017
John Wilson continues his music series, in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about their musical craft. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios.
Having discussed his early song-writing career, writing for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Barbara Striesand, Richard Harris and Glen Campbell (in the A-side of the programme, broadcast on Monday 11th December and available online), Jimmy Webb responds to questions from the audience.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Tuesday, 20 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 7 - 5. Jimmy Webb (The A-Side)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 11th December 2017
The legendary JIMMY WEBB talks to John Wilson about a career of song-writing that began in High School and went on to include platinum selling hits for Donna Summer, Frank Sinatra, R.E.M., Barbara Streisand and, of course, Glen Campbell.
The youngest person ever to have been inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame and the only artist to have won Grammy Awards in music, lyrics and orchestration, Jimmy Webb's compositions include 'MacArthur Park', 'Wichita Lineman', 'Up, Up And Away', 'Galvaston' and the third most performed song in the fifty years between 1940 & 1990 - 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix'.
Series Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Monday, 19 November 2018
Mastertapes - Paul McCartney
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 28th May 2016
Paul McCartney joins John Wilson at BBC Maida Vale studios to discuss songwriting, his solo career in the years immediately after The Beatles and to answer questions from the audience. He also reflects on his recent collaborations with Kanye West, as well as recalling working with George Martin, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and - inevitably - John Lennon.
Producer Paul Kobrak.
Sunday, 18 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 5 - 6. Steel Pulse (The B-Side)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 5th January 2016
John Wilson continues with his fifth series of Mastertapes, in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios.
Programme 6 (B-side): Having discussed the making of 'Handsworth Revolution' (in the A-side of the programme, broadcast on Monday 4th January and available online), David Hinds and Selwyn Brown respond to questions from the audience and perform exclusive live acoustic versions of some of the key tracks from the album.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Saturday, 17 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 5 - 5. Steel Pulse (The A-Side)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 4th January 2016
John Wilson continues with the fifth series of Mastertapes, the programme in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios.
Programme 5. Steel Pulse's 'Handsworth Revolution' with David Hinds and Selwyn Brown.
Originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School in 1975, Steel Pulse were initially refused live dates in Birmingham's Caribbean venues because of their Rastafarian ideals. Instead they aligned themselves With Rock Against Racism and appeared alongside the likes of the Clash, XTC, the Stranglers, Tom Robinson and X-Ray Specs.
It was Burning Spear who brought the group to the attention of Island Records who in February 1978 first released Ku Klux Klan as a single - a full five months before the album itself, which also included Prodigal Son, Prediction and the title track, Handsworth Revolution.
Here David Hinds and Selwyn Brown talk about the album that is widely regarded a milestone in the development of British Reggae, but also perform exclusive acoustic versions of some of the key tracks.
The B-side of the programme, where it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions, can be heard on Tuesday 29th December at 3.30pm.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Friday, 16 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 3 - 10. Soul II Soul (The B-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 21st September 2018
Soul II Soul, the B-side. Having discussed the making of "Club Classics Vol 1", the breakthrough album from Soul II Soul (in the A-side of the programme, broadcast on Monday 25th November and available online), Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler respond to questions from the audience. Jazzie talks more about his own roots as a musician and Soul II Soul perform live versions of tracks from the album.
Thursday, 15 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 3 - 9. Soul II Soul (The A-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 14th September 2018
John Wilson talks to Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler of Soul II Soul about their 1989 album 'Club Classics Vol 1' including the global hit Back to Life. Including exclusive performance by the whole band.
Soul II Soul is one of the most successful British black groups of all time. Their ethos of 'a happy face, a thumping bass for a loving race' and the sound of their debut album, released in 1989, defined a time and place in the UK's musical history. Featuring the huge hits 'Back To Life' and 'Keep On Moving' the album took London's multicultural underground club culture into the mainstream and achieved worldwide success. 'Club Classics' mixed the sounds of a burgeoning DJ scene with Jazzie B's distinctly British take on rap and the colossal vocal talents of Caron Wheeler.
Complete versions of the songs performed in the programme (and others) can be heard on the 'Mastertapes' pages on the Radio 4 website, where the programmes can also be downloaded and other musical goodies accessed.
Mastertapes is new programme in which John Wilson talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
The B-side of this programme, where it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions, can be heard tomorrow at 3.30pm.
Wednesday, 14 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 3 - 4. David Crosby (The B-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 24th August 2018
John Wilson continues with his new series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 2, the B-side. Having discussed the making of "If I Could Only Remember My Name", his 1971 album (in the A-side of the programme, broadcast on Monday 18th November and available online), David Crosby responds to questions from the audience and performs live versions of some the tracks from that debut solo album and from his as yet unreleased solo album, "Croz"
Complete versions of the songs performed in the programme (and others) can be heard on the 'Mastertapes' pages on the Radio 4 website, where the programmes can also be downloaded and other musical goodies accessed.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Tuesday, 13 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 3 - 3. David Crosby (The A-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 17th August 2018
John Wilson returns with a new series of Mastertapes, in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 2, A-side. "If I Could Only Remeber My Name" with David Crosby
Double inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, David Crosby talkes John Wilson back to the making of his debut solo album, If I Could Only Remember My Name.
