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Author (#1189)March 2008 Archives

Scary haired 80s pop pic...

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As I just mentioned on the show it was Will to Power who had a hit with a 'mash up' ( Although they didn't call em that back then. Medley perhaps...) of Baby I Love Your Way and Freebird.Here's the pic so we can all remind ourselves just what passed for style back then...

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Country stars...

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Although I spent Friday night presenting , I spent the rest of my weekend with 'country stars' of a different kind.

The were held at Hollyrood Park in Edinburgh. It was thirty years since the event was last held in Scotland and for the thousands who turned up to support, it was a chance to see the stars of world athletics close up.

On a brilliantly designed course, spectators got so close that you could get splashed by the mud as the fastest men and women in the world ran by at a breathtaking pace.

After his record breaking win in Edinburgh, Kenenisa Bekele is rightly acclaimed as the greatest cross country runner of all time. Seeing him run by us in in Hollyrood Park was, as Hugh McDonald in the wonderfully described it, "like walking into a local snug bar and seeing Pele playing dominoes."

Bekele caused 10,000 people to gasp when his shoe came off early in the race. Despite losing 50 places in the race, he clawed his way back to the front and went on to take the gold. It was like he was saying, 'Man I'm so good I can stop to tie my laces and still beat the lot of you!'

As part of the commentary team for the weekend I was lucky enough to stay at the athletes' village. It was a privilege to see close up how these people prepare for a big race. The biggest eye opener was the amount of food they put away. A bowl of cereal, one bowl of porridge, four or five slices of toast and a couple of pancakes was pretty typical.

After a breakfast like that I would struggle to walk to the other end of the kitchen, never mind run a race.

It was a weekend of unforgettable sporting action with the young athlete relays on the Saturday morning, the thousand brave souls who tackled the 5k up Arthur’s Seat on Sunday morning, the return of a home countries international on the Saturday afternoon, and of course the main races on the Sunday afternoon.

I was a bit worried about my voice for the show as I had spent the weekend commentating on the Welcome The World races and then spent Sunday afternoon running around the course with my mates, shouting ourselves hoarse cheering on Andrew Lemoncello the sole Scot in team GB.

The 25 year old runner from St Andrews gave it his best shot but struggled with a stitch in the third lap. Earlier in the week Andrew had urged Scotland's young athletes to come along and be inspired by the world's best.

They can't fail to have been inspired by what they saw at the weekend. I may not be young or particularly athletic, but when I ran to work next morning there was a spring in my step that definitely wasn't there before the weekend.

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Next week's themes...

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I am a bit late with this week's themes as I've been working at the world cross country in Edinburgh over the weekend. ( More on that later) So, apologies to all those folk who like to get their Get It On suggestions for the week organised at the weekend.

Last week's 'long songs' revisited theme was the busiest of the week and one of the busiest nights we've had. Apart from a couple of minor issues with listen again and me not getting my tea till 9 0' clock, the two hour Get It On was a big success. So much so that......ach well I am not supposed to say anything. Just wait....

Without further ado, here are your themes. Get posting your comments below:

Monday:
Baby I Love You, Bye Bye Baby, Maybe Baby can you see where we might be heading for tonight's theme? E-mail in your suggestions or why not leave a comment on the blog...

Tuesday:
April Fool's day so jokers, pranks and tricks are on the agenda tonight. From Tears of a Clown to That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore...

Wednesday:
Raymie in Consett is one of a number of people who have suggested Bryan behind bars as a theme. Get ready for some real Jailhouse Rock with your favourite prison songs ...

Thursday:
Tonight we return to 'forgotten Scottish gems', the home grown talent that you forgot all about. From Fiction Factory to The Fire Engines. E-mail in with the bands you'd like to hear again ...

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The longest night...

