FREE! Music for grown-ups on the BBC in the next 10 days
Hidden among its vast TV and radio output, the BBC broadcasts some magnificent music for grown-ups every week of the year. And it’s all free - well, sort of….
Friday 30 Jan
1400 Cecilia Bartoli in Handel’s opera Rinaldo Act 3 – BBC Radio 3
2100 Folk America (2/3) – BBC4
Sat 31 Jan
2200 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC Radio 2
Sun 1 Feb
2000 Folk America (2/3) – BBC4
2100 Neil Young, Don’t Be Denied - BBC4
2200 Neil Young, In Concert (1971) - BBC4
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC 6Music
Tues 3 Feb
2355 Joni Mitchell, In Concert – BBC4
0105 Joan Baez, In Concert – BBC4
0135 Neil Young, In Concert (1971) - BBC4
Wed 4 Feb
2100 Buddy Holly, Arena (1985) – BBC4
Thurs 5 Feb
1400 Handel’s opera Il Pastor, overture & Act 1 – BBC Radio 3
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC Radio 2
0055 Later… Folk America – BBC4
Fri 6 Feb
1400 Handel’s opera Il Pastor Acts 2&3 – BBC Radio 3
2100 Folk America (3/3) – Blowin’ In The Wind – BBC4
2200 Dylan At Newport – The Other Side Of The Mirror – BBC4
2320 Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, In Concert - BBC4
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast live online - please see the channels’ web sites for details. Some BBC radio and TV programmes are also accessible online via iPlayer for a short period after transmission:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
All of the musicians listed above are profiled in my new book, Music For Grown-Ups. For full details, please click on the book cover at the top left of the Home Page of the master website:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Astral Weeks - live
Long-time readers might recall that Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks is one of the favourite albums of Music For Grown-Ups.
And regular readers might remember seeing the recent rave review of Astral Weeks Live: Andrew Robertson travelled to the two Hollywood Bowl gigs from his home in Adelaide, South Australia. As he reported here, it was the concert-going experience of his life.
Well, now, aficionados on the US East Coast and in England and Wales get a chance to exult in a live performance of this masterpiece.
Morrison’s Astral Weeks Live moves to MSG in NYC on February 27 and 28; and to Bristol’s Colston Hall on Sat 20 June and Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on Sunday 21 June.
I’ve booked Cardiff: Mama!
The live CD from the Hollywood Bowl gigs is released on Monday 9 February, with a DVD to follow.
Now’s a good time for all those old Morrison fans (frinstance me, babe) who’ve sidelined the Man over the last six or seven years - disappointed by successive album releases and live shows – to celebrate his great art over and over again.
Van Morrison gets an extended profile in my new book, Music For Grown-Ups.
Gerry Smith
And regular readers might remember seeing the recent rave review of Astral Weeks Live: Andrew Robertson travelled to the two Hollywood Bowl gigs from his home in Adelaide, South Australia. As he reported here, it was the concert-going experience of his life.
Well, now, aficionados on the US East Coast and in England and Wales get a chance to exult in a live performance of this masterpiece.
Morrison’s Astral Weeks Live moves to MSG in NYC on February 27 and 28; and to Bristol’s Colston Hall on Sat 20 June and Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on Sunday 21 June.
I’ve booked Cardiff: Mama!
The live CD from the Hollywood Bowl gigs is released on Monday 9 February, with a DVD to follow.
Now’s a good time for all those old Morrison fans (frinstance me, babe) who’ve sidelined the Man over the last six or seven years - disappointed by successive album releases and live shows – to celebrate his great art over and over again.
Van Morrison gets an extended profile in my new book, Music For Grown-Ups.
Gerry Smith
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Win Music For Grown-Ups book
Your entries continue to pile in.
In addition to artists already mentioned, recent musician Top 5s have included: Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Olivier Messiaen and Beethoven.
Seriously eclectic – like the new book and the web site!
Please keep ‘em coming….
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win Music For Grown-Ups book
Many thanks to readers for all the entries so far.
Lots more musicians who were expected are showing, including Van Morrison, Neil Young and Mark Knopfler.
