Wednesday 24 Sep 2014
Programme Information
Network Radio ´óÏó´«Ã½ Week 52:
Christmas Day Saturday 25 December 2010
´óÏó´«Ã½ RADIO 1XTRA
Christmas Day Saturday 25 December 2010
As a Christmas Day treat, chart-topping band N-Dubz take command of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1Xtra airwaves for a special three-hour takeover show.
Tulisa, Dappy and Fazer delve into their all-time favourite tunes, providing an upbeat soundtrack to the big day.
The band also reveal their Top 10 tunes of 2010 – but what will their No. 1 track be?
Presenters/N-Dubz, Producer/Lanre Leandre
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1Xtra Publicity
Ronnie Herel counts down the Top 40 of the year, playing the biggest hits of 2010.
Presenter/Ronnie Herel, Producer/Lanre Leandre
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1Xtra Publicity
Westwood continues the festive spirit live on air with his own inimitable take on Christmas Day.
Presenter/Westwood, Producer/Lanre Leandre
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1Xtra Publicity
´óÏó´«Ã½ RADIO 2
Christmas Day Saturday 25 December 2010
Aled Jones says Good Morning Christmas to Annie Lennox, whose latest album features her own arrangements of favourite Christmas carols. Canon Ann Easter provides Christmas sparkle for the Moment Of Reflection and Aled is joined throughout the programme for carols and Christmas songs sung live by the Adventist Vocal Ensemble with their director, Ken Burton.
Presenter/Aled Jones, Producer/Hilary Robinson for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 Publicity
Junior Choice Christmas Special
Ed "Stewpot" Stewart returns with a sackful of nostalgic goodies on Christmas morning for a two-hour live edition of the ever-popular Junior Choice, featuring listeners' requests and dedications plus a few of Ed's own favourites.
As the live programme is built around requests, listeners will have to wait for the day itself to discover what songs will be played – but judging by previous years, fans of Rolf Harris, Bernard Cribbins or Terry Scott should find something there to enjoy.
Listeners can contact the show during the broadcast via the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 website, or by emailing stewpot@bbc.co.uk, texting 88291 or calling 0500 288291 (calls are free from most landlines. Some networks and mobile operators will charge for these calls. Texts will be charged at your standard message rate. Check with your network provider for exact costs.)
Ed presented Junior Choice from 1968 (taking over from Leslie Crowther) until 1980. The show returned to Radio 2 as a one-off special in 2007, as part of the network's 40th anniversary celebrations. Since then, it has returned each Christmas, receiving hundreds of requests from listeners every year.
Ed says: "It's the quickest two hours of the year for me – and after the show, all I have to do is decide at which motorway service station I will be eating my Christmas dinner!"
Presenter/Ed Stewart, Producer/Liza Wallis for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 Publicity
Arguably, the grumpiest man in town is back with his own seasonal extravaganza on Christmas morning. Paul O'Grady isn't known for his love of 25 December, so that makes him the obvious choice for a three-hour show on Christmas Day...
At least there's plenty of seasonal music, including a festive triple from Sir Cliff Richard and another from the Motown vaults. Paul offers suggestions on how to survive the Big Day and reads out messages for friends and family around the world.
And there'll be a few celebrity callers too. Oh, and Paul promises that – unlike on his regular Sunday show – there'll be no Dead Pet messages with that smelly lady on the piano.
Presenter/Paul O'Grady, Producer/Malcolm Prince for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 Publicity
To mark the 15th anniversary of Dean Martin's death on Christmas Day 1995, his daughter Deana shares a selection of favourite songs.
Dean "Dino" Martin is recognised as one of the great crooners and film stars of the 20th century, and a member of the famed Rat Pack with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr. His films included Some Came Running, The Young Lions, Rio Bravo and Ocean's Eleven, while he was also a major star on television, with the pioneering Dean Martin Show and the recently revived Celebrity Roasts.
Deana is a singer and radio broadcaster who made her television debut performing on The Dean Martin Show in 1966. She soon became a frequent guest, taking part in musical and comedy numbers with a wide array of guests, including Frank Sinatra.
In this special show Deana picks songs from her father's long career and shares the stories behind them, providing an intimate portrait of the real Dean Martin, who was largely masked by his showbiz image.
