Litbits

As heard on Resonance FM, Adam Smyth and James Kidd are joined by man of song Paul Myerscough. After an opening entanglement with Usher’s Climax, the podsters tap their feet to a merry farrago of (among others) Paul Morley—Kylie Minogue—Christopher Ricks—Ulysses—Bob Dylan—Keats—Shakespeare—and perhaps the greatest of them all, Andrew Ridgeley.

Hear the worst cover of Run DMC - ever (now that’s what I call rubbish). Thrill to the pointiillist synthesiser. And gasp as someone admits to their love for Bon Jovi and Natasha Bedingfield. The only question is: who?

Dancing shoes? We think so.

Paul Myerscough is a Senior Editor at the London Review of Books.

Duration: 43.58.

For those of you who like your Lit Bits short and sweet, here’s the first of our mini Lit Bits—a Lit Bitlette—or micro-pod—or petit podule—featuring 5 golden minutes of James Kidd, Esq., riding solo, and musing—admittedly between sizeable swigs—on literature and knights. Saddle up, Sir Gawain. This Pod Lite is dedicated to David Knight, Esq, who is responsible for designing the Lit Bits website. For further information about Mr Knight, if that isn’t a contradiction in terms, contact us at our email or Twitter page. Mr Knight: Lit Bits salutes you.

Duration: 4.51

In which Adam Smyth and James Kidd are joined by best-selling novelist and antiquarian maestro Giles Milton. Our fearless musers dance a pas de deux with Clio and her many incarnations—viz. the writing of history—the features thereof—fiction and narrative— character in the archives—almanacs and chronologies—that friend of Clio, Jay-Z—Devon—Andrew Motion, etc.

Giles Milton is the author of many books, including Nathaniel’s Nutmeg: How One Man’s Courage Changed the Course of History, and White Gold: The Extraordinary Story of Thomas Pellow and North Africa’s One Million European Slaves. You can get more of Giles Milton by clicking here.

Duration: 32.54

In which Adam Smyth and James Kidd are joined by Steve Rose Esq., Guardian critic and man of buildings. Some 40 minutes of musings on books and buildings—the links and differences—with some matters concerning the relationship between reading a book and walking a city. The lusty symbolism of bricks—unfinished designs—how to enter a building. A middle section containing two questions in very different styles—an extraordinary scene with Mr Andrew Motion—and the pleasant history then draws to a conclusion. Regrets are few as the fellows depart for an ordinary or inn.

Duration: 41.31

In which Adam Smyth and James Kidd are joined by advertising wiz, comedy writer, and all-round chap-about-town Jonathan Thake. Our trusty podders saddle their steeds and engage in a veritable canter through the vast wild fields of literature and advertising. Among other oddities they encounter on their questing voyage, are Ben Jonson, Pot Noodle, American Psycho, Heineken, and Andrew Motion. Profit and delight are assured.

Duration: 38.05

In which Adam Smyth and James Kidd are joined by film critic and author James Mottram to discuss several matters pertaining to literature and film.

After some general comments, the topics touched upon include the many difficulties involved when translating prose to the cinema—the life and opinions of Thomas Hanks Esq—the strange discourse of The Empire Strikes Back (a novel in several episodes)—the peculiarities of reading a book and attending the cinema—Mr Thomas Hanks (actor)—the attractions or otherwise of becoming a screenwriter—the curious circumstances that befell Thomas Hanks—as well as more surprising and unexpected adventures, full of learning and good wit.

Did we mention Tom Hanks?

Duration: 37.15

In which Adam Smyth and James Kidd are joined by Polly Russell.

After the introduction to the work—or bill of fare to the feast—containing as much of the background as is necessary or proper to acquaint the listener (or ‘podder’) with in the beginning of this ‘podcast’—discussion turned to such topics as cookbooks—TV chefs—poems about plums—and the right number of servants for the upkeep of a stately house.

Containing scenes of gastronomical felicity in different degrees of life—and various other transactions. Fit for all to consume.

Duration: 38.55

In which Adam Smyth and James Kidd are joined by that traveller of Helicon and friend of Apollo, James Byrne.

Containing the most memorable transactions which passed in discussion of literature ripe in its badness. In this ‘podcast’, the listener—or ‘podder’—may pick up some hints concerning the writing—and reading—and poetry and prose. What is badness? Is it just a matter of taste (yeuch)? What makes a bad sentence?

Duration: 36.45

In which Adam Smyth and James Kidd are joined by the sporting enthusiast and man of letters Joe Brooker.

Containing a portion of time somewhat longer than a demi-heure—and composed of many rules, and some examples—by which the twin arts of pen and boot may be aligned—and other prudential inducements to comparison. Which inaugurates Lit Bits, with an instance of wit, which—we hope—will not appear unnatural. The authors crave the forbearance of the listener (or ‘podder’) that this being a pilot pod, the sound is (in the words of the demotic) ‘somewhat patchy.’

Duration: 33.31