As well as some unexpected names as diverse as Ali Farka Toure, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Gustav Mahler, Callas and Joan Sutherland.
Keep ‘em coming… Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win Music For Grown-Ups book
Many thanks for all the entries so far.
Lots of expected musicians are showing, including John Lennon, Brahms, and Herbie Hancock.
As well as some unexpected names – eg Elvis Costello, Schoenberg and Can.
Keep ‘em coming…
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win a free copy of new book, Music For Grown-Ups
Music For Grown-Ups, my new book, profiles 171 musicians from all genres. If I had to choose a Top 5, there would be some obvious contenders to consider, including: Dylan, Miles Davis, Bach, Mozart, Ella Fitzgerald, Hank Williams, Handel, Coltrane, the Rolling Stones and The Smiths/Morrissey.
But who are YOUR Top 5 Musicians For Grown-Ups - the five you prefer to listen to before all others?
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
All responding readers will be entered in a free draw and the winner will be selected by lucky dip.
Thanks in advance. And good luck!
Gerry Smith
In addition to artists already mentioned, recent musician Top 5s have included: Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Olivier Messiaen and Beethoven.
Seriously eclectic – like the new book and the web site!
Please keep ‘em coming….
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win Music For Grown-Ups book
Many thanks to readers for all the entries so far.
Lots more musicians who were expected are showing, including Van Morrison, Neil Young and Mark Knopfler.
As well as some unexpected names as diverse as Ali Farka Toure, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Gustav Mahler, Callas and Joan Sutherland.
Keep ‘em coming… Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win Music For Grown-Ups book
Many thanks for all the entries so far.
Lots of expected musicians are showing, including John Lennon, Brahms, and Herbie Hancock.
As well as some unexpected names – eg Elvis Costello, Schoenberg and Can.
Keep ‘em coming…
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win a free copy of new book, Music For Grown-Ups
Music For Grown-Ups, my new book, profiles 171 musicians from all genres. If I had to choose a Top 5, there would be some obvious contenders to consider, including: Dylan, Miles Davis, Bach, Mozart, Ella Fitzgerald, Hank Williams, Handel, Coltrane, the Rolling Stones and The Smiths/Morrissey.
But who are YOUR Top 5 Musicians For Grown-Ups - the five you prefer to listen to before all others?
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
All responding readers will be entered in a free draw and the winner will be selected by lucky dip.
Thanks in advance. And good luck!
Gerry Smith
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Top Grown-Up Live Shows of 2008
Thanks to Andrew Robertson:
2008 was another great year for live music, even in little old Adelaide – although my highlight was on the other side of the world, at the Hollywood Bowl.
Trying to select my top five, I came up with:
1. Van Morrison – Astral Weeks live at the Hollywood Bowl (counting both nights as one, as they were both the clear highlights of my life, let alone 2008)
2. Sting – Songs from the Labyrinth at the Sydney Opera House (music from the ages, definitely music for grown ups)
3. The State Opera of South Australia – Turandot at the Adelaide Festival Theatre (our very, very good local opera company, doing a performance that was as good as any opera I’ve seen)
4. Philip Glass – The Book of Longing (Leonard Cohen’s poetry set to music by Philip Glass – deliciously, eclectically grown up – but to be surpassed in 2009 by Leonard Cohen himself who I saw only yesterday)
5. Billy Cobham & Colin Towns, with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra – A Celebration of the Mahavishnu Orchestra (an innovative collaboration between a very good classical symphony orchestra which also loves to stretch out into other genres, and a giant of jazz with Colin Towns as musical director and conductor to harmonise it all into one)
Honourable mentions:
* Ornette Coleman – another jazz giant
* John Mellencamp – my big surprise for 2008, a truly excellent show from an evolving artist
2008 was another great year for live music, even in little old Adelaide – although my highlight was on the other side of the world, at the Hollywood Bowl.