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It's the much awaited return of long songs tonight and to mark the occassion we have an extended show. The good news is that means two hours of time to fit in your suggestions, however it does me 'double shift' for me. " How will you cope with having to play cds for two hours instead of the one?" mocked my mate Stewart.
Lined up so far are tracks by Dylan, Blondie and The Eagles. Get yours in by leaving a comment below. I was impressed by the list that arrived from Ian Lyall. Not only has he come up with crackign tracks he's even gone to the bother of timing them...

Blondie, 'Rapture', 6'.33" from Auto American. Joe Satriani, just coz he's playing Glasgow in May, 'Big Bad Moon' 5'.13" from Flying in a Blue Dream. ZZ Top, 'I Need You Tonite', 6'.14" from Eliminator. Pentangle, 'Pentangling', 7'.02", now that'll take you back 30 odd years! Now, Led Zep, 'Dazed and Confused' 6'.26", 'Stairway to Heaven', 8'.00", 'Since I've Been Loving You',7'.24", 'Kashmir',8'.31", 'Achilles Last Stand', 10'.22" or 'In My Time of Dying', 11'.04". Got to have one! Deep Purple, 'Smoke on the Water', 7'.18". Chris Rea, a choice of two from 'Road to Hell', either 'Texas', creeps in at 5'.02" or 'Road to Hell parts 1 and 2' 9'.22". Queen, 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 5'.55". U2, 'All I Want is You', 6'.30" from Rattle & Hum. Neil Young, 'Inca Queen', 7'.58" from Life. Now, check this out, Joe Bonamassa, 'Tea for One', about 8' from You and Me (played the Arches a couple of weeks ago, just brill). Crosby Stills & Nash, 'Suite Judy Blue Eyes' about 7', Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, 'Please Read the Letter', 5'.53" from the absolutely stunning album Raising Sand, this frankly is a must !! Neil Young, again, no apologies either, 'Southern Man', 5'.41", from After the Gold Rush, or 'Cortez the Killer', 9'.26" from Weld. Bon Jovi, 'Bed of Roses', 6'.34" from Keep the Faith. Dire Straits, 'Private Investigations', 5'.45". Simple Minds, 'Belfast Child', 6'.40". Steppenwolf, 'The Pusher', 5'.47". Two from Guns n'Roses, 'Sweet Child o' Mine', 5'.55" or 'November Rain', 8'.55" The Who, 'Won't Get Fooled Again', 8'.32". The Rolling Stones. 'Sympathy for the Devil', 6'.23". And finally as a post script would Tubular Bells, side 1 25'.00" or side 2 23'.50" count as a track ? Can't think of anything longer!
Trust you'll surely find something in that lot ! ( Plant and Krauss would be my pick . . . if you haven't listened to this album, then you absolutely must)
Regards
Iain lyall, Hamilton

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Meet the team...

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If you call in with your request for the show ( 0500-92-95-00 lines open at five past six) then it's Mark who will answer the phone. He's a cheery sort although we often refer to him as 'prince of darkness' as he prefers to switch off all the lights in the phone booth and take your calls in the dark with only the ghostly glow of a computer screen illuminating his face. It does freak me out I have to say. Anyway, here's the essential facts on 'the prince'...

Mark:

My job is: I answer phones, print emails/texts and smile!

I am currently listening to: Devo, 1990s, Bis, Blur, Sons and Daughters, Datapanik, The Matchsticks, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Aliens, The Who and Northern Soul.

Celebrity I most closely resemble: This face is a one off!

I would describe my style as: Awesome!

I love: Get It On. Clothes. Hair. Music. Films. Sunshine.

I hate: Johnny Borrell.

What I’ll be having for my tea after the show: I'd have to ask my mum.

Thing I most enjoy about working on this show: I absolutely love how different and eclectic the songs played on the show are and I'm genuinely impressed by the dedication shown to playing the public's requests.

Bryan’s most annoying habit:
I haven't worked with Bryan long enough to detect any annoying habits though he does play a worrying amount of Deacon Blue?!

