The lonely souls DFB and RubyBlue meet to discuss mental health again and specifically if – like the late great Bob Hoskins claimed – it’s good to talk

Whether it’s you, your friends, loved ones etc it’s hard to know what’s best to do. We perhaps don’t have any answers but perhaps our own experiences can help others empathise and give a couple of pointers. But – like many things – this podcast is mainly for our own benefit and anything else is a happy side effect.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/Mental_health_master.mp3

Twang hands the chair over to Retropath 2 to interview Fairport Convention founder Simon Nicol. In a wide ranging interview Retro manages to avoid all the usual tiresome questions (“what was Sandy like?”, “I bet that Richard is a right laugh on a pub crawl” etc) and covers Simon’s 50 year career and many other bands as well as exploring the realities of being a musician long after you should have found a proper job.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/Fairport_final.mp3

Twang, Tiggerlion, Mike_H and El Hombre Malo convene in the pod to discuss the work of jazz colossus John Coltrane. From sheets of sound, Coltrane changes and the spiritual dimension to heroin and being scared to go beyond certain points in the man’s canon, much ground is covered. Tig has to admit there is an album even he doesn’t think he could improve with a spot of re-sequencing and Twang forgets to mention the Mighty Tull (whoops). A Spotify playlist of the panel’s recommended listening is in the comments.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/coltranecast_master.mp3

Where were we?

DFB, Steven C, Nigel T and the non alliterative DoctorJ continue wih The Beatles chat – which is what they do even if the tapes aren’t running to discuss the new publishing wheeze of releasing albums with pamphlets attached that they humorously call a magazine.

We talk about the tacky, wacky or canny nature of Apple’s treatment of The Beatles whether via vinyl or CD, the proposed 50th anniversary of Pepper, the Strawberry Fields Forever re-release that never was and our own HORA in the guise of Uncle StevenC’s guide to introducing young people to vinyl records.

This will be our last podcast on The Beatles……..

Nope, sorry, we will never stop talking abot them but podcast #57 should be a Fabs free zone.

But still fab.

Ahem.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/thebloodybeatles.m4a

Yes its the bloody Beatles again – well, we – that being the regular podders DFB, StevenC & DrJ PLUS fresh face NigelT making a stunning debut – look at the solo career AFTER his All Things Must Pass album and enquire if unlike Lennon post Imagine – is there anything to see?

Somehow we take in the 80’s TV show ‘In At The Deep End’, the Dark Hoarse tour, the much remaindered Living In The Material World, Steven C’s marvellous Spotify playlist, Oliver Reed, Neil Innes, wife-swapping, croque monsieurs and everything in between. Oh and of course Jeff Lynne & the 1986 Brumbeat concert at the third time of asking.

You can also sample Steven C’s super GEORGE playlist on Spotify

It’s a non stop cavalcade of chat and when you reach the end – we ain’t done – there is more in the can for the future. Hari Hill to you all.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/georgecast.m4a

So 2016 ended not with a bang but a tech fuck up – and one last death. So here is the start of a podcast riddled with so much dub reggae sound effects that it had to be remounted in 2017. Its supposed to be our 2nd regular Beatles podcast but there’s an AWFUL lot of Pink Floyd in it The Flowers In The Dirt-y Robbing Bugger Super Deluxe Edition: just what is going on and we’ll just get the 2 CD edition and shout ya-boo-sucks!

Dr J tries to avoid the cross examination of legal eagle StevenC over his plans to buy the upcoming Fleetwood Mac – Tango In The NIght SDE by disappearing

We ask what’s in the shoe box, is there a car and do we REALLY need it.

What’s the best box set – should you go large or go home – all or nothing.

And Dr J gets to crowbar Jeff Lynne into the conversation again.

Same Shit, Different Year

RIP Clyde The Cat

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/beatleschatredux.m4a

NB: This podcast has been delayed due to serious sound issues. This 20 minute section may be the only salvageable bit and Twang has done a fine job to bring this greatly entertaining demolition to you.

