R3 Needs AK

[Martin Reynolds]

Bless you Mariza! Cheers John!

[Paul Sherratt]

Martin,

You haven't explained how you've come to have missed Bob Brozman during all these twenty plus years of
bbc radio exposure by AK, JP, MAK, VS, LK, FT, MR, BH and others.

[Lateralthinking1]

Some random thoughts on recent comments -

Mariza - Terrific. She is very distinctive.

Heavy metal - Yes, Martin, quite. Spinal Tap did sum it up really. Nearly all dreadful. I would, though, play a Free record and like the rootsy, idiosyncratic nature of early Welsh rock bands like Budgie and Man. This is a character fault.

Virtuosity - Yes, totally agree, on electric guitar workouts. Mainly dire too. I suggest Michael Hedges and Robbie Basho as good examples, among many, of virtuosity generally. Ravi Shankar, who you mention, is definitely another. It's in the tuning for me.

DJ Ritu - Charlie had the same problem at Capital from memory. Possibly about one year into a Conservative Government too? BBC Radio London, always a law unto itself, and often good for that reason, should be ashamed at (a) the sudden dismissal of a committed presenter and (b) the trashing of her predecessor's memory. In many ways, this is a sign of the times. Happening everywhere. It is far more gut-wrenching in its impacts, particularly when campaigned against, than the cutters are prepared to go near to acknowledging in their increasingly crazed brains.

Local radio - I think Ritu still has her Asian music programme on BBC 3CR? It seems, what with French London Radio, Polish London Radio, etc, etc that the trend is towards providing specialist services for groups in Britain rather than focussing farther afield. I guess that it makes some sense as it is local radio and it builds on early programmes like "Black Londoners". That is little consolation I agree for other music radio listeners and 3CR also needs to be watched very closely. Didn't like the way they ditched Jake's Rokker Radio Show.

Radio 3 World - It probably should be accepted that a station like R3, with all its emphasis on classical music, literature, etc, is going to have a fairly dry approach to world music too. You and I have discussed in the past Lucy's role at SOAS and I really like her academic way with the music while being personable. Are you still thinking of doing a course? Max does his own thing and has been described as an "enthusiast", not welcomed by all but he does have some link with the more ambitious and eclectic programmes on the station in the 70s, not that he would necessarily see it like that himself.

This is not to say that Ritu isn't enthusiastic and full of knowledge. But to take two random names out of the hat, so are Rob Da Banc and Annie Nightingale, both very good broadcasters, but they wouldn't be right for 3 style-wise. Of course, Charlie was also on the World Service. I wonder if DJ Ritu could find a niche there? If not, 6Music surely.

Invitation - One thought - she is always welcome to come on here as people like Mr Anderson did when we were all "with" the BBC and offer her perspectives on what is needed more on 3 in terms of world music. They would be interesting to hear.

Brozman - I liked the Jin Jin album he did with Takashi Hirayasu.

Other old friends - Isn't it a shame we don't hear from McGrooger anymore? I hope he is ok.

[Martin Reynolds]

Paul, too much time thinking about Beethoven. I had come across him before in a collaboration with Debashish Battacharya. But it's always nice to get to know a man through an in-depth interview and an interesting current project.

[Lateralthinking1]

But who is going to tell Tchaikovsky this news?

[johncorrigan]

But who is going to tell Tchaikovsky this news?

I'll make a Liszt!