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Love Story

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We have been talking today about how we would do 'the story of a relationship' as a theme for a show. It could be great fun but hard to get the texts and calls in on time to tell the next chapter of the 'story'.

Paul has pointed out that all my suggestions of a closing song ( All By Myself, It's Over) presume that all relationships end up in heartache and pain. Oh, he's so young. His time will come...

Morag in Edinburgh has come up with some good suggestions for this theme and they are a lot more optimistic than mine:

Baby let me take you home - the Animals
Will you - Hazel O'Connor (great song - just full of the feel of
teenage longing and anticipation, all about the point a relationship
turns serious)
I need your love so bad - Pete Green's Fleetwood Mac
Going to the Chapel - The Crystals
Wonderful tonight - Eric Clapton (if I hear the lyrics right, all
about a drunk but affectionate man relying on his wife to drive him
home from a party! How many songs are there about that sort of basic
stuff from a marriage?)

You could then go down the route towards D.I.V.O.R.C.E. but lets be
optimistic -

Love is only sleeping - the Monkees
Lets stick together - Bryan Ferry
Together again - Jools Holland

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Next week's themes...

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Thanks for a great response last week. Some of the best shows yet. We will return to the 'forgotten Scottish gems' show next week, but for now here's what is coming up on this week's shows...


Mon:
Tonight is a holiday Monday special. Provided I haven't exploded after scoffing too much chocolate, I will be lining up an hour of feel good favourites and some of the classic songs we haven’t had a chance to play. We will be live on Monday night so if you are out and about enjoying the Easter holiday then feel free to text or call in and request a track..

Tues:
Today is Elton John’s birthday so for tonight’s show, it's Elton’s greatest bits – as chosen by you. In the past our listeners have gone for some of the less well known Elton John tracks like Skyline Pigeon or I'm Gonna Be A Teenage Idol. Why not send an e-mail and request a favourite track to share with the rest of us...

Wed:
Madonna,Marmalade, Lynda or even the one in red? It’s Ladies night tonight, a theme suggested by Radio Scotland announcer Brian Ford who reeled off about twenty of them into my headphones the other week. Post a comment on the blog or send an e-mail to getiton@bbc.co.uk with your suggestions...

Thursday:
By popular demand, it’s the return of long songs and we’ve got an extra long show to do it in. It's going to be a two hour Get It On tonight which means I will be able to make a decent stab at playing the kind of songs that don't normally get radio airplay. E-mail in your lengthy epics or call and text during the two hours...

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"Be nice to each other..."

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Tonight's theme is 'Mr and Mrs' ... that's songs that have Mr or Mrs in the title and not anything to do with the couthy which was the 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' of it's day - or maybe 'Who Wants To Win A Carriage Clock' would have been more appropriate.
Bobby in Howwood was confused by the theme, but not as confused as he will be when he tunes into Scotland at Ten and hears Scotland's politicians being grilled by the bloke that he thought did Mr and Mrs...

"When I first read the category for Thursday, I thought it might have had something to do with that great old show on Anglian (?) TV with Derek Bateman where husbands and wives were quizzed on their knowledge, or lack thereof, of each others little foibles and habits. "
Bobby from Howwood


Derek Bateman, presenter of Scotland at Ten


Derek Batey, presenter of Mr and Mrs

Bobby does go on to tell a hilarious ( and unprintable) urban myth about Mr and Mrs which involves Derek batey/Bateman asking contestants their favourite place to make love. Not a question that would have slipped through the net at Border TV in the 70s...

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Christian rock...

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I have a feeling that tonight’s ‘neglected Scottish bands’ show is going to be a cracker. Your texts and e-mails started coming in during last night’s show and haven’t stopped since.

Paul has spent most of the afternoon dubbing old vinyl singles on the only turntable that still remains in our all digital headquarters.

There have been some amazing discoveries alongside some truly awful things that should never have made it out of the 1980.