Songs featured include Mr Wonderful, a song Dean loved because it reminded him of the struggle to make it in showbiz; and Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime. Deana reveals that when this song knocked The Beatles off the top spot, her father sent a telegram to Elvis Presley saying: "If you can't handle The Beatles, I'll do it for you, pally!"
She also reveals the story behind I Can't Give You Anything But Love, which was recorded at a muscular dystrophy Telethon in 1976 following a surprise live reunion engineered by Frank Sinatra between Dean and Jerry Lewis. The pair hadn't spoken to each other for 20 years, after the acrimonious break-up of their double act, and Jerry told Deana years later that he could barely "keep it together" on the night.
There's also Time After Time, a duet which Deana sang with Jerry Lewis after her father's death. A favourite song of Jerry's, he insisted she sing with him so "it can be Martin and Lewis again".
Deana has recorded a number of her father's songs and the show will feature a couple of her own musical tributes.
Presenter/Deana Martin, Producer/Nick Low for Demus Productions
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 Publicity
She has grown from the girl next door into a glittering pop princess with the world at her feet. As a young actress in Australia, Kylie Minogue won hearts as Charlene in Neighbours before blossoming into a pop diva adored by millions worldwide.
Kate Thornton hosts this ultimate chat show as Kylie answers questions from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 listeners – and even a couple of Radio 2 presenters.
In this up-close-and-personal interview Kylie reveals that, despite her pop princess image, she really is just like everyone else. At Christmas she dons her rubber gloves and becomes mummy's little helper and, at the end of a busy day, the stylish clothes come off and are replaced by tracksuit bottoms and comfy clothing.
Kylie reveals how close she is to her family and what an important and supportive role they play in her life; how as a child she was a mean tickle fighter, wrestling Dannii to the floor and turning her into a human typewriter; plus how she used to daydream as a child that her next-door neighbour's son was an agent who would spot her talent over the garden fence and pluck her into stardom.
On a more serious note, Kylie touches on her fight with breast cancer and how she dealt with issues such as losing her hair; and how she copes with the constant intrusive questions about when she will start a family or get married.
Kylie reveals how different she and sister Dannii are when it comes to Christmas shopping. She says:
"My sister is very organised with presents, very methodical about it. Whereas, the other Minogue, myself, I'm very hap-hazard. I kind of have a scrappy list and then I lose that list and get another list. I then race around like a mad woman a day or two before Christmas getting all those last minute things! "
Presenter/Kate Thornton, Producer/Charlotte Worth for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 Publicity
Broadcast on the anniversary of Kenny Everett's birthday [25 December 1944], this two-hour programme for Christmas Day is a fun-filled, humorous celebration of his talent for weaving radio magic.
This unique "new" show has been specially created for 2010 and blends archive material and music. It features Kenny introducing records old and current, and those special "fiddly bits" that made listening to him so uniquely entertaining.
The programme includes many gems from the archive including: Kenny's Christmas jingles, extracts from his Pirate Radio London and ´óÏó´«Ã½ programmes, and comedy sketches featuring creations such as Captain Kremmen, Chris P Bacon and Rock Salmon. There is also the chance to enjoy Harry Nilsson singing with Kenny on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1, his informal interviews with The Beatles, and his Bebop Bonanza medleys of hits.
Kenny adored melody and harmonies so his favourite artists included The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Nilsson, Bread, The Carpenters and ELO. There are also some recent records that Kenny would have liked for their jolliness and tunefulness. The show is introduced by Paul Gambaccini, who also presents the documentary Wireless Kenny Everett on Christmas Eve.
Producer/Kevin Howlett for Howlett Media
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 Publicity
The London Palladium Story Ep 1/2
Former ´óÏó´«Ã½ Chairman Michael Grade's uncles were responsible for the legendary Sunday Night At The London Palladium variety shows, and Michael re-visits his family's showbusiness roots as he charts the history of the nation's most iconic theatre in this two-part series.
The programmes tell the story of a true temple of popular culture, from performances by international stars including Judy Garland, Jack Benny and Marlene Dietrich, to those of such home-grown legends as Morecambe and Wise, Sir Tom Jones and Bruce Forsyth.
The documentaries feature new interviews with performers, artists, choreographers and writers who all know what it's like to work at the nation's most revered theatre. Contributors include: Tommy Steele, Barbara Windsor, Des O'Connor, Whoopi Goldberg, Arlene Phillips, Sir Cliff Richard and Jonathan Pryce.
