The Afterword Podcast

Twang joins Tiggerlion, MosleyMoles, Leeds Boy and SteveT in the pod to discuss the lockdown. The team consider what cultural gems kept them sane in this difficult period, gratuitous spending, what they have planned for an unlocked summer as we stumble, blinking, into the light and pause for a moment to consider whether we might actually miss a time of low pollution, no traffic and working on the kitchen table.

Twang finally finds the key to the pod and virtually gathers with Tiggerlion, Dave Amitri and special guest Hilary to discuss the 80s, a decade beloved and reviled by equal numbers of people. Perhaps, the team muse, a decade with plenty to feel down about in the world needed frothy, fun, happy and irreverent music to provide some respite.  Unless, Twang sighs, you were a miserable git anyway.

Twang welcomes Leedsboy, MilkeyBarnet, and FeedbackFile to the pod for an involuted podcast about podcasts. For anyone who hasn't got into the wild west that is podcasts all is here for a successful pod life. For regular listeners, many recommendations are within from minor league football, politics, music, true crime and even podcasts for pets. Please add further recommendations in the comments!

Twang welcomes Tiggerlion, Milkybarnet and Moseley Moles to the pod to discuss the enduring phenomenon that is disco.  From its fully formed arrival in the mid 70 it quickly overwhelmed all competition through mutations into pop, rock and even jazz and all fell to the irresistible argument that it's fun and everyone can dance to it.  Even mass burning of Bee Gees albums couldn't kill it, and and when it survived disco treatments from Rod Stewart and Kiss, lesser forms just gave up and went home.

Twang welcomes (The Mighty) Tull supremo IanAnderson to the pod, who popped in to talk about the not one but two tours he's running in parallel this year.  We also cover the greasy spoon days of touring, guitarists past and present, choice of supermarket and the ultimate definition of prog from an anointed Prog God.

Twang welcomes Mousey to the pod for a 121 natter.  We discover growing up in New Zealand, being a nerdy piano kid, seeing ELP at Wembley and writing songs for Play School.  In a long career as a successful musician our guest is remains refreshingly keen and still got a kick out of walking across the Abbey Road crossing even whilst recording there.

In our 100th episode Twang welcomes Skirky, FentonSteve and Mr. Pee to the pod to discuss how music is recorded.  Partly a history lesson, partly a set of opinions strongly held and fiercely defended, the team can agree (more or less) that it's never been easier to make and consume music and that this must be a good thing.

After one abortive attempt and significant re-education in modern technology Twang welcomes ColinH to the pod.  We discover Colin's story covering his favourites, writing, making music, Van Morrison and, shock spoiler, he likes the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Twang welcomes FeedbackFile, Tiggerlion and Steve T to the pod for a review of the cultural year, taking in music, TV, film, Twang's ennui, old Hawkwind albums and Jenny Lewis's strangely symmetrical mole.  There is genuinely something for everyone in this bumper cast.  Have great Christmas pod listeners.

Twang welcomes Blue Boy, Chiz and Eddie G to the pod for a ramble around the world of criticism, taking in masters of the genre such as CSM, Nick Kent and Ian McDonald through  Word mag, Q, Amazon reviews, Afterword reviews and where the team have been on the receiving end (or otherwise) of the attentions of Grub Street.

Twang welcomes Eddie G, Neela, and Chris F to the pod to discuss James Bond.  Martinis in hand (shaken not stirred), clad in immaculate white tux, they cover the films, the books, the actors, the baddies, music….many opinions are aired and we agree Connery was best.

Twang gathers Tiggerlion, Nigel T, Dai and occasional guest Simon for a discussion on the Beatles' “Abbey Road” and its recent remix/rerelease.  A stimulating discussion ensues which has to be brutally cut short at 1hr 30m, lovingly represented here in stereo (the mono remix will be available shortly from specialist web shops).  We cover the history of the album, where it fits in the Beatles universe, songwriting, recording, remix approaches… A wide spread of opinions are aired, context and judgement applied and in the end most of the team admit they'd buy it whatever it was like.  Advice is offered for potential purchasers on the different formats available and Twang confesses it doesn't sound much different to the 2009 remaster to him.