I’ve already lined up a great song by The Revillos to start the show, there’s a couple of post punk classics to squeeze in and tonight Christian gets played on ´óĎó´ŤĂ˝ Radio Scotland for probably the first time in 20 years. For this I have to take full responsibility.

Some good comments coming in on the e-mail and I’ll try and post a few of them on the blog as the night goes on…

Here's the first from Scott in Rutherglen. Totally agree with his comments about Roddy Frame:

"As in my text last night I think the Trash Can Sinatras were seriously overlooked for some reason, perhaps Frank Reed(er)’s drunken stage antics didn’t endear him to the music press....whatever, you played ‘Obscurity Knocks’ several weeks ago, and would be great to hear that again, but anything from ‘Cake’ would be fanastic, especially ‘Only Tongue Can Tell’. Or ‘Weightlifitng’ or ‘The Safecracker’... all brilliant clever lyrics, and beautifully crafted tunes.
My other completely underrated ( and in my opinion, neglected) band is Roddy Frame/Aztec Camera. I know he has had some success, and some very good success around the Working In A Goldmine era, however that success is totally minute considering the amount of talent the guy has. So can I propose ‘Small World’ from his ‘Surf’ solo album? As the theme-song from ´óĎó´ŤĂ˝2 show After Hours, it also reminds me of working for John W Hannay in East Kilbride, who actually owned the company MustDestroy.com that Roddy refers to in the lyrics – and I bet the East Kilbride boy living in East London at the time had no idea that the company was owned by another company from his home town. It is indeed a small world...."

Colin from Dundee:
"I know it's been played on the show before, but can I ask for Win's "You've Got the Power", the 80's song made famous by the lager advert. The main reason this is such a neglected gem is that it is so difficult to get hold of - a rare CD of the album this song comes from went for ÂŁ150 on eBay. It took me more than five years of searching to get hold of a decent copy! The record may be long deleted but listeners can indulge their nostagia by watching the original lager advert on YouTube!"

Davy in Glasgow:
"Re Wednesday's programme, I hear The Poets are being asked for. From their
earlier incarnation, check out "That's The Way It's Got To be" or the
ethereal "I'm So Blue". From their later days, as The Blues Poets, (Used
to gig Sunday afternoons in The Scotia Bar, Glasgow) on the album made to accompany the James Kelman play, "One, Two, Hey!" (in which the band acted), play "Girl of the North Country" or "Louie Louie".
Then There's Chou Pahrot (Chow Parrot). For it's bizarre Frank Zappa meets
The Sex Pistols Meets Pinky and Perky... "Lemons" (for your face, sitting on
a sideboard. Lemons for your face. Lemons, Lemons, Lemons.)
One of your listeners talks of always fitting a Roxy Music song to any
theme. I always hit on Alex Harvey/SAHB songs. How about setting a
battle of the bands competition on a theme one night?"

Annette:
"Would love to hear "Shoot You Down" or indeed anything by APB on tonight's show. Brilliant band from Aberdeen that mixed punk and funk grooves in their own style, much under-rated. I saw them play live many times in the 80s and their gigs were always full of energy. I'm sure hearing them again will rekindle fond memories for a lot of listeners like myself. Their sound still stands up well today. I hope you can give them an airing."

I love this story from DC in Cellardyke:
"Bryan, way back in the early 1960’s, my mum used to run a boarding house in Cellardyke. At that time, a Glasgow group by the name of the “Beatstalkers” were trying to make it into the big time and needed a quiet holiday to help them write the song which would get them into the “big time”. The Beatstalkers arrived and spent a few days staying with us and even managed a fishing trip in my dad’s wee creel boat. The group did have a minor hit (1965?).
About the same time, another group visited the old lady who stayed across the road. We didn’t think anything about it but we subsequently discovered that old Mrs Wilson’s nephew was Ian Stewart and that his musician pals were none other than Jagger, Richards and the rest of the Rolling Stones!!
More recently, KT Tunstall and King Creosote met just down the street as the early Fence Collective.
Not bad for a corner of a wee toon in darkest East Neuk o’ Fife!!
Have you got the Beatstalkers handy? It would be good to hear them again!"

