47 replies to this topic

[Kingsleyrob]

I was amazed to find when tootling around the BBC website a Desert Island Discs programme from 1969 featuring Raymond Mays. My initial tootling was caused by Murray's recent appearance, though I haven't listened to him yet.

 

Alas I am not able to post a link (though I am sure Tim will help me out) due to the forum foibles, but if you Google Raymond Mays Desert Island Discs you'll be directed there, and as a bonus find a clip from Jack Brabham's appearance in 1966, and a full forty minutes of Alan Jones from 1981.

 

There's a search facility which enabled me to find JYS's appearance in 1986 too. 

 

Jim Clark, Graham Hill and SCM have also appeared but I'm afraid their episodes don't seem to have been archived by the Beeb.  What a pity.

 

Happy listening!

 

Rob

 

As I happened to be passing and using my new-found moderation powers : Raymond Mays Desert Island Discs

 

 

Edited by Kingsleyrob, 18 March 2014 - 23:19.

[Kingsleyrob]

Thanks Richard - and congratulations on your new position!

 

Rob 

 

PS I can't even cut/copy and paste text within my own forum postings, let alone post external links.

Edited by Kingsleyrob, 18 March 2014 - 23:22.

[Tim Murray]

Rob, have you tried toggling the ‘lightswitch’ icon in the top left corner of the reply box to turn WYSIWYG off? I know this has worked for some people who couldn’t post links or quotes. Full explanation in post 1 of this thread:

 

Using IE and having problems with quoting and posting links/pics? Suggested workaround

 

Here’s a list of the motor sport people who’ve been on Desert Island Discs. It’s a bit worrying that there have apparently been no racing drivers since Sir JYS nearly thirty years ago.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/find-a-castaway#/occupation_group/sport/occupation/motor%2Bsport

 

[Glengavel]

Racing drivers crop up in the oddest places. I've got an old Giles annual from the 1960s for which Jim Clark provided the guest introduction.

[2F-001]

In Alan Jones's edition of D.I.D., he bemoans losing an F3 championship at the final round... for which double points were awarded...

(edited for sloppy writing)

Edited by 2F-001, 19 March 2014 - 08:30.

[Vitesse2]

Here’s a list of the motor sport people who’ve been on Desert Island Discs. It’s a bit worrying that there have apparently been no racing drivers since Sir JYS nearly thirty years ago.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/find-a-castaway#/occupation_group/sport/occupation/motor%2Bsport

I wouldn't say worrying, Tim. More like unsurprising. With the greatest respect, I don't think most of the recent or current crop of drivers have really had much exposure to music or culture - they're all somewhat corporate and one-dimensional. Damon's probably the only one - and would even Kirsty Young be able to keep a straight face when asking him about his musical career with Sex Hitler and The Hormones?    Lewis's experience of music seems purely second-hand and as I gather his main musical taste seems to be hip-hop it's hardly Radio 4 is it?

 

They also have to sound interesting and have a reasonably interesting story. Jenson? Perhaps. I see him as a Stones fan. Our Noige? Ummm ..

[2F-001]

In much more recent times, drivers have tended to be younger when they've become recognized names in the non-specialist media - and having in many cases been intensively 'hot-housed' as budding stars, perhaps have a narrower vein of life, educational and cultural experiences to discuss; wouldn't this limit the scope and appeal appeal of such a programme?

Further, I think that (very) generally the younger one is, the more polarized one's musical tastes are; a selection of tracks from one very specific genre (or well-known radio hits) might not make a broadly well-received programme. (Having said that, some castaways have chosen wholly from a traditional orchestral - 'classical' - tradition, even solely their own recordings I believe).

Presumably the castaways have to be paid, which may be a problem in some cases.

[Tim Murray]

I wouldn't say worrying, Tim. More like unsurprising. With the greatest respect, I don't think most of the recent or current crop of drivers have really had much exposure to music or culture - they're all somewhat corporate and one-dimensional.

 

In much more recent times, drivers have tended to be younger when they've become recognized names in the non-specialist media - and having in many cases been intensively 'hot-housed' as budding stars, perhaps have a narrower vein of life, educational and cultural experiences to discuss; wouldn't this limit the scope and appeal appeal of such a programme?