This first programme considers the wonder of the building and what it's like for the audience to attend a show at the world's most famous theatre.
Speaking about the series Michael says: "To play the Palladium for any act, top of the bill or opening Tiller girl, meant something. It meant you were considered to be the best and worthy of being given so many minutes on 'the' stage. The reason it earned this status was architectural as well as geographical. The Palladium is a masterpiece of theatre building, a magical edifice, the perfect arena."
Presenter/Michael Grade, Producer/Malcolm Prince for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 Publicity
The Morecambe And Wise Show Christmas television specials became such an institution that few families would dream of missing them – the 1977 special alone attracted nearly half the UK population. Running from 1969 until 1977, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ One Christmas TV shows featured famous guests such as Angela Rippon, Glenda Jackson and André Previn, being made fun of by Eric and Ernie in their inimitable style.
Liza Tarbuck takes a look back at these Christmas specials, celebrating with classic clips from the archive and contributions from those who worked with Eric and Ernie. These include light entertainment producers John Ammonds and Jim Moir; the latter worked with Mike Yarwood and Bruce Forsyth before being appointed controller of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2.
Daniel Rigby and Bryan Dick star as Eric And Ernie in the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two drama of the same name over the Christmas period.
Presenter/Liza Tarbuck, Producer/Graham Pass for Ping Productions
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 Publicity
Hosted by Chris Evans, this classic – and, no doubt, fiercely competitive – pop music quiz features two teams of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 presenters, including Simon Mayo, Janice Long and Patrick Kielty, as they pit their wits against each other
Recorded at The Tabernacle in London, in front of Radio 2 listeners, the rounds include Beat The Intro, Who Said That?, The Organist Entertains (featuring Radio 2's very own maestro, Nigel Ogden) and Pick Of The Pops.
Presenter/Chris Evans, Producer/Anna Harrison for Unique
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 Publicity
Jools Holland chats to fellow blues lover Eric "Slowhand" Clapton during an hour-long special recorded at the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Maida Vale studios.
Over a four-decade-long career, Eric has received many awards. He is the only triple inductee into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame (as a member of The Yardbirds, Cream and as a solo artist). He has also won or shared in 18 Grammy Awards.
As a highly acclaimed guitarist, he has also contributed to numerous artists' albums over the decades, including The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Stephen Stills, Bob Dylan, Sir Elton John, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Sting and Roger Waters.
Eric chats to Jools about his love of the blues and the making of his 19th studio album, Clapton, which sees him paying tribute to the songs that inspired him early in his career.
Presenter/Jools Holland, Producer/Sarah Gaston for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 Publicity
´óÏó´«Ã½ RADIO 3
Christmas Day Saturday 25 December 2010
Throughout the week, at approximately 7.50am every day, Breakfast on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3 continues to broadcast a special Christmas treat to listeners, as well as presenting a mix of great works and performances.
Presenters/Rob Cowan and Sara Mohr-Pietsch
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3 Publicity
Andrew McGregor introduces a special Christmas Day edition of CD Review, rounding up some of the year's new releases from composers celebrating their anniversary in 2010, including Barber, Chopin, Mahler, Pergolesi and Schumann.
Presenter/Andrew McGregor, Producer/Kevin Bee
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3 Publicity
In 1898 French composer Erik Satie moved from the heart of bohemian Paris to the obscure suburb of Arcueil. Every day for a decade or more he would walk the 10km north across the city to earn a meagre living playing the piano in the cabarets of Montmartre; and often he would walk home again at night. In this Saturday Music Feature Sarah Walker follows Satie's footsteps from Arcueil to Montmartre to uncover the secrets behind his unique music – in the people and street life of Paris, its cafés and cabarets, and in the very act of walking itself.
Presenter/Sarah Walker, Producer/David Gallagher
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3 Publicity
In the first of the two Christmas programmes, Catherine Bott and Lucie Skeaping look back on the year's Early Music Shows, including previously unheard live recordings from some of the 2010 Early Music Festivals. Catherine and Lucie chat about some of their own highlights, including some of this year's musical anniversaries.
