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In a special Mastertapes episode from Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, musician Richard Hawley delves into his 33-year career, highlighting how his hometown's landmarks and working-class heritage profoundly shape his melancholy melodies. He shares anecdotes behind hits like "As the Dawn Breaks" and "Cole's Corner," explaining his unique approach to songwriting, including his "dog walk" method. The discussion also covers his initial skepticism and eventual embrace of a new stage musical, "Standing at the Sky's Edge," which reinterprets his songs to tell the story of Sheffield's Park Hill Flats, concluding with live performances.
John Wilson returns with another run of the 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 has John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then the audience puts the questions. American Pie by Don McLean Twenty-four year old Don McLean's debut album was rejected by 72 labels before it was released by Mediarts. It was onl...
John Wilson returns with another run of the 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. Modern day super-group, DAMON ALBARN, PAUL SIMONON, TONY ALLEN and SIMON TONG talk to John Wilson about their acclaimed debut album "The Good, The Bad & The Queen." Released in 2007, the album brought together Blur's front-man, the bassist from the Clash, the Afro...
John Wilson returns with another run of the 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. Lily Allen talks to John Wilson about her fourth and most personal album, "No Shame" Always conversational in tone and infused with a dark sense of humour, Lily Allen's lyrics never shies away from the personal - and her most recent album, released in July 2018, is no...
In a special edition of Mastertapes to celebrate National Album Day, Elvis Costello, the consummate album artist talks to John Wilson and plays his way back through a career that has spanned five decades, premiers exclusive tracks from his new album and takes questions from the audience. From his critically acclaimed debut album, My Aim Is True, released in 1977 to his newly released Look Now, his first new album in five years, Elvis Costello has been widely recognised as one of Britain's best s...
John Wilson concludes the seventh series of Mastertapes, the programme in which he talks to leading artists 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 John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, the audience asks the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances. Cult singer-songwriter and artist Benjamin Clementine talks to John Wilson about his 20...
Legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb delves into his remarkable career, sharing candid stories about his strict Oklahoma upbringing and rebellious path into music. He recounts his early days at Motown West, the surprising rejections and unexpected journeys of hits like 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix' and 'MacArthur Park,' and his transformative partnership with Glenn Campbell. Webb also offers insights into his unique songwriting process, the qualities that define a lasting song, and the deep satisfaction he finds in performing and connecting with fans.
John Wilson continues with another recording for the series in which leading artists discuss 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 asks the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances. Singer-songwriter David Gray talks to John Wilson about the album that cat...
John Wilson returns with another edition 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. 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. Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé takes us back to her debut album "Our Version o...
In this episode of Mastertapes, legendary singer-songwriter Randy Newman delves into the making of his 1972 album 'Sail Away,' revealing his preference for complex characters and ironic narratives over traditional love songs. He shares insights into his early career, the influence of the American South on his music, and his transition into Oscar-winning film composition for Disney Pixar. Newman also engages with a live audience, addressing his slow album output, the reception of controversial lyrics, and offering advice to young artists.
John Wilson continues with the 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. The legendary TOM JONES talks to John Wilson about `Praise and Blame' - the first of a trilogy of albums that would take him back to his musical roots. Described as a musical "shape shifter" who could "slide from soulful rasp to pop croon, with a voice as husky as it was pretty" (...
John Wilson continues with the 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. CRAIG DAVID talks and plays his way back to 2000 and his debut album, "Born To Do It", which went on to sell 8 million copies world-wide. Recorded and released when Craig David was only 18 years old, the album includes the hits, Fill Me In, Walking Away, Rendezvous and 7 Days. Des...
John Wilson returns with another edition of Mastertapes, the 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. "Love, Death and the Lady" with Shirley Collins. Released in 1970 on the Harvest label (also home to Deep Purple, Kevin Ayers and Pink Floyd), Love Death & the Lady exuded a darkness that reflected Shirley's own personal loneliness at the time. Wi...
John Wilson returns with another edition 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, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then the audience puts the questions. Graham Nash has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame - once with The Hollies and then with Crosby, Stills and Nash. In May 1971 he r...
