TOP OF THE STAIRS MUSIC

I am reading the fabulous Marc Fisher book called Something In the Air - to take from the jacket insert: 'A sweeping, intimate account of the great sounds and voices of radio, and how one medium became a bonding agent for a generation of American Youth'

I already knew of the likes of Alan Freed and Wolfman Jack - but this book introduces many others who used the early medium of radio as it should be used whilst all the others were dominating with their AM station playlists of repetative Top 40 charts [which were partly made up according to the bribes of the record companies]. One such broadcaster was Jean Sheherd who broadcast throughout the night. The first radio beat poet who invited people to stay up with him through the night and question the world around them. He practically invented 'talk radio' in the early 50's.

I have just found a website at www.shepcast.blog.com where you can download Shepherds shows into itunes. This is where the internet truly does what it should - give new life to the innovaters of this world and introuce them to a new listening public. I am looking forward big time to listening to these shows.

"Life can't be talked about by just words, you've got to do it with silence, you have to do it with beat and tempo and rhythm'.
Jean Shepherd

Today have listened to:

Plunkett & Macleabe by Craig Armstrong
The Prince of Tides by James Newton Howard
Robin Hood prince of Thieves by the late Michael Kamen

Afraid all of them are being deleted from my collection, nice parts in all of them but not strong ebough to chuck on the sterao and listen to as a whole.

Rest of todays listening is our August Bank Holiday schedule which was very varied. A couple of hours of Latin American music, then an audio tour round our town of Leamington Spa and just finished listened to Messin' About On the River, marking the centenary of KennethGrahame’s delightful masterpiece “The Wind In the Willows”, just about to dive into Over The Hill about all the top talents who have just turned 50, Michael Jackson, Madonna etc.

So much good stuff, only 2 ears and too little time.

Having spent the best part of a year sorting out my CD's [pop, blues, big band, jazz] etc., I am now going through my soundtrack collection. One thing I have noticed is that you can really listen to soundtracks in the car! Have always loved Zimmers soundtrack to Pacific Heights, wonderfully eerie and intense. Straight after this Iistened to his score for Point Of No Return - and it's more all less the same as Pacific Heights, same nuances, same instruments etc. I know that a lot of film composers have a style of their own but this was uncannily alike.