Selecting my favourite tunes of 2022 has not come so easy this year, but listening back to releases and discoveries from during the past twelve months is always a useful process in itself. Updating a playlist regularly called 'Now Playing: in my Embassy Ballroom' keeps me on top of things to an extent. That names … Continue reading Sounds of 2022
Listening
Celebrating Janice Long
Yesterday (13th January, 2022) was the funeral and celebration of the life of Janice Long. The news of her death on Christmas Day as 2021 came to a close, hit me like a kick in the gut. I was simply devastated, and my heart went out to her family – husband Paul, children Blue and … Continue reading Celebrating Janice Long
Sounds of 2021
With more time to spend listening this year, I have made twenty selections for my 'Sounds of 2021' playlist. 'Unwrapping' my musical tastes thanks to a music algorithm is not really my way. Last year I was told that the genre that best typified me was 'Seattle Indie'? This year, I'm told that 'Chamber Psyche' … Continue reading Sounds of 2021
Sounds of 2020
It has been tough to pick twelve tracks which represent my favourite 'Sounds of 2020', but these are my best attempt to do so. With a neurological condition that suppresses my immune system, like many, I have been shielding for most of the year. It has meant that the radio, and in particular, music has … Continue reading Sounds of 2020
Down With The Kids – Polyhymns’ sound of parenthood and isolation in the digital age is with me in lockdown
I’ve tended to withdraw from social media to a great extent while I’ve been shielding during the lockdown. It was getting a bit too much. It’s no overstatement to say that music has been a real lifeline during the last couple of months, and one track in particular in recent days has done the business. … Continue reading Down With The Kids – Polyhymns’ sound of parenthood and isolation in the digital age is with me in lockdown
Sounds of 2019
It's that time of year when lists of favourite albums of the year, or 'Sounds of 2019' are compiled. This year, I've decided to put together two lists. The first is my 'Sounds of 2019' - albums released this year which I've been introduced to through tracks played on UK radio. A huge thanks to … Continue reading Sounds of 2019
DJ culture
Chris is a DJ. God, Annie is a superstar DJ. Both are on the radio. James on the other hand is a podcast presenter (although he is on the radio too). Krishnan is a podcast presenter (and on the telly). Whatever the difference is between radio DJs and podcast presenters, podcasts provide an excellent long-form … Continue reading DJ culture
Late Junction – we must not lose this connection
Radio is my best friend. I know it is the same for many people. BBC Radio is a particular treasure. Having worked as a press officer in BBC Radio back in the mists of time, I know all too well of the public service mission that the various stations have a duty to deliver, as … Continue reading Late Junction – we must not lose this connection
Best of 2018
As ever, it has been a tough call pulling together my top tracks of the year, but in what has been a difficult year due to deaths in the family, and against the backdrop of stagnant cesspit of national politics, it has been a usefully therapeutic exercise. I've included links to videos of my twelve … Continue reading Best of 2018
Maltings radio project takes to the air
The Farnham Maltings is using the occasion of World Radio Day on Monday 13 February to announce that it is to launch its own radio project – and it wants the community to get involved. ‘Sound Vault’ will take to the air in the next year, and will seek to create a ‘radio space for … Continue reading Maltings radio project takes to the air
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