Trying to select my top five, I came up with:
1. Van Morrison – Astral Weeks live at the Hollywood Bowl (counting both nights as one, as they were both the clear highlights of my life, let alone 2008)
2. Sting – Songs from the Labyrinth at the Sydney Opera House (music from the ages, definitely music for grown ups)
3. The State Opera of South Australia – Turandot at the Adelaide Festival Theatre (our very, very good local opera company, doing a performance that was as good as any opera I’ve seen)
4. Philip Glass – The Book of Longing (Leonard Cohen’s poetry set to music by Philip Glass – deliciously, eclectically grown up – but to be surpassed in 2009 by Leonard Cohen himself who I saw only yesterday)
5. Billy Cobham & Colin Towns, with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra – A Celebration of the Mahavishnu Orchestra (an innovative collaboration between a very good classical symphony orchestra which also loves to stretch out into other genres, and a giant of jazz with Colin Towns as musical director and conductor to harmonise it all into one)
Honourable mentions:
* Ornette Coleman – another jazz giant
* John Mellencamp – my big surprise for 2008, a truly excellent show from an evolving artist
Monday, January 26, 2009
Win Music For Grown-Ups book
Many thanks to readers for all the entries so far.
Lots more musicians who were expected are showing, including Van Morrison, Neil Young and Mark Knopfler.
As well as some unexpected names as diverse as Ali Farka Toure, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Gustav Mahler, Callas and Joan Sutherland.
Keep ‘em coming… Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win Music For Grown-Ups book
Many thanks for all the entries so far.
Lots of expected musicians are showing, including John Lennon, Brahms, and Herbie Hancock.
As well as some unexpected names – eg Elvis Costello, Schoenberg and Can.
Keep ‘em coming…
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win a free copy of new book, Music For Grown-Ups
Music For Grown-Ups, my new book, profiles 171 musicians from all genres. If I had to choose a Top 5, there would be some obvious contenders to consider, including: Dylan, Miles Davis, Bach, Mozart, Ella Fitzgerald, Hank Williams, Handel, Coltrane, the Rolling Stones and The Smiths/Morrissey.
But who are YOUR Top 5 Musicians For Grown-Ups - the five you prefer to listen to before all others?
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
All responding readers will be entered in a free draw and the winner will be selected by lucky dip.
Thanks in advance. And good luck!
Gerry Smith
Lots more musicians who were expected are showing, including Van Morrison, Neil Young and Mark Knopfler.
As well as some unexpected names as diverse as Ali Farka Toure, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Gustav Mahler, Callas and Joan Sutherland.
Keep ‘em coming… Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win Music For Grown-Ups book
Many thanks for all the entries so far.
Lots of expected musicians are showing, including John Lennon, Brahms, and Herbie Hancock.
As well as some unexpected names – eg Elvis Costello, Schoenberg and Can.
Keep ‘em coming…
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win a free copy of new book, Music For Grown-Ups
Music For Grown-Ups, my new book, profiles 171 musicians from all genres. If I had to choose a Top 5, there would be some obvious contenders to consider, including: Dylan, Miles Davis, Bach, Mozart, Ella Fitzgerald, Hank Williams, Handel, Coltrane, the Rolling Stones and The Smiths/Morrissey.
But who are YOUR Top 5 Musicians For Grown-Ups - the five you prefer to listen to before all others?
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
All responding readers will be entered in a free draw and the winner will be selected by lucky dip.
Thanks in advance. And good luck!
Gerry Smith
Friday, January 23, 2009
Folk America: a must-watch/record series
Folk America, the central trio of one-hour documentaries in BBC 4’s timely new series of the same name, are must-watch/record programmes.
If they’re as good as BBC 4’s similar earlier series – Folk… Jazz… (etc)… Britannia they could well be the best documentaries of 2009.
The series starts tonight at 9pm: Folk America - new series exploring the revival of American folk music (Part 1), and is repeated late tonight and on Sunday. Part 2 - Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie et al – airs next Friday at 9pm, with repeats.
As for the rest of the programmes in the series – er, no thanks, not really my cup of tea.
