There is a little TCD tradition about trying to do special things around landmark episodes, and so it continues with Chapter 60.

And that is because this week Dave Meegan popped along for a chinwag.

Clearly it was great to see him, and we spent a very pleasant hour looking back over the Brave & AOS years, unearthing a few hidden gems about the recording of Brave and discovering that literally NOBODY involved can remember much about writing or recording AOS. It seems it fell from heaven.

It's quite a relief when you find out its not just you that hasn't got a clue.

Love, Chateauneuf du Pape and McFlurrys

h

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For this weeks slice of mischief we turn to the topic of set-lists. What makes for a good ‘un and what you do when it’s just not hitting the spot - i.e. the "soundcheck panic meeting"...

And if that wasn't enough (and to make it appear like TCD is a well considered piece of edu-tainment) this week we even have a case study!

Using the miracle of the World Wide Web we look back on the running order of the AOS live shows, what they started out like and how they developed as the tour got going.

And on top of all that, we address a question that has been bugging one listener for more than 30 years.

Boom.

h

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It could be said that TCD is well on the way to becoming the podcast equivalent of public service broadcasting.

I mean where else can you find out what a 'Bus' is and, more importantly, why it is useful (when there's only one-a-day in the shires), how to insult somebody with a motorised fader and the reason why you never see a Cricket Umpire enter the pitch without putting his gin & tonic down.

Confused yet?

Of course not, you have all been listening to this for too long to expect our conversations to be er... linear.

And what's ANY of it got to do with a perfect vocal? No, me neither.

Love'n'made-to-measure-cricket-bats

h

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It's a bit of a tech one this week, possibly even a bit nerdy - but I will let you be the judge (so as not to offend). To be fair to us both, Ant DID used to sell Shure Microphones and I am, well.. a singer.

Ant & I got into a chat off air about 'comping' and to cut a long story short that is how we got into the subject of the various stages involved in recording my vocal performances.

Of course by the end of this you are going to be able to talk with authority about 'comping', 'tracking', 'compression' and pre-amps. I am also going to let you into a secret about the end section of Neverland and you may even find out what Peter G keeps in his cupboard. No not THAT cupboard - the other one...

Toodle Pip,

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You can be forgiven for thinking this sounds like one of those episodes that was recorded late in the evening, after we had both taken a drink.

'Possibly because this is one of those chapters of TCD that didn't quite go to plan. To start with the sketchy bit of research Ant had done proved to be of no great worth, so we ended up waffling and giggling.

Then we lost the zoom feed, and we didn't manage to re-connect until three days later.

Now of course we are ever the professionals (as you know) so we may have put a good shine on it. But just in case we didn't (there are some things you famously can't polish) I am putting my cards on the table. Ah - a straight flush!

Love'n'Rasputin (wasn't HE deaf in one ear?)

h

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As one door closes.

We have covered the end of the Brave tour over the last few episodes, and that means it's time we started talking about what happened next - the process that would lead to Afraid of Sunlight.

With a bit of prompting from Ant, I stiffened my sinews, girded my loins and persuaded the creaking cabbage in my head to throw up a few insights about the writing & recording of AOS. I did quite well as it goes, and recalled far more than I expected.

In diary news this week I am off to New York, to see Tommy (again) on Broadway and meet with the Director. You may recall that I was being put forward to play the title role when the show opened in Germany, and this was supposed to be the next stage of that journey. Supposed to be.

Love'n'Beethoven

h

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September 1994. Mexico City.

What with opening an exhibition, climbing a pyramid and celeb-watching last week was quite a support-slot.

But that's all it was, a warm-up before the headline act hit the stage and it was show-time. So prepare yourself for the main event, or should I say main events, as the Mexico trip came to a head with back-to-back sold out shows.

And what a couple of shows, both pretty unique and slightly unusual...but we will get to that in due course.

And of course, there is the little matter of a silver market and a very special girl with pigtails.

Fantastico lugar.

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September 1994. Mexico City.

And after quite numerous diary extracts, and quite a lot of misplacing of possessions, the Brave Tour finally comes to an end. And what a way to finish.

Mexico had made a real impression on me the first time around, so I was really looking forward to this trip and for once I captured it in some detail. So let's relive the first part of what turned out to be quite an event-packed few days. Packed with boxers, bangles, painters and "Bono-moments".

And a word to the wise, always consider the possible implications before you decide to climb a pyramid when you're already 2250m above sea-level on a show-day...

It was Aztecs.

Toodle Pip,

h

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How do you celebrate the first birthday of a podcast...?

As it happened it all came together quite nicely, a livestream of the recording session, my birthday shirt, honeyed tequila and everybody's favourite drummer.

So cue a celebratory episode of TCD, with a bunch of your questions thrown in for good measure.

It really has become a very special little project, and both Ant & I thank you for your warmth and support.

love'n'toothpaste,

h

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And they’re back....

It seems you are all loving our Gilly & our Sue, which is kind of fortunate bearing in mind they are back for a second bite of the apple.

This week we get onto the ‘rockstar’ years and what life is like when your brother is jetting off all over the place. And taking himself VERY seriously. And sending postcards.

Also stay tuned for news of the special plans in place to make one whole year of TCD a bit of an event.

Gosh.

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