Released in 1971, it was one of four high-profile solo albums released more or less simultaneously by each member of the legendary super-group, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. David's If I Could Only Remember My Name boasted a stellar line-up that not only included Neil Young and Graham Nash, but also featured Joni Mitchell and the leading members of both Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. Initially met with mixed reviews, the album has never been out of print and features some of his most impressive vocal and songwriting work - including the haunting Laughing, the mantra-like Music Is Love and the extended, impressionistic Cowboy Movie.
The B-side of the programme, where it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions, can be heard tomorrow at 3.30pm
Complete versions of the songs performed in the programme (and others) can be heard on the 'Mastertapes' pages on the Radio 4 website, where the programmes can also be downloaded and other musical goodies accessed.
Monday, 12 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 2 - 2. Wilko Johnson (The B-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 25th May 2018
John Wilson returns with a new series of Mastertapes, in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 1, the B-side. Having discussed the making of "Down By The Jetty", the debut album from Dr. Feelgood (in the A-side of the programme, broadcast on Monday 27th May and available online), Wilko Johnson responds to questions from the audience and performs live versions of some of the songs discussed.
Complete versions of the songs performed in the programme (and others) can be heard on the 'Mastertapes' pages on the Radio 4 website, where all the programmes of this and previous series can also be downloaded and other musical goodies accessed.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Sunday, 11 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 2 - 1. Wilko Johnson (The A-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 18th May 2018
John Wilson returns with the second series of Mastertapes, in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 1, A-side. "Down By The Jetty" with Wilko Johnson.
At the beginning of 2013 Wilko Johnson announced a series of farewell UK concerts in March. The guitarist and founding member of Dr. Feelgood has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and he has chosen not to undergo chemotherapy. But before these final live appearances and before going into the studio to complete a new album, he came to the BBC Maida Vale studios to discuss the making of his very first one: Dr. Feelgood's debut album, "Down By The Jetty".
Released in January 1975 and including 'Roxette', 'She Does It Right' and 'All Through the City', the album has been cited as a major influence by the likes of Paul Weller, the Clash, Blondie and the Ramones.
The B-side of the programme, where it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions, can be heard tomorrow at 3.30pm
Other programmes in the series include Mike Scott talking about the Waterboys' album "Fisherman's Blues" and Richard Thompson revisiting his best selling solo album, "Rumor & Sigh".
Complete versions of the songs performed in the programme (and others) can be heard on the 'Mastertapes' pages on the Radio 4 website, where the programmes can also be downloaded and other musical goodies accessed.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Saturday, 10 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 1 - 14. The Zombies (The B-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 11th May 2018
John Wilson concludes his new series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 7, the B-side. Having discussed the making of the Zombies' seminal 1968 album, "Odessey & Oracle" (in the A-side of the programme, broadcast on Tuesday 11th December and available online), Rod Argent, Chris White and Colin Blunstone responds to questions from the audience and perform live versions of some of the songs from the album, still held in such high regard.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Friday, 9 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 1 - 13. The Zombies (The A-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 4th May 2018
John Wilson concludes his series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 7. Forty five years after it was recorded, Rod Argent, Chris White and Colin Blunstone recall the making of the Zombies album 'Odessey And Oracle'. When it was released in 1968, after the band had split up, it was indifferently received. But since it has been described as: "one of the great undiscovered works of the psychedelic era" - Pitchfork; "an album that should grace any record collection... essential" - BBC; and "combining the adventure of Sgt. Pepper with the concision of British Invasion Pop" - Rolling Stone.
Those who have cited the Zombies as influences include everyone from Courtney Love to the Magic Numbers and from the Arctic Monkeys to Paul Weller. 'Odessey And Oracle' (the title was mis-spelt by the designer of the cover) contained only one stereotypically summer-of-love hit ('Time Of The Season') - the darker tones and dramatic third-person feel of much of the album (including the likes of 'Care of Cell 44', 'The Butcher's Tale' and 'A Rose For Emily') makes it sound ahead of its time.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Thursday, 8 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 1 - 10. Ray Davies (The B-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 13th April 2018
John Wilson continues with his new series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 5, the B-side. Having discussed the making of two classic Kinks albums, 'Lola Versus Powerman and The Moneygoround, Part One' and 'Muswell Hillbillies' (in the A-side of the programme, broadcast on Tuesday 27th November and available online), Ray Davies responds to questions from the audience and performs acoustic live versions of some to the tracks from the albums, both of which were released more than forty years ago.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Wednesday, 7 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 1 - 9. Ray Davies (The A-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 6th April 2018
John Wilson continues with his new series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 5, A-side. 'Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part One' & 'Muswell Hillbillies' - Ray Davies goes back to the early 1970s and the making of two classic Kinks albums. Marking a period of transition for the group (as they left one British record label for an American one), both were concept albums, tackling such broad themes as corruption within the music industry and the destruction of old communities via urban regeneration. In a revealing interview, Ray Davies considers the power of the lyric and the importance of place in his song-writing. He also performs exclusive live versions of songs from the two albums.