Online access: Some BBC TV programmes are accessible online via iPlayer for a short period after transmission:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Folk America on UK TV
Thanks to Martin Cowan:
A feast of viewing is on the horizon for Dylan Daily readers and Grown-Ups everywhere, as follows:
* Friday 23 January 2009 BBC4
8.00 Seasick Steve: Bringing it all back home (documentary about the blues singer)
8.30 Seasick Steve at Reading 2008 (live performance)
9.00 Folk America - new series exploring the revival of American folk music (Part 1)
10.00 Folk America at the Barbican - Hollerers, Stompers and Old Time Ramblers - concert
11.00 Desperate Man blues - profile of Joe Bussard
* Tuesday 27 January 2009 BBC4
11.15 Richie Havens in concert
11.55 Tom Paxton In concert
12.25 Judy Collins in concert
1.00 Joan Baez in concert
1.40 Crosby and Nash in concert
* Wednesday 28 January 2009 BBC4
8.30 - Tonight in Person - Peter Paul and Mary
* Friday 30 January 2009 BBC4
8.00 BBC4 session - Bruce Springsteen at the LSO, his tribute
to Pete Seeger
9.00 Folk America (part 2 - Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie et al)
10.00 Later...folk America (Norah Jones, Johnny Cash,
Emmylou Harris etc)
11.00 Arena Rock Docs - Woody Guthrie
Online access: Some BBC TV programmes are also accessible online via iPlayer for a short period after transmission:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
If they’re as good as BBC 4’s similar earlier series – Folk… Jazz… (etc)… Britannia they could well be the best documentaries of 2009.
The series starts tonight at 9pm: Folk America - new series exploring the revival of American folk music (Part 1), and is repeated late tonight and on Sunday. Part 2 - Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie et al – airs next Friday at 9pm, with repeats.
As for the rest of the programmes in the series – er, no thanks, not really my cup of tea.
Online access: Some BBC TV programmes are accessible online via iPlayer for a short period after transmission:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Gerry Smith
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Folk America on UK TV
Thanks to Martin Cowan:
A feast of viewing is on the horizon for Dylan Daily readers and Grown-Ups everywhere, as follows:
* Friday 23 January 2009 BBC4
8.00 Seasick Steve: Bringing it all back home (documentary about the blues singer)
8.30 Seasick Steve at Reading 2008 (live performance)
9.00 Folk America - new series exploring the revival of American folk music (Part 1)
10.00 Folk America at the Barbican - Hollerers, Stompers and Old Time Ramblers - concert
11.00 Desperate Man blues - profile of Joe Bussard
* Tuesday 27 January 2009 BBC4
11.15 Richie Havens in concert
11.55 Tom Paxton In concert
12.25 Judy Collins in concert
1.00 Joan Baez in concert
1.40 Crosby and Nash in concert
* Wednesday 28 January 2009 BBC4
8.30 - Tonight in Person - Peter Paul and Mary
* Friday 30 January 2009 BBC4
8.00 BBC4 session - Bruce Springsteen at the LSO, his tribute
to Pete Seeger
9.00 Folk America (part 2 - Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie et al)
10.00 Later...folk America (Norah Jones, Johnny Cash,
Emmylou Harris etc)
11.00 Arena Rock Docs - Woody Guthrie
Online access: Some BBC TV programmes are also accessible online via iPlayer for a short period after transmission:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Win new Music For Grown-Ups book
Many thanks for all the entries so far.
Lots of expected musicians are showing, including John Lennon, Brahms, and Herbie Hancock.
As well as some unexpected names – eg Elvis Costello, Schoenberg and Can.
Keep ‘em coming…
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win a free copy of new book, Music For Grown-Ups
Music For Grown-Ups, my new book, profiles 171 musicians from all genres. If I had to choose a Top 5, there would be some obvious contenders to consider, including: Dylan, Miles Davis, Bach, Mozart, Ella Fitzgerald, Hank Williams, Handel, Coltrane, the Rolling Stones and The Smiths/Morrissey.
But who are YOUR Top 5 Musicians For Grown-Ups - the five you prefer to listen to before all others?
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
All responding readers will be entered in a free draw and the winner will be selected by lucky dip.