Ahead of a gig in Thornton Hough with family in attendance singer songwriter Kathryn Williams sits down to talk box sets - her 20 year spanning Anthology flying off the merch table like so many hot Kiplings. The excited hubbub is audible as we discuss covers, working with Neill MacColl (who makes an extended cameo appearance), outtakes and demos plus her tour and future projects https://kathrynwilliams.lnk.to/AnthologyBoxset https://www.kathrynwilliams.co.uk/live

Twang welcomes Tiggerlion to the pod for a one to one taking in his lifelong love of music in almost all its forms (though our guest admits he hasn't found the metal album he likes….yet).  In a discussion ranging from The Beatles to Eminem via Miles, Coltrane and Lana Del Rey, Twang leaves with a list of actions of stuff he should have heard of.  A playlist of the vast span of music Tig recommended is in the comments.   If you fancy joining Twang in the pod for a 121 natter, PM forthwith!

This episode, germ-free adolescents Dr Volume, FentonSteve and Rigid Digit kick around in a post-industrial wasteland and talk all things Post-Punk with Twang, a man who chose not to attend *that* infamous Sex Pistols gig at Manchester Lesser Free Trade hall, nor pop round for tea with Ian Curtis. Is Post-Punk just Punk with keyboards and less spitting? What happens when Punks refuse to go 'Post'? How will Twang react to the swinging sounds of The Raincoats and Swell Maps and can the team make it through to the end without using the words 'Edgy' and 'Angular?

Twang is joined in a pod basking in summer heat and thick with the sweet smell of sinsemilla to discuss reggae from its ska roots, a groove mutated by Caribbean musicians playing covers of American R&B, through the rock steady hits of the 60s which ran for over 20 years into the 70s global stardom of Bob Marley, The team consider the important acts of the time, consider British reggae, the rise and dominance of dub and later evolutions such as disco mix.

Twang welcomes Feedback File to the pod for a ramble through his musical past and other life stories.  Unusually the boys are together in person, so Skype has no opportunity to introduce technical excitement this time.  We cover teenage boy prog appeal, yuppies, classic pop, 80s work culture, writing music, books, podcasts….   To book a moment in the podcast sun PM @Twang and schedule a 121!

Twang is joined by Dai, Blue Boy and newbie Bogart to discuss Bruce Springsteen, AKA The Boss.  From his earliest beginnings they consider the three phases of Bruce (an absurdly reductive concept inflicted on the team by ringmaster Twang), the monumental live performances and what they want him to do next. Much fun is had and the result is a stadium sized pod as befits its subject.

At the suggestion of Paws For Thought, Twang welcomes Malc, Dr Volume, Fenton Steve and Paws to the pod to discuss the band and their brilliant strain of indy punk folk and the superb hilarious and often deep and affecting lyrics.  Much laughter transpires and HMHB newbie Twang becomes a fan for life.

Twang welcomes Steve T to the pod for a natter taking in his journey through music and life via the Everglades and Midlands metal to the Word and the comforts of a folkier vibe.   To accept the comfy chair and a grilling from Twang don't be coy and fire off a PM forthwith!

Twang welcomes legendary record producer Mike Vernon to the pod to discuss his career spanning numerous classic albums but especially Afterword favourite John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton” (AKA “The Beano” album) and the first generation Fleetwood Mac plus a catch up on Mike's more recent activities.  Mike is happy to go deep on the nerdy stuff and Twang periodically proves unable to avoid going into gush mode.

Twang welcomes Skirky, Carl and Feedback File to the pod for a general natter taking in Danny Baker, shameful admissions, definitive masterpieces, what we've learned, recommendations of the week, music, books telly, pleasures and pain of owning a dog and heron control.

Twang welcomes Word founder David Hepworth to the pod, apologising for the scruffy surroundings after the glitz of the mighty Word magazine recording suite.  The Hep is in fine form, and we have an enjoyable wander through his career touching on some less known facts, the new book and his other current activities.  Twang admonishes the great man for not popping in for a cup of tea and stresses the warm welcome which awaits...

Twang welcomes Tiggerlion, El Hombre Malo and Mike H back to the pod to continue the review of Miles Davis's career from the departure of John Coltrane through the second great quintet, the embracing of electric instruments, drugs and his late period renaissance.  There is much to cover and the team battle and beat the temptation to bottle it and accept there must be a part three.

Twang welcomes Pencilsqueezer to the pod for a rambling one to one discussion taking in life, art, music, creativity and Walter Trout's liver.  With true artistic control, the boys go approximately an hour over schedule and the resultant ‘cast is a sadly cut down version of the  master tape which will be available in the to-be released AW Podcast Masters series.   Volunteers for a rambling chat with Twang for the pod please PM!