So Dogfacedboy asked for people to listen to albums that they haven’t listened to before for purely childish or petty reasons. This episode details Mr Ganglesprocket grappling with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band’s ‘Darkness Of The Edge Of Town’ alongside equally reticent listener FentonSteve. Trying to explain why you like hate something is always tricky but we give it a bloody good go.

There is no wrong or right , DFB the true believer doesn’t attempt a counter argument perhaps because he’s enjoying MrG’s rant far too much.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/Brucecast_master.m4a

We meet up with singer songwriter Kathryn Williams in London and shoot the shit about the myriad projects she has simmering away as well as reflecting on the Child Refugee benefit last Friday at Union Chapel which is reviewed elsewhere on the site.

Matters discussed include – (Not) smoking a fag with Charlotte Church – her new album with jazz musician Anthony Kerr “Resonator”, upcoming reissues, book soundtracks and why she is so damned in demand these days. Paxman this ain’t – we just chatting innit?

Plus why she is playing a gig in support of Jeremy Corbyn next week.

This podcast includes a performance of that old Christmas classic ‘Silent Night’ with Teddy Thompson at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London in 2011.

http://kathrynwilliams.co.uk/ for all the news n pics

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/kathint.m4a

Twang, Bartleby, Attackdog and El Hombre Malo polish their plectrums, clip on their capos and gather in the pod to discuss guitars. No, wait, come back! Inevitably there is some nerdery (it’s four guitarists talking to each other after all) but much humour, wry reflections on ability or otherwise, gig injuries, rubbish instruments endured and favourite players appreciated. As it’s Christmas our pickers have picked a few bonus tracks showing off their, ahem, chops for your pleasure.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/Guitarcast_master.mp3

At last Twang, Morrison, JazzJet, Pencilsqueezer, Mike_H and Tiggerlion don berets, dark round sun glasses and co-respondent shoes to discuss the wonderful world of jazz. Chins are stroked, names dropped and Skype does its best to remove Tigger from the proceedings all together. A splendid time is had by all and Sting gets a shoeing along the way. Doo be doo be doo.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/Jazzcast_master.mp3

Twang, Johnny Concheroo, Blue Boy, Junior Wells and Fortune 8 abandon the pod to meet at the crossroads at midnight to discuss the blues…they make a deal with the Devil that they will be done in an hour but Old Nick, as well as having the best tunes, curses the producer with a discussion as fine as a vintage shot of Jack over ice on a hot summer night, meaning Twang abandons the edit and delivers the full skinny. A topic so broad was never going to be adequately addressed in one session…even now the team are dusting their brooms in preparation for part 2…

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/Bluescast_master.mp3

Slumped round a table at the restaurant at the end of the universe waiting for Disaster Area’s set or The Great Prophet Zarquon – whichever is first, Mr DFB, Ganglesprocket, Kid Dynamite and NewPathsToHelicolin discuss post apocalyptic fiction.

Recent periods in history appear to throw up interest in bleak futurescapes and we are living through a particularly bounteous one at the moment. Wyndham, The Walking Dead, The Enemy, War Of the Worlds, Matinee, Threads, Survivors, Triffids, various novel recommendations and I Am Legend in all its guises are combed over as well as why we seem to like to wish the human race wiped out so regularly. How would we survive in a post apocalyptic world? Well you’ll just have to listen to find out.

We pose as many questions as we answer including “will this wind be so mighty as to lay low the mountains of the earth?” *

*Answer: No

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/endoftheworld.m4a

This is the first in a regular Beatles only podcast – yeah, let’s see how soon that plan falls by the wayside – marking the most Beatle-y of months with the documentary ‘Eight Days A Week: The Touring Years’ , the remastered ‘Live at The Hollywood Bowl’ and NOT the announcement of the expected release of Paul McCartney’s ‘Flowers In The Dirt’ super deluxe box set.