Thanks in advance. And good luck!
Gerry Smith
Lots of expected musicians are showing, including John Lennon, Brahms, and Herbie Hancock.
As well as some unexpected names – eg Elvis Costello, Schoenberg and Can.
Keep ‘em coming…
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Win a free copy of new book, Music For Grown-Ups
Music For Grown-Ups, my new book, profiles 171 musicians from all genres. If I had to choose a Top 5, there would be some obvious contenders to consider, including: Dylan, Miles Davis, Bach, Mozart, Ella Fitzgerald, Hank Williams, Handel, Coltrane, the Rolling Stones and The Smiths/Morrissey.
But who are YOUR Top 5 Musicians For Grown-Ups - the five you prefer to listen to before all others?
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
All responding readers will be entered in a free draw and the winner will be selected by lucky dip.
Thanks in advance. And good luck!
Gerry Smith
Monday, January 19, 2009
Win a free copy of new book, Music For Grown-Ups
Music For Grown-Ups, my new book, profiles 171 musicians from all genres. If I had to choose a Top 5, there would be some obvious contenders to consider, including: Dylan, Miles Davis, Bach, Mozart, Ella Fitzgerald, Hank Williams, Handel, Coltrane, the Rolling Stones and The Smiths/Morrissey.
But who are YOUR Top 5 Musicians For Grown-Ups - the five you prefer to listen to before all others?
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
All responding readers will be entered in a free draw and the winner will be selected by lucky dip.
Thanks in advance. And good luck!
Gerry Smith
But who are YOUR Top 5 Musicians For Grown-Ups - the five you prefer to listen to before all others?
Please email your ranked list (1 to 5) to info@musicforgrown-ups.com before the end of January and I’ll compile a readers’ ranking. Please use TOP 5 as your subject header.
All responding readers will be entered in a free draw and the winner will be selected by lucky dip.
Thanks in advance. And good luck!
Gerry Smith
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Key artists in your new book, Music For Grown-Ups?
Thanks to Clem Anderson:
“I’m intrigued by your new book, Music For Grown-Ups, and have ordered a copy from your site. Can we assume from the Home Page illustrations that Miles Davis, Dylan and Callas are the key artists?"
Not quite – but you only need to substitute JS Bach for Callas and then you do have my Holy Trinity! For full details, please click on the book cover at the top left of the Home Page of the master website:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
“I’m intrigued by your new book, Music For Grown-Ups, and have ordered a copy from your site. Can we assume from the Home Page illustrations that Miles Davis, Dylan and Callas are the key artists?"
Not quite – but you only need to substitute JS Bach for Callas and then you do have my Holy Trinity! For full details, please click on the book cover at the top left of the Home Page of the master website:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Top gigs of 2008
Thanks to Glen Colegate:
I only went to about 20 last year but the top 10 – if you’re interested – were:
Mark Oliver Everett – St James’ Church, Piccadilly, London – Jan. Twas the day his wonderful book came out and was a one-off acoustic show sans eels
Robert Plant/Alison Krauss – Wembley Arena – Tbone, buddy miller in the band...and front row tickets – perfect
Bob Dylan – Lorca, Spain – hot night, 3or 4 thousand people in a tiny bullring in a Spanish hill top town and Bob well up for it!
Fleet Foxes – University of London Union (ULU)- couple of weeks before the album came out and the buzz has already started – and they deliver big time
Jenny Lewis – Koko - it’s just like 1972 never happened – indie pin-up and crack band make loud noise - crikey!
Terry Reid – Borderline – didn’t wanna go after god-awful Ronnie Scott’s show a couple of years ago but with a yank stoner band, no booze inside him, a bit of inspiration and kicking off with Ballad of Easy Rider, the voice shows he’s back in the game
Neil Young - Hammersmith Apollo – he saw, he came, he did Ambulance Blues – yep – he did Ambulance Blues
Leonard Cohen – Brighton Centre – arena that only holds four and half thousand seated- much better than the o2 methinks!