Twang gathers in the pod with Feedback File and Nick Duvet to discuss Joni Mitchell.  We wander through her early folkie days, her (arguable) peak in the 70s, the great jazz scare and Feedback makes a case for the later albums where her unerring way with a tune and a chord progression fights with the unpleasant production values of the time and wins.  We agree that her influence is enormous and toy with the idea that she is increasingly becoming a cult figure.

Twang welcomes Blue Boy and Dai to the pod to discuss Van Morrison. There's little to argue with about the quality and usually the quality of the various Vans we have seen, and “Astral Weeks” is given suitably reverential treatment other than one member who moans about the noodly flute player. They agree that through the transcendent Celtic soul and deep mysticism there is a rich vein of Van humour to be discovered, and not a mention of harmonicas.

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 cobbing 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.

No! Not something to do with healthy food. Twang, Slotbadger, Neela and Steve T convene in the pod to discuss rock biographies and the endless vista of related cultural stuff around them which we enjoy.  Favourites are praised, stinkers are called out to save you wasting your time and the team read excerpts from their favourites.

Twang, Feedback File, Skirky and FentonSteve gather in the pod for a natter about nothing in particular. The team chew over the events of the past week, threads they enjoyed, new fun discoveries, maths problems, podcasts and finally show their chops as budding poets.

In a bumper year end review, Twang, Tiggerlion, El Hombre Malo and Leedsboy gather under the stern watchful gaze of Head Boy Ainsley.  The team cover their personal take on the year, music, books, TV, sport, Brexit, podcasts, the Blog itself….all is contained here.

Twang, Ganglesprocket, Feedback File and Salwarpe gather in the pod to have a hard hitting, narrow eyed look at the life, work and legacy of Nick Drake.  Preconceptions are put aside and cold objectivity deployed.  After some debate, all agree that it's all pretty much perfect other than the odd track which is just really good.

Twang, Tiggerlion, Nigel T and Steve C with special guest and Beatles lifer Simon convene in the pod to discuss the Beatles album “The Beatles” aka The White Album.  Like its subject, the pod is possibly too long, a bit all over the place, somewhat chaotic and at any time one of the fab four is left wondering what is going on.  Nonetheless, much ground is covered, the new remixed box discussed in detail and Twang's lack of Beatles knowledge brutally exposed.  Finally the team take the shears to TWA and produce 5 alternative running orders to fit onto one vinyl album.

Twang, Skirky, Bartleby, Askwith and El Hombre Malo convene in the pod to discuss the nobel practice of being in a band - forming, storming, norming, falling apart, making a row and having FUN.  Hoary anecdotes are told, bad gigs ruefully recounted and occasional triumphs celebrated.  Tips are available on the tricky art of getting rid of failing band members - spoiler alert, cowardice is your friend.  Part 2 is threatened...

Twang, Ganglesprocket, Feedback File, TK Magic Words and Tiggerlion assemble in the pod, adopt “The Thinker” posture and get deep and philosophical on the weighty topic of whether music matters?  Did it ever?  Has the age of music being central to everything gone?  Was John Miles right?  Listen and find out.

Twang, Fortune 8, Uncle Wheaty, FentonSteve and Dave Big Picture gather in the pod to discuss live albums, the good, the bad, the ugly.   The boys venture off piste into genres of which they are manifestly ignorant (are there drum solos on live rap albums?) and manage to go for minutes at a time without getting back to “Live and Dangerous”.

Twang, Fortune 8, Rigid Digit and Asquith convene in the pod to discuss TV past and present.  The square eyed team cover programmes old and new, deep dive into comedy and crime (who was in Cannon?), the Beeb, new ways of consuming the same old rubbish and take a punt on the future for that about which so many grumble whilst spending hours a week consuming.

Twang, Tiggerlion, El Hombre Malo and Mike H gather in the pod to discuss the first half of Miles Davis's career.  Berets are worn, goatees stroked and brows furrowed as the boys try to navigate the work of an artist who seemed to be having about 4 careers at once, frequently releasing multiple albums per year.  Favourite albums are debated and ever switching musical companions considered, but we all agree that “Kind of Blue” is definitely quite good.

Twang, Chiz, Carl and Retropath 2 gather in the pod to discuss, in a shameless bit of navel gazing, the Afterword.  Topic originator Attack Dog was busy on guard duty at the time so had to sit this one out but his growl was there in spirit.  The team discuss their entry to the blog, favourite threads, how to achieve an effective flounce, hate threads and much more.  About half way through, reggae fans will appreciate the contribution of guest producer Lee “Scratch” Perry as participants randomly disappear into a Skype provided echo chamber, but the team are not phased by this first known venture into podcast dub and get to the end in a positive, if cautious, mood about the future of our little corner of the internet.