We’re all sick of experts so Beatle ubernerds DFB, DoctorJ & StevenC do what they do the rest of the time anyway.

– the film : who is it for, what is it for and should be give it what for? – the album : better, longer but still unessential? – Flowers In The Dirt – Macca’s best of the 80’s and rebirth of his career?

The rambling bullshine that you’ve known for all these years – we hope we passed the audition.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/beatlesfilm.m4a

This podcast features DFB, Gavin Hogg and Lyn discussing ‘Once More With Feeling’ and ‘Skeleton Tree’ – the film and album by and featuring Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

Not much else to say really. Share and enjoy!

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/nickcavepod.m4a

Twang, Leedsboy, Hannah, Retropath2 and Askwith hunker down in the pod and reflect on the summer past, the joys of offspring on holidays, sounds enjoyed, buying some old, folk clubs and, inevitably, vinyl vs. CD and the Mighty Tull (briefly, non believers). The team end on a glum note though, at the thought of going back to work.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/Summercast_master.mp3

Ahead of his “triumphant appearance”* in the Dolly Parton slot at Glastonbury Festival this weekend, Jeff Lynne and ELO disciple, DoctorJ, aided by Iain Mc tries to convince DFB & Steven C that he is the messiah and not a naughty Fabs tune ruining boy

We get alternate reviews of ELO’s recent delayed dat at the 3Arena in Dublin (The Point, for all you old heads)

Discover if the line up who played on the band’s 1974 live album from Long Beach, CA are still all above ground

Why is he back and is it just the case that rock snobbery got him so wrong?

Won’t DFB just let DoctorJ speak without slipping shit jokes under his enthusiastic theories cos it’s really annoying.

Is it just rock / pop music for people who know fuck all about rock / pop music?

Don’t bring me down, let’s rockaria!

* so spake Nostradamus DrJ

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/jeffcast_master.m4a

The team that bought you the last podcast bring you this one.

DFB’s shaky theory that Bob Dylan has retired from writing his own material to recording rum old Sinatra covers LPs is given a right kicking. But we do settle on the last great American songwriter standing. Your clue is….it’s Paul Simon. No. It is. Stop suggesting your pet obscure faves, it is.

So we celebrate Paul in his many different guises, list those compilation albums in full and consider the ‘also rans’ like Tom Waits, John Grant and some bloke from Spoon. The forgotten Paul n Artie reunion single, the ‘Annie Nightingale wishes it was forgotten’ faux pas and Randy Newman’s contribution to the greatest film trilogy.

It’s not scientific it’s just blokes talking

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/paulsimonpod_master.m4a

My-o-my that DFB, Welsh Benny, DoctorJ, StevenC and Iains_o don’t half talk a lot. So much so that the edit of the main next podcast has been delayed so here’s the other stuff they chatted about

– Live updates from Bruce Springsteen at Croke Park Dublin from Mrs DoctorJ – The Monkees album opinions from those who have and haven’t heard it – The Stone Roses given short shrift as usual – And the regular mention of Jeff Lynne

All very inconsequential but it passes 30 mins or so

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/AOBpod.m4a

Best selling author Stephen Clarke pops into the pod to tell The Afterword about his new book “Merde in Europe”, interviewing 90s pop stars in the streets of Paris, and trying to get Prince lyrics into the French/English dictionary. Give the amount of merde talked here, this is an ideal topic for this week’s episode.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/Stephen_Clarke_pod_master.mp3

DFB ventures down to The Convent hotel/venue in Stroud to witness the closing concert of Kathryn Williams International Writing Retreat with an embarrassment of richness in songwriting talent.