John Wilson returns with another edition 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, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then the audience puts the questions. This time John talks to Laura Marling about her 2013 album 'Once I was An Eagle.' Laura Marling was only 18 when she released her first a...
On the eve of the sixth series of Mastertapes (which features the likes of Laura Marling, Graham Nash and Shirley Collins) there is another chance to hear the Mastertapes special, in which Paul McCartney joins John Wilson. Recorded in the iconic BBC Maida Vale studios, they discuss songwriting, Paul's solo career in the years immediately after The Beatles, his recent collaborations with Kanye West, and working with the likes of George Martin, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and - obviously - John...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Nigel Kennedy questions about his record-breaking 1989 recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Nigel also performs exclusive excerpts from his classical and jazz repertoire. Producers: Paul Kobrak and John Goudie. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in Januar...
Nigel Kennedy talks about his record breaking 1989 recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk 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 - the A-side and B-side. In the A-side, Nigel Kennedy. talks to John Wilson about the best-selling classical work of all time. Having trained at both the Yehudi Menuhin School of Music and the...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Bellowhead questions about their 2010 album, 'Hedonism'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Bellowhead also perform exclusive live acoustic versions of some to the key tracks from the album. Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2016....
Bellowhead talk, and play tracks from their most successful album, released in 2010, 'Hedonism'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk 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 - the A-side and B-side. In the A-side, Donovan talks to John Wilson about what is still the best selling independent folk album of all time. The idea for Bellowhead came to John Spiers a...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Donovan questions about his 1966 album Sunshine Superman. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it 'ignited the psychedelic revolution virtually single-handedly' when it was released in the summer of 1966. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Donovan also performs exclusive live acous...
Donovan talks about his psychedelic revolution inspiring 1966 album Sunshine Superman. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk 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 - the A-side and B-side. In the A-side, Donovan talks to John Wilson. Sunshine Superman, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 'ignited the psychedelic revolution virtually single-handedly' ...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask David Hinds and Selwyn Brown questions about Steel Pulse's 1978 debut album, 'Handsworth Revolution'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. David and Selwyn also perform exclusive live acoustic versions of some of the key tracks from the album. Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2016.
David Hinds and Selwyn Brown talk about Steel Pulse's 1978 debut album, 'Handsworth Revolution'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk 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 - the A-side and B-side. The A-side, David and Selwyn talk to John Wilson. Originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School in 1975, Steel Pulse were initially refused live dates in Birmi...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford questions about Squeeze's 1981 album, 'East Side Story'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Chris and Glenn also perform exclusive live versions of some of the tracks from the album. Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015.
Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford talk about Squeeze's 1981 album, 'East Side Story'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk 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 - the A-side and B-side. In the A-side, Glenn and Chris talk to John Wilson. 'East Side Story' was originally intended as a four-sided double LP with each side using a different producer (Dave Edmund...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Georgie Fame questions about his 1963 debut album, 'Rhythm & Blues at the Flamingo'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Georgie also performs exclusive live versions of some of the tracks from the album (accompanied by his sons James and Tristan Powell, as well as a few of the original Blue Flames). Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015....
Georgie Fame talks about his 1963 debut album, 'Rhythm & Blues At The Flamingo'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk 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 - the A-side and B-side. In the A-side, Georgie talks to John Wilson. At the age of 16, former apprentice cotton weaver, Clive Powell, successfully auditioned for pop impresario Larry Parnes who then...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Noel Gallagher about High Flying Birds', his first studio album since leaving Oasis, With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Noel also performs acoustic live versions of some of the tracks from the album and looks forward to his next musical project "Chasing Yesterday". Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2014.
'Noel Gallagher's discusses his album High Flying Birds. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk 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 - the A-side and B-side. In the A-side, Noel talks to John Wilson. In 2009, Noel Gallagher left Oasis – one of the seminal bands of the Britpop era with seven multi-platinum albums including: 'Definitely Maybe', '(What's The St...