Presenters/Lucie Skeaping and Catherine Bott, Producers/Rebecca Bean and Sam Philips
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3 Publicity
It's more than 20 years since London's Royal Opera House last staged Wagner's Tannhäuser, telling the story of a medieval troubadour's tussle between the sensual and the spiritual. A new production, directed by Tim Albery, opened earlier this month and its cast is headed by leading South African tenor Johan Botha in the title role. The two women who represent the opposing poles of his attraction are Venus, sung by Michaela Schuster, and Elisabeth, sung by Eva-Maria Westbroek. Highly experienced Wagnerian Semyon Bychkov conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, and Martin Handley introduces proceedings.
Presenter/Martin Handley, Producer/Mark Lowther
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3 Publicity
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3 lets its hair down with a special festive panel show in which contestants pit their musical and comedy wits against each other. Listeners can follow them down the weird and wonderful byways of the lives of the great composers, or into opera plots too bizarre to be untrue, and enjoy a light-hearted take on the year's arts and music stories.
Producer/Steven Canny
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3 Publicity
´óÏó´«Ã½ RADIO 4
Christmas Day Saturday 25 December 2010
Arthur finds he has just seven minutes to celebrate Christmas after an extra stop-off is scheduled on a Hawaiian island, in this special edition of Cabin Pressure – the comedy about a tiny, one-plane charter airline staffed by two pilots. No job is too small, but many jobs are too difficult.
Carolyn Knapp-Shappey, owner of MJN Air, decides to make the extra stop-off, which results in her son, air steward Arthur, having just seven minutes to celebrate Christmas.
First Officer Douglas Richardson and Captain Martin Crieff wonder how they can make this the best Christmas Arthur has ever had when all they have on board are some biscuits and a Russian oligarch.
The cast features John Finnemore as Arthur Shappey, Stephanie Cole as Carolyn Knapp-Shappey, Roger Allam as First Officer Douglas Richardson, Benedict Cumberbatch as Captain Martin Crieff and special guest Ben Willbond as Mr Alyakhin.
Cabin Pressure is written by John Finnemore.
Producer/David Tyler for Pozzitive Television Limited
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Publicity
The Christmas Service is broadcast from St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London.
The service draws on the experiences of the diverse community which makes up this iconic central London church, famed for its stunning musical tradition as well as its work with the homeless.
The service is led by St Martin's vicar, the Revd Nicholas Holtam, with music directed by Andrew Earis.
Producer/Stephen Shipley for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Publicity
James Bolam and Sue Jameson, partners in life as well as on television, celebrate Christmas with a selection of their favourite pieces of writing.
They choose writing with an emphasis on entertainment and light-heartedness, which they've encountered over their years as highly popular actors.
The prose is brought to life by Anne Reid and Nigel Anthony.
Presenters/James Bolam and Sue Jameson, Producer/Christine Hall for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Publicity
Pat And Margaret is Victoria Wood's bitter-sweet comedy about two sisters reunited on a live television show, adapted for radio by John Foley.
Two sisters, one a Hollywood star, the other a motorway café waitress, have happily forgotten about each other. But they are reunited in a very public way, live on television.
Pat is the glamorous face of an American soap; Margaret a waitress in a motorway café in Lancashire. They are sisters, but haven't seen each other for 27 years. Brought together in the full public glare of the popular television show Magic Moments, they have no choice but to seem thrilled. But a darker past lies behind their reunion.
"I'm glamorous, attractive, I have enough sexual charisma to open a factory. She's fat, Northern, working-class – of course she wants to be my sister," says Pat.
The cast includes Sarah Lancashire as Margaret, Imelda Staunton, Rachel Davies, Joanna Monro and Sally Orrock.
Producer/Marion Nancarrow for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Publicity
DJ and Grammy Award-winning film-maker Don Letts examines how Britain produced its own reggae revolution in the late Seventies.
The Seventies saw an explosion of bands that sang about isolation and rejection from a society that didn't understand them. But it wasn't punk music, it was reggae.
Groups such as Aswad, Steel Pulse, Matumbi and Misty In Roots were formed by first-generation, British-born black people who voiced the fear and anguish of growing up in a predominantly white society. Brought up on British pop and their parents' records, they combined a punk attitude with a Jamaican reggae sound. Their efforts to become successful mirrored thousands of young black kids across the country who were coping with a right-wing backlash to the influx of Caribbean immigrants.