Keith from Kirkcaldy:
"There's one artist who is simply crying out to be heard - that's Jerry Burns, from Glasgow, who's eponymous album in 1992 was a superb collection of haunting, melancholic songs distinguished by Jerry's stunning voice. If you could play "Pale Red", which was a single at the time, I'll be very happy and the listeners will be in for a treat.
I'll never understand why she didn't come to greater prominence at the time but there's still hope that people will rediscover her. She's done a few things since then, including a collaboration with Craig Armstrong, and apparently has an album that could be released this year. Perhaps some exposure on your show could be the starting point. I'd love to see her first album get re-released as well (it's very hard to find) and will fill a gap in my collection - I lost my copy of the LP a few years ago:( "

Mike Tough:
"I have only one suggestion for tonight, and it refers to a band I first became aware of through my cousin who lived in France at the time, as he still does now.
He sent me a tape of The Silencers' first (?) album - A Letter From St. Paul - and I loved it. You could play anything from that LP and I would be a happy man, as would many more of your listeners, I'm sure (especially if they were men, I might add).
I just checked ebay for the CD, and only one copy available for about ÂŁ23, so if you can't access it I will understand due to its scarceness. However, I can always dig out the cassette from the loft, but I have nowt left to play it on such is my technologically advanced state. Play it, or not, I'm sure I shall enjoy the show as much as ever."

Phew - my head is buzzing after that show. It's 7 minutes past 7 and I am really tempted just to push up the faders and go back on air again. Thanks for the response to one of the best shows we've ever done. A great range of muisc, some really interesting e-mails, lovely comments and a chance to take ourselves back in time when we were young music fans out at gigs all the time and buying albums and singles like they were going our of fashion.

THANK YOU.

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Next week's themes...

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Looking forward to another good week of themes. Wednesday's 'Scottish gems' show should be really interesting. If possible try and get your suggestions in as early as possible so we can track down some of the hard to find singles. best way is either to e-mail or leave a comment on the blog...

Monday
From Caledonia to Cambodia, it’s countries in song that’s been suggested by Brian from Pittenweem for tonight’s show. E-mail getiton@bbc.co.uk with your suggestions…

Tuesday
Following last Tuesday’s “same title-different song” theme, JD in Glasgow suggested that this week we do the same again but play the alternate version. Last week it was Ryan Adams’ New York, New York, tonight it could be Frank's. I won't fill the whole show with those as I still want to have time for some new suggestions as well.

Wednesday
From Bourgie Bourgie to Fiction Factory, tonight we are celebrating the neglected gems of the Scottish music scene. If there’s a Scottish band you haven’t heard in years then e-mail getiton@bbc.co.uk. Oh, and the good news is that we have managed to find Christian's album!

Thursday
Astrid in Edinburgh came up with tonight’s theme of ‘Mr or Mrs’ songs. We’ll also accept the odd Miss, Madam or Master. We have been trying to think of some good ones over the past few days and we have now got a huge list on the whiteboard in the office, so I am expecting this to be a really popular theme. I'd love to hear your suggestions, so post a comment on the blog and we'l try and get them on for you on Thursday night.

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Sock it to 'em...

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Sport Relief Weekend is here and it got off to a good start this morning with Fred McCauley and his team attempting a four minute mile. You can hear how they got on by listening again.

I went along to support and to indulge in a bit of role reversal. Just for once, it was a chance for presenters to scream and shout at producers and tell them they need to work a bit harder!

Fred's team did really well and there were some strong runs. Well done folks. There was good support for the team including the head of Radio Scotland who was pacing up and down trackside in his overcoat and looking like Jose Marinho (OK, not that much like Jose Marinho!).

Your chance to run a mile comes on Sunday morning. Details of your nearest mile are on the . I will be MC'ing the Glasgow event which kicks off at 10:45 on Glasgow Green.

