Radio Review: 31 May
When, earlier this year, Wilko Johnson announced that he had terminal cancer, it came as a shock to his fans. But probably not as much of a shock as it came to him. However, Wilko’s reaction was in marked contrast to those of us who revere the former Dr Feelgood guitarist. We were saddened at the thought of losing our hero, while he felt revitalised and determined to enjoy each remaining day of his life to the fullest. It was an inspiring message, but I admit that I still cried a bit when I heard his first interview after the announcement, with John Wilson on Front Row. Wilson was reunited with Johnson for the opening diptych of the second series of Mastertapes, a fine show in which musicians tell the stories behind their best-known records. The result was a topnotch hour of radio on Dr Feelgood’s Down By The Jetty.
As well as being one of the true greats of British music, Wilko is a highly intelligent man with a brilliant, epigrammatic way with words. Not many rock gods have a degree in Anglo- Saxon literature. When Wilson asked about effects pedals, Johnson replied ‘Pedals? I’m a guitar player, not a cyclist.’ He did his best to recall what happened during the making of the album, although he admitted that ‘I might either have lapses of memory or I might be lying.’
He spoke of preferring a simple approach to recording, and was eloquent on the more artifi cial aspects of the business, like layering the instruments one at a time on a multi-track recorder. Engineers worry about ‘spillage’, but Johnson points out that life is full of ‘spillage’. So, instead of being partitioned off in the studio, the band all played together, live, and the result was full of thrills and spills.
Johnson was amusingly frank about how he threw ‘wobblers’ to get his own way in the studio. Having seen him on stage, all manic stare and using the guitar like a machine gun, I can understand why the producer and the rest of the band gave in.
This second series is off to a flying start and promises to be a good run. Happily, the first series is still on iPlayer, so you can catch up on that, too.
Mastertapes, BBC Radio 4, A-side Mondays at 11pm, B-side Tuesdays at 3.30pm: also on iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nr9tv
BACK TO THE 80s
Following the recent closure of Q Radio, Matthew Rudd moves to Absolute 80s for a two-hour show from 9pm to 11pm every Sunday. The usual excellent music selection and features can be expected.Follow Louis on Twitter: @LFBarfe or email him at: wireless@cheeseford.net
For Louis’ blog: www.lady.co.uk