I only went to about 20 last year but the top 10 – if you’re interested – were:
Mark Oliver Everett – St James’ Church, Piccadilly, London – Jan. Twas the day his wonderful book came out and was a one-off acoustic show sans eels
Robert Plant/Alison Krauss – Wembley Arena – Tbone, buddy miller in the band...and front row tickets – perfect
Bob Dylan – Lorca, Spain – hot night, 3or 4 thousand people in a tiny bullring in a Spanish hill top town and Bob well up for it!
Fleet Foxes – University of London Union (ULU)- couple of weeks before the album came out and the buzz has already started – and they deliver big time
Jenny Lewis – Koko - it’s just like 1972 never happened – indie pin-up and crack band make loud noise - crikey!
Terry Reid – Borderline – didn’t wanna go after god-awful Ronnie Scott’s show a couple of years ago but with a yank stoner band, no booze inside him, a bit of inspiration and kicking off with Ballad of Easy Rider, the voice shows he’s back in the game
Neil Young - Hammersmith Apollo – he saw, he came, he did Ambulance Blues – yep – he did Ambulance Blues
Leonard Cohen – Brighton Centre – arena that only holds four and half thousand seated- much better than the o2 methinks!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Dylan, Haydn, Handel
FREE! Music for grown-ups on the BBC in the next 10 days
Hidden among its vast TV and radio output, the BBC broadcasts some magnificent music for grown-ups every week of the year. And it’s all free - well, sort of….
Wed 14 Jan
1200 & 2200 Handel, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(3/5, continues Thurs-Fri)
Thurs 15 Jan
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC Radio 2
Sun 18 Jan
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC 6Music
Mon 19 Jan
1200 & 2200 Haydn, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(1/5, continues Tues-Fri)
Thurs 22 Jan
1400 Handel’s opera Agrippina Acts 1 & 2 – BBC Radio 3
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC Radio 2
Friday 23 Jan
1400 Handel’s opera Agrippina Act 3 – BBC Radio 3
2100 Folk America – Birth Of A Nation (1/3) – BBC4
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast live online - please see the channels’ web sites for details. Some BBC radio and TV programmes are also accessible online via iPlayer for a short period after transmission:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
And Dylan, Haydn and Handel are profiled in my new book, Music For Grown-Ups, published on 15 Jan 2009.
For full details, please click on the book cover at the top left of the Home Page of the master website:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
Hidden among its vast TV and radio output, the BBC broadcasts some magnificent music for grown-ups every week of the year. And it’s all free - well, sort of….
Wed 14 Jan
1200 & 2200 Handel, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(3/5, continues Thurs-Fri)
Thurs 15 Jan
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC Radio 2
Sun 18 Jan
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC 6Music
Mon 19 Jan
1200 & 2200 Haydn, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(1/5, continues Tues-Fri)
Thurs 22 Jan
1400 Handel’s opera Agrippina Acts 1 & 2 – BBC Radio 3
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC Radio 2
Friday 23 Jan
1400 Handel’s opera Agrippina Act 3 – BBC Radio 3
2100 Folk America – Birth Of A Nation (1/3) – BBC4
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast live online - please see the channels’ web sites for details. Some BBC radio and TV programmes are also accessible online via iPlayer for a short period after transmission:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
And Dylan, Haydn and Handel are profiled in my new book, Music For Grown-Ups, published on 15 Jan 2009.
For full details, please click on the book cover at the top left of the Home Page of the master website:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
Monday, January 12, 2009
Handel: Composer Of The Year, recommended in Music For Grown-Ups, the new book
Handel is one of four Composers Of The Year selected by BBC Radio 3 for 2009.
The major celebration concerns the broadcasting of every one of his 42 operas, which started last week. And this week, Handel’s the subject of the consistently fine Radio 3 series, Composer Of The Week, broadcast at 1200 and 2200 each weekday and online at:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Handel’s also highly recommended in Music For Grown-Ups – the book I’ve been working on while writing this daily column for the past six years – and now available.
Music For Grown-Ups - the book – celebrates 171 musicians from all genres, summarizing their art, recommending their best CDs and explaining why you might wish to give them a try.
