In the first of an occasional series of 121 discussions with an AW member, Twang welcomes Carolina to the pod for a wander through her musical journey taking in the old Word, nearly copping off with David Hepworth, poetry, life’s little challenges, Spotify usage and our own comfy little corner of the internet.
Anyone interested joining in a similar interrogation PM @Twang.
Cobbing off? Should that be “copping” or is that a reference to baking a large quantity of bread rolls?
Always been cobbing off where I come from but amended to suit your finer sensibilities Moosy.
I’m just an ordinary copper…
…a lucky escape. You never got to find out that Hep’s favourite position is “71”..
Well that was nice. What a couple of lovelies.
Wait… 121 people have volunteered for this Paxmanesque interrogation?
You in pedant mode tonight? I’m not bloody editing it again. 👹
I’m sorry, it must be very irritating. If only something could be done – but as Mrs Moose ruefully opines, murder isn’t legal.
Just part of life’s rich tapestry. 😜
Haven’t listened all the way through yet, but have just paused the cast to say that at the end of the Word poem I actually applauded. Brilliant! 👏👏👏
Yes really superb.
Gal you fe jump and prance!
I was pretty mystified as to what fe jump and prance might refer to it so I googled it. Now I know it’s from Shaggy’s Oh Carolina so I have learnt something new, thanks!
Agree. It’s a brilliant piece of verse! I’m looking forward to reading the full version.
What a wonderful podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed listening. Well done, both and thank you.
Really nice to “meet” you like this, Carolina. A nice listen.
Just listened to this on the commute into work and what a great thing it was – thank you both. Poem was great and I loved your final words Carolina on Stimpy, James Blast and your own health. Great to hear that things are stable at the moment. Long may you run.
Thanks all for your kind comments, have only heard the first two minutes where i sounded v high and squeaky, I love the fact that Twang included me being caught off guard! It was a pleasure to make, majorly helped by Twang being so easy to talk to and such a good interviewer.
Here is the full version of “You Don’t Have To Be A Nerd to Read the Word” but to get me reading some verses aloud giving it the full Pam Ayres you’ll need to hear the Podcast!
You Don’t Have to be a Nerd to Read The Word
Have you heard of Word, a fantastic magazine?
No it’s not Jehovahs Witness
And it will not bore you witless,
It’s entertainment for any lively mind
Aimed at every single member of mankind.
You don’t have to be a nerd to read the Word!
If Prog to you is what is showing on TV,
And Folk are kindly people you’ve invited round for tea
And Trip-hop “happened” for you when you fell over the cat,
As long as you like music, the Word is where it’s at!
You don’t have to be a nerd to read the Word!
You don’t have to be obsessive
(Though of course that helps a lot)
Or male and middle aged
With a waistline gone to pot,
If you don’t own all Pink Floyd’s oeuvre
It matters not a jot,
You don’t have to be a nerd to read the Word!
You’ll find a lot of words to make you think and make you grin
On musicmaking, movies, modern life, the state we’re in,
With curios, reviews – it’s a source of constant joy
From very clever writers they currently employ.
Does your fiancée dig Beyonce,
Or your Nanna love Rihanna?
Buy them both a copy of the Word!
By your enterprising, you’ll expand their sound horizon
And they can call themselves a true ‘Word Bird.’
So go and buy the issue now,
I’m sure that you will see
It’s not just for us music nerds,
I know you will agree.
There’s a blog, podcasts and mingles
And not least a free CD!
You don’t have to be a nerd to read the Word.
This was the original “Theatre, it’s not just for gays anymore,” song performed by Neil Patrick Harris at the Tony Awards, which David Hepworth posted on the blog and asked for similar treatment for The Word, which inspired my poem.
This is the wonderful Sally Ellyson from Hem (mentioned in podcast) singing Carry Me Home. I recommend Eveningland, Rabbit Songs and Funnel Cloud albums to anyone who likes it.
And here is Four Stitches by Antje Duvekot, whom we were not sure how to pronounce! Lovely song even if vocal not entirely perfect.
All great stuff.
How about reposting that long short story? I’d love to read that too.
Thanks very much – I might repost it in a few days when everyone’s resistance is low due to Brexit!
Lovely – and really should have been printed in the magazine, not least for rhyming “Nanna” with “Rihanna”
Ta very much Dr V- well at least it has had a second airing here!
Now that was a lovely chat and I actually do own a Hem album – Eveningland. A touch of the Karen Carpenters methinks (thats Hem not you Carolina – although to be fair Ive not heard you sing !)
Are you putting yourself up to be the new Parky Twang ? Well I know you are looking for a possible career change and you do it very well.
Yes I think chat show host would suit me very nicely. Seconded on Hem – been listening today. Lovely.
Parky? I was thinking more like Kirsty.
What’s the difference?
The voice. Of course.
