John Wilson talks with musicians about a career-defining album, and a live audience also puts questions. Featuring exclusive live performances.
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Bob Geldof & the Boomtown Rats questions about "A Tonic For The Troops", their 1978 hit album. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. The band also performs live versions of some of the tracks from the album which brought them their first Number 1 single with 'Rat Trap'. Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2014.
The Boomtown Rats discuss their 1978 second album 'A Tonic for the Troops'. 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, Bod Geldof and The Boomtown Rats talk to John Wilson. Named after a gang in Woody Guthrie's autobiography, the band had a series of hits between 1977 and 1985. Signed b...
Manic Street Preachers talk about their third, career-defining, 1994 album The Holy Bible. 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, Manic Street Preachers - Sean Moore, James Dean Bradfield and Nicky Wire.- talk to John Wilson. Released a mere five months before the disappearance of m...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Angélique Kidjo questions about her 1994 breakthrough album, 'Ayé'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Angélique also performs acoustic live versions of some of the tracks from the album. Producer: Clare Walker First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.
Angélique Kidjo, the "Queen of African music" discusses her 1994 breakthrough album, 'Ayé'. 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, the Grammy nominated singer-songwriter and activist from Benin talks to John Wilson. She also performs exclusive versions of key tracks, including "Agol...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Manic Street Preachers - James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore - questions about their 1994 album, 'The Holy Bible’. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. The band also performs acoustic live versions of some to the tracks from the album. Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.
John Wilson chats to Rufus Wainwright about his life-changing album, 2003's Want One. Rufus tells the stories behind some of those songs, and sings and performs solo piano. As Rufus says himself, he has no filter. The two meet in a stylishly transformed Maida Vale Studio. Rufus also sings a cappella a song he composed after the death of his mother, the singer Kate McGarrigle. The programme features footage from a young Rufus' first ever song recording, as part of a Canadian children's film....
Singer-songwriter-composer Rufus Wainwright talks about his breakthrough 2003 album, ‘Want One’. 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, Rufus talks to John Wilson. The son of folk singers Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III, Rufus began playing the piano at the age of 6 and to...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler questions about Soul II Soul's debut 1989 album, 'Club Classics Vol 1'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Jazzie talks more about his own roots as a musician and Soul II Soul perform live versions of tracks from the album. Producer: Helen Lennard First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.
Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler discuss Soul II Soul's 1989 debut album, 'Club Classics Vol 1', which included the global hit 'Back to Life'. 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, Jazzie B and Caron talk to John Wilson. Soul II Soul is one of the most successful British black groups of ...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Edwyn Collins questions about his 1994 album, 'Gorgeous George'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. With a small band, Edwyn performs acoustic live versions of some to the tracks from the album which he started recording 20 years ago. Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.
Edwyn Collins discusses his 1994 album 'Gorgeous George', featuring the single 'A Girl Like You'. 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, Edwym talks to John Wilson. Edwyn is an Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriter who has enjoyed great success both as a solo artist and as the lead ...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Natalie Merchant questions about her 1995 solo album, 'Tigerlily'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Natalie also performs live versions of some to the tracks from the album. Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2013.
Natalie Merchant discusses 'Tigerlily', her 1995 solo album made after leaving 10,000 Maniacs. 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, Natalie talks to John Wilson. Completely self-funded (to ensure creative control),'Tigerlily' went on the sell over 5 million copies and continues to...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience questions David Crosby about his 1971 album, 'If I Could Only Remember My Name'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. David also performs live versions of some the tracks from that debut solo album and from his as yet unreleased solo album, "Croz" Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2013.
David Crosby discusses the making of his 1971 album If 'I Could Only Remember My Name'. 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, the double-inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame talks to John Wilson. Released in 1971, If 'I Could Only Remember My Name' was one of four high-profil...
Robbie Williams discusses the 1997 hit 'Life Thru a Lens', his first post-Take That album. 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. This is the A-side. Robbie Williams is the UK's best-selling solo artist of all time. But when he released his debut solo album, "Life Thru A Lens", after leaving the a...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience questions Robbie Williams about his 1997 album, 'Life Thru a Lens', made after he left Take That. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Robbie Williams candidly responds to questions from the audience and performs live versions of some to the tracks from that debut solo album, as well as "Swings Both Ways" Producer: Paul Kobrak. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2013....
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp and Tony Hadley respond to audience questions about their 1983 hit album, 'True’. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Gary and Tony answer questions from the audience and perform live versions of some of the songs from the album. Producer: Helen Lennard First broadcast on Radio 4 in June 2013.
Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp and Tony Hadley discuss their 1983 international hit album, 'True'. 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 this one (The A-side), Gary and Tony reflect on Spandau Ballet's third album, 'True', which became a worldwide smash hit featuring tracks such as 'Gold', 'Pleasu...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, Eliza and her father Martin respond to audience questions about her fifth solo album, 'Anglicana'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. They perform live versions of some of the songs from the album, as well as discussing their work together with Norma Waterson as Waterson:Carthy. Producer: Helen Lennard First broadcast on Radio 4 in June 2013.
Eliza and Martin Carthy talk about their critically celebrated 2002 folk album, 'Anglicana'. 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 this one (The A-side), Anglicana with Eliza Carthy and her father Martin Carthy talking to John Wilson. Together Eliza Carthy and her parents Martin Carthy and Nor...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, Richard Thompson answers questions from the audience about his 1991 solo album, 'Rumor and Sigh'. This is not just his most commercially successful album, but also a high point of his career. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. He also performs live versions of some of the album tracks, as well as classic tracks from his days with Fairport Convention. Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on Radio 4 in June 2...
Richard Thompson talks about his critically acclaimed 1991 album 'Rumor and Sigh'. 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 this one (The A-side), Richard talks to John Wilson. Named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the Top 20 Guitarists of all time, Richard looks back at the making of what is...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, Mike Scott and Steve Wickham answer questions from an audience about The Waterboys album, from 1988, 'Fisherman's Blues'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. The duo also performs exclusive live versions of some of some to the tracks from the album. Producer: Paul Kobrak First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2013.
Mike Scott and Steve Wickham talk about The Waterboys 4th album, from 1988, 'Fisherman's Blues'. 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 this one (The A-side), John Wilson talks to Mike and Steve about the album that marked a distinct change in the sound of their group The Waterboys, 'Fisherman'...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, guitarist and founding member Wilko Johnson responds to questions from the audience about Dr Feelgood's 'Down By The Jetty'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Wilko also performs exclusive live versions of some of the songs discussed. Producer: Paul Kobrak. First broadcast on Radio 4 in May 2013.
Wilko Johnson talks about Dr Feelgood's debut album, released in 1975, 'Down By The Jetty'. 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 this one (The A side), John Wilson talks to the guitarist and founding member of Dr. Feelgood about 'Down By The Jetty', released in January 1975 and including 'Rox...
Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, Rod Argent, Chris White and Colin Blunstone answer questions from an audience about their album, 'Odessey and Oracle'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Rod, Chris and Colin perform live versions of some of the songs from the Zombies' album, still held in such high regard. Producer: Paul Kobrak. First broadcast on Radio 4 in December 2012.
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 W...