Like the website, the book’s coverage is “seriously eclectic”, covering genres from rock to jazz, opera to country, blues to folk and many, many more.
Copies bought directly from the Music For Grown-Ups master website are supplied with an exclusive bonus not available from any retailer.
For full details, please click on the book cover at the top left of the Home Page of the master website:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
The major celebration concerns the broadcasting of every one of his 42 operas, which started last week. And this week, Handel’s the subject of the consistently fine Radio 3 series, Composer Of The Week, broadcast at 1200 and 2200 each weekday and online at:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Handel’s also highly recommended in Music For Grown-Ups – the book I’ve been working on while writing this daily column for the past six years – and now available.
Music For Grown-Ups - the book – celebrates 171 musicians from all genres, summarizing their art, recommending their best CDs and explaining why you might wish to give them a try.
Like the website, the book’s coverage is “seriously eclectic”, covering genres from rock to jazz, opera to country, blues to folk and many, many more.
Copies bought directly from the Music For Grown-Ups master website are supplied with an exclusive bonus not available from any retailer.
For full details, please click on the book cover at the top left of the Home Page of the master website:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Music For Grown-Ups – the brand new book – now available
Music For Grown-Ups – the book I’ve been working on while writing this daily column for the past six years – is now available.
Music For Grown-Ups - the book – celebrates 171 musicians from all genres, summarizing their art, recommending their best CDs and explaining why you might wish to give them a try.
Like the website, the book’s coverage is “seriously eclectic”, covering genres from rock to jazz, opera to country, blues to folk and many, many more.
Copies bought directly from the Music For Grown-Ups master website are supplied with an exclusive bonus not available from any retailer.
For full details, please click on the book cover at the top left of the Home Page of the master website:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
Music For Grown-Ups - the book – celebrates 171 musicians from all genres, summarizing their art, recommending their best CDs and explaining why you might wish to give them a try.
Like the website, the book’s coverage is “seriously eclectic”, covering genres from rock to jazz, opera to country, blues to folk and many, many more.
Copies bought directly from the Music For Grown-Ups master website are supplied with an exclusive bonus not available from any retailer.
For full details, please click on the book cover at the top left of the Home Page of the master website:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Handel, Dylan, Morrissey
FREE! Music for grown-ups on the BBC in the next 10 days
Hidden among its vast TV and radio output, the BBC broadcasts some magnificent music for grown-ups every week of the year. And it’s all free - well, sort of….
Wed 7 Jan
1200 & 2200 Purcell, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(3/5, continues Thurs-Fri)
Thurs 8 Jan
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC Radio 2
Sat 10 Jan
2300 Roy Orbison, Legends – BBC4
2400 Roy Orbison And Friends: A Black & White Night – BBC4
(2350, Morrissey, new single video – C4)
Sun 11 Jan
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC 6Music
Mon 12 Jan
1200 & 2200 Handel, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(1/5, continues Tues-Fri)
Thurs 15 Jan
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC Radio 2
Fri 16 Jan
2000 Karajan: Beauty As We See It – BBC4
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast live online - please see the channels’ web sites for details. Some BBC radio and TV programmes are also accessible online via iPlayer for a short period after transmission:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
And nearly all of the musicians listed above are profiled in my new book, Music For Grown-Ups, published on 15 Jan 2009 – details at:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
Hidden among its vast TV and radio output, the BBC broadcasts some magnificent music for grown-ups every week of the year. And it’s all free - well, sort of….