Producer: Paul Kobrak.
Tuesday, 6 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 1 - 6. Paul Weller (The B-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 16th March 2018
John Wilson continues with his new series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question in the A-side, and then the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 3, the B-side. Having discussed the making of "The Gift", the final album from the Jam (in the A-side of the programme, broadcast on Tuesday 13th November and available online), Paul Weller responds to questions from the audience and performs acoustic live versions of some to the tracks from the album which was released 30 years ago.
Complete versions of the songs performed in the programme (and others) can be heard on the 'Mastertapes' pages on the Radio 4 website, where all the programmes of the series can also be downloaded and other musical goodies accessed.
Producers: Paul Kobrak & India Rakusen.
Monday, 5 November 2018
Mastertapes Series 1 - 5. Paul Weller (The A-Side)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 9th March 2018
John Wilson continues with his new series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.
Programme 3, A-side. "The Gift" - 30 years after the band's split, Paul Weller talks about 'The Gift' - the last album for The Jam. The band's only No 1 album, it marked a musical departure from the classic Jam sound to a more soul-influenced style, and it ushered in Weller's ideas for the Style Council. It was an album that didn't just focus on the state of society, it also had a lot to say about where music was going in the 1980s - and it included the classic No 1 'Town Called Malice' as well as 'Running On The Spot' and 'Carnation'. Paul also plays exclusive live versions of some of the tracks on the album.
In the B-side of the programme, it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions and that programme can be heard next Monday at 11.00pm.
Producers: Paul Kobrak & India Rakusen.
Sunday, 4 November 2018
All Or Nothing - The Small Faces - 2. Episode 2
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 19th September 2018
Phil Daniels tells the story of the Small Faces with interviews from the late Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane and Ian McLagan, along with Kenney Jones. First broadcast in 1996.
Small Faces - Here Comes The Nice [Charly]
Small Faces - Itchycoo Park [Sanctuary]
Small Faces - Tin Soldier [Charly]
Small Faces - Rollin' Over [See For Miles]
Small Faces - Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake [Castle Communications]
Small Faces - Mad John [Castle Communications]
Small Faces - Afterglow (Of Your Love) [Charly]
Small Faces - Lazy Sunday [Castle Communications]
Small Faces - The Universal [Charly]
Small Faces - I'm Only Dreaming [Sanctuary/Universal]
Saturday, 3 November 2018
All Or Nothing - The Small Faces - 1. Episode 1
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 18th September 2018
Phil Daniels tells the story of the Small Faces with interviews from the late Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane and Ian McLagan, along with Kenney Jones. First broadcast in 1996.
Small Faces - All Or Nothing
Small Faces - E Too D
Small Faces - What'cha Gonna Do About It
Small Faces - I've Got Mine
Small Faces - Sha La La La Lee
Booker T. & The MG's - Green Onions
Small Faces - Grow Your Own
Small Faces - Hey Girl
Small Faces - All Or Nothing
Small Faces - Here Come The Nice
Friday, 2 November 2018
Peter George - Dr. Strangelove
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 30th September 2018
Thermonuclear war erupts in Kerry Shale's award-winning dramatisation of the apocalyptic black comedy, playing multiple roles.
'Dr. Strangelove' came to prominence in the 1964 film directed by Stanley Kubrick. Based on the novel 'Red Alert' by Peter George, it famously starred Peter Sellers in multiple roles.
As well as the dramatisation, Kerry Shale also takes several roles: Dr Strangelove, Lieutenant Kivel, Lieutenant Barney Goldberg, Lieutenant Lothar Zogg, Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, General Jack D Ripper and President Merkin Muffley.
With William Hootkins as the King, Sean Barratt as General Buck Turgidson, Stuart Milligan as Gwarne, Nigel Anthony as the Soviet Ambassador, Peter Whitman as Staines, William Roberts as Gap and John Baddeley as Ball.
Alexei de Sadesk and Teresa Gallagher as the Narrators
Director: Gordon House.
First broadcast on the BBC World Service in 1993.
Thursday, 1 November 2018
T. H. White - The Once And Future King - 6. The Candle In The Wind
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st October 2018
Brian Sibley's dramatisation of T. H. White's classic retelling of the King Arthur story continues. Mordred uses Arthur's new laws against him and long-held secrets are forced out into the open.
Paul Ready as Arthur, David Warner as Merlyn, Lyndsey Marshal as Guenever, Alex Waldmann as Lancelot, Joel MacCormack as Mordred, Hannah Genesius as Elaine, Shaun Mason as Gawaine, Monty d'Inverno as Gareth and Ian Conningham as Agravaine.
Other parts are played by members of the cast.
Original music by Elizabeth Purnell
Directors: Gemma Jenkins, Marc Beeby and David Hunter
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