Agreed absolutely - I don't think that I'd be much interested in hearing any of the current F1 crop.  Assuming the BBC would still restrict the choice to British and Commonwealth drivers, the people I would like to hear would be John Surtees, John Watson, David Coulthard, Damon Hill, Mark Webber, maybe Dario Franchitti - and definitely Our Noige. I often find I warm to people I've previously greatly disliked when they appear on the programme, and I'd love to find out whether I could warm to Mr Mansell.

Edited by Tim Murray, 19 March 2014 - 09:18.

[Tim Murray]

Jim Clark, Graham Hill and SCM have also appeared but I'm afraid their episodes don't seem to have been archived by the Beeb. What a pity.

Part of Jim Clark’s appearance on Desert Island Discs has recently re-emerged and is currently available on BBC Sounds. Unfortunately it only covers the last five minutes or so of the programme, but it’s good to hear his voice, if only briefly:

https://www.bbc.co.u...s/play/p009y4xm

[marksixman]

Blimey Tim,

 

There is keeping your eye on the ball, and then there is keeping your eye on the ball through binoculars !

 

OK, one language warning !!

[Tim Murray]

The Beeb has been making quite a fuss about the stuff that’s recently been rediscovered. There are a number of other Desert Island Discs episodes previously believed lost, plus a whole lot of other gems. They’re broadcasting an episode of Hancock’s Half Hour featuring Peter Sellers, not heard since 1955, this coming Tuesday (18th Oct) at 6.30 pm.

https://www.bbc.co.u...t-arts-63215698

[amerikalei]

Regarding musical taste, if I recall correctly, in Peter Manso's Vroom!! Surtees says he can hardly stand the Beatles, and declines to acknowledge the 'Stones.  He came across as older than his years, and not someone to care about pop culture nonsense.

[Gary C]

....and BBC Radio 4 Extra are transmitting an episode of The Goon Show that I returned to them around 4 years ago, turns it the recording was around 4 minutes longervthan any other version of this episode that's ever been heard before:

https://www.bbc.co.u...rammes/b007jlcp
I even get a namecheck on the BBC website.

[john aston]

There was a time in the 80s and 90s when almost every F1 driver seemed to have the most execrable musical taste, professing their undying love for Phil Collins' oeuvre. Ghastly. Thank the Lord for Damon Hill who had the good taste to enjoy The Smiths and The Clash .  

[Sterzo]

Oh dear. Let's hope Jim Clark's missing choices were better than Andy Stewart and Peggy Lee. It's a good job his reputation rests on his driving not his musical taste.

[malomay]

Part of Jim Clark’s appearance on Desert Island Discs has recently re-emerged and is currently available on BBC Sounds. Unfortunately it only covers the last five minutes or so of the programme, but it’s good to hear his voice, if only briefly:

https://www.bbc.co.u...s/play/p009y4xm

 

Thank you so much for that Tim, great to hear his down to earth, humble voice yes, and I loved his choice of Peggy Lee. Very poignant as well in light of future events........

Edited by malomay, 13 October 2022 - 20:56.

[RCH]

There was a time in the 80s and 90s when almost every F1 driver seemed to have the most execrable musical taste, professing their undying love for Phil Collins' oeuvre. Ghastly. Thank the Lord for Damon Hill who had the good taste to enjoy The Smiths and The Clash .  

 

Those totally tuneless "tunesmiths" the Smiths, please say it isn't so! Please tell me it's all a mistake and Damon didn't actually enjoy The Smiths!

[ensign14]

Those totally tuneless "tunesmiths" the Smiths, please say it isn't so! Please tell me it's all a mistake and Damon didn't actually enjoy The Smiths!

So what if he did?  What difference does it make?

[john winfield]

So what if he did?  What difference does it make?

 

Good to hear from you Ensign.  I thought you were still ill.

[john winfield]

Oh dear. Let's hope Jim Clark's missing choices were better than Andy Stewart and Peggy Lee. It's a good job his reputation rests on his driving not his musical taste.

 

Peter Windsor's site lists Jim's choices.  Chris Barber features, as do Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas with the very up-to-date 'Little Children', released earlier in 1964.

 

https://peterwindsor...m-clarks-music/

[ensign14]

Good to hear from you Ensign.  I thought you were still ill.

Panic over.

[john winfield]

Those totally tuneless "tunesmiths" the Smiths, please say it isn't so! Please tell me it's all a mistake and Damon didn't actually enjoy The Smiths!

 

 

Rod, feel free to borrow my albums - I'm sure they'll grow on you. The Smiths were excellent, even if Morrissey has proved himself to be a prize prat.