Wed 7 Jan
1200 & 2200 Purcell, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(3/5, continues Thurs-Fri)
Thurs 8 Jan
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC Radio 2
Sat 10 Jan
2300 Roy Orbison, Legends – BBC4
2400 Roy Orbison And Friends: A Black & White Night – BBC4
(2350, Morrissey, new single video – C4)
Sun 11 Jan
2400 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC 6Music
Mon 12 Jan
1200 & 2200 Handel, Composer Of The Week – BBC Radio 3
(1/5, continues Tues-Fri)
Thurs 15 Jan
2300 Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour – BBC Radio 2
Fri 16 Jan
2000 Karajan: Beauty As We See It – BBC4
Online access: many BBC radio programmes are broadcast live online - please see the channels’ web sites for details. Some BBC radio and TV programmes are also accessible online via iPlayer for a short period after transmission:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
And nearly all of the musicians listed above are profiled in my new book, Music For Grown-Ups, published on 15 Jan 2009 – details at:
www.musicforgrown-ups.com
Gerry Smith
Monday, January 05, 2009
Prog Rock: music for grown-ups? Well, yes, sort of
BBC Four’s suite of programmes on Prog Rock confirmed the view that even Prog has some music for grown-ups.
The genre both attracts and repels this listener. On the positive side:
* Prog encompassed some gifted musicians, notably Robert Fripp, Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman.
* its leading lights were clever innovators; they were creatively courageous in ditching rock’s blues roots; some of their mixing of rock with classical and jazz fusion worked well.
But much Prog is off-putting, mainly because:
* where the music has lyrics, they’re rarely worth listening to.
* even the best musicians veer towards over-indulgence.
* apart from the major players, the bands are so samey that they undermine the genre’s claim to be innovative.
That said, I enjoyed (re)discovering albums like In The Court Of The Crimson King – King Crimson, and The Ultimate Collection - Emerson, Lake & Palmer. I wouldn’t listen to them frequently, but they are engaging, musically interesting and challenge my prejudices.
But I didn’t linger long over The Ultimate Yes or anything by Caravan or Genesis.
Gerry Smith
The genre both attracts and repels this listener. On the positive side:
* Prog encompassed some gifted musicians, notably Robert Fripp, Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman.
* its leading lights were clever innovators; they were creatively courageous in ditching rock’s blues roots; some of their mixing of rock with classical and jazz fusion worked well.
But much Prog is off-putting, mainly because:
* where the music has lyrics, they’re rarely worth listening to.
* even the best musicians veer towards over-indulgence.
* apart from the major players, the bands are so samey that they undermine the genre’s claim to be innovative.
That said, I enjoyed (re)discovering albums like In The Court Of The Crimson King – King Crimson, and The Ultimate Collection - Emerson, Lake & Palmer. I wouldn’t listen to them frequently, but they are engaging, musically interesting and challenge my prejudices.
But I didn’t linger long over The Ultimate Yes or anything by Caravan or Genesis.
Gerry Smith
Friday, January 02, 2009
Prog Rock: music for grown-ups?
It’s a central commandment of this web site that every music genre contains at least some music for grown-ups.
Even Prog Rock? Genesis? ELP? King Crimson?
Well the commandment’s about to be tested to destruction by BBC Four TV’s series of Prog programmes to be broadcast tonight and over the weekend.
You can watch them online:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Let me know whether you agree that Prog – yes, even Prog - has at least some music for grown-ups!
Gerry Smith
Even Prog Rock? Genesis? ELP? King Crimson?
Well the commandment’s about to be tested to destruction by BBC Four TV’s series of Prog programmes to be broadcast tonight and over the weekend.
You can watch them online:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
Let me know whether you agree that Prog – yes, even Prog - has at least some music for grown-ups!
Gerry Smith
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Beck, Roberto Alagna, Pentangle: least loved gigs of 2008
Having raved about some great gigs I saw last year, it’s only fair to add that there were a handful which I didn’t enjoy – not one jot.
Notable among them were:
* Beck
* Roberto Alagna
* Pentangle
I’ll resist the temptation to go into detail – preferring to praise great music rather than whine about it when it doesn’t come off – but these three were among the least enjoyable live shows I’ve ever attended. In all three cases, I’m keen on the artists/legacy but was underwhelmed by the performances.
Gerry Smith
Notable among them were:
* Beck
* Roberto Alagna
* Pentangle
I’ll resist the temptation to go into detail – preferring to praise great music rather than whine about it when it doesn’t come off – but these three were among the least enjoyable live shows I’ve ever attended. In all three cases, I’m keen on the artists/legacy but was underwhelmed by the performances.
Gerry Smith
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