Mastertapes

Mastertapes episodes:

• 12.07.2023

  Introducing Legend: The Joni Mitchell Story

  Joni Mitchell’s songs have soundtracked our lives and her pioneering work changed music forever. Jesca Hoop explores her extraordinary story to reveal the life behind the legend. In the first episode, we hear how young Joni loves to watch the...

  
• 04.22.2019

  Richard Hawley at the Crucible

  In a special edition of Mastertapes, guitarist, singer-songwriter and producer, Richard Hawley welcomes John Wilson to the Crucible in his home town of Sheffield. Throughout his 33 (and a third?) year career as a musician (he first recorded a John...

  
• 12.24.2018

  Don McLean - American Pie

  John Wilson returns with another run of the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale...

  
• 12.17.2018

  The Good, The Bad & The Queen

  John Wilson returns with another run of the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale...

  
• 12.10.2018

  Lily Allen - No Shame

  John Wilson returns with another run of the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale...

  
• 10.13.2018

  Elvis Costello

  In a special edition of Mastertapes to celebrate National Album Day, Elvis Costello, the consummate album artist talks to John Wilson and plays his way back through a career that has spanned five decades, premiers exclusive tracks from his new...

  
• 12.18.2017

  Benjamin Clementine - At Least For Now

  John Wilson concludes the seventh series of Mastertapes, the programme in which he talks to leading artists about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios,...

  
• 12.12.2017

  Jimmy Webb

  Jimmy Webb talks to John Wilson about his song writing career

  
• 12.04.2017

  David Gray - White Ladder

  John Wilson continues with another recording for the series in which leading artists discuss the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two...

  
• 11.27.2017

  Emeli Sande - Our Version Of Events

  John Wilson returns with another edition of Mastertapes the programme in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic...

  
• 08.28.2017

  Randy Newman - Sail Away

  With six Grammys, three Emmys and two Oscars (from 20 Academy Award nominations) - to say nothing of his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and membership of both the Songwriters and the Rock & Roll Halls of...

  
• 01.30.2017

  Tom Jones - `Praise and Blame'

  John Wilson continues with the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. ...

  
• 01.23.2017

  Craig David - Born To Do It

  John Wilson continues with the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. CRAIG DAVID...

  
• 01.16.2017

  Shirley Collins - Love, Death And The Lady

  John Wilson returns with another edition of Mastertapes, the series in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida...

  
• 01.09.2017

  Graham Nash - Songs For Beginners

  John Wilson returns with another edition of Mastertapes, in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios,...

  
• 01.02.2017

  Laura Marling - Once I Was An Eagle

  John Wilson returns with another edition of Mastertapes, the programme in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida...

  
• 05.28.2016

  Paul McCartney

  On the eve of the sixth series of Mastertapes (which features the likes of Laura Marling, Graham Nash and Shirley Collins) there is another chance to hear the Mastertapes special, in which Paul McCartney joins John Wilson. Recorded in the...

  
• 01.26.2016

  Nigel Kennedy (the B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Nigel Kennedy questions about his record-breaking 1989 recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or...

  
• 01.25.2016

  Nigel Kennedy (the A-Side)

  Nigel Kennedy talks about his record breaking 1989 recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at...

  
• 01.19.2016

  Bellowhead (the B Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Bellowhead questions about their 2010 album, 'Hedonism'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. With John Wilson at...

  
• 01.18.2016

  Bellowhead (the A Side)

  Bellowhead talk, and play tracks from their most successful album, released in 2010, 'Hedonism'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the...

  
• 01.12.2016

  Donovan (the B Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Donovan questions about his 1966 album Sunshine Superman. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it 'ignited the psychedelic revolution virtually single-handedly' when it was...

  
• 01.11.2016

  Donovan (the A-Side)

  Donovan talks about his psychedelic revolution inspiring 1966 album Sunshine Superman. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida...

  
• 01.05.2016

  Steel Pulse (the B Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask David Hinds and Selwyn Brown questions about Steel Pulse's 1978 debut album, 'Handsworth Revolution'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. David...

  
• 01.04.2016

  Steel Pulse (the A Side)

  David Hinds and Selwyn Brown talk about Steel Pulse's 1978 debut album, 'Handsworth Revolution'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the...

  
• 12.29.2015

  Squeeze (the B Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford questions about Squeeze's 1981 album, 'East Side Story'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Chris and...