I hope you are able to put on your red socks and come and join us for a bit of healthy fun. The money you raise will be spent by Comic Relief to transform lives here in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries. They do all the hard work, all you have to do is some along on Sunday and go that extra mile...

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I’ve often thought about doing a programme based around one song and I have to say Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah would be a contender.

Jeff Buckley’s version of the much covered classic is somewhat unbelievably in America after it was performed on American Idol last week.

Amusingly the king of pap, Simon Cowell was quick to point out that Buckley’s Hallelujah was one of his “favourite ever songs.” This from the man who signed Westlife and brought the world Robson and Jerome.

The song has been featured in many films and TV shows over the years including Shrek, ER, Hollyoaks and memorably in The West Wing. ( Over the sequence in series 3 where CJ’s secret service boyfriend gets killed. Heartbreaking!)

Buckley’s version brought the song to a wider audience of music lovers ( and Cowell) and was rightly acclaimed. However it’s also been covered by Rufus Wainright, Katherine Williams, kd lang and …. dare I say it, Bon Jovi. Why not post a comment and let me know which one tops your list of covers?

For me kd’s live version of the song is truly breathtaking and if my producer Matt is wondering why I was glued to my screen this afternoon with my headphones on and something mysteriously “stuck in my eye", it was because I was watching .

I saw her on New York recently and loved her as much as this critic from the New York Times:

"Possessed of one of the world’s most beautiful and steady pop voices, she flexes her instrument like a sleepy cat stretching on a carpet. As she unabashedly luxuriates in the sound that she makes, her showmanship and sheer enjoyment of playing the diva transform the angst and self-questioning of her lyrics into a personal credo: If you can manage all that pain and longing, emotional turbulence can be pleasurable."

I can exlusively reveal that "one of the world's most beautiful voices" is coming to Edinburgh in July to play at The Festival Theatre. Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning. See you in the queue.

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Same theme;different show...

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Last night's 'same title;different song' theme was a big success. Lots of people came up with doublers and even the odd triple title. Derek Manson reckoned he was the winner by suggesting seven different songs called 'Call me'. they were:

Petula Clark
Blondie
Aretha Franklin
Al Green
Go West
Skyy
Johnny Mathis

JD in Glasgow came up with a brilliant idea and suggested that next Tuesday we do the same show but play the alternate versions. What do you think? Here's what we played last night, so get thinking about the other versions (and some new ones) for next Tuesday...

Title: New York New York
Artist: Ryan Adams

Title: Sign Of The Times
Artist: Belle Stars

Title: Twist and Shout
Artist: Deacon Blue

Title: My Girl
Artist: Madness

Title: Love Song
Artist: The Damned

Title: Valerie
Artist: Steve Winwood

Title: America
Artist: Simon and Garfunkel

Title: Angel Eyes
Artist: Roxy Music

Title: Wednesday Week
Artist: The Undertones

Title: Temptation
Artist: New Order

Title: Crazy
Artist: Seal

Title: Dancing in The Moonlight
Artist: Thin Lizzy

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A right mash-up

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Saint Delia in the good old days...

It’s awful when your heroes let you down. When the people whose ideals and values you have lived by suddenly abandon all that they stood for. Imagine you’ve looked up to someone for years and years and then one night they tell you that everything you have worked for can be brushed under the carpet and it's ok to cheat.

I am referring not to Dwain Chambers but to Delia Smith. Last night was the much awaited return of The godmother of TV chefs. Like millions of other Delia fans I sat down to watch for the first time in six years.

I knew the new series was all about ‘shortcuts’ but I’m sorry, I wasn’t prepared for tinned mince!

Now I know how Dylan fans must have felt when he walked on stage at Newport festival with an electric guitar. In the eyes of folk fans that was his frozen mash moment.

Just like the moment when Dylan plugged in and changed music forever, some of us will never forget the moment we saw her reach for the frozen mash from a packet - and this from a woman who has written entire chapters on how to make the perfect mashed potato.