Twang, Leedsboy and Tiggerlion reconvene with the midfield strengthened by Askwith called from the bench as Feedback File is on a free transfer to more useful activities and maintaining the tradition of every podcast being disrupted by Skype problems, Fortune 8 was obliged to sit this one out. The team celebrate the quarter final win over Sweden, trash talk the competition and unashamedly dare to dream.  It's coming home, they don't sing (you will be relieved to learn).

Twang, Leedsboy, Fortune 8, Tiggerlion and JohnA gather in the pod to discuss England's triumphant exit from the last 16 and booking of a quarter final place on Saturday.  With not a sick parrot in sight the boys survey the competition with a jaundiced eye and make a punt on the eventual winner. Dare we dream?  Listen and find out.

So despite popular demand Ganglesprocket, Dr Volume & Rigid Digit along with host DFB step into the 90s and a bit into the 21st century with their final TV picks - Boy Girl Revolutionaries - Skanking Lionel Blair - Robin & Liz's Funtime Show - Watch With MF's - Rather Meg & Jack Than Fleetwood Mac A accompanying YouTube playlist should help guide you towards the end of the road https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuBKVPHCs4ltiVdt4xC9hPfZ2DRJzrgjf

In another universe of lost recordings this already exists but in this reality for the first time Mr DFB, Dr Volume, Rigit Digit and Ganglesprocket chose their favourite music TV moments at short notice and are then forced to justify themselves.  To help with the video part of this audio only expeience there is a YouTube playlist up at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuBKVPHCs4lsgRHaeQJKE5Y-HMU3eO414 So we discuss Dusty n Martha's Motown youthquake Lady Soul's explosion in the unlikeliest of places The band who made it all look so much of a real good time The magnetic howling noise of Johnny and the boys Freaky dancing and glasses from local TV heaven Not definitive, not exhaustice, simply off the top of our heads. Part 2 will follow with plenty of swearing, jumping, fury and fun.   

Mr Tiggerlion, Steven C, NigelT and DFB (Vera, Chuck & Dave) have been storing up Beatles chat all winter, here comes the sun and it's gonna be a double Actually this podcast would fit nicely onto one side of a C90 if you edited out the music bits aka the glue in the sandwich but you'd be missing some groovy sounds from and surrounding 'The Beatles' aka The Beatles White Album from 1968. Recreating a hippie commune in Penge we consult the Tibetan Book Of The Yeti and meditate on some far out schizzle We're Ringo's tins of Heinz Beans the only thing that got lost in Rishikesh? Did the Beatles start to unravel before the fractious White Album sessions? Were the clues to the dissolution of the group in their various contributions to the May 1968 demo tape at George's gaff? Which track should have stayed in demo form according to DFB AND NO ONE ELSE. But most importantly - what Beatles gift did Nigel T get for Christmas?

Same day, same idiots aka DFB, Dr Volume and Ganglesprocket try to examine why Mr Dog and Mr G appear to need to like everything - especially if its on a list This is not an in depth examination of the work of Joni Mitchell because that's for someone else its just trying to explain why we don't really get her. Or rather all you need is one album. Or maybe not even that Maybe you should just follow the Dr Volume prescription of just finding stuff you like and not putting yourself through the mangle desperately trying to convince yourselves to accept an artist into your life it's not a matter of life and death but what is? 

Why have we gathered on this mountainside at this ungodly hour as the cold winds of winter whip around our ears? To talk bullshit of course. DFB, Mr Ganglesprocket and not a real Dr Volume beat the January blues by catching up with life as we know it.  With his http://recordshopcity.co.uk/ hat on the Dr gives latest report on whether we have reached peak vinyl. We discuss the New Years Honours List, the lovely Bongo and equally saintly Marc.  We discuss pop comformity, bands who try new directions, success , failure and Scott Engel Part 2 will feature Joni Mitchell critique and whether we really need to measure music in 12 month chunks but for now, thank you for listening

Marking the passing of Steely Dan's Walter Becker, Twang, Tiggerlion, Nick Duvet and Feedback File convene in the pod to reflect on topics such as what did Walter bring to the Dan, was he his own man or simply one half of a greater whole, how did the boys work together and a quick skim over Walter's many finest moments (a grammatical absurdity our hero would have appreciated).

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.

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 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.

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, spiritual dimensions to heroin and being scared to go beyond certain points in the man's canon, much ground is covered.  And Tig has to admit there is an album even he doesn't think he can't improve by a spot of re-sequencing.

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.