The National Front was stirring up racial tension and the government's SUS law, the informal name for stop and search laws, resulted in hundreds of black people being stopped and searched on the mere suspicion of committing a crime.
It wasn't long before there was rioting in the streets. The British reggae bands provided the soundtrack to this struggle.
At the time Don Letts was the resident DJ at London's infamous Roxy Club, credited with turning the punks on to reggae.
Don, black and one of the first generation to be born in Britain, had a front-row seat watching this burgeoning scene produce hit-making artists. From the politicised heavy roots of bands such as Steel Pulse to the smooth pop hits of Lovers' Rock, Don examines how Britain produced its very own reggae revolution.
Don Letts' Reggae Christmas can be heard on ´óÏó´«Ã½ 6 Music at 4pm.
Presenter/Don Letts, Producer/James Hale for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Publicity
As the day's festivities draw to a close, a meditation on the meaning of Christmas is broadcast in the early hours of Boxing Day.
The meditation features Cambridge University's professor of evolutionary palaeobiology, Simon Conway Morris, who reflects on the mystery of the incarnation from the perspective of science and faith.
Producer/Philip Billson for the ´óÏó´«Ã½
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Publicity
´óÏó´«Ã½ RADIO 5 LIVE
Christmas Day Saturday 25 December 2010
Rachel Burden and Ian Payne present the big sports stories, news and weather, plus previews of the weekend's sporting events.
Presenters/Rachel Burden and Ian Payne, Producer/Adrian Hughes
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
Richard Bacon and guests count down the Top 20 biggest sport, entertainment and music stories of the year, providing 20 stories from 360 days in one show with five people.
Presenter/Richard Bacon, Producer/Phil Critchlow for TBI Media
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
Adil Ray takes a journey from Land's End to John O'Groats, capturing funny and poignant real-life stories in a one-hour phone-in snapshot of Christmas Day life around Britain.
Presenter/Adil Ray, Producer/Fiona Cotterill for Alfi Media
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
Comedian Ian Stone tells the story of two of his fellow stand-up comics and their performance in front of the troops in Afghanistan.
Presenter/Ian Stone, Producer/Frank Stirling for Unique
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
This topical news, music and sports quiz sees team captains Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie, each ably assisted by a special guest panellist, vie for points as they answer questions on, and analyse events of, the past year. Writer and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer attempts to keep order as the teams battle it out.
Presenters/Mark Radcliffe, Stuart Maconie and Miranda Sawyer, Producer/Kellie While for Smooth Operations
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
The Queen's Speech is followed by a round-up of the day's main stories with Cory Allen.
Presenter/Cory Allen, Producer/John Cary
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
Nicky Campbell presents highlights of his trip to South Africa to cover the World Cup, including coverage of his visit to the country's largest township, Soweto; hearing from Desmond Tutu on the first day of the tournament; and catching up with Boris Johnson while he was out jogging in Cape Town. There are also clips from his interviews with FW De Klerk, Chester Williams and football fans from around the world, and Nicky's introduction to the vuvuzela.
Presenter/Nicky Campbell, Producer/Paul Stanworth
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
David Croft looks back at an unpredictable Formula 1 season which saw Sebastian Vettel win one of the closest drivers' championships in years on the final day.
Presenter/David Croft, Producer/Jason Swales for USP
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
Jamie Stangroom remembers the big music stories and tunes of 2010, featuring interviews with Dave Grohl, Tinie Tempah, Paul Weller, Cee-Lo Green, Slash, Ozzy Osbourne, Klaxons, The Charlatans, Manic Street Preachers, Mumford & Sons, Bon Jovi and Jack White. Listeners can also find out why Paul Weller hates Facebook, which rocker turned down golf lessons from Tiger Woods and how Slash likes to relax.
Presenter/Jamie Stangroom, Producer/Mark Sharman for Bite Yer Legs
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
Stephen Nolan and Tony Livesey take a look at the big news stories of 2010 including the General Election, the Haiti earthquake, the Cumbrian shootings, Raoul Moat and the Chilean miners. Plus there's a look back at the big showbiz stories including Strictly Come Dancing, X Factor, Barbara Windsor leaving EastEnders and Coronation Street's 50th birthday.