A moment of utter betrayal. I am sure I wasn’t the only person screaming ‘Judas’ at the TV last night.

The strange hockey pucks of frozen mash seemed to feature in everything from chocolate cake to soup.

And then there was the revolting looking Peruvian salad using frozen potato wedges and cottage cheese. It looked like the kind of technicolour delight you see on the pavement outside kebab shops at three in the morning.

Looking at some of the online food blogs ("This could have been hosted by Kerry Katona!") I am assuming that unlike cranberries and omlette pans, the makers of tinned mince shouldn't prepare themselves for the big rush.

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It’s not very realistic or achievable, but I want every show I work on to be the best it can possibly be. That means if we have to put in extra hours, do the donkey work and stop at nothing to find the right songs then so be it. It’s worth it.

All of this can be tough on the production team. However, earlier today I went too far. Today was the first time I made a ´óĎó´ŤĂ˝ producer beg for mercy. Barely able to stand on her shaky legs, she refused to do any more and pleaded, “Stop now Bryan. I am not doing any more…I think I’m going to be sick!”

That may sound like what goes on behind the scenes in the studio, but this was in front of the building, not behind closed doors.

Before my reputation ends up in tatters , I should explain that I was doing a good thing. I had volunteered to take Karen, one of Fred’s producers out for a lunchtime run to help with the training for their four minute mile for Sport Relief.

10 x 100m sprints in the pouring rain is not everyone’s idea of how to spend your lunch hour but I think Karen enjoyed it. And as I explained to her , thinking you’re going to be sick and actually being sick are two different things altogether!

You’ll hear more about the Fred team and their challenge to do a four minute mile on tonight’s show. If you are going to text in then send them an encouraging word along with your sporting anthem.

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Next week's themes...

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Judging by the e-mails that have come in already it looks like it's going to be another busy week. The no smoking/smoking theme in particular looks like it's going to be a cracker...


Monday
It’s the run up to Sport Relief and as the Fred MacAuley team attempt to break the four minute mile, this is our chance to to encourage them with some sporting anthems. Workout songs, treadmill tunes and the pop that gets you pounding the pavements. Email getiton@bbc.co.uk or leave a comment on the blog

Tuesday
This theme came about after Hugh in Glasgow texted to clarify that when he asked me to play 'Alfie' he meant Divine Comedy's 'Alfie' and not Cilla's. I remembered that a theme of same title;different song had been suggested. A couple of examples are Music by Madonna or is it John Miles? Or what about Angel eyes by Abba or is it Roxy Music? I do like Alan Comrie's e-mail though: ""The Power of Love" by Jennifer Rush, Frankie, and Huey Lewis. Three different songs, three different artists and all equally bad so don't play any of them!"

Wednesday
Meriel Deans from Edinburgh has pointed out today is No Smoking Day and suggests we make that our theme for tonight. She says that Give It Up by KC & The Sunshine Band would be appropriate. So let's have your smokin' tunes ... and the no-smokin tunes!

Thursday
Julie in Inverpolly suggested ‘shapes’ for tonight’s theme. That could be anything from Hip To Be Square to Circle of Life. Why not post a comment on on the blog with your favourite or call and text during the show...

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More bird stuff...

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Talking of the 'or-kestrels', there's a good in The Guardian today about bands who have comitted commercial suicide. It seems that with the release of one duff album, OMD managed to lose 90% of their fan base.
Wonder if 'the albums that killed their careers' could be a future Get It On theme?

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In a flap over birds...

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It’s been an incredibly busy week on Get It On – both on and off air. I get used to it, but it’s interesting to see the reaction when a new person comes to work on the show.

My usual production assistant Paul was off ill yesterday, so Kirsten stepped in. She’s got a reputation for being fantastically organised so I was delighted to have her on the show.

