Are you ready for some incredible stories? Take 5 always gifts us with some cracking yarns, but this week’s episode takes the cake. In fact, I’ve had more responses to Ed Le Brocq’s Take 5 than any other, in ages.

Ed used to be Eddie Ayers, a legendary ABC Classic FM broadcaster who has shared his life of adventure with us over the past two decades. Ed is a cellist, viola, and violin player, and has gifted his talents to others; teaching school kids in Afghanistan, and playing for Uyghurs in the remote deserts of China.

We’ll get to those stories soon… but this might give you a sense of why I asked Ed to Take 5. Across four books, Ed has shared his stories of travel and self-discovery with us, and music has always been at his centre. From Joni Mitchell to shredding violas to Ry Cooder, this is an extraordinary conversation about the power of love, self-belief, adventure and of course, music. 

Ed Le Brocq's song choices:

• Joni Mitchell – A Case of You
• Maria Theresia von Paradis – Sicilienne
• Elton John – Your Song
• Paul Hindemith - Viola Sonata, Op. 25, No. 1: IV. Rasendes Zeitmass
• Ry Cooder and V. M. Bhatt – Isa Lei

00:33 Ed Le Brocq introduction

01:52 Having a restless spirit

04:55 Memories of the seventies and Joni Mitchell

07:21 Joni Mitchell - 'A Case of You'

07:55 Ed's love of the Cello

14:30 Travelling the world with music

17:59 Maria Theresia von Paradis – 'Sicilienne'

18:50 Interpreting music in your way

20:20 Listening to music as a musician

28:10 Elton John - 'Your Song'

29:10 Music as the universal language

32:30 Classic music with an edge

35:42 Paul Hindemith - 'Viola Sonata, Op. 25, No. 1: IV. Rasendes Zeitmass'

36:45 Classic FM audience and shredding

42:30 Depression and "the cover of grey silt"

44:08 Ry Cooder and V. M. Bhatt – 'Isa Lei'

44:06 Show notes and next weeks guests!

Show notes:

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