bbc 4

Listen to “The Voices Of…” Richard Dawson

~ Michael Stevenson ~ Leave a comment

Released On: 29 Jul 2019

For a man whose musical demeanour comes across as rough-hewn with a potency that’s barely contained, Richard Dawson in person is gentle with a soft smile and opinions that are precisely worded though almost tentatively shared. He admits to a high level of everyday anxiety, yet has left a mark on contemporary folk music in England that testifies to an innate confidence in his musical vision.

His albums (notably Nothing Important of 2014 and Peasant in 2017), as well as being critically acclaimed, have taken folk music into new territory that’s at once ancient and avant-garde. Speaking at his home in the north-east of England, Richard reflects on the particular qualities of his voice, the life that music has opened up to him and his ever-present companion, Trouble the cat.

Presented and produced by Alan Hall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio Four

Richard Dawson

Fortunately… with Fi and Jane, 89. Our Audience Overheats: some favourite Fortunately moments

~ Michael Stevenson ~ Leave a comment

i nd Jane

Shaun Keaveny guides us through some choice bits of the podcast from the past couple of years. These include appearances from Miriam Margoyles, Ed Miliband, Susannah Reid and London Hughes. Along with many other interesting encounters there’s also tales of Royal Weddings, blow by blow accounts of shoe shop tantrums, reports of unusual cervical inspections and eulogies for Dwarf Hamsters…all courtesy of Fi and Jane.

Source: BBC Radio 4 – Fortunately… with Fi and Jane, 89. Our Audience Overheats: some favourite Fortunately moments.

This Scene In Derry Girls Was The Most Irish Thing On TV

~ Michael Stevenson ~ Leave a comment

The beloved Derry Girls danced to one of the biggest Irish songs in last night’s episode of the hit Channel 4 show.

Derry Girls is truly the perfect show for giving anyone a good laugh, and last night’s episode was no exception.

Let’s start with the fact that Aunt Sarah casually showed up to a wedding in a white dress almost identical to the bride’s — it’s safe to say the first Derry Girls wedding went out with a bang.

What really had us in stitches was when the song Rock the Boat came on and and nothing has ever been more relatable.

Source: This Scene In Derry Girls Was The Most Irish Thing On TV

BBC Radio 4 – Short Cuts, Series 17, The Gloaming

~ Michael Stevenson ~ Leave a comment

Josie Long presents new short documentaries on searching for hope in the gathering dark.

John McCarthy and Brian Keenan look back on a single act of human kindness that glows amid much darker memories, a late night conversation explores the hope bound up in playing the lottery, and we hear as voices fade in a Danish hospice.

The Gloaming
Featuring John McCarthy and Brian Keenan
Produced by Geoff Bird

Stream or Download at: BBC Radio 4 – Short Cuts, Series 17, The Gloaming

100th Episode TV Special, The Infinite Monkey Cage

~ Michael Stevenson ~ Leave a comment

 

Brian Cox and Robin Ince present a TV special of their hit science/comedy panel show.

Brian Cox and Robin Ince celebrate the 100th episode of their hit science/comedy show, by inviting some very well known monkey cage alumni to join them. Brian Blessed, Eric Idle, Katy Brand, Dave Gorman and Andy Hamilton (to name a few) take to the stage to consider what has been learnt since Episode 1, back in November 2009. Joining them are science royalty, including Alice Roberts, American astrophysicist Neil De Grasse Tyson, Prof Sue Black and Prof Fay Dowker, to look at the big scientific discoveries that have happened in the time since Brian and Robin first hit the airwaves.

Watch: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06dmygk/player

Source: 100th Episode TV Special, The Infinite Monkey Cage – BBC Radio 4