However, no amount of preparation can prepare you for the onslaught of texts and e-mails on a busy Get It On. It’s was funny to see the normally cool and collected Kirsten swamped by a mountain of paper, totally red of face, and brandishing a highlighter pen like Andy Murray’s tennis racket.

As always, I feel guilty about the amount of stuff we don’t get around to mentioning, never mind playing. But as I hinted at last night that may change in the next couple of months. Can’t say anything else at the moment though…

‘Birds’ was great fun as a theme. Loved the suggestions for The Partridge Family, De Doo Doo Doo and the guy who asked for Or-kestrel Manoeuvres In The Dark.

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A Rave run...

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There’s just twenty five days to go till Edinburgh hosts the World Cross Country Championships - the first time it’s been held in Scotland for thirty years.

Scotland has a strong tradition of organising cross country races as the first recorded club cross country run was staged in Milngavie in 1885.

One thing’s for sure, when you run a cross country race in Scotland it’s going to be the real deal. We’re not talking about a couple of laps round a bit of sun scorched grass. You want hills, you want rain, you want freezing cold – we got em!

I’m delighted to be taking part in the world championships…although it’s only fair to point out that my cross country spikes will be staying at home!

Instead I’ll be hosting the young athlete relay races which kick off the action packed weekend in Edinburgh. I’ll be joined by ´óĎó´ŤĂ˝ Scotland’s Raven who will be starting the race as well as supporting Team Raven.

Team Raven is made up of the three fastest boys and girls from the national cross country championships, so it will be a real showcase of some of Scotland's young athletic stars.

Encouraging the cross country stars of tomorrow is important so it's good to see there's going to be a prize for the best supported team. Supporting the teams will be top of my agenda. Let's face it, standing on the sidelines and being loud - that's an event I could win a gold medal in!

If you want to encourage your kids to take part then the closing date for schools and clubs to enter is Saturday March 15th and details are on the .

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Total screamers...

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It’s good to be back at work after a brilliant holiday in New York. Tonight’s theme is the one that was postponed from two weeks ago and it’s “songs that feature screams and shouts”. I’ll also accept involuntary yelps or shrieks.

For some bands, screaming is a serious business. There’s a whole sub genre of emo musical called ‘screamo’. So just in case you thought bands like Fall Out Boy or My Chemical Romance weren’t loud or annoying enough, you get the lead singer bursting his lungs with ear piercing howls.

Trawling the net for screamo bands I found a Wikihow page with handy hints for potential screamers. Top tips on the site include:

Screaming is 30% skill and 70% confidence. You have to be thinking "I am the best screamer in the world!!" at all times….Quite a claim to fame really.

Drink any generic cola, this will coat your vocal cords in a kind of a spit film that makes reverb sound louder…and having that spit film will make kissing so much more fun.

Scream alone for a while, it can be embarrassing to scream around others who already know how to scream…I always get that way around others who already know how to scream! But then again how do you know they can?

Be patient. Learning to scream safely can take approximately a year, and for the first many months, often times, it simply sounds bad…. You don’t say?

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Next week's themes...

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Monday 3 March
There is normally a lot of screaming and shouting goes on during Get It On, the difference is tonight that it will be broadcast on air. This is the theme that was postponed form the other week and was suggested by Julie in Edinburgh, who thinks that songs with screams or shouts would make a great theme. E-mail getiton@bbc.co.uk or post a comment with your suggestions of some over-excited artists…

Tuesday 4 March
All About Eve, Pretty Woman or Babe? Tonight’s theme comes from Neil Martin and it’s films which share their names with bands or songs.

Wednesday 5 March
Rob in Edinburgh suggests artists with one name for tonight. So whether you’re after some Kylie or fancy hearing Prince then e-mail getiton@bbc.co.uk with your suggestions...

Thursday 6 March
Expect the Eagles and The Guillemots to feature on tonight’s show. DC in Cellardyke has suggested Birds. There's been a big response already on the blog and you can read it under the posting titled 'Sine Of The Times'.

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