Presenters/Stephen Nolan and Tony Livesey, Producer/Jonathan Aspinwall
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
The Ashes
Mark Pougatch presents live commentary from the first day of the Fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.
Presenter/Mark Pougatch, Producer/Mike Carr
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Publicity
´óÏó´«Ã½ RADIO 5 LIVE SPORTS EXTRA
Christmas Day Saturday 25 December 2010
Test Match Special
The Test Match Special team bring cricket fans uninterrupted commentary on the opening day of the Fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England, live from Melbourne.
Producer/Adam Mountford
´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live Sports Extra Publicity
´óÏó´«Ã½ 6 MUSIC
Christmas Day Saturday 25 December 2010
The Big British Castle welcomes back prodigal sons Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish for a special Christmas Day edition of their Sony Award-winning show. Listeners can expect the traditional present swapping and slightly tipsy dissection of said presents.
Presenters/Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish, Producer/James Stirling
´óÏó´«Ã½ 6 Music Publicity
Singer-songwriter Richard Hawley has long collected Christmas albums, and this year he celebrates his collection on ´óÏó´«Ã½ 6 Music. Richard selects and plays his favourites, and is joined by friends and peers including Billy Bragg, The Smoke Fairies and Eliza Carthy to perform unique versions of their favourite Christmas songs.
Jarvis Cocker delivers an "alternative Christmas message" to the 6 Music audience at 3pm, and other guests, including John Cooper Clarke and Pete Molinari, share their own inimitable take on the festive season.
Presenter/Richard Hawley, Producer/Jon Raitt
´óÏó´«Ã½ 6 Music Publicity
In a Christmas tradition for ´óÏó´«Ã½ 6 Music, Don Letts eases listeners through that time after Christmas lunch when the presents have been opened and cold turkey sandwiches await. On the menu is Don's choice of reggae, ska, rocksteady, dub and dancehall, so listeners can push back the sofa and dance up an appetite.
Don also presents The British Reggae Revolution on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 today.
Presenter/Don Letts, Producer/Frank Wilson
´óÏó´«Ã½ 6 Music Publicity
The Thrill Of It All charts the history of Roxy Music, from their 1972 emergence and their temporary 1976 break-up through to their triumphant 40th anniversary tour in 2010 – and everything in between. The documentary features new interviews with key band members Bryan Ferry, Andy Mackay and Phil Manzanera, and others who have known and worked with them along the way.
When Roxy Music emerged in 1972 their visual and musical impact was instant. Dressed in bizarre, stylish costumes, the group played a defiantly experimental variation of art rock with infectious pop hooks. The opening hour of The Thrill Of It All explores the creative tension between Ferry and Brian Eno, which resulted in the group's first two ground-breaking albums.
By early 1973 Roxy Music had become a sensation in England and Europe due to their clever amalgamation of pop values and kitsch, as typified on their debut LP, Roxy Music, and follow-up, For Your Pleasure, which was virtually ignored in the US. The programme explores Eno's departure and how this impacted on the group.
The second hour places the band in the punk era and the regrouping of Roxy Music in the autumn of 1978. Their comeback album in April 1979, Manifesto, sounded more dance-orientated, with a soul-pop sound that was markedly different from their earlier records. Manifesto confirmed their British popularity, achieving Top 10 status, and the single Dance Away charted worldwide.
In the summer of 1980, the follow-up to Manifesto was recorded with just Ferry, Manzanera and Mackay, plus a host of studio musicians. The resulting album, Flesh And Blood, became their second British No. 1 and charted in the USA thanks to the infectious single Over You.
Nearly two years after the release of Flesh And Blood, Roxy Music returned with Avalon in the summer of 1982. Marking a new level in the group's production and musical sophistication, Avalon became their biggest album worldwide. The lush, elegant escapist music of Avalon is far removed from the edgy avant-pop of their early records. The programme explores this album with its stylish, romantic washes of music and Ferry's elegant, seductive croon.
After their last album and tour, Mackay, Manzanera and Ferry all released solo albums and Ferry's solo career has continued uninterrupted. But now Roxy Music are back with a 40th anniversary tour, it is an opportune time to explore this remarkable group who reflected the times and provided the soundtrack to many people's lives.
Presenter/Jarvis Cocker, Producer/John Sugar
´óÏó´«Ã½ 6 Music Publicity
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