  
• 12.28.2015

  Squeeze (the A Side)

  Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford talk about Squeeze's 1981 album, 'East Side Story'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the...

  
• 12.22.2015

  Georgie Fame (the B Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Georgie Fame questions about his 1963 debut album, 'Rhythm & Blues at the Flamingo'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Georgie also...

  
• 12.21.2015

  Georgie Fame (the A Side)

  Georgie Fame talks about his 1963 debut album, 'Rhythm & Blues At The Flamingo'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the...

  
• 12.16.2014

  Sinead O'Connor (the B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Sinéad O'Connor about her 2007 album, 'Theology'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Sinéad also performs acoustic live versions of some of the...

  
• 12.15.2014

  Sinéad O'Connor (the A-Side)

  Sinéad O'Connor talks about her most personal album, 2007's 'Theology'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each...

  
• 12.09.2014

  Noel Gallagher (the B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Noel Gallagher about High Flying Birds', his first studio album since leaving Oasis, With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Noel also...

  
• 12.08.2014

  Noel Gallagher (the A-Side)

  'Noel Gallagher's discusses his album High Flying Birds. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each...

  
• 12.01.2014

  Manic Street Preachers (the A-Side)

  Manic Street Preachers talk about their third, career-defining, 1994 album The Holy Bible. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's...

  
• 11.18.2014

  Manic Street Preachers (the B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Manic Street Preachers - James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore - questions about their 1994 album, 'The Holy Bible’. With John Wilson at the...

  
• 11.11.2014

  Rufus Wainwright

  John Wilson chats to Rufus Wainwright about his life-changing album, 2003's Want One. Rufus tells the stories behind some of those songs, and sings and performs solo piano. As Rufus says himself, he has no filter. The two meet in...

  
• 11.11.2014

  Rufus Wainwright (the A-Side)

  Singer-songwriter-composer Rufus Wainwright talks about his breakthrough 2003 album, ‘Want One’. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida...

  
• 12.10.2013

  Soul II Soul (B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler questions about Soul II Soul's debut 1989 album, 'Club Classics Vol 1'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in...

  
• 12.09.2013

  Soul II Soul (A-Side)

  Jazzie B and Caron Wheeler discuss Soul II Soul's 1989 debut album, 'Club Classics Vol 1', which included the global hit 'Back to Life'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or...

  
• 12.03.2013

  Edwyn Collins (B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Edwyn Collins questions about his 1994 album, 'Gorgeous George'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. With a small band, Edwyn performs...

  
• 12.02.2013

  Edwyn Collins (A-Side)

  Edwyn Collins discusses his 1994 album 'Gorgeous George', featuring the single 'A Girl Like You'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at...

  
• 11.26.2013

  Natalie Merchant (the B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, the audience ask Natalie Merchant questions about her 1995 solo album, 'Tigerlily'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Natalie also performs live versions of...

  
• 11.25.2013

  Natalie Merchant (the A-Side)

  Natalie Merchant discusses 'Tigerlily', her 1995 solo album made after leaving 10,000 Maniacs. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the...

  
• 06.25.2013

  Spandau Ballet (B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp and Tony Hadley respond to audience questions about their 1983 hit album, 'True’. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Gary and...

  
• 06.17.2013

  Eliza and Martin Carthy (A-Side)

  Eliza and Martin Carthy talk about their critically celebrated 2002 folk album, 'Anglicana'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's...

  
• 05.29.2013

  Wilko Johnson (the B-side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, guitarist and founding member Wilko Johnson responds to questions from the audience about Dr Feelgood's 'Down By The Jetty'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London....

  
• 05.29.2013

  Wilko Johnson (the A-side)

  Wilko Johnson talks about Dr Feelgood's debut album, released in 1975, 'Down By The Jetty'. Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at...

  
• 12.10.2012

  Corinne Bailey Rae (the B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, Coraine Bailey Rae responds to questions from the audience about the inspiration behind her 2010 album, 'The Sea'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London. Corinne,...

  
• 12.03.2012

  Ray Davies (the B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, Ray Davies responds to questions from the audience about the inspiration behind two classic Kinks albums, 'Lola' and 'Muswell Hillbillies'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida...

  
• 11.26.2012

  Brinsley Forde (the B-Side)

  Following on from the A-side of this two-part programme, now the audience get to ask Brinsley Forde their questions about the inspiration behind Aswad's 1981 album 'New Chapter'. With John Wilson at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios in London....