The day after the boozy post gig party and a hearty breakfast he sits down with Kathryn Williams and Astrid Williamson to discuss what goes on at these events and just how you conjure up a song from nowhere. How collaborations do or don’t work and other such mystical stuff fo’ yo’ ass

The podcast features clips of songs from the end of week concert which you can see and hear for FREE at https://theconvent.netgig.co.uk/event/international-songwriters-retreat/

PLUS a Velvet Underground song covered by Kathryn & her band in 2002 at Cambridge Junction from the DFB vault

Check out these fine songstresses and the excellent Convent venue – thanks to all for their time

http://kathrynwilliams.co.uk/ http://astridwilliamson.co.uk/ http://theconvent.net/

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/kathpod.m4a

Long threatened but now complete, the Afterword returns from its self enforced spring break with a podcast dedicated to The Fall. Your host DFB chats with Gavin “Whole” Hogg and Dr “Tim” Volume comparing the length of their Fall collections and many other matters

– The Russian roulette of The Fall in concert but isn’t that better than the dull alternative? – What were Mark E Smith’s observations of the Scottish Hotel & Gretchen Franklin? – The offshoot industry of the Fallen – Would you pick up Mark if you saw him at a bus-stop? – Where to start if you should ever want to enter the weird and frightening world.

Obviously contains Mark E Smith impressions (Dr Volume – excellent and uncanny / DFB- a combination of Patrick Marber’s northern drug dealer & Frank Sidebottom / Gavin – wisely opts out)

And remember, wherever two or three people gather to discuss M.E.S and The Fall there are thousands saying “Flipping muppets haven’t got a clue” – we salute you all – uh.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/thefallcast.m4a

We crawl out of the oxygen tent, tens of millions of peoploids trying to make sense of the future that David Bowie was always showing us.

DrJ, Steven C, SimonGMusic, John Connolly and DFB use this podcast as a cathartic exercise in remembering a musical hero and trying to figure out why, nearly a week on at time of recording, we still are shellshocked and scrabbling around in the dust.

– the living art project ‘David Bowie’ by Mr David Jones from Brixton – the ever circling ‘David Bowie Is’ exhibition – the ‘J’ word – We try and review ‘Blackstar’ both aurally and visually – but mostly we just try and celebrate the magnificent bastard

There is no discussion of grief police and the nonsense of social media etc as that can all just be forgotten and his music and spirit will live on. This may not really add anything to the mound of Bowie analysis over the past 2 weeks but it was good for us.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/bowiestar.m4a

DogFaceBoy, Twang, the Cheshire Cat, Pencilsqueezer, Steerpike and El Hombre Malo struggle with technical gremlins and seasonal torpor to discuss the year past and the one to come. The Cat lives up to his fictional namesake by disappearing regularly and El Hombre wanders in the Skype wilderness before finding the way in. Nonetheless some highlights are identified, and in AW tradition an argument breaks out over Joanna Newsom.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/Endofyearcast.mp3

DFB, through a mixture of blackmail and downright pleading, gets the director of the recent finale to Series 9 of ‘Doctor Who’ to sit down during her hectic schedule to answer some questions from The Massive and the Interweb.

– is the instant damning or praise from social media a goodbad thing? – what are fan conventions like and are they no longer a cliché? – is going with the accepted or easiest solutions always good for the show and viewer? – Is it just all too complicated?

If you haven’t watched her two episodes ‘Heaven Sent’ or ‘Hell Bent’ then it may help with listening to this podcast. And in the case of Heaven Sent it works as a standalone episode for which you need very little foreknowledge to appreciate a tour-de-force of writing, acting, design, lighting and direction.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/rachpod2.m4a

It’s a long player

In the GLKLondon Studios DFB and Spencer link hands with Drakeygirl and Dr Volume to discuss whether we have reached “peak vinyl” in the 12″ album boom times.

– is it just for those Hoxton hipsters? – two men remember the lyrics to ‘Brown Sauce’s hit only too clearly – are da kidz down wiv what we are jiving, daddio? – does it sound better / different / worse ? – which naughties act gave away condoms with vinyl and which 80’s act was naughtier?

WARNING : this podcast may contain the words “warmth” and “sound-stage”.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/vinylpod.m4a