[AJCee]

Panic over.

That joke isn’t funny anymore

[ensign14]

That joke isn’t funny anymore

Trouble is, I started something I couldn't finish.

[john winfield]

Trouble is, I started something I couldn't finish.

 

Well I wonder if that's exactly your problem.

[Tim Murray]

Toto Wolff is the castaway on next Sunday’s edition (30th July).

[marksixman]

That could be quite interesting.

 

"We Were the Champions" ? No, that is wrong ! Although, actually, correct !!

 

Something by Siouxsie and the Banshees ? No, wrong Susie !

 

Or perhaps "Appian Way" by Miklos Rozsa, the main theme from the film "Quo Vadis" ?!  Hope you all know your Latin !

[ensign14]

Hungry Like The Wolff?

[Bloggsworth]

That could be quite interesting.

 

"We Were the Champions" ? No, that is wrong ! Although, actually, correct !!

 

Something by Siouxsie and the Banshees ? No, wrong Susie !

 

Or perhaps "Appian Way" by Miklos Rozsa, the main theme from the film "Quo Vadis" ?!  Hope you all know your Latin !

Whither goest thou with that quote?

[john winfield]

Janis Joplin, surely?

[marksixman]

Whither goest thou with that quote?

Perhaps we should ask Sir Lewis !

[john aston]

You're so vain ? 

[john winfield]

Wagner? The Flying Dutchman?

[2F-001]

For Toto?

 

The Beautiful South track “Hooligans don’t fall in love” … which contains the refrain “There’s always someone in a faster car.”

[Tim Murray]

More details now available:

https://www.bbc.co.u...rammes/m001p6y1

[marksixman]

Well, that was interesting. Have to say I did learn a bit about Toto.

 

Some really good music choices, although Queen was of course a touch predictable.

 

Shame there was was no mention of Michael, or Nico.

 

One luxury item - have to say I was expecting a generator and a simulator ! But flippers and goggles does make more sense !

[Doug Nye]

Flippers and goggles?  Very good for porpoising?

 

DCN

[ensign14]

Shame there was was no mention of Michael, or Nico.

 

I doubt Toto has ever heard of the Velvet Underground tbf.

[john aston]

What I expected - some interesting personal background , then the inevitable pyscho- babble nonsense about motivation, and mental wellbeing  . And pretty awful music - Massive Attack apart , it was the music of someone who doesn't listen to music very much . Awful old tut ,  including the Phil Collins/ Genesis which it used to be compulsory for every F1 driver to like in the 90s . Apart from Damon Hill , who really does like music . 

[Michael Ferner]

I don't mind Genesis, but Phil Collins is usually really awful. And Michael (Jackson, I presume) is even worse.

[john aston]

But ..err ..post Peter Gabriel era  (ie when Genesis were good ) Phil Collins became their singer as well as drummer ...

[Michael Ferner]

Well, yes, I know. But it's still easy to differentiate between Genesis and Phil Collins solo, isn't it?   I'm not much into singers or drummers, I'm interested in the music, the overall quality of composition and production.

Edited by Michael Ferner, 02 August 2023 - 13:40.

[AJCee]

Whilst sharing the view that Gabriel-era Genesis was the peak, the first few albums post-split are okay.
By the mid 80s I found it hard to distinguish between Genesis and Collins’ solo stuff unless Rutherford and Banks appeared in the video.

Tenuous motor racing link, there’s two top level drivers and a constructor in that paragraph! (No disrespect intended to Warwick Banks)

[Tim Murray]

Not forgetting the hero of Paris-Madrid 1903.

[Michael Ferner]

Well, I never needed video to detect Tony Banks in Genesis songs, besides the Collins solo stuff was usually awful, just awful. Then again, thinking about it he did have a few (mildly) interesting hits (Sussudio comes to mind, or In The Air Tonight). All this to say we appear to generally agree, Genesis went from the sublime to good to merely tolerable over time. Nuff said.

 

As for AJCee, I struggle to find the constructor... Gabriel, Rutherford and, yes, even Collins go for top level drivers, but Banks... ? Or, did you mean Ford???

[Collombin]

ERA got a lower case mention.

[Michael Ferner]

Aaaahhhh, ** brill ** 

[Sterzo]

I listened expecting to be bored, but wasn't at all. Made me realise how little I knew about Toto Wolff, and how much more there is to know. Music? Not the music I'd take, but that's rather the point of the programme - it's someone else's personal choices.