The Afterword Podcast

After one abortive attempt and significant re-education in modern technology Twang welcomes ColinH to the pod. We discover Colin's story covering his favourites, writing, making music, Van Morrison and, shock spoiler, he likes the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Twang welcomes FeedbackFile, Tiggerlion and Steve T to the pod for a review of the cultural year, taking in music, TV, film, Twang's ennui, old Hawkwind albums and Jenny Lewis's strangely symmetrical mole. There is genuinely something for everyone in this bumper cast. Have great Christmas pod listeners.

Twang welcomes Blue Boy, Chiz and Eddie G to the pod for a ramble around the world of criticism, taking in masters of the genre such as CSM, Nick Kent and Ian McDonald through Word mag, Q, Amazon reviews, Afterword reviews and where the team have been on the receiving end (or otherwise) of the attentions of Grub Street.

Twang welcomes Eddie G, Neela, and Chris F to the pod to discuss James Bond. Martinis in hand (shaken not stirred), clad in immaculate white tux, they cover the films, the books, the actors, the baddies, music….many opinions are aired and we agree Connery was best.

Twang gathers Tiggerlion, Nigel T, Dai and occasional guest Simon for a discussion on the Beatles' "Abbey Road" and its recent remix/rerelease. A stimulating discussion ensues which has to be brutally cut short at 1hr 30m, lovingly represented here in stereo (the mono remix will be available shortly from specialist web shops). We cover the history of the album, where it fits in the Beatles universe, songwriting, recording, remix approaches… A wide spread of opinions are aired, context and judgement applied and in the end most of the team admit they'd buy it whatever it was like. Advice is offered for potential purchasers on the different formats available and Twang confesses it doesn't sound much different to the 2009 remaster to him.

Ahead of a gig in Thornton Hough with family in attendance singer songwriter Kathryn Williams sits down to talk box sets - her 20 year spanning Anthology flying off the merch table like so many hot Kiplings. The excited hubbub is audible as we discuss covers, working with Neill MacColl (who makes an extended cameo appearance), outtakes and demos plus her tour and future projects https://kathrynwilliams.lnk.to/AnthologyBoxset https://www.kathrynwilliams.co.uk/live

Twang welcomes Tiggerlion to the pod for a one to one taking in his lifelong love of music in almost all its forms (though our guest admits he hasn't found the metal album he likes….yet). In a discussion ranging from The Beatles to Eminem via Miles, Coltrane and Lana Del Rey, Twang leaves with a list of actions of stuff he should have heard of. A playlist of the vast span of music Tig recommended is in the comments.

If you fancy joining Twang in the pod for a 121 natter, PM forthwith!

This episode, germ-free adolescents Dr Volume, FentonSteve and Rigid Digit kick around in a post-industrial wasteland and talk all things Post-Punk with Twang, a man who chose not to attend *that* infamous Sex Pistols gig at Manchester Lesser Free Trade hall, nor pop round for tea with Ian Curtis. Is Post-Punk just Punk with keyboards and less spitting? What happens when Punks refuse to go 'Post'? How will Twang react to the swinging sounds of The Raincoats and Swell Maps and can the team make it through to the end without using the words 'Edgy' and 'Angular?

Twang is joined in a pod basking in summer heat and thick with the sweet smell of sinsemilla to discuss reggae from its ska roots, a groove mutated by Caribbean musicians playing covers of American R&B, through the rock steady hits of the 60s which ran for over 20 years into the 70s global stardom of Bob Marley, The team consider the important acts of the time, consider British reggae, the rise and dominance of dub and later evolutions such as disco mix.

Twang welcomes Feedback File to the pod for a ramble through his musical past and other life stories. Unusually the boys are together in person, so Skype has no opportunity to introduce technical excitement this time. We cover teenage boy prog appeal, yuppies, classic pop, 80s work culture, writing music, books, podcasts….

To book a moment in the podcast sun PM @Twang and schedule a 121!