Thanks, Feedback. Yes I agree,Sally’s voice does have the same kind of wrap-you-up-in-a-warm-blanket honeyed qualities as Karen’s. I can sing in tune but i don’t think anyone would pay to hear it.
Really enjoyed listening to your chat, thanks both.
Nice idea. Enjoyed that!
Brilliant! And you couldn’t have started this new format with a nicer person than Carolina.
Indeed!
A very enjoyable ‘cast. Hopefully the first of at least a few.
And hopefully Carolina’s currently stable prognosis will last a very long time indeed.
Incidentally, AHNT-yə DOO-və-kot is the way that Antje Duvekot’s name is pronounced, according to her Wikipedia page. That ə character is pronounced like the a in ago.
And the name of that ə character that is pronounced like the ‘a’ in ago is the “schwa” or mid central vowel sound. I just thought I’d mention that. That schwa phoneme comes up everywhere in English!
Yes, when I was doing some volunteer work with ESOL students, I was always explaining about that sound. It does come up everywhere in spoken English and we native thinkers never really think about it.
Thanks very much Mike, and I will know how to pronounce her name now, if I ever have the need to again!
Always good to be able to name-drop with confidence, when necessary.
What a lovely podcast @Carolina and a very poignant close when you talked about Stimpy and James Blast. It shows that there have been some lasting memories and friendships built up over the years. Great Stuff.
@SteveT Many thanks, greatly appreciated. Yes some wonderful friendships formed over the years for many people and even marriages!
It’s Sunday morning and I’ve been stood in front of my easel working on a painting for Carolina for a couple of hours now. It’s been Lovely to be busy with my paints whilst in the exceedingly good company of two of my favourite people.
I loved this. Please make more Twang. Who knows maybe you might even get through a whole interview without mentioning Tull. Stop guffawing at the back.
Be in touch soon Carolina. Stay warm keep well dear heart. x
Thanks very much P. Re. Tull – in your dreams.
😉
I’d love to hear an hour of you two chatting, Pencil.
You read my mind.
Me too.
Thanks v much Pencil, looking forward to the painting. And an hour of you two chatting as well would be fab.
Late to the party, as usual – but I’ve just listened to the ’cast and thoroughly enjoyed it – what a fine idea! And what a grand choice of opening guest – I can’t claim to really know Carolina other than through her posts, but it was uncannily like catching up with someone whom I’ve known for years but with whom I’d lost contact….
Nice of you to say – that was the impression I had hoped to give.
Wasn’t that just a lovely ‘cast. Really enjoyed listening to you too.
I had heard of Hem but never knew their music. Incredible how accurate the Spotify predictions were in relation to what else Carolina may like.
I very much enjoy hearing other people’s opinion of Hepworth… especially when it agrees with mine. A fantastic writer but I’ve never heard anyone presenting opinions as fact as much as he does. The fact he’s generally correct is, of course, academic. I just think he could demonstrate a little more humility in his writing. I met him briefly at Latitude one year and he seemed a decent enough chap – not Mark Ellen nice but, OK.
Carolina – I wish you all the very best. I look forward to part 2 of the interview sometime.
Many thanks, Robbie. I am sure I can dredge up more poetry and embarrassing recollections at some future date!
I’ve met Mark and David a couple of times – Ellen is exactly as you’d expect – warm, gregarious, and unlike some other media/music biz types I’ve stumbled across doesn’t appear to be looking over your shoulder to see if someone more important has hoved into view (if they do, he’ll beckon them over and introduce you). Hepworth is a rather stoic Yorkshireman, perfectly polite and amiable chap but anyone would appear a bit standoffish next to the gale-force of good vibes that is Mark Ellen.
As for opinions passed off as fact, that’s just derived from years of Office/Pub chat at ‘Ver Hits, The Word etc…”What’s the best Beatles album?” ..”Sir Sir..I know the answer, it’s not even a debate..what kind of preposterous question is that” etc. Hepworth is more enjoyable if you read it in that context. So for instance clearly 1981 is the best year in Pop but I’m happy to read someone “claim” it was 1971, if only so you can pick holes in such a ridiculous hypothesis.
p.s Really enjoyable Pod Carolina & Twang – good idea to have a 1:1 chat and I’m always interested in hearing how people navigate through their musical interests over the years
Yes I’ve chatted to the Hep a few times and he’s perfectly nice.
Glad you enjoyed the pod Doc.
Really enjoyed this chat. Like sitting in a pub with two friends.
Absolutely lovely. Another round?
I will have a pineapple juice, thanks!
That was delightful – I listened this morning driving over the hills between Sheffield and Manchester. Well done both and hope your health keeps improving Carolina.
Many thanks WH – glad you enjoyed it.
You did well this morning…thought all the passes were closed?
Just caught up (unusually busy work crap at the moment). I have to admit I was a bit sceptical about this format, but 10 minutes